What's interesting in Stockholm in winter. When is the best time to go on vacation to Sweden? Approximate budget for a trip to Stockholm and local prices

When is the best time to go to Stockholm, where to go and what to save on? - these are the main questions that need to be resolved before leaving for the Swedish capital.

1. Not in winter!

- the northern city on the water, which means that it is preferable to go there in the warm season. In May after hibernation, the entire tourism industry wakes up: they begin to walk river trams, sightseeing buses, you can safely eat on the waterfront.

Summer into a fabulous - taking into account the fact that it is a very green and ecologically safe city, through which you can easily and enjoy cycling. In August Stockholmians massively disperse on vacation - not to say that this month the city is empty, but there is a risk of finding in August only tourists and a minimum of indigenous people.

Early - mid-October in Stockholm you can find gold autumn of unprecedented beauty.

But those who are planning to spend new year holidays in Stockholm, I want to warn you in advance: think again. Winter - the most uncomfortable time of the year in: it is constantly windy and chilly due to the proximity of the water, it starts to get dark after 15.00, the city is very poorly lit (the Swedes prefer to save electricity).

Is a very romantic city. Here you can climb with a picnic basket into Djurgården Park, located in the very center of the city, and spend the whole day there without regretting it. Or you can - climb up and walk along (the most famous are Katarina Hiss and city ​​hall) or sign up for the excursion "Walk on the Roofs of Stockholm" and feel like a Kid and Karlson (however, you will be given a helmet and insurance).

3. Children can do anything

- a very child-friendly city: here in every cafe there are highchairs, in buses - low platforms for entry of strollers. And a bunch of museums and parks where it is pleasant to spend time with children: the most famous and visited is the ethnographic museum under open air(and there is also a small zoo), Junibacken, the most old park entertainment in Europe Gr? na Lund (but the attractions there are quite modern).

In addition, with a school-age child in Stockholm, you can see a lot of informative things: go to, go to the museum of the sunken ship Gustav Vasa and to the museum natural history... It will not be boring: the Swedes know how to make informative and entertaining exhibitions that are interesting to everyone, regardless of age.

4. How can you save money here?

The high cost of Stockholm has already become a commonplace. Especially frustrating are the prices for hotels and public transport... Most thrifty tourists they prefer a one-day route to Stockholm, which allows them to arrive in the city by ferry in the morning, walk all day and go further by ferry in the evening.

What can you see in one day? - unless you run through Gamla Stan ( the historic center), drop into one of the museums on Skipsholmen, rush through the souvenir shops and run back.

More forward-thinking tourists prefer to send them to Stockholm for a few days, but walk or ride a rented bike, buy food in the supermarket and take it with them.

5. Little-known museums in Stockholm

The most popular places to visit can be found in any guidebook, and they will be Vasa, Skansen, Junibacken. But there are others, completely wonderful, but attracting much less attention to themselves:

- Museum of Music. A collection of 5,000 instruments, old and modern, many of them playable. There are a lot of creative little things in the museum (author's percussion instruments made from dried vegetables, cool videos, etc.). Address: Sybillegan 2, T? Stermalmstorg.

- Millesgarden. The estate of the Swedish sculptor Karl Milles descends in tiers to the water. Airy, flying sculptures both in the house and in the garden. It is ideal to walk around Millesgarden in sunny weather... Address: Herserudsv? Gen 32, Liding?

- Medieval Museum. This is one of the few free museums in Stockholm, and it is located in the very center and also under the bridge. An excellent example of how excavations in the center of Stockholm in the 1980s can be used to create a great and fascinating exhibit.

She gave us the Volvo car concern, the legendary Abba group and the funny Carlson who lives on the roof ... Sweden is the largest country in the Scandinavian Peninsula, occupying its southern and eastern parts, as well as the islands of Gotland and Öland in the Baltic Sea. Read our article on the Tour Calendar, where we explain why the best time to visit the Kingdom is from December to March, as well as from May to September.

