Warm days, music festivals, outdoor activities – that’s Sweden in August. You can visit the cities, too but don’t be surprised to find some cultural venues closed unless there’s a special event taking place. However, traveling to Sweden in August also means the flights are expensive, so plan accordingly.
Weather
August offers pleasant weather , with warm, sunny days. But remember to pack a sweater for the evenings and nights out. The weather is great for exploring the outdoors and taking scenic rides. Short sleeves are perfect during the day and don’t forget the comfortable shoes.
Sample temperatures
Gothenburg avg high 18C/66F; avg low 12C/55F
Malmo avg high 20C/68F; avg low 12C/55F
Stockholm avg high 20C/68C; avg low 11C/53F
Uppsala avg temp 15C/59F
>>read more about Weather in Sweden
Flights and accommodation
August is another popular month to visit Sweden, thanks to being able to explore the outdoors and attend festivals. However, flights to Sweden are expensive and booking in advance doesn’t solve the problem all the time. On the plus side, many hotels offer discounts, so accommodation won’t always break the budget. Make sure to book the flight and hotel / hostel in advance.
Things to do
While locals tend to abandon the cities and go to the countryside to relax, travelers can experience the less crowded cities at a leisure pace. Some of the things to do in Stockholm include spending time in the Old Town , watching the changing of the guard and exploring the parks . You can also plan a day trip to the islands of the Stockholm Archipelago or soak up the sun on the two city beaches.
Also in early August, you can watch the Stockholm Pride, the largest GLBT event in Scandinavia.
Another interesting event takes place in mid-August in Växjö: The Emigration Festival. It focuses on the country’s most popular emigration area. Visiting the House of Migrants adds more historical facts to this interesting mix of cultures. Växjö can be easily reached both from Gothenburg and Malmo.
And while you are in the area, don’t miss the The Way Out West Festival in Gothenburg, taking place each year in mid-August. It’s not a very old music festival but it’s been called one of the best of its kind in Europe.
Summer is also the best time to enjoy nature and try activities such as: fishing, hiking, diving, biking, golfing, scenic train or boat trips and horse riding. You can also enjoy water sports.
A scenic ride on the Lapland train is an excellent way to see the country. The train runs from Malmö in Sweden to Narvik in Norway and takes you across the Arctic Circle. While in August you cannot see the Midnight Sun anymore, visiting this part of the world is an amazing adventure any time of the year. The single fare for the entire length of the journey is 799 SEK / €90. Youth (under 26) and pensioners get 15% discount. Interrail and Eurail cards are valid for travel on the Lapland train.
Another interesting scenic ride is on the Islandsbanan which runs from Kristinehamn to Gällivare. The train operates between middle of June and the end of August. You can create your own itinerary as it’s possible to hop on/off the train as it makes some stops along its round. The Inland Railway Card is a great options for those planning the trip independently. Some examples of single fares are: Kristinehamn – Mora 306 SEK / €34; Östersund – Gällivare 962 SEK / €107.