Get ready for an incredible 21-day road trip through Sweden, starting and ending in Stockholm. This private driving tour takes you from busy cities to peaceful lakes, charming small towns, and the wild beauty of Swedish Lapland. This journey is all about experiencing the real Sweden without the rush. Whether you’re into nature, history, or food or just love a good road trip, this itinerary is made for you.
Highlights of our 21 Day Sweden Tour Itinerary
Days 1 – 3: Stockholm & Drottningholm Palace
You’ll be based in Stockholm for the first 3 days of your tour. Your driver guide will collect you from the airport or your accommodation, and you’ll set off for a walking tour of Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm, and a magical place! You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you walk through the beautifully preserved medieval cobbled streets. The old town is also the location of the Royal Palace, where you’ll go on a guided tour of the palace, walk through staterooms, and maybe even see the Changing of the Guard.
You’ll spend a day on Djurgården Island, a beautiful park in Stockholm known for its lush greenery and fascinating museums. You’ll visit:
Vasa Museum – Features a fully intact 17th-century warship
Skansen Open Air Museum – An outdoor museum that displays Sweden’s past in a recreated 19th-century village
ABBA Museum – Dedicated to the iconic pop band, featuring interactive exhibits and items belonging to the band.
You’ll go on a day trip to Drottningholm Palace on your 3rd day from Stockholm. The palace is UNESCO-listed and was once a regular summer home for the Swedish royal family. Enjoy a guided tour of the palace, walking in the footsteps of royalty across the lavish rooms and halls.
Day 4: Uppsala
On your 4th day, you’ll depart Stockholm for the historic city of Uppsala. Visit Uppsala Cathedral, the largest church in Scandinavia, and King Gustav Vasa’s burial place. Following the cathedral, your guide will take you to the Gustavianum Museum, where you can see artifacts from Viking history and see the eerie theatre where doctors used to perform public dissections! You’ll also take a trip to the stunning Botanical Gardens and walk along the Fyris River before you enjoy a fine dinner and evening in Uppsala.
Day 5: Gävle & Hudiksvall
Day 5 begins with a journey from Uppsala to Gävle. Visit the Swedish Railway Museum and explore the old town, where you will visit local art galleries and admire the 18th-century wooden houses. Enjoy Swedish fika before you drive north, passing forested landscapes and peaceful lakes on your way to Hudiksvall. Upon arrival, you can stroll along the marina before settling down for dinner with your travel group.
Day 6: Sundsvall
The 6th day of your tour will be all about luxury and relaxation. Start with a scenic drive through rugged forests from Hudiksvall to Sundsvall. Visit the Kulturmagasinet, an award-winning cultural center, before your driver guide takes you to Norra Berget Park for panoramic views across the city. Enjoy an afternoon spa treatment in a resort with stunning forest views, and spend the rest of the evening relaxing in your luxury spa hotel.
Day 7: Höga Kusten (High Coast)
After a day of relaxation, it’s time to return to your luxury vehicle and head to the spectacular High Coast region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll stop at Högakustenbron for perfect views of the iconic High Coast Bridge. Arrive at Skuleberget and choose between a short walk or a longer hike for beautiful coastal views. Your final stop of the day is Naturum Höga Kusten, a pretty nature center before you relax at a countryside inn for the evening.
Days 8-9: Umeå
Spend the next 2 nights in Umeå, known as the “City of Birches.” En route, you’ll spend time in Örnsköldsvik, where you can shop for quality Swedish outdoor clothing, enjoy traditional fika, and hike around Balesudden Nature Reserve for coastal cliff views. See the best in Umeå over 2 days, including trips to the Västerbottens and Gammlia Open-Air Museums, the Bildmuseet and Guitar museums, a walk along the Ume River, and plenty of free time to explore the city at your leisure.
Days 10-11: Luleå
On Day 10, depart Umeå for a scenic drive towards Swedish Lapland. Stop in Skellefteå to see Sara Kulturhus, one of the tallest timber buildings in the world. You’ll then enjoy lunch with views over the river before continuing the drive to Luleå, where you’ll stay for 2 nights. See the best of Luleå, including trips to Gammelstad Church Town, kayaking through the Luleå Archipelago, and the Ájtte Museum.
Day 12: Arvidsjaur
Start the morning of day 12 with a scenic drive in the heart of Swedish Lapland, past forests and serene lakes. You’ll arrive at Arvidsjaur at midday, where you’ll be staying overnight. Visit Lappstaden, an open-air museum where you’ll learn about nomadic traditions. Embark on a guided walk around Lake Prästtjärn before enjoying a rustic dinner with local trout, elk, or vegetarian dishes. If your tour takes place in autumn or winter, you may even be able to see the Northern Lights.
Day 13: Arjeplog
Your journey north continues as you stop in Jokkmokk, a cultural hub for the Sámi people, and you’ll learn more about Sámi culture at the Ájtte Swedish Mountain and Sámi Museum. Your driver guide will then take you to Arjeplog, but the journey itself will feel like part of the tour as you’ll travel down winding roads beside picturesque lakes.
Take a lakeside walk before you relax for the evening with dinner at your remote resort.
Day 14-15: Östersund
Spend the next 2 nights in Östersund, where you’ll see the best attractions in this lakeside city. You’ll get some great photo opportunities over the next couple of days, with the city on the shores of the beautiful Lake Storsjön. Visit the Jamtli Museum, where you’ll learn about Nordic life and local traditions. The highlight of your time here is a trip to Frösön Island, where you can see ancient rune stones and breathtaking views of Lake Storsjön.
Day 16: Mora
After two relaxing nights, you’ll leave Östersund on your 16th day, driving southeast through Härjedalen, stopping for lunch in Orsa, a small town by Lake Orsasjön. You can also visit Orsa Predator Park, one of Europe’s largest carnivore parks. You’ll arrive in Mora in the afternoon and start with a trip to the Zorn Museum, which is dedicated to the famous Swedish painter Anders Zorn. You also have the option to head to the Vasaloppet finish line, the endpoint of Sweden’s iconic cross-country ski race.
Day 17: Säter
You’ll set off on day 17 on a journey to Säter, with an initial stop in Falun. Enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Falun Copper Mine, where you can head underground through the massive open pit. After lunch, you’ll arrive in Säter, a picturesque town renowned for its well-preserved medieval buildings. Explore the town, visit the old prison museum, and take it easy at a relaxing countryside manor for the night.
Day 18: Mariefred
Day 18 is steeped in history and Viking heritage as you journey to Västerås. You can walk along Lake Mälaren’s shoreline, visit Kokpunkten, an indoor adventure park, and see Viking burial mounds.
You’ll then carry on to Mariefred, starting at Gripsholm Castle, a 16th-century fortress that houses Sweden’s national portrait gallery. Finish your day with a traditional Swedish dinner, with picture-perfect views of the lake and castle.
Days 19-21: Return to Stockholm
Depart Mariefred on day 19 and head to Sigtuna, the oldest town in Sweden. Explore the ancient town on your way to the Sigtuna Museum. Your guide will lead you to the iconic runestones across the town, with carved messages from Viking times dedicated to people who have died and the famous battles they fought in.
You will arrive in Stockholm that evening, where you’ll spend the next 2 nights of your tour. Spend the remainder of your time in Stockholm exploring sites you didn’t get to visit at the start of your tour. You can visit the Nordic Museum and embark on a luxury cruise of the Stockholm Archipelago. Your driver guide will tailor this time based on your personal preferences.
At the end of day 21, your driver guide can drop you off at the airport for your flight home.