Tourist season in Sweden

Sweden is a rich country with a high standard of living, high prices, innovative technologies and a reverent attitude towards nature. In addition to the magnificent architecture of majestic castles, ancient churches and unusual museums, it is precisely the enchanting nature that is one of the main reasons why about 5 million people come to the country every year. Sweden is a country with a year-round tourist season. Depending on the season and personal preferences, the local vacation can satisfy the interest of absolutely every tourist: skiing, skating, rafting, diving, exciting excursions that reveal the country's priceless cultural and historical heritage, Lapland with the northern lights and white nights, as well as lush national festivities that also cannot be ignored.

High season in Sweden

Low season in Sweden

The decline in tourist activity in Sweden is observed during the off-season. In ski resorts, this time is from June to mid-November, and in historic cities and on beach resorts- from October to the end of April. Perhaps the main advantage of traveling to a country in low season- more affordable prices. Note that we are not talking about its cheapness, since in Sweden even food is too expensive, we mean the possible savings in the tourist budget. Firstly, thanks to sales of some airlines, it is possible to get to the Swedish capital for a much lower amount. The cost of tickets for the ferry from St. Petersburg to Stockholm in the off-season is also lower - by about 20% -30%. Moreover, a number of hotels make small discounts on accommodation, and sometimes on weekends you can "catch" very well. profitable offer... So, probably the only drawback of traveling to Sweden in the off-season is the uncomfortable rainy weather.

The best time for excursions

There are so many sights in Sweden that there are enough of them to explore by far more than one visit: these are royal castles with pointed spiers, tens of thousands of churches and chapels, spectacular landscapes of Stockholm, located on 14 islands, transparent and clean lakes surrounded by the bluish haze of the forest and the untouched arctic nature of Lapland. Children, and certainly adults, will be interested in a tour of the rooftops of Stockholm, a trip to an ice hotel or a safari in the largest zoo in Scandinavia "Kolmorden". The best time for "winter" objects is from November to March, it is more expedient to plan trips around the country for summer months, as well as for May and the first half of September.

Beach season in Sweden

The Baltic Sea is quite cool, but in summer, when the sun is hot, Swedish beaches are in great demand. But not all of them, on some coasts, due to the great longitudinal elongation of the country, do not swim at all. In mid-June, the beach season starts in the south and southeast of the country, including in the capital and on the islands of Gotland, Öland. The water temperature by this time is about +19 ° C, but by July the thermometer usually reaches +20 ° C .. + 21 ° C. They also swim in the lakes. Here, the maximum temperature mark can reach +22 ° C. Last time sunbathing in late August. When planning a vacation on the beach, you should understand that in summer in Sweden the weather is very capricious. Not only precipitation, which is so typical for this time of the year, is possible, but also cold snaps up to +16 ° C .. + 18 ° C.

Yachting season

Stockholm archipelago is the most popular place in Sweden for yachting. The picturesque coastline throughout the country, with many quiet, sheltered bays and outer skerries, is a favorite destination for the Swedes themselves. Although this kind of water sports is also practiced along the southern, and along west coast... Yachting season is from May 1st to September 30th. This period, in turn, is divided into several sub-seasons, in which the cost of renting a vessel will differ, as well as the degree of congestion of the marinas. From the end of the first decade of July to the beginning of the first decade of August - the peak season (warm sea, there are no mooring places in the ports); from the first decade of July + 7 days, as well as from the middle of the second decade of July to the first decade of August - high season (a little freer in ports); from the beginning of May to the end of the first week of June, as well as from the first ten days of September to the first days of October - low season (low rental prices and no fees in ports, but cold and windy). The best time for yachting - from June 20 to July 11 and from August 22 to 28 (easy entry and exit from ports, most coastal restaurants are open, the only "but" is the low water temperature).

Navigation season

The fastest way to get to Sweden is by plane, and the most thorough and romantic is of course sea ​​cruise... Throughout the year from St. Petersburg there is a regular water connection with Stockholm on a comfortable cruise ship " Princess anastasia". This is a three-day sea voyage through Helsinki in one direction and through Tallinn in the other. One-night express cruises from Helsinki to Stockholm are very popular, and they also operate on a regular basis. The highest ticket prices are set between July and the end of September, for New Year, Christmas and the May holidays... On the Helsinki-Stockholm route, the cost increases every Friday for all 12 months.

