Sweden Local Customs

 
by Dizzyhead
 
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    by Dizzyhead
  •   Local Customs
    by Dizzyhead
  •   Local Customs
    by Dizzyhead
  •   Local Customs
    by Dizzyhead
  •   Local Customs
    by Dizzyhead
 

Most Viewed Local Customs in Sweden

1.

Language   Stockholm

Language, Stockholm

 20 Reviews  One of the things Swedes really don't like is someone coming to Sweden speaking any other language than Swedish or English. The way we see it is that we have made an effort to learn the international... 

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2.

Etiquette   Malmö

Etiquette, Malmö

 4 Reviews  At most places with customer service (e.g. Post Office, Tourist Information, Money Exchange) you have to take a number from a machine. Then you have to wait for your number to be called or to be shown... 

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3.

Museums   Stockholm

Museums, Stockholm

 39 Reviews  This museum is called "Nordiska Museet" (Nordic Museum).You can develop a good understanding of Nordic culture and folklore history since 16th centuryupon visiting this museum. You can see exhibitions... 

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4.

Seaside & canals   Malmö

Seaside & canals, Malmö

 4 Reviews  On any sunny day, Malmö's citizens gather in Västra Hamnen to walk along the seafront promenade, have a coffee or Italian ice cream in a cafe and just people watch. See the second picture just to see... 

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5.

Alcohol   Stockholm

Alcohol, Stockholm

 5 Reviews  If you want to buy alcohol in Sweden then you must go to Systembolaget. They are the only ones who is alowed to sell alcohol. You must be over 21 years to buy alcohol in Systembolaget. This shopps... 

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6.

Open Swedes   Malmö

Open Swedes, Malmö

 2 Reviews  I know that many people tell that Swedes are cold and sometimes unfriendly, but I have had chance ! I only stayed at a bar 5 minutes alone, and some guys asked me if I was enjoying my hollidays,... 

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7.

People   Stockholm

People, Stockholm

 13 Reviews  If wandering around Stockholm museums and sightseeing points, you will probably come across the name Bellman. He was an 18th century poet and trubadour whose songs and melodies are much loved today,... 

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8.

Winter bathing   Malmö

Winter bathing, Malmö

 1 Review  Some Malmö people have a habit of swimming in the Öresund Strait not only in summer but also in freezing winter. This picture is from Sibbarp's Cold Water Bath and NO, those minus signs are NOT a... 

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9.

Meals   Stockholm

Meals, Stockholm

 10 Reviews  In Sweden it is a custom during Easter to fill colourful paper Easter eggs with chocolate and give to your children and loved ones. Since we were travelling in Stockholm around Easter the shops were... 

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10.

Tourist info   Malmö

Tourist info, Malmö

 3 Reviews  This is the place to obtain advice abd information on Malmý. There are maps, postcards, souvenirs, books and others found in the shop. Opening hours October - April: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat 10... 

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11.

Festivals   Stockholm

Festivals, Stockholm

 7 Reviews  Between June and August 2004 about 100 colorful fibreglass cows were placed on many streets, squares and in buildings of Stockholm. This cow parade has already been to New York, London, Dublin and... 

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12.

Music   Malmö

Music, Malmö

 1 Review  Swedes are a music loving people. It is easy to find music festivals in the streets of every town and city in the country, or simply people performing dances or coreographies, like theses girls in... 

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13.

Tipping   Stockholm

Tipping, Stockholm

 4 Reviews  When I have visited Stockholm I have been told that tourist guides and waitresses/waiters, bellboys are not to be tipped. The last time that I visited Stockholm I had the god luck of being able to... 

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14.

Swedish signs   Malmö

Swedish signs, Malmö

 1 Review  Gatan is the Swedish for street :) However you can definitely get by on English in Malmo, helped no doubt by the fact that English is a compulsory language subject in school. But a few phrases from... 

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15.

Customs in the Home   Stockholm

Customs in the Home, Stockholm

 9 Reviews  As most of you may know, the Scandinavian tribes are descendants of the Vikings, whose first recorded attack, in England, was in a.d. 793. The remains of several hundred Viking Age boats have been... 

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16.

