Sweden´s 2025 Travel Highlights

With Sweden continuing to capture the imagination of travellers worldwide, 2025 promises an array of new openings, events, and experiences. From innovative hotels and inspiring cultural attractions to exciting new restaurants, there has never been a better time to visit. The country’s travel calendar for 2025 is packed with highlights, offering something for everyone—whether you’re seeking luxurious accommodation, exclusive culinary adventures, or unforgettable events.

The new Landskona Cold Bathing House. Photo: magazinA Architects

According to a recent target group analysis*, cultural and culinary experiences are two of the most compelling reasons to visit Sweden, alongside the allure of vibrant city life. This trend is reflected in this year’s exciting developments, which range from world-class restaurants to immersive cultural attractions. Additionally, there is a growing preference for multi-star hotels, although budget-friendly options remain essential to accommodate a variety of travellers. For a deeper connection to nature, culture and yourself, here’s a look at what’s in store.

New hotel & restaurant openings:

West Sweden

• EXO in Karlatornet: Scandinavia’s highest restaurant will open in spring 2025 in Gothenburg, located on the 69th floor of Karlatornet. EXO will offer dining and an observation deck 220 meters above sea level. Read more: goteborg.com.
• Hjortviken: Sweden’s first country club, opening in January 2025 in West Sweden. This lakeside resort near Gothenburg features 150 rooms, two pools, and Spanish-Swedish cuisine, emphasising outdoor activities and an “offline” experience.
  Hyatt Place Gothenburg Central: This 300-room hotel, which will open Spring 2025 at Gothenburg’s central station, includes suites, a restaurant, and a lobby bar.

Central Sweden

• Hernö Gin Hotel: Opening in February 2025 in Härnösand, this hotel is dedicated to premium gin, offering 120 rooms, bars, and a restaurant.
• Stockholm Stadshotell: Stockholm Landmark to Reopen – A New Era in Luxury Hospitality. Sweden’s first Relais & Châteaux hotel, opening 25 January 2025 in Stockholm. It combines historic architecture with modern luxury and includes a fine-dining restaurant and wellness area.

South Sweden

• Pensionat Furuhem: Michelin chef Magnus Nilsson’s new restaurant and Bed & Breakfast opening in spring 2025 in Båstad, blending fine dining with cosy accommodation.
• Vallens Säteri: Reopening in May 2025 after a fire, this historic hotel near Båstad will feature 33 rooms and conference spaces.

New cultural attractions:

• “Ecstasy! The Swedish Diva” at Millesgården: In February 2025, actor and drag artist Robert Fux curates a dazzling exhibition in Stockholm celebrating the power of Swedish divas through original costumes, rare artefacts, and immersive installations. The exhibition showcases stage costumes from around sixty Swedish divas, spanning from the past to the present, including Greta Garbo, Leila K, and Birgit Nilsson to Camilla Henemark, Anita Ekberg, Git Gay, and Unna Daj-Elecktra. Visitors can marvel at sacred diva relics such as Jenny Lind’s bracelets, Zarah Leander’s collected hair, makeup from John Lind, Sweden’s first drag show star, and the death mask of opera legend Christina Nilsson.
• Hilma af Klint Centre: Opening in the summer of 2025 on the island of Adelsö, near Stockholm, the centre will focus on the legacy of Swedish artist Hilma af Klint and will offer an artist residency programme. It will be the first global centre dedicated to her work.
• Landskrona Kallbadhus: Landskrona in southern Sweden´s Skåne region, once boasted two cold bathing houses, both sadly lost to storms over the years, with the most recent destruction occurring in 2013. Since then, the town has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new pier and a brand-new cold bathhouse—opening early 2025, the wait is finally over!

The new pier leads to a stunning cold bathhouse designed by local architects, magazinA. Here, you’ll find separate male and female sauna areas, each with its own set of bathing stairs, as well as a shared, connecting relaxation space. Inside the sauna, visitors will enjoy breathtaking views of the Öresund Strait, and even catch a glimpse of Copenhagen through the large glass walls.

This is more than just a bathhouse—it’s a rejuvenating escape with a view, a quintessential Swedish spa experience. Cold bath houses, inspired by 19th-century continental health resorts, began emerging in Sweden in the late 1800s, following the earlier use of stair-equipped outdoor pools from the 1850s. An experience where adventure meets wellness; a transformative ‘coolcation’ activity that remains popular across Sweden today.

Events and anniversaries:

• Hanseatic Days in Visby: From 5-8 June 2025, Visby will host the Hanseatic Days, celebrating the historic Hanseatic League. The event brings together cities across Europe for a mix of culture, markets, seminars, and networking. Read more: hanse.org
• Kattegattleden’s 10-Year Anniversary: On June 6th 2025, Sweden’s stunning coastal cycling trail celebrates its 10th anniversary. Recognised as European ‘Cycle Route of the Year´ in 2018, this 390-kilometre trail stretches from Gothenburg to Helsingborg. As the anniversary coincides with Sweden´s National Day, there are sure to be some festivities along the trail to mark this milestone.
• Dog Agility World Championship in Kalmar: From September 17-21, 2025, Kalmar hosts the prestigious event, with 700 competitors from 55 countries.