Fishing season

There are about 100,000 lakes scattered throughout Sweden. All of them are rich in diverse flora and fauna, as well as underwater world Baltic Sea... The fishing season depends on the area and its climatic conditions. In the south, fish is caught all year round, in the central regions of the country - from April to November, and in Lapland - between May and October. Since the last

Numbers of September - from early October to early November at west coast Sweden has declared the season of "hunting" for "black gold" - this is how large lobsters are called here. This event will certainly be directly reflected in cultural life countries: restaurants offer special menus, floating hotels float on the water for theme nights, and Malmö hosts a grandiose crayfish festival.

Ski season in Sweden

Sweden is a great option for fans of alpine skiing. These are excellently equipped trails for beginners and professionals, a modern lift system, stable snow cover from November to April, talented instructors and an abundance of related entertainment (fun park for jumping, halfpipe, snowmobile safari, dog sledding, theme parks and etc.). Perhaps the best ski resort is the Swedish Alps or Åre, where in 2007 the Alpine Ski World Championship was held. Here the skiing season is extended until May.

Season of the White Nights

1/6 of Sweden's territory is located above the Arctic Circle. At the end of May, the white nights season begins here, lasting about 100 days. During this period, the sun sinks only 6 ° below the horizon, so it is very bright here even at night. The sense of time is dulled a little, and sometimes it is very difficult to determine the time of day without a clock. In the south, night falls, but it lasts for a relatively short time. So, in Stockholm the duration daylight hours in summer is about 18 hours.

Northern Lights season

Lapland is at a different extreme in winter. Now the sun does not rise above the horizon line throughout the day. Ringing silence, severe frosts and the all-consuming darkness of the polar night. It was at this time against the background of a lilac-violet sky that you can observe the glare of light dancing inappropriately. The most impressive auroras can be seen here in mid-January.

Religious season

Throughout the year, the Swedes celebrate many religious events, and the celebrations are accompanied by festivals, concerts and fairs. In them, not only Christian, but also pagan features can be traced. On Saturday, which falls from October 31 to November 6, is the memorial holiday of All Saints Day. November 11 - St. Martina, a holiday celebrating the end of autumn farming, a roast goose is served on this day. December 13 - St. Lucia, on this day, children congratulate the older generation - they prepare breakfast for their parents and visit school teachers. Christmas is celebrated in Sweden on December 25 - a holiday in a quiet family circle. December 26 is an official day off, Day after Christmas. January 6 - Epiphany. January 13 - St. Knut's Day, marking the end of the Christmas season. Palm Sunday is the beginning of the Pre-Easter week, at this time the images of Christ are everywhere decorated with willow twigs, which should drive away evil spirits. Late March - early April - Lutheran Easter, as in Orthodoxy, it is customary to cook and paint eggs here, although the drawings are somewhat different - rabbits, chickens and sorcerers. April 30 - Walpurgis Night, a kind of meeting of spring with concerts until the morning and bonfires designed to ward off witches. 50 days after Easter - Pentecost (analogous to the Orthodox Holy Trinity).

It's time for holidays and festivals

Sweden is a cold Nordic country, but it gets really hot during holidays and festivals! Official holidays (in addition to some religious dates) in the country are: May 1 - Labor Day, June 6 - Swedish National Day, Saturday between June 20-26 - Summer Solstice. From the holidays of gastronomy, it is impossible not to note the Day of Crayfish, which falls on the second Wednesday of August. From this moment on, the season for catching crayfish in reservoirs begins, many Swedes gather with their families in nature to eat these "arthropods" and sing songs. And in the north, from the third Thursday of August, the festival of pickled herring begins - fish salted in hermetically sealed containers, as a result of which it acquires a pungent specific smell. And a few words about the cultural events of the kingdom. On April 30, in Stockholm, the Swedes congratulate Monarch Carl Gustav on his birthday, after which a military parade is held in the city center. On December 10, the Nobel Prize ceremony is held in the capital on behalf of the Swedish king, in the evening all guests of this event will receive a Nobel concert and a Nobel dinner.

