When planning a summer holiday, Sweden might not be the first destination on your list. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be your next trip, though. It has everything you could want from a summer holiday: fun, thrilling nightlife, quiet cafes, and a resurgence in creative, gourmet Nordic cuisine that has made Sweden a foodie’s dream. So why not take a trip to Sweden for cafe culture and food?
If your ideal summer holiday is spent on a beach, then you can discover some of Sweden’s incredible archipelagos. Meanwhile, for fans of architecture, unsurprisingly, the country that brought us IKEA showcases some of the best modern design in the world.
If your perfect break involves sampling cafe culture and taking slow meandering walks through city streets, then Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, will be the perfect destination. Stockholm’s glittering waterways make it a fantastic alternative to Venice and just like its Italian counterpart, it is littered with beautiful places to sit outside and sip coffee.
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Snus and Cafe Culture
Unlike Venice, where Italians will enjoy an espresso and a cigarette, you will notice an absence of smokers in Sweden. In fact, the country has the lowest recorded number of smokers per capita and is on track to be the first country to meet global targets related to smoking cessation for 2025. For Swedes, the lack of interest in smoking could be down to a national interest in snus, a loose tobacco which is placed on the gum and has been a part of Swedish culture since the 1600s, when Sweden had a small colony in the Americas, in what we now call Delaware. Snus is produced in the country and is a large part of the fabric of cafe culture for both retirees and those in their 20s, as a renewed interest in snus has made it popular with hipsters. Swedish snus is said to be the best in the world, and you may want to try some whilst you visit. It is especially useful for smokers who may be a little intimidated by Sweden’s stringent anti-smoking laws. Once you get back to the UK, you won’t be able to buy snus, but you can buy nicotine pouches online here, as well as tins of snus in all flavours. taxfreesnus.com stocks some of the most famous Swedish brands including Kapten and Oden.
Nordic Cuisine
If you like to travel to try new cuisine, you won’t be disappointed by the offer in Sweden. New Nordic cuisine has been popular in the country since Noma opened its doors in 2003. In fact, thanks to the contribution of Michelin-starred chefs from Nordic countries, New Nordic cuisine has shaped restaurant culture around the world and showcases some of the finest ingredients that Scandanavia has to offer. Based on native seasonal produce, this type of cooking pairs simplicity with a modern elegance and a new way of cooking ancient ingredients that are sourced locally and seasonally. It is like no other cuisine you will try, and can be sampled at many fashionable restaurants in Stockholm, including the illustrious Matbaren, Oaxen Krog & Slip, Agrikultur as well as Den Gyldene Freden, one of the oldest restaurants in the entire world, which opened in 1722.
For those looking for something a little different for a summer break, Sweden has a lot to offer. A visit to Stockholm could put Venice in the back seat and even bring a new perspective to the meaning of cafe culture. If you’re fed up with paella and pizza and you want to explore a new part of Europe, then Sweden might just be the place for you.
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