18 new reasons to visit Sweden in 2026

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• New events
• Hotels
• Spa
• Nature experiences
• Cultural highlights
• Family fun
• Food and drink

New events

Winter Wine Run on the Kulla Peninsula, Skåne

On 24 January 2026, Sweden’s first Winter Wine Run takes place in the scenic wine district of the Kulla Peninsula in southern Sweden. This 10-kilometre trail winds through muddy vineyards and country roads, with wine tastings along the route and a celebratory dinner to follow. Packages include overnight stays and can be booked via participating hotels such as Arilds Vineyard and Grand Hotel Mölle. A playful reason to visit one of Sweden’s up-and-coming wine regions, even in winter.

Valentine’s Day weddings at Skansen, Stockholm

Looking to do something truly special on Valentine’s Day? Say “I do” at the world’s oldest open-air museum. On 14 February 2026, Skansen will host winter weddings in its beautifully preserved historical venues. Located in central Stockholm, Skansen offers a romantic setting with ceremonies available throughout the day. You’ll need to book in advance and obtain a marriage licence from the Swedish Tax Agency – then get ready for the most memorable day of the year.

News hotels

Ruby Hotels, Stockholm

Opening its doors in spring 2026, Ruby Hotels makes its Scandinavian debut in the heart of Stockholm. The hotel is situated on Kungsholmen, just steps from Fridhemsplan metro station, providing easy access to the city’s top attractions, restaurants, waterfront promenades, and leafy parks. With 187 rooms, a 24/7 bar and an urban design, this is set to be a new hub for city explorers.

Glamping at Hästnäs Logi, Hälsingland

One tent, that’s it. That is the new experience Hästnäs Logi offers, starting in summer 2026, deep in an untouched ancient forest and next to Lake Norra Dellen, in the middle of this long country. Guest may try stand-up paddleboarding, cycling or simply sit by the lake, resting their eyes, breathing the crisp air and listening to the sounds of the surrounding nature. This is a place to enjoy solitude and being in the moment.

Margretes Badhotell, Skåne

Set to open in summer 2026, Margretes Badhotell brings back the charm of a classic Swedish seaside hotel at Margreteberg on the stunning Kulla Peninsula in southern Sweden, home to the abovementioned Winter Wine Run. Overlooking the tranquil waters near Höganäs, an area known for its ceramics, the new hotel aims to combine timeless seaside traditions with modern hospitality in a setting designed for leisure.

New spa

Acqua di Foresta at Villa Foresta, outside Stockholm

Opening in spring 2026, Acqua di Foresta is the centrepiece of a new era for the historic hotel Villa Foresta on Lidingö, just outside Stockholm. Inspired by Roman bathing traditions and the elegant spa retreats of early 20th-century Sweden, this new wellness experience features indoor and outdoor pools with sweeping sea views, a range of saunas and a calming salt room. A place where time slows down – and so can you.

Nature experiences

Self-guided hiking along the High Coast

From January 2026, hikers can explore the dramatic UNESCO-listed High Coast on a multi-day, self-guided walking tour by Nature Travels. Choose between four itineraries (4–7 days) with accommodation, meals, transfers and a relaxing wood-fired sauna after each day’s hike – all included. With sweeping, breathtaking views and geological formations still rising from the sea, this is a journey through one of Sweden’s most striking natural landscapes.

Evening tours to spot arctic foxes, Jämtland

Elusive, elegant and increasingly rare, the arctic fox is a symbol of Sweden’s far north. From summer 2026, visitors can join Lia Ranch’s guided evening tours across the Stekenjokk plateau in Jämtland to (hopefully) catch a glimpse of these shy animals. Set in a protected Sámi cultural landscape, the tours also explore the region’s rich mountain ecosystem and follow part of Sweden’s highest paved road, the Wilderness Road (‘Vildmarksvägen’).

Tänndalen 100 miles ultrarun, Härjedalen

Building on its growing summer offering, the mountain village of Tänndalen introduces a brand-new running week from 24–28 June 2026. The highlight? Tänndalen 100 miles – a spectacular ultrarun stretching 161 kilometres from Tänndalen to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Røros in Norway and back again. Set in a high-altitude landscape of open fells and sparkling lakes, this is an asphalt race made for runners who love both endurance and scenery.