Climate in Sweden

The temperate type of climate prevails on the territory of Sweden, but due to the significant submeredial elongation climatic conditions within the country vary. We can say that in the north and west the weather during the year is much colder, the Scandinavian mountains towering here prevent the penetration of warm air masses from the Atlantic. Winters are long here, frosty with big amount snow, especially in the Arctic Circle, and cool summers. In the south-west and south of the country, as well as the islands in the Baltic Sea, there are slight negative temperatures in winter, summer is quite warm, but very rainy. The largest number precipitation falls in the mountains - about 2000 m, slightly less on the west coast Southern Sweden- 700 m, the driest region is in the northern plains.

Sweden in spring

Daylight hours gradually increase in March. There is practically no precipitation in the capital this month, but the snow still lasts. In April, in the south, southeast and west, it begins to gradually disappear, and freeze-up begins on rivers and lakes, which leads to inevitable floods. At this time, in some resorts in the western part of the country, it is coming to an end. ski season... In the middle of spring, under the warm rays of the sun, the island of Gotland is covered with flower carpets made of poppies, this is an incredible riot of bright colors. In the north, the landscapes are much dull. In the Arctic, the snow lasts until mid-May, the vegetation is sparse. But at the end of the month, the white nights season begins here, which usually lasts until the end of August. it a natural phenomenon partly affects and southern regions where the night lasts only a few hours.

Temperature and weather in Sweden in spring

Sweden in summer

In the north of the country, summers are rather short and cool; in the mountains, the air temperature is around +2 ° C. In the northeast, despite the region's proximity to the Arctic Circle, the weather is very mild - not cold, but there is not enough warmth either. In the capital, on the other hand, it is very comfortable and warm at this time of the year. Sometimes the sun begins to bake and the air warms up to +27 ° C, but this does not happen so often. In mid-July, cloudberries ripen in the forests; the season of their collection lasts until the first ten days of August. It is followed by blueberries, the season of which comes to an end at the beginning of September. Daylight hours for all 3 months lasts about 17 hours a day, while in the Arctic it lasts for 24 hours. Whichever part of Sweden you go during the summer season, make sure you have some solid warm clothes in your wardrobe, as even on the Baltic coast the nights are quite cold, not to mention the north of the country.

Temperature and weather in Sweden in summer

Sweden in autumn

It is windy in autumn in Sweden, humid air masses from the Atlantic often bring precipitation in the form of rains. Already from the first days of September, cloudy weather with frequent fogs prevails. In the south and south-west of the country, the air temperature, however, still fluctuates between +14 ° C..15 ° C, but as you move deeper into the Scandinavian Peninsula it becomes noticeably colder, and snow begins to fall in the mountains at this time. October in the capital is characterized by damp, chilly weather with heavy rains. But for several days, if you're lucky, you can observe “ golden autumn". By the end of the month, wet snow is possible, but it does not stay on the ground for a long time, preferring to melt quickly. In the northern regions, by this time, climatic winter dominates with might and main - with snow and frost, while the lakes are pulled together by a thick layer of ice. But winter does not come to Stockholm until the beginning - mid-November.

Affiliate material

Dear Nina! I know that you want to go to Stockholm for a long time, but somehow it doesn't work out. And the current ruble exchange rate is more and more inclined towards a quiet summer vacation. So that's it. Especially for you, I found 21 ways to save money and travel to the capital of Sweden on a relatively budgetary basis.

One of the most photographed squares in Stockholm

I choose the ferry departing from Helsinki. Yes, I agree, you will have to spend money on the road to the terminal - the landing site. But according to my calculations, it is still profitable. There are three options for how to get there - by train "Allegro" (the most expensive option is from 59 euros, but if you "catch" promotions, you can "fit" into 29 euros), a bus (from 690 rubles for a promotion), a car.

Ferry goes from Helsinki to Stockholm at night

We start saving.

Method 1.

