Classic Swedish Road Trip | Discover Beautiful Sweden Lakes & Castles

Sweden Road Trip Itinerary

• Day 1 - WELCOME TO SWEDEN

  After you arrive at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, make your way to Stockholm’s scenic city centre. Many travellers opt to take the express train to Stockholm Central Station, but we also offer direct private transfers. After settling in at your hotel, spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful city. Stroll the well-known street Drottninggatan where you can shop, take photos and feel the relaxed vibe of the capital city. In charming Old Town (Gamla Stan), you will find numerous attractions, including the Royal Palace, the parliament, old churches, beautiful cobble stone streets and medieval houses.

  Spend the night in Stockholm.

• Day 2 - CHARMING TOWNS & HERITAGE

  Today, start your road trip towards the southern coast of Sweden. On your way, stop by the 18th century Tullgarn Palace park, an ideal location to take a short walk before stopping in the charming town of Trosa. Next, travel through Linköping where you can visit the open-air museum “Old Linköping”, displaying how a small town in Sweden looked 100 years ago. You can visit the houses and see how Swedish people lived in the old days.

  Continue driving until you arrive in the small town of Vadstena, which lies along the lush Lake Vättern. In Vadstena you will find the Vadstena Castle, one of Sweden’s best-preserved Renaissance castles.

  Spend the night in Vadstena.

  *Please note limited opening hours of the car rental during Sundays and public holidays. See tour information for further details.

  Driving distance: 267 km / 166 mi

  Estimated driving duration: 3 hours (without stops)

• Day 3 - A SLICE OF THE SWEDISH COUNTRYSIDE

  Drive the scenic route along the Lake Vättern, stopping in Gränna where striped candy canes were invented 1859. Visit one of the confectionery shops and see how this delicious candy is made. Next, drive through the scenic Swedish province of Småland towards the city of Kalmar where you will find the Kingdom of Crystal (Glasriket). Here you can find over 50 glassworks factories and shops, many of which are open to visitors and offer unique hand-blown glass souvenirs in all shapes and colors. End the day in Kalmar, a town full of history, featuring well-preserved 17th and 18th century buildings and the Kalmar Castle, which dates back over 800 years.

  Spend the night in Kalmar.

  Driving distance: 309 km / 192 mi

  Estimated driving duration: 4 hours (without stops)

• Day 4 - A DAY OF LEISURE IN LOVELY ÖLAND

  Today you will explore Öland, a region that has sandy beaches along a beautiful coastline, and a vast landscape where you can enjoy the scenery and bask in the solitude of the area. After crossing the bridge, we recommend a visit to the historical site of Borgholm Castle, followed by a stop at Solliden Palace, the summer residence of the Swedish royal family. Next, visit the southern part of the island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stora Alvaret, which is a giant limestone plateau that has a unique biodiversity and history.

  Spend the night in Kalmar.

  Driving distance: Driving distance: 141 km / 88 miles

  Estimated driving duration: 2 hours and 23 minutes (without stops)

• Day 5 - SWEDEN’S SPECTACULAR SOUTH COAST

  From Kalmar, drive south along the coast of Blekinge, where you find the naval city of Karlskrona which is a World Heritage site. Continue to Skåne, the most southern part of Sweden, where we recommend a visit to Kiviks Musteri and the apple orchards or stop for coffee in the picturesque town of Simrishamn. Next, visit the fortress of Glimmengehus which dates back to the middle ages before continuing your drive to the charming town of Ystad.

  Spend the night in Ystad.

  Driving distance: 290 km / 180 mi

  Estimated driving duration: 4 hours (without stops)

• Day 6 - QUAINT TOWNS, SANDY BEACHES & GARDENS

  From Ystad, make your way to Smygehuk, the southernmost point in Sweden where you will find cosy cafés, eclectic craft shops and traditional fish smokeries. Continue driving along the south coast and we recommend taking a small detour to the old towns of Skanör and Falsterbo, located on the Falsterbo peninsula, where you will see long stretches of white sand beaches.

  Once in Helsingborg we recommend a visit to Sofiero Palace & Garden, where you will find historical parks and gardens with a stunning variety of rhododendrons. Continue driving along the west coast of Sweden to Halmstad. In Halmstad you find long sandy beaches, nature reserves, art like the sculpture Picasso’s Head of a Woman – An artistic masterpiece and a lot more.

  Spend the night in Halmstad.

  Driving distance: 219 km / 136 mi

  Estimated driving duration: 3 hours (without stops)

• Day 7 - FROM HALMSTAD TO GOTHENBURG

  After breakfast at your hotel, get ready for your drive to Gothenburg. Sweden's second largest city. It is recommended to walk down Avenyn, the main shopping street that is full of interesting stores and fine restaurants. Other points of interest include the Feskekôrka fish market and the fun Liseberg amusement park. Art lovers should make a stop at the Gothenburg Museum of Art followed by an afternoon Fika in Haga.

  Spend the night in Gothenburg.

  Driving distance: 144 km / 90 mi

  Estimated driving duration: 1 hour 40 min (without stops)

• Day 8 - LAKES, CASTLES & ÖREBRO

  This morning, on your way to Örebro, stop by Lake Vänern in Sjötorp just north of Mariestad to see Göta Canal, is one of the most remarkable waterways in the world and one of the communication links between Sweden's two largest cities. Continue your drive to Örebro, and stop to see the14th century Örebro Castle, which is located in the middle of city centre. We recommend a walk through the Wadköping open-air museum, with buildings that date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Next, visit the large public park Slottsparken (Palace Park), that is thick with trees and has small footpaths and natural creeks.

  Spend the night in Örebro.

  Driving distance: 292 km / 181 mi

  Estimated driving duration: 3 hour & 26 min (without stops)

• Day 9 - CASTLES ON THE WAY TO STOCKHOLM

  On your way back to Stockholm we recommend a stop in the town of Eskilstuna, where you can visit the open-air museum Rademachersmedjorna. This area is famous for its many castles and manor houses, including the 16th-century Gripsholm Castle. After a day of sightseeing, continue east for your return to Stockholm, where you will drop off your rental car, and spend the rest of the day at leisure in Stockholm.

  Spend the night in Stockholm.

  Driving distance: 197 km / 122 miles

  Estimated driving duration: 2 hours 16 minutes (without stops)

• Day 10 - STOCKHOLM AND DEPARTURE DAY

  Enjoy one last Scandinavian breakfast before it is time to check out of your hotel. Passengers departing with the afternoon flight will have time for some last-minute shopping or the chance to visit a museum or two that you missed earlier in the trip.