Swedish winter holidays can be very different depending on where you’re travelling, which is why knowing what to pack can be important! A festive weekend in Stockholm, for instance, calls for different clothes than you’ll need on a Northern Lights holiday in Swedish Lapland, where temperatures often fall well below freezing.
Your packing list could also change based on the activities you’re planning, because outdoor excursions like dog sledding and snowshoeing will mean you’ll be reliant on proper thermals, and may need to check whether clothing hire is included in your package.
While many of our winter holiday packages do provide specialist clothing and equipment hire, and you won’t need to fill your case with Arctic gear, we’ve shared some tips on what we’d suggest you pack before travelling to Sweden in winter.
Packing for Different Types of Winter Holidays in Sweden
Step one is to look at which winter holidays to Sweden you’re interested in or have already booked. The winter tourism market is vast, ranging from Northern Lights tours to luxurious spa breaks, city-based getaways and thrilling winter snowmobiling camps.
What to Bring for Stockholm and Southern Sweden
The capital, with its famous historic Gamla Stan old town, cafes, museums and twinkling Christmas markets, feels wonderfully festive. Although it’s slightly milder to the south, there is still a chance of snow.
Our advice would be to bring waterproof boots for strolling around the cobbled streets, a warm winter coat and gloves. Layers are a great way to stay snuggly when you’re browsing the shops or soaking in the sights, and you can always take a break in front of a roaring fire at your hotel or sip some mulled wine if there’s a bite in the air.
Advice on Packing for a Winter Holiday in Swedish Lapland
Swedish Lapland is a fantastic winter experience and given that a large proportion of it is well above the Arctic Circle, the clothing you’ll need has to be properly insulated and capable of withstanding Arctic winter temperatures.
Top destinations include Kiruna, near Abisko National Park, Jokkmokk, known as the centre of indigenous Sami culture, and Luleå by the coast. Many guests head to the national parks in northern Sweden for the best chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis, and this means being prepared.
Other popular activities include skiing, sledding through snowy forests, snowmobiling across frozen lakes and staying overnight at the iconic Swedish Icehotel. The sometimes dramatically cold temperatures mean packing:
- Thermal base layers and thick socks
- Waterproof boots with a good tread
- Gloves and sunglasses suitable for the cold but often bright weather
- Extra batteries for cameras and/or a power bank, as batteries drain faster in this climate
Swedish winter holiday packages designed around outdoor activities or northern lights hunts will commonly include extra Arctic thermals, but checking the forecast might also be useful. That’s because the Aurora is often visible from September through to late March, and earlier or later in the winter season the weather might be a little milder as it gets closer to spring.
Why Travellers on Sweden Winter Holidays Should Check Inclusions
Travelling light is always less stressful, and if your package already includes thermal snow suits, boots, helmets, snowmobile clothing and snowshoes, it’s definitely not worth spending a considerable amount on a kit you may not need and might not use again.
Safety gear such as helmets is often mandatory for more exhilarating activities like reindeer sledding or snowmobiling, but there is little expectation that guests will bring these items themselves.
However, you might also find that optional extra tours offered through your accommodation provider give you the choice whether to bring your own thermals or hire them there. If you’re returning to Sweden’s northern regions in the future, you might prefer to have your own.
How to Prepare for the Swedish Winter Lifestyle
Sweden’s winter months are ideal for travellers who dream of snowy landscapes beneath clear skies, memorable winter activities, or the Northern Lights dancing overhead.
We recommend immersing yourself in the culture to ensure you have the best personal experience, starting with the fika coffee tradition. You can try cinnamon buns, delicious hot chocolate and rich, dark coffee, slowing down to watch the world go by from one of the many independent cafes in Stockholm.
If you’re lucky enough to be travelling in December and over Christmas, the St Lucia celebrations during the middle of the month, wooden stall-lined Christmas markets and festive concerts are a must, with ice skating rinks and vendors selling glogg in almost every square.
Guests who plan to head north to see the amazing scenery of Swedish Lapland can take advantage of opportunities to learn about Sami culture. Visiting reindeer parks to learn how to lasso and care for the herds, accompanied by local guides, is a great way to support these communities.
Winter is also one of the ideal times to sample Swedish delicacies, from cured salmon to julskinka (Christmas ham), pickled herring, prinskorv, small fried sausages, and of course traditional köttbullar meatballs, all of which are found on menus throughout Sweden during winter.
What Makes Winter Holidays in Sweden Something Special?
Winter is when the Swedish countryside and traditions come into their own. The long evenings create ideal conditions for Northern Lights viewing, particularly in Swedish Lapland where clear skies and minimal light pollution offer some of Europe’s best opportunities to witness the Aurora.
Swedish cities turn into winter wonderlands with cosy fires and sprinklings of snow on the rooftops. In contrast, the classic Swedish saunas provide a way to escape the chill and indulge yourself in a soothing massage, beauty treatment or jacuzzi.
Provided you have everything you need, winter travel is a brilliant way to see one of the prime locations for the Aurora deep into Swedish Lapland or take the chance to stay in the Icehotel before the hotel melts and needs to be rebuilt for the next winter season.
For more information about specific holiday packages, itineraries, or excursions, you’ll find details about what is included and whether there are options to hire kit through the Baltic Travel Company site. You are also very welcome to get in touch by giving us a call for more advice or recommendations on the best tours for you.
Whether you’re planning a festive city break in Stockholm or an Arctic adventure beneath the Northern Lights, we’d be delighted to help you choose the right itinerary and ensure you know exactly what to pack before you travel
This entry was posted on Thursday, August 6th, 2026 at 8:11 am; on the subject of Sweden.