Choose an inexpensive ferry carrier. For example, Viking Line is the region's leader in low-cost deals. It only plays into our hands.

Method 2.

The cost of a cabin for this ferry company is not fixed. It changes depending on the folding load of the ferry. The dependence there is not easy, but if you "keep watch", then you can catch the price of a lower cabin and get an unexpected discount. Checked! Prices for travel in the same directions also differ depending on the departure date - on weekdays it is cheaper, in high season - more expensive.

Entertainment for children

Method 3.

On the ship you can buy a "buffet offer", the so-called Buffet... But there is a sea of ​​food, from greed you eat more than your body allows, and then you suffer. I recommend that you familiarize yourself with other cafes and restaurants on board, where you can dine for 15 euros, which is cheaper than the buffet. But if you order a buffet breakfast (by the way, this is beneficial) or dinner in advance, you will receive a 10% discount - a trifle, but nice. But beware of bringing food on board. This is officially prohibited, although proud Finnish security guards at the landing consider it beneath their dignity to look for hidden sandwiches. Whereas their dogs look at the situation differently. One of them almost smelled the pizza, which I rolled up and stuffed into my dad's drawing tube. There was a reproach in the dog's eyes.

Serves

Method 4.

Man is a social being, I say to myself, having conceived a trip. And I tempt three friends to go with me. This is extremely beneficial economically - in any case, you buy out the whole cabin, and if you manage to divide it into four, then delight from your own enterprise and frugality settles in your soul.

Method 5.

Keep in mind, if you are going to go with your child, then he will ride for nothing. Passengers under 12 years old travel for free, and up to 6 years old also eat for free. And from 6 to 17 years old they receive discounts at restaurants - everywhere you can order a children's portion. Playrooms for different ages, contests, children's animators - all this little passengers receive as a gift.

Playroom for children

Method 6.

Let me ask you an intimate question: do you drink water? I have such a weakness and on the Viking Line ferry I fully realize it: the tap water is drinking here, and I get drunk heartily. I also fill the bottle and take it with me to Stockholm.

Method 7.

The ferry arriving in Stockholm moors very well - it is convenient and pleasant to walk from the terminal to the city center - both entertainment and savings on public transport.

In the old town

Method 8.

Going to Stockholm, do not be alarmed that it is one of the most expensive capitals in Europe. I am writing to you here specifically to explain how to save money. For example, for housing. If you choose a ferry cruise, then after a few hours of walking around Stockholm, you come back on board. But if you are thinking of staying longer, choose one of the hostels. For example, Anedin is a working vessel used as a budget hotel. It is moored on the same embankment where the Viking Line terminal is located, and for 4500 rubles. for the night you get a double room and breakfast. Having searched on services such as booking.com, tripadvisor.ru, airbnb.ru, I found other acceptable options from 3500 rubles. Housing located far from the center is even cheaper.

Old buildings of Stockholm

Method 9.

If you are going to visit museums in Stockholm, then consider buying a Stockholm Pass. This card provides the opportunity to visit more than 60 popular museums (for example, Vasa Museum, Junibacken, Royal Palace, Nobel Museum), as well as on excursions - on buses and boats - to see many sights of the city. On that website detailed information what exactly is included in the service package. Some museums on the card will be completely free for you, but some, for example the ABBA Museum, will not, but there will be a discount. Therefore, first study it carefully. The site has not been translated into Russian, but if you are familiar with the magic Google translator, you can figure it out. Together with the map you will receive a short city guide and a map of Stockholm.

Old buildings of Stockholm-2

This card is profitable to buy if you plan to actively visit museums and use sightseeing buses and ferries. Compare, the "adult" card for a day costs 595 SEK, the "child" - 298 SEK. Museums cost an average of 120-160 kroons. In addition, you don't have to stand in queues with a card. it says where and how to buy the card. You can even order it to your home by mail, but it is more optimal to buy it on the spot, since in Stockholm it is sold everywhere, including in the 7Elleven chain of stores, that is, literally on every corner.

Method 10.