Festival   Malmö

Festival, Malmö

 2 Reviews  Takes place during the second or third week in August every year and means the city is full of people enjoying concerts, crayfish, world food, street life and childrens event in a mix. OK, it's not... 

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17.

Royal Family   Stockholm

Royal Family, Stockholm

 7 Reviews  Walking around Gamla Stan, it is possible to observe a solemn changing of the guard at the western court yard of the Royal palace (Monday-Friday 12.00, Saturday-sunday 13.00). www.hogvakten.mil.se 

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18.

Bikes   Malmö

Bikes, Malmö

 1 Review  This is the bicycle parking (platform) close to the Railway station in Malmö. I would say people love to use bicycles here! It's quite easy to move around the town since there are numerous bicycle... 

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19.

Crafts and Souvenirs   Stockholm

Crafts and Souvenirs, Stockholm

 3 Reviews  The Dala Horse is a symbol of Sweden. These colorful horses date back to the 18th century. In the best of Swedish folk tradition, hand-carved and painted wooden horses from Dalarna. They are real... 

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20.

Holidays   Stockholm

Holidays, Stockholm

 16 Reviews  Do what the locals do and enjoy a cruise. The most popular ones are to Finland, where Helsinki, Turku (Åbo in Swedish) and the Åland Islands are the most popular destinations but Tallinn and now Riga... 

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21.

Queues   Stockholm

Queues, Stockholm

 5 Reviews  Stockholm people are often in a hurry, trying to be efficient with their time. This is why you find everyone standing to the right in escalators, leaving the left side to those who want to WALK up.... 

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22.

Facts and Figures   Stockholm

Facts and Figures, Stockholm

 2 Reviews  Although Sweden is a member of the the European Union (EU) since 1995, they don't have the Euro as currency. Sweden's currency is the Swedish Crown. 1 Swedish Crown is worth 100 Öre. You can get your... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Long Summer Nights and Appropriate Curtains

by DSwede

After trying to spend the last few weeks sleeping in the long summer days of Scandinavia, I was starting to get frustrated that every hotel, hostel, cabin, etc. had curtains that barely blocked out the light.I had seen long days in the northern parts of Canada and Alaska before, but not for extensive periods of time, so it was starting to effect my sleep.It was explained by a local friend that the curtains are very thin such that the light comes in. The winters are so long and dark, that they wish to take advantage of all the light and keep it close in mind so they do not forget its warmth when the long cold dark of winter sets in.When followed up by questions about thicker curtains possibly being better insulators to keep heating costs down, this was dismissed by a simple reply that a couple more blankets on the bed would fix that.

The right of public access in general

by sim1

The right of public access (allemansrätten) is a unique right that we have in Sweden (there are similar systems in Norway and Finland). It is alike for Swedes and for from visitors from abroad. In short it means that everyone has the right to be out in the countryside. You can use and enjoy all natural spaces in Sweden, whether it is privately owned or by the government.But the right of public access is a freedom for all. The main rule is that you don't damage the landscape or animal life, and you must show consideration for both landowners and for everyone else that is out and about in the countryside. In short: Do not disturb, do not destroy. So this is the right of public access in general, but what does it mean for you? I'll try to explain a little bit more about it in my next few tips.You can read about the rules in more detail on this website: http://www.allemansratten.se/...

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The right of public access: camping

by sim1

The right of public access is great for backpackers and people travelling on a budget. The rules for camping are simple: It is allowed to camp in the countryside for one or two nights in the same place. But there are some restrictions. It is only allowed if you are not disturbing the landowner, or the local people. You are not allowed to put up your tent near homes, farm building or on farmland. These rules do not apply for groups; they need special permission. Other exceptions to the general rule are also national parks and nature reserves. Camping with a caravan also has extra restrictions to these general rules. As you can see we didn't have any buildings close to us, no people being disturbed, it wasn't any farmland, the perfect spot to put up our tent for the night :-)Åke is expertly demonstrating a totally different type of right: "the right of public laziness". The rules are...

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The right of public access: berries

by sim1

Let me give you another example of the right of public access (allemanrätten). You are allowed to pick berries or mushrooms in the countryside. But do remember that in areas protected by law, like national parks, nature reserves and historical sites, special rules apply. But in general this rule gives you a great opportunity to taste some of those delicious wild berries such as blue-, lingon- and cloudberries that you can see so much in the Swedish countryside.

