Destination: Sweden
Sweden tours for seniors
Odyssey offers easy, convenient, and relaxed escorted small group tours across Scandinavia and beyond. We explore Sweden’s incredible natural beauty, its ancient Viking heritage, World Heritage Sites, and charming Nordic cities, all with some truly spectacular scenery along the way. This and more is all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s small group tours of Sweden, designed for the senior traveller, and led by experienced, and enthusiastic like minded people.
Continues below
Sweden Tours
Crafted Tours for Mature World Travellers
40 days
MayArctic circle tour
Visiting Denmark, Finland
A 40 day small group tour for senior couples and mature solo travellers interested in exploring the Arctic circle. The group with a program leader explores Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The tour makes use of the long summer night light for your enjoyment learning about viking history and trade and the Sami.
From A$44,995 AUD
View Tour23 days
Jun, SepHistory of the Hanseatic League
Visiting Germany, Poland
Merchants generated much of the wealth of Europe, from Venice to Genoa, Lisbon and London. On the Baltic coast building on the Vikings, the Hanseatic league become the traders influence trade from the middle ages across Europe. This small group tour for senior couple and mature solo travellers explores the history.
From A$17,465 AUD
View Tour21 days
May, Oct, AprBaltics: Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen
Visiting Denmark, Estonia
An escorted small group tour to the Baltic States of Europe that explores the key destinations of this region starting in Warsaw, then making its way through Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Stockholm and concluding in Copenhagen. Each day has scheduled itineraries supported by local guides who share knowledge and authentic experiences of the places visited. This is small group travelling to the Baltics for like minded people.
From A$16,975 AUD
View Tour13 days
Jun, SepScandinavia tours for mature travellers
Visiting Denmark, Norway
Uncover on a small group tour for couples and solo travellers, a Viking past and view of the world’s biggest fjords on this journey through Scandinavia. In low-lying Denmark our small group journey takes us to visit the Zeeland, the sea land, and our program includes the vibrant capital of Copenhagen. In Norway we travel through endless forests, skirting great fjords to Bergen.
From A$14,995 AUD
View Tour21 days
SepScandinavian Design Small Group Tour: Denmark, Sweden and Finland
Visiting Denmark, Finland
Denmark, Sweden and Finland realised that the only way to remain competitive on the world stage was through the value of superior design. Travelling with like-minded people on our small group tour you will explore the cities and towns where those high quality products, appreciated around the world, are created including hygge.
From A$17,525 AUD
View TourA country of rich and ancient traditions and contemporary creativity, Sweden boasts exquisite beaches, vast, verdant forests and crystal-clear lakes. Scandinavia’s largest country abounds in unparalleled natural beauty and wilderness but also offers stylish cities, medieval towns, glittering palaces, fascinating museums and longstanding cultural traditions to explore.
Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, is often described as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe but in truth, it feels more like a large village. Stockholmers call their city ‘beauty on water’ because it is built across 14 tiny islands around Lake Malaren. Elegant and dynamic, Stockholm is famed for its design literacy which is evident all across the city, from cool coffee shops to futuristic skyscrapers. Many visit Stockholm’s Old Town, Gamla Stan, set across one island made up of a medley cobbled streets and hidden alleyways. The city also has some great museums and galleries on offer. Close to the city, in the Baltic Sea you will find Stockholm archipelago, made up of 30,000 islands, skerries and rocks, where you can kayak, forage for berries and explore.
In the south, you will find Gothenburg, the country’s second largest city, which exudes grandeur and majesty. The city is home to the country’s biggest seaport, lively parks and plenty of Neoclassical architecture. Malmo is the worldliest of the Swedish cities, just a bridge away from Copenhagen and a hop across the Baltic to Germany. The city has a charming medieval centre but boasts modern architecture along its waterfront.
Outside of the cities, Sweden offers an impressive array of natural assets. Sweden is one of the least-populated European countries in relation to its size which makes exploring feel like a real adventure. Be sure to visit Abisko in Lapland, a spectacular national park where you may just glimpse the inimitable Northern Lights. Abisko offers extaordinary hiking trails, shimmering lakes and charming villages. One way to take in the country’s gorgeous scenery is to cruise down the Gota Canal, an early 19th century canal that stretches from Lake Vanern in the north to Lake Vattern in the south. The canal offers a chance to see Sweden’s diverse landscapes and beautiful rural towns.