More to the question of museums. If you are traveling to Stockholm with a child, visit Junibacken. This is a big savings, albeit not a monetary one. It's about the parent resource. In this museum of Swedish fairy tales, sitting on a bench with my back against the window and sipping coffee from a paper cup, I felt satisfaction spreading throughout my body: my child, who had just howled with fatigue, was rushing about the museum with enthusiasm, exploring Peppa's house , climbed the slides and wooden horses and caught his children's buzz. That was incredible. By the way, in the museum we also took a ride on a fabulous train and heard interesting story in pure Russian. It is very convenient - the kid did not need to translate, and he was fully included in the process. This is definitely a strong impression for both children and parents.

The narrowest street in the city

Method 11.

Stockholm is a compact city, and if you plan your trips well, then you will not spend much money on transport. Although travel is relatively expensive by our standards, you can save even here if you buy a card at special kiosks and for several trips. Information. Pay attention, buy a ticket to land transport it is forbidden. In the metro, it is possible, but cheaper - in shops that are easy to recognize by the huge number of sweets that are sold there along with newspapers, magazines, and water.

Method 12.

Even though Stockholm is full of brass food, it’s not trivial, you have to eat. At lunchtime (especially on weekdays), I advise you to pay attention to the restaurants' lunch offers, where you can eat for 80-120 CZK.

Lunch break is essential

There, usually a salad bar, bread and drinks are attached to the main course. In general, all the establishments in Stockholm (except for the Michelin-starred and all sorts of glamorous ones) are in approximately the same price category, so you can go to any establishment you like. Pay attention, almost all establishments have a children's menu.

Method 13.

I advise you to pay attention to the restaurants at the museums. Usually there is good quality Swedish food for more than adequate money. Excellent cafes at the Museum of Modern Art, at the Vasa Museum, in Skansen and Junibacken. An appetizing cocktail of spiritual food and sustenance creates pleasant satisfaction.

Method 14.

Let me tell you a secret: there are free museums in Stockholm. Yes, since February 1 of this year, Swedish state museums canceled the entrance fee. You can visit for free:

Method 15.

If you walk around the city, then it will also be completely free for you. And the pleasure of the sea. Here are some free / budget entertainment ideas for you:

• changing of the guard at the royal palace;

Changing of the guard - daily at 12:00

• bike rental - city rental costs 165 CZK for three days, which is an additional opportunity to save on public transport; you can pay for the rental at 7Eleven or Pressbyrån. But there are only adult bicycles in the range. Children can be rented at regular rental points;
• free excursions from guides-enthusiasts (s);
• observation decks(for example, on Monteliusvägen or Katarinahissen);

View from one of the observation decks

• swimming right in the city center - there are several cleanest beaches(e.g. Smedsuddsbadet, Långholmens bad; Brunnsviksbadet);
• lunch concerts in churches (admission is free, you can not only listen to music, but also see the church) - on Saturdays at 13:00 (Storkyrkan church - except in summer), on Thursdays at 12:15 and Fridays at 17:00 (St. Jacob), on Fridays at 12:00 (St. Clara's Church). Schedule .

Method 16.

If you feel like chatting on Skype or downloading Additional information about Stockholm, then there is free wi-fi at 7Eleven or Pressbyrån, that is, on almost every corner. There you can also connect to online navigators and build a path to the next attraction.

Method 17.

If you are going to Stockholm in the near future, then keep in mind that from 16 to 21 August a large cultural festival will be held in Stockholm, all events within its framework are free.

Perhaps any traveler who is going on vacation to a beautiful country - Sweden, first of all, asks the question - when, in fact, is the best time to go there. The answer is very simple and very easy - depending on what purpose are you going to visit Sweden for?

If you are primarily interested in sightseeing, then the very beginning of the summer season, that is, June, will be the best period.

June time will give you warm weather and long daylight hours, the so-called Polar Day. In June in Sweden, you can get to such a wonderful holiday as the meeting of the middle of summer. It's also a good idea to travel to Sweden in May and July. However, it should be borne in mind that May can be slightly rainy than June. And July, although it will be much warmer than the previous month, is still not very convenient for travel. During this period, numerous crowds of tourists roam Sweden. Moreover, in July and August in Sweden it is much more expensive to vacation than in June.

