So, are you going to help us keep Sweden beautiful? Course you are. Please just read and think about the tips and advice below and then try to follow them. Hey, no-one is perfect and you might not manage all of them, but at least you tried.
Arranging your trip to Sweden
You can make your visit to Sweden almost entirely paperless. Book everything online, and before you arrive download maps, apps and guides to your smartphone. Most accommodation in Sweden can also be booked online, as can travel tickets and admission to major attractions. The only paper you need to bring to Sweden is your passport and any visa documents you may need.
Travel light
Extra luggage means extra fuel for the airplane, if you are flying to your destination in Sweden. It also means extra hassle for you because you have to lug it around and you may have to pay an extra baggage allowance at the airport. Even if you are traveling here by train, boat, bus or car, too much luggage is never a good idea. So, think about it, do you really need all that luggage?
Accommodation
If you choose a Nordic Ecolabel or Green Key hotel, guesthouse or other accommodation they follow the directives and guidelines issued by these labels. Also look out for Nature’s Best ecolabel and STF labeled accommodation. Otherwise, reuse towels and bed sheets as often as you can and don’t get your room cleaned too often. Also, unplug electrical appliances when not in use. And switch the light off when you leave the room (unless there’s someone in it). Just like at home.
Use public transport
The best way of getting around in Sweden is by public transport, especially in the town and cities. It is clean, safe, and is almost always on time. Sweden’s major cities, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö have inter-city train and bus links, and Swedish towns are well served by public transport. Find out more about train travel in Sweden and get information on public transport in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
Walk or cycle
Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö are great walking cities as they are compact and pretty much all of their attractions and sights are within walking distance. Otherwise hire a bicycle.
Drink the tap water
Bring a reusable bottle and fill it up with perfectly clean, safe and drinkable Swedish tap water. The stuff out of the tap costs you nothing and you won’t leave a trail of plastic bottles behind.
Waste
It goes without saying that you put litter in rubbish bins when you’re in the towns and cities of Sweden. Sometimes the bins will be marked; ‘Burkar‘ and ‘Övrigt’, the first means ‘Cans’ and the second means ‘Other’. If you are in the countryside and there are no rubbish bins, please collect your waste and dispose of it when you reach a rubbish bin. If you’re staying in self-catering accommodation, please sort your waste if possible.
In the countryside
Sweden has something called the Right of Public Access and a precious thing it is too. It means that anyone can enjoy the countryside in Sweden as long as they do it responsibly and do not disturb nature.
Eating out
Most restaurants and eateries in Sweden have a website and you can read online reviews, including from where they source their ingredients. The best thing to do, eat in restaurants that source their ingredients locally.
Find out more about Food & Drink in Sweden
Eating in
If you are staying in self-catering accommodation and have to buy-in foodstuffs from a local supermarket or grocery, look out for KRAV label foodstuffs and products. This is Sweden’s biggest and best organic food label.
Please enjoy your time in Sweden responsibly.