Cultural highlights

Selma Lagerlöf at Wermland Opera, Värmland

Selma Lagerlöf was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature – and one of Sweden’s most beloved authors. In 2026, Wermland Opera in Karlstad marks its 50th anniversary with SELMA, a newly composed opera celebrating the writer’s life and legacy. Performances run from February to April.

Stockholm Concert Hall turns 100

Inaugurated in 1926, Stockholm Concert Hall – the city’s striking blue concert hall – celebrates 100 years as a home for classical music. On 9 April 2026, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra will mark the occasion with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, performed in the same venue where the Nobel Prize ceremony is held each year.

Swedish House Mafia live at Ullevi, Gothenburg

Electronic music supergroup Swedish House Mafia return to their roots in summer 2026 with two exclusive shows. On 28 and 29 August, the trio will perform their only European headline concerts of the year at one of Scandinavia’s most iconic venues: the vast Ullevi Stadium in central Gothenburg.

• Explore more music events across Sweden in 2026.

Family fun

New Junibacken at Astrid Lindgren’s World, Småland

Astrid Lindgren’s World in Småland has been a family favourite for many years – an immersive outdoor theatre and amusement park where beloved characters like Pippi Longstocking come to life. In June 2026, the park opens a brand-new version of Junibacken – the home of Mardie (Madicken), a curious and strong-willed girl who often finds herself in unexpected adventures. The updated area features more life-sized houses, expanded play areas and space for more visitors to step into the stories.

New climbing park on Fårö, Gotland

Adventure park specialists Högt & Lågt expand their presence on Gotland with a brand-new treetop course on Fårö, set to open in summer 2026. Located in the pine forests of Sudersands Resort, the park features five aerial trails of varying heights and challenges, including a 65-metre zip line with sea views. Courses start just one metre off the ground, making this a fun activity for families with children from 80 cm and up.

Food and drink

Björn Frantzén brings Emberlin to Stockholm

World-renowned chef Björn Frantzén – the only chef with three Michelin three-star restaurants at the same time – opens a new venue in Stockholm in early 2026. Emberlin, located at vibrant Stureplan, is a contemporary grill house centred around open-fire cooking. Expect a buzzing dining room, a lively cocktail bar and a diverse à la carte menu featuring everything from seafood and poultry to seasonal vegetables and flame-grilled meats.

La Girafe opens in Uppsala

Award-winning restaurateur Pontus Frithiof expands his French-inspired concept La Girafe to Uppsala in February 2026. Located on Stora Torget, the new venue will offer refined bistro-style dining with creative twists, from brunch to dinner, in the heart of Sweden’s fourth-largest city.

Bankpalatset, a new bistro in Helsingborg

Top chef Simon Weinberg, known for his work at NOMA and Operakällaren, will open Bankpalatset in Helsingborg's city centre in spring 2026. The restaurant seamlessly blends Nordic and Mediterranean influences in a modern bistro setting, featuring lunch, dinner, and a vibrant cocktail bar all under one elegant roof.

Cantin – Malmö’s new street food park

Opening on 29 April 2026, Cantin is a new outdoor street food park in Malmö, inspired by London’s Boxparks. The line-up includes everything from Japanese comfort food and Italian gelato to French crêpes and South American coffee. Starting with five vendors and expanding to 10–15, the park will be open seven days a week from April to September, adding even more international flavour to Malmö’s already vibrant food scene.

Need one more reason?

New routes by rail and air make visiting Sweden in 2026 easier than ever.

Starting 4 May, Snälltåget introduces a direct daytime train connecting Stockholm, Malmö, Copenhagen and Hamburg.

There are new flight connections too. In March, Finnair will broaden its Nordic reach with daily flights to Stockholm Arlanda from Stavanger, Norway, and a new connection linking Umeå with Vaasa and onward to Helsinki, Finland. The same month, SAS launches a new bi-weekly route between Stockholm and Madrid, linking Sweden’s capital with the Spanish one just in time for spring.

In April, Ryanair steps in with a new option for UK travellers: a bi-weekly service from London Stansted to Malmö, opening the door to southern Sweden for weekend escapes and summer holidays.

Then in May, Norwegian adds a bi-weekly route from Basel to Stockholm Arlanda, creating new opportunities for leisure and business travel between Sweden and Switzerland.

Finally, from 22 June, SAS will offer a seasonal summer route between Copenhagen and Visby on Gotland, with three weekly departures – perfect for those dreaming of a Baltic island escape.