If you are very limited in funds, but still definitely want to visit this wonderful country, then you can safely go there in late August - early September. Flights to Sweden at this time are much cheaper than during the high season, as well as living in local hotels... And during this period, you can also successfully engage in sightseeing, which will gradually begin to close by the end of September.

For those who want to get to Sweden in the winter to go skiing, the question of which month is better to go should no longer be. All months from November to March in Sweden are exactly the same - cold and snowy. It is more important here to try to avoid a huge crowd of people, which makes it difficult even to turn around on descents from the mountains. Most visited months in Swedish ski resorts considered - end of February, March and December.

Sweden is an idyllic place during Christmas celebrations. At this time, the Christmas markets begin to work and sales begin. At this time, you can buy wonderful Swedish cosmetics and real branded items for literally half the price. In addition, during this period in the northern part of Sweden you can observe such a unique natural phenomenon as the northern lights.

Sweden has a slump in spring and autumn tourist season... This means that the trip there will be much cheaper. True, the weather will not be favorable during this period for sightseeing, and for alpine skiing clearly out of season. But at this time you can enjoy a great ride on a motor ship on the Swedish skerries and get a lot of pleasure from such a wonderful trip.

So, Sweden is amazingly good at any time of the year, and what period of travel to this amazing country you choose is up to you.

And on weekends, when prices, especially for air travel, domestic transportation, hotels and ski resorts, can grow dramatically. Such an increase is caused, for example, by Easter and school winter ones, the so-called. "Sports" holidays. Sweden has a week numbering system, which means that in 2019 school winter vacation will fall in different regions of the country for weeks # 8-9 (late February - early March), and Easter holidays - for week # 16 (mid-April).

The days when Sweden dies out and almost everything is closed, there are three in the calendar - this, and, falling on the first Saturday in the twentieth of June. The Swedes spend these days at home with their families - tourists will not be able to visit museums or go to a restaurant. Predictably, prices for flights and trains will rise before Christmas and Midsummer. And here new year holidays quite convenient for travel - everything opens on January 2.

This text contains examples of prices in Sweden. In May 2019, 10 Swedish kronor (SEK) was equal to 94 euro cents. All prices are indicated at the time of the last edition of the material.

2. How to get there on a budget?

Direct flights from Moscow to the capital of Sweden are operated by Aeroflot and Singapore Airlines", From St. Petersburg -" SAS ", from Minsk -" Belavia ", from Kiev -" UIA "and" Ryanair ". A round-trip ticket bought in advance costs from 100 to 250 euros, depending on the direction. Connecting flights, for example via Riga or Helsinki, can sometimes be cheaper. SAS Airlines has discounts for young people under 26 years old - a flight from St. Petersburg to Stockholm and back will cost about 90 euros.

Every day, it is convenient and inexpensive to get to Stockholm on the famous cruise ships companies Viking Line or Tallink Silja Line - primarily from Finnish (Helsinki, Turku), as well as Baltic (Tallinn, Riga) cities.

As a rule, you should use an auto-translator and search Special offers available only on the Swedish and Finnish language versions of the sites - for example, a free cabin when booking a dinner for 9 euros or a "hot deal" (sista minuten - Swiss, punaiset lähdöt - Fin.). It is often more profitable to buy a so-called night-day-night cruise than a one-way trip (and it is not necessary to use a cruise in the opposite direction). From 1 to 4 passengers can travel in one cabin - the number of passengers does not affect the cost of the cabin: the larger the company, the more profitable. The high season for ferry companies is short: late June to mid-August. It may be cheaper to travel to Sweden during this time by plane, while the rest of the year, especially if you are traveling with your family, a group of friends and / or with your own car, you should look at the ferry.

