Summer is here! What are you supposed to do now? While many have jobs or plans lined up, the break from university lasts for long! As time passes, the pressure usually increases for every week: I cannot waste this summer!
To keep busy, travelling abroad is both fun and usually means securing good weather. But how do you make the most of the Scandinavian summer? Here are some of Sweden’s main summer events and possible activities, to help you plan this summer break.
Activities
Roskilde, Denmark, 27 June – 24 July: No doubt Scandinavia’s biggest festival, Roskilde is the closest thing you get to Glastonbury at these northern latitudes.
Open-air cinema: If there is one thing that has taken Sweden by storm, it is open-air cinema. Now being offered for free in most Swedish cities, for example 12-16 August in Stockholm (Stockholms Filmfestival) and during July in Malmö (Panora), it is a great way to spend a summer evening!
Cliff-diving: Sweden’s East and West Coasts, and their many archipelagos, provide an amazing backdrop to any summer day! Providing space to rest and sun bathe, as well as great swimming opportunities, the Swedish coastlines are always worth a visit! Important to note, all Swedish coastlines are open to the public. Sometimes the road there might be private, but if you do find a way of getting there safely, you are always allowed to stay!
Beach-hunting: While the water temperature might sometimes falter, Sweden is filled with beautiful beaches. Some of the best ones can be found along the south-eastern coast of Skåne, but the rest of the country does not disappoint either. Bring some fika or dinner, go for a swim, and enjoy the long summer nights!
Celebrate Midsummer: It goes without saying that taking part in one of the country’s biggest holidays is a sure highlight of the summer break.
Go camping: In Sweden, Allemansrätten (the right of public access) allows you to roam freely, even on private land. This means you are allowed to set up a tent almost anywhere, and take the chance to see more of the Swedish nature. You can also sleep in a public wind shelter, meaning owning a tent is not necessary. Just remember to “not damage or destroy” the areas you are exploring!
Watch the World Cup: There is truly nothing like a World Cup summer! Organise a watch party with friends, or enjoy any of the public or private viewings around town!
Road trip: Take the chance to explore more than Lund’s cobblestoned streets and eventually the bars at Möllan in Malmö – go on a road trip and discover hidden gems around the country!
Visit the archipelago: Sweden’s archipelagos are truly a sight to behold! Providing the perfect backdrop to any summer day, few places are as popular among both locals and tourists. While some of the biggest ones can be found outside Stockholm, Gothenburg and Blekinge, the country is filled with them, stretching from north to south.
Picnic: When you are broke but still want to get out of the house, a picnic is often an unbeatable activity. Bring your friends and enjoy the weather!
Barbecue in the open: Sweden is filled with public barbecues, in cities, forests, and by the seaside. Simply bring a package of coal or a few wooden logs, and organise your own barbecue. The barbecues far away, for example deep in the forest, even provide the logs, meaning you just need to figure out a way of getting there. For a true holiday feeling, make the classic Swedish pinnbröd!
Pinnbröd recipe:
- 4 dl flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 1.5 dl water
Travel by public boat: While not available all over the country, multiple cities have boat lines as part of their public transport systems. In summer, these boats can take you around the city and far into the archipelago.
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City by city
Stockholm:
Kulturfestivalen, 12-16 August
In August, Stockholm gets filled with concerts, events, and activities! During five days, you get the chance to enjoy and explore the city, all for free!
Göteborg:
Way Out West, 13-15 August
Sweden might not be known for their festivals, but Way Out West is the exception! The closest thing the country has to England’s Glastonbury or Denmark’s Roskilde, Way Out West takes place during three days in August each year. This year, The Cure, Gorillaz, and Lorde are playing, among others!
Malmö:
Malmöfestivalen 7-14 August
Similar to Stockholm’s Kulturfestival, Malmöfestivalen takes over Malmö for a week each August. Filling the city with free concerts and events, this year features Oskar Linnros and Cleo, among others!
Lund:
Park Live, 24-27 June
Park Live is Lund’s very own summer festival! Taking over Stadsparken, the city invites artists and listeners to a four-day free festival. Featuring famous, mainly Swedish, artists, such as Dina Ögon and Augustine, our small university city proves that the students leaving does not mean the town sleeps!