Articles about Sweden
Questions about Sweden for senior travellers
Questions About Sweden for senior travellers Odyssey Traveller specialises in crafting unforgettable experiences for senior and mature-aged travellers interested in learning whether travelling as a couple or as a solo traveller. Providing adventure and educational programs to escorted small…
Photographing the Northern Lights: The Definitive Guide
Photographing the Northern Lights. How to Capture the Beauty of the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis, commonly called the Northern Lights, as well as the Aurora Australis, the Southern Lights, are two the world’s most…
Discovering Scandinavia: Sweden's history and culture
Discovering Scandinavia Sweden‘s history and culture. This is the second article in a three part series on Scandinavia. We learn about Sweden’s history, as well as its famous design principles. Stay tuned for part three…
The Viking's Woollen Sails
Vikings and Their Use of Wool for Sails This educational article aims to help senior travellers immerse in the world of Vikings before they take part in a memorable travel experience across Scandinavia. It helps…
The Vikings
Vikings explored, pillaged, settled and traded their way in 300 years across the North Atlantic in the Longships to Iceland and Greenland or south through Europe/Russia to Istanbul and Persia. Learn more on a small group educational tour for senior couples and mature solo travellers interested in Viking history.
Vikings go East
Article for senior couples and solo travellers interested in joining a small group educational tour learning about the history and culture of the Vikings. The Vikings did not just go west into the Atlantic but also into Eurasia exploring, trading and returning to the Arctic circle.
Touring Sweden
The need to know
Getting around
Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Bus routes run through the main towns of Sweden and are reliable and inexpensive. Smaller villages are also accessible by bus, though services are more infrequent. Trains link the major towns of Sweden, though are a slower option than buses.
Accommodation
In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.
Tour guides
Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.
Geography, Environment, & Weather
Sweden covers a total area of 450,295 square kilometres, and has a coastline of 3,218 kilometres. Thick forests and mountains cover much of the country’s north and centre, while lakes, hills and plains characterise the southern areas of Sweden.
Much of Sweden has a temperate climate, with mild summers and cold winters. Depending on when you intend to travel, check the weather reports and dress accordingly.
World heritage sites
There is 15 heritage sites in Sweden listed on the World Heritage List. You can view the listed properties here: (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/se). Sweden’s listed properties include:
Church Town of Gammelstad, Luleå – a perfectly preserved ‘church village’ once commonly found throughout Scandinavia
Laponian Area – home to the reindeer-herding Sami people and one of the last areas in the world still cultivated by native peoples
Rock Carvings in Tanum – the historic rock art and carvings that date back to the Bronze Age.
Festivals & Events
Numerous festivals and events dot the calendar in Sweden. The country’s medieval past is celebrated in Medeltidsveckan, a medieval-themed festival that lasts for several days in August. Held in the streets of Visby, the festival features archery, axe throwing, live music and medieval-style feasting. The performing arts are celebrated in Sweden with many events held across the year dedicated to musical and artistic performances, such as the Malmö Chamber Music Festival and Helsingborg Piano Festival. One of the more eye-catching events through the year is Snöfestivalen. Held in the last week of January, Snöfestivalen is a festival dedicate to snow sculptures, with artists from across the world joining in to create elaborate and intricate snow sculputures.
Reading list
A Concise History of Sweden by Neil Kent
The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia by Michael Booth
A History of Sweden: From Ice Age to Our Age by Herman Lindqvist
Eating & Drinking
Seafood features prominently in Swedish cuisine, with many Swedish dishes featuring the produce of its lakes and coastal waters. Pickled herring is a mainstay of Swedish cuisine, and is often the centre piece of a Swedish smorgasbord, a buffet consisting of meatballs, mini sausages and pickled herring. Gravlax (dill-cured salmon) is another favourite seafood dish, which is often served with cold potatoes and mustard sauce. Lingonberries are used to add sweetness and flavour to many dishes, both sweet and savoury. A versatile food and condiment (in the form of lingonberry jam), lingonberries are served with meatballs, scattered over potato pancakes, and thrown over the top of ice cream. The local variation of sandwiches are open-faced and make for a popular lunchtime meal. Räksmörgås, or shrimp sandwich, is perhaps the most popular variation, with shrimp, egg slices, lettuce, tomato, and crème fraîche all piled on top of a slice of bread.
Given the cold climate, perhaps its no wonder that the Swedish are such big coffee drinkers, with Sweden having the second highest consumption of coffee in the world. Traditional beverages also consumed in Sweden include glögg (mulled wine) and akvavit (an alcoholic spirit, which is sometimes flavoured).
