Flights from Barcelona to Sweden from 30EUR*

Flights to Sweden from Barcelona

Vueling flies direct from Barcelona to Stockholm in just under 4 hours. From there, the Swedish rail network takes care of the rest of the country: the west coast, the interior and the connections heading north.

Scandinavia feels a long way off, but the flight is short. That is why Sweden works as well for a long weekend as it does for a full week.

What documents you need to travel to Sweden

Sweden is part of the Schengen Area. Spanish and other EU citizens only need a valid national ID card or passport, with no visa required.

One detail that is easy to overlook and can catch you out at the check-in desk: on Schengen flights the physical Spanish ID card (DNI) is required. The digital DNI is only valid on flights within Spain.

If you are travelling with children, each of them needs their own valid document, and if a child is travelling with only one parent or with other adults, it is advisable to carry authorisation from the other legal guardian. If you hold another nationality, or your document is close to its expiry date, check your situation on the travel documents page before you book.

What to know when you land in Sweden

From the airport into Stockholm. You land at Arlanda, north of the city. The direct train to Central Station takes around 20 minutes, and there are also buses, which are slower. Trains to the rest of the country leave from that same station.

Currency. Sweden’s currency is the Swedish krona. It is one of the countries where cash is used least: cards and mobile payments work almost everywhere, even at markets and small museums.

Climate. Summers are cool and very bright, with days that barely seem to end. In winter, and above all in the north, temperatures drop sharply and snow is the norm. Layers will see you through most of the year.

Trains. They are the usual way to get between cities, comfortable and punctual. Stockholm and Gothenburg are a little over 3 hours apart.

Plug sockets are types C and F, at 230V. English is spoken to a high standard right across the country, so getting by is rarely an issue.

What to do in Sweden

Stockholm

Stockholm, the capital, is spread across 14 islands and is better explored on foot than by public transport. Gamla Stan is the historic old town, home to the Royal Palace and Storkyrkan cathedral, while Södermalm is where you will find the cafés and second-hand shops. The Vasa Museum on Djurgården island holds a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage and was recovered in one piece, and Skansen is right next door. It is the simple option: you land and you are already there.

Gothenburg, by train from Stockholm

A little over 3 hours away. Smaller than the capital, more laid-back, and the food is better than its reputation suggests. The Feskekôrka market and the Haga district, with its 19th-century wooden houses, can be covered in a morning, and from the city a short ferry ride takes you out to the Bohuslän archipelago.

Dalarna and the interior

Around 3 hours by train from Stockholm. Forests, Lake Siljan and villages such as Mora and Rättvik, which host the most traditional midsommar celebrations in the country. This is also the home of the Dala horse and of Carl Larsson’s house in Sundborn. It suits anyone who wants to stretch a city break with 2 or 3 slower days.

Swedish Lapland

Northern lights in the winter months and the midnight sun in summer. Kiruna and Jukkasjärvi are the places for dog sledding and the ice hotel, and Abisko National Park, with its clear skies, is one of the best spots on the planet to see the aurora. It is a long way off: you need to add a domestic flight with a local airline from Stockholm, booked separately. Plan it as a trip in its own right, not as a day out.

Luggage for your flight to Sweden

What you can take depends on the fare you choose when booking. The simplest fare includes a personal item that fits under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

If you are travelling in winter or with gear for outdoor activities, the volume soon adds up. Sorting out your luggage when you book avoids surprises at the check-in desk. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.