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The right of public access: flowers

by sim1

You are allowed to pick wildflowers under the right of public access, but only the ones that don't have a protected status. Now here is where things might get very complicated. Some flowers are protected in one area, but not in another. Like this flower for instance, the Gullviva. In the part of Sweden where I live (Södermanlands Län) the flower is not protected as it is so common in this area. But in huge parts of Sweden this flower is protected. One flower is easy though: the orchid. All species of orchid are protected throughout Sweden, so you are not allowed to pick those. It is also not permitted to gather mosses and lichens in large quantities.If you are not sure about whether a flower or plant is protected or not, you can ask at the local tourist information. They will be able to help you out with some more info.These tips have only been a few examples of what the 'allemansrätten'...

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The Systembolaget

by sim1

When you want to buy alcohol in Sweden, you have to go to the Systembolaget. The selling of alcohol in Sweden is state controlled and that means that you can only buy it in these stores. Every bigger city has at least one. The assortment of the systembolaget is huge, especially in the wine section. It's the world's largest importer of wine. There are 3000 standard articles in a regular shop and as many available by ordering. Everything is described in a 200 page catalogue. The prices are enormous too though :-(( The tax on alcohol is very high, making it very expensive to buy alcohol in Sweden. I think the only country that is more expensive is Norway. On my recent trip to Germany I discovered that the prices are about 3 times higher than the German ones. The only thing that is reasonable priced compared with the other alcoholic drinks is the wine.

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Driving in Sweden

by Maline

Driving in the north of Sweden sometimes includes driving on ice-roads. When the temperature has been low for quite some time, the crossing of rivers can be done by car (!). However, only go on the marked trails.And did you know that when driving on ice you unbuckle your seat-belt, so that you can easily get out of the car, should the ice break.Otherwise the law in Sweden decides that everyone in the car, front seat and back seat must wear their seat-belts all the time. Otherwise there could be a fine, should you be stopped by the police.Also, drinking and driving is NOT allowed, it can cost you your license, and even a jail sentence. Keep the speed limits, esp important with the lower ones, driving 35 instead of 30 kilometres an hour might cost you a fine!For more information on driving in Sweden try the web-page listed below, there you will find everything about drivers licences etc,...

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Some beautiful Swedish music

by maritagnes

You can download and listen to the beautiful song Koppången here: http://www.knopfler.net/mp3/koppangen.mp3 Sweden has a rich culture of Folk Music and Dance. The folk tunes often appear in the art music, as well.I particularly love much of the Swedish folk tunes, as they are generally in a lighter mood than my own country's, and still very sophisticated. Nyckelharpa (picture) is a unique instrument from Sweden. More about the nyckelharpa if you follow the link below.

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Majblomman.

by Dizzyhead

This a flower you put on your clothes. Swedish school children sell them during two weeks in May and they can keep 10% of the profit from the sold mayflowers. The profit goes to sick and handicapped children in Sweden. They usually sell three million mayflowers every year. It was Beda Hallberg who started this 1907. The Queen of Sweden is protector of the Majblomman.

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Mail a letter/post card....

by Dizzyhead

Well, in Sweden they have no post office anymore like the old days. They have let shops take over their services and now you can find them all over the country, more places too and have more open time too. But they are not specialied in only post office stuff. But the yellow post office boxes are still there so you dont have to worry when you mail your letter/post card from Sweden. Look at the picture and you know how they look like! You find them mostly in centers and where many people are.

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Top 3 Hotels in Sweden

Sheraton  Stockholm

 18 Reviews and 1100 Opinions  The Stockholm Sheraton, considered one of the best hotels in all of Sweden. I found the place to be... 

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Hotel Gothia Towers  Göteborg

 5 Reviews and 436 Opinions  This is probably the best hotel for business, either at the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Center... 

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Clarion Bolinder Munktell  Eskilstuna

 1 Review and 28 Opinions

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Questions and Answers

vincent49 profile photo

Q:  Looking to put our rental car on a ferry from germany near sassnitz into sweden , trelleborg. Do ferry operators have problems... 

HansDK profile photo

A: No 

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