Why Sweden is a paradise for introverts

A bit tired of people? Recharge like a Swede. Thanks to Sweden’s Right of Public Access, you’re free to roam through forests and mountains for as long as you like. Pick some berries along the way, take a dip in a secluded lake or pitch a tent and sleep under the stars. No one will stop you. Except maybe a moose or two.

Having fika with a Swede is an introvert’s dream. Here’s how it works: choose someone you like, agree on a time – preferably a few days in advance – and meet at a café for coffee and cinnamon buns. Swedes, much like introverts, tend to appreciate a little planning. When the buns are gone, you can always order a coffee refill (‘påtår’). Or simply say goodbye and go home to do your laundry. Socialising: done.

In Sweden, personal space isn’t a preference. It’s a way of life. Just look at how Swedes wait for the bus – we were social distancing long before it had a name. And once on board, choosing an empty seat rather than sitting next to someone is practically an unwritten rule.

Beyond the bus stop, Sweden has one of the lowest population densities in Europe, with plenty of open landscapes, forests and lakes. So finding a place of your own is rarely difficult. Chances are, your nearest and loudest neighbour will be a bird.

Swedes prefer silence to small talk, meaning no one is likely to start chatting to you in the lift or on the underground. And if they do, they’re probably not Swedish. Even among friends, silence doesn’t necessarily need filling. In fact, neither does your holiday. Swap FOMO for JOMO – the joy of missing out – and leave a little room in the itinerary for doing absolutely nothing. Extroverts may call it boring. We call it recharging.

Need some space? Sweden has 267,570 islands, more than any other country in the world, and the vast majority are uninhabited. In other words, finding your own little paradise is surprisingly easy.

And if you don’t want to go full Robinson Crusoe, there are plenty of island escapes around the country where you can get far from the crowds and close to nature. Some even come with a comfortable bed.

In Sweden, doing things solo rarely raises an eyebrow. Have lunch at a café, visit a museum or spend a few quiet hours with a book. No explanations or plus-one required.

Sweden has the highest share of single-person households in the EU, so you could say we have plenty of practice. Here, your own company is considered pretty good company.

Like museums, but not crowds? You’ve come to the right place. Sweden officially holds the Guinness World Record for the most museums per capita, with around 1,600 museums for 10.6 million people. That’s roughly one museum for every 6,625 people. Plenty to go around – and a better chance of admiring the exhibits instead of the back of someone’s neck.