Health & Safety
Generally speaking, Sweden is safe to travel in, though always exercise common sense while travelling.
Electrical Supply
Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply in Sweden runs at 230V and 50Hz. Sweden uses Type C and Type F electric plugs, so make sure you have the right travel adaptor with you.
Highlights
The best of Sweden
Småland countryside
Get lost in the natural beauty of the Swedish countryside.
The Vasa Museum
Vasa, the mighty 17th century Swedish warship housed in the maritime museum of Vasa.
Kosta Boda glass factory
Kosta Boda glass factory, Emmaboda, where handmade glass blowing was founded in 1742 and still going today.
Tour Reviews
The geographical wonders offered by Iceland and Greenland left me in awe. The grandeur and spectacle of the countryside is breathtaking. Our leader (Rob) was excellent: well-researched, friendly, organized and good-humoured.
Participant 2017
Iceland cultural and wilderness small group tour
Every day was different with so much to see and do. Volcanoes, craters (including the pseudo ones), bubbling mud pools, and the active Strokkur Geyser, the bird life, black sand beaches, and those beautiful Icelandic horses. The time flew by...
Participant 2016
Iceland cultural and wilderness small group tour
The country was apparently calm and safe. People were friendly and helpful. Such a pity there has been such a down turn in tourism. Ros & Tony S. Sep '17
Participant 2017
Small group tour of Ancient Turkey
Our guide Filiz was wonderful, very well informed, historical insights very helpful, her care for our well being exceptional. Could not have wished for a better tour leader.
Participant 2017
Small group tour of Ancient Turkey
It is hard to believe that such a small country can contain so much dramatic scenery. Icecaps and glaciers, huge waterfalls, volcanos and hot bubbling mud, and those wonderful fjords and high mountain passes
Participant 2016
Iceland cultural and wilderness small group tour
We felt safe in Turkey and found the people friendly and helpful. Prices were excellent and the food almost universally magnificent. There is so much to see in the natural and built environment and the wonderful archaeological sites. It is sad to see the ordinary people and businesses suffering from the lack of tourists. Mary B. Sep '17
Participant 2017
Small group tour of Ancient Turkey
I was impressed by the number of places we visited. It was a very full itinerary which I like. We saw things of interest every day. I see no fault with the tour.
Participant 2017
Anglo French Tour | Normandy, Brittany, Channel Islands tour
Our guide was a great ambassador for his country, wide knowledge of literature, history, customs, industry, fishing - also a perceptive and sensitive person who inter-acted so willingly with all of us!
Participant 2016
Iceland cultural and wilderness small group tour
FAQs
What is the time zone?
Sweden has a single time zone, Central European Standard Time (UTC+1). Daylight savings commence on the last Sunday of March, and conclude on the last Sunday of October.
Is tipping customary in Sweden?
If you’re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don’t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it’s essential that you tip an appropriate amount for services. Tipping is not customary in Sweden, though tips are appreciated.
What is the internet access like in Sweden?
Wifi is widely available in Sweden and should be freely accessible in most hotels, cafes and restaurants.
Can I use my mobile/cell phone while in Sweden?
Check with your cell phone provider to see whether you’re able to make calls and use data while in Sweden. Many providers will allow you to pay a daily fee that allows you to make calls and check the internet while only being charged your regular rates. However, be certain to inform your provider that you’re heading overseas, because just like a bank they can turn off your service as a result of unusual activity.
Articles about Sweden published by Odyssey Traveller
- Discovering Scandinavia: Sweden’s History & Culture
- The Viking’s Woollen Sails
- Photographing the Northern Lights: The Definitive Guide
For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.
External articles to assist you on your visit to Sweden
Responsible travel tips for Sweden
- Learn at least the local greetings to break the ice. Although most locals speak English, the more you know of the native language, the greater your experience of the country will be.
- Carry a business card in your wallet or purse from your local hotel, to assist you with the return journey if you do become lost.
- Always ensure that you are covered by travel insurance. If you need advice on this feel free to contact Odyssey and we’ll be able to help.
- Before departing, make sure you have a number of kronor in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.
- When travelling independently, make sure you check the opening hours of shops and museums so that you don’t miss out! Also be certain to check whether your trip coincides with any public holidays, so you can plan accordingly.
- Before departing on your trip, contact your bank to inform them that you may be making purchases overseas. Otherwise, they may flag any activity on your account as suspicious. Also, check which ATMs and banks are compatible with your cards, to ensure you can withdraw cash with minimal fees.