3. How to use public transport efficiently?

Traveler's Best Friend in Swedish Cities - Transport Card; it can be for a certain number of days or trips. The rule is invariable: a single ticket for city public transport will always cost more than travel with a card (for example, in Stockholm it is 4 euros against 3). Any ticket is valid for a certain time for an unlimited number of trips (75 minutes in Stockholm and 90 minutes in Gothenburg), so it is quite possible to have time to go there and back. If you plan to travel a lot by public transport, you should pay attention to travel cards for 24 hours, 72 hours or 7 days.

If you are under 26 or over 65, you almost always get all kinds of discounts on public transport, from city buses to long-distance trains. On long-distance routes, there may be discounts for holders of an international student card. usually a special family ticket or a substantial discount on tickets for children is offered, and, for example, in Stockholm, a parent with a stroller rides on the bus for free.

Train tickets, just like air tickets, are worth buying in advance in Sweden: the ticket price rises closer to the travel date (see below for an important exception for young and old people). Usually buy a ticket by minimum price can be done in 4-6 weeks on the Swedish Railways website. Students and young people under 26 receive a 15% discount, and people over 65 receive a 10% discount on second class tickets. Two children under 15 years old can travel with one adult on child tickets, you can take a stroller with you. Similar discounts apply to intercity bus lines.

9.… and on an excursion?

In Stockholm and Gothenburg, regular ships are included in the urban transport system - which allows you to make an excellent boat tour using a regular ticket; and the blue line and part of the red line of the Moscow Metro are so unusual that they deserve an underground tour in themselves. With a ticket for city transport, you can join a tour of the Stockholm subway, which regularly tops the lists of the most spectacular subways in the world; in Sweden it is called “the longest art gallery”. 90 out of 100 stations are designed by renowned artists. In summer, the tour starts every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 15.00 from the SL Sergels torg Center at the T-Centralen metro station. If you do not get on a tour, a list of the most beautiful stations for independent is compiled.

10.… and even to a concert?

Stockholm and other cities in Sweden host a huge number of free city events, festivals and celebrations with an impressive cultural program, sometimes not inferior to the best commercial festivals. You can listen to great artists for free by choosing a trip for one of the festivals.

In Stockholm, it is worth paying attention, for example, to the Culture Night in April, the Culture Festival in August and the main Scandinavian design week - the February Stockholm Design Week, almost all events of which are open to the general public.

Also in the capital, concerts are held all summer long in the atmospheric Gröna Lund tivoli park: a ticket to the park is enough to get to the concert of Swedish and international heavyweights like Zara Larsson, Little Jinder, Elton John or Korn.

Enthusiasts collect and update an online poster of free events in the cultural life of Stockholm - armed with an auto-translator, it's always easy to find something interesting here.

In Malmö, don't miss the biggest in Northern Europe the city festival - the eight-day Malmöfestivalen: every year it attracts 1.5 million viewers and is famous for its high-quality music program; Swedish artists of the first rank are participating.

11. How about shopping?

The cult of second-hand goods in Sweden is due not only to the ubiquitous fashion for vintage items and clothing, but also: Swedes are determined anti-consumerists. An unnecessary old service is not taken to the trash, but given to a charity store, where it becomes someone's new service; and a joy to the owner, and good for the environment. In numerous shops like Myrorna or Stadsmissionen, you can sometimes find real treasures: an old candlestick, a vintage handbag, a Roxette record - for 1 euro.

Seasonal sales in Sweden are at the same time as in other countries; and in recent years they have started earlier and earlier. Winter sales start shortly before Christmas, summer sales in the second half of June. It is usually easy to find out if there are discounts in the store right now by looking at the giant REA - Sale sign. For those for whom shopping is the most important part of a trip to Sweden, there are outlet shops on the outskirts of cities, where sales are held all year round, and free-standing giant shopping centers.

12. Travel and volunteer?

You can save on travel and at the same time get a lot of new experiences by becoming a volunteer. For example, the WWOOF movement brings together travelers and organic farm owners around the world - housing and food are provided to volunteers in exchange for help with housework. In Sweden, you can take care of sled dogs in Lapland, make cheese in Skåne, or learn the basics of organic farming in Dalarna, or travel around the area on an original and very budgetary vacation in your free time.