10 of the most beautiful places in Sweden worthy of an Instagram post

You have probably experienced, or at least heard of, the charming appeal of Stockholm’s cobbled old town, Gamla Stan, steeped in history and full of unique bijou. It’s one of the country’s most iconic spots (and one of its most ‘grammed), yet there are plenty of other scenic locations to discover as well – Sweden is a country brimming with picturesque possibilities; you just need to know where to look.

From the floating ice baths of the Arctic Circle to the majestic surroundings of the Stora Sjöfallet national park and the mirrored treehouse nestled in a snowy northern forest, here are the photo ops you’ll want to capture and keep forever. Ahead, we've curated a comprehensive list of the most beautiful places in Sweden.

It’s not every day that you discover a picture-perfect scene nestled amongst the muddy waters of a Vännäs bog. But as part of one of the world’s longest art galleries, stretching across a staggering 350 kilometres, the dazzlingly pristine glass Hagring church sits surrounded by marshland. And if one photogenic Mecca wasn’t enough on your feed, just grab a map and explore the 12 other unique artworks dotted along the extraordinary route, all the way from Holmsund’s coast to the Southern Lapland mountains.

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Where do artists go to find inspiration in Sweden? For one of the country’s most celebrated creatives, legendary film director Ingmar Bergman, the answer was always Fårö, a tiny rugged Baltic island. Just off the coast of southern Sweden, this was where Bergman called home for over 40 years. Heralded for its mix of white sandy stretches, 'rauk' fields (stone stacks), lush pine forests, and austere, craggy coastline, this isolated haven is the perfect place to escape mainland life (there are only 600 residents after all) to absorb – and record – its otherworldly beauty.

You’d be forgiven for feeling a little bemused at the thought of a subway station housing some of the country’s most breathtaking works of art, but hidden 112 feet below the Swedish capital lies a maze of mind-bending frescos, mosaics, and even a petrified elm tree. Since the 1950s, more than 150 different artists have offered Stockholm’s travellers a vibrant alternative to the usual humdrum grey commute - and our lenses are forever grateful for it.

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Swedish Lapland is as picturesque as it gets, and Stora Sjöfallet National Park, nestled near the Norwegian border, offers some of the most breathtaking views and pristine nature in the country. In autumn, the landscape bursts into a kaleidoscope of vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds, while winter wraps the park in a blanket of snow, with the magical Aurora Borealis illuminating the sky. Even in summer, this place doesn't disappoint – experience the 'nightless night' as nature blooms in all its glory.

This peaceful car-free gem, nestled in the Øresund between Sweden and Denmark, is not just a charming idyll (its quaint red fisherman’s cottages can already attest to that), but one of historical importance too, as it’s home to the world’s first modern observatory, Tycho Brahe’s Uraniborg. First head to Kyrkbacken’s harbour for fresh seafood at one of the many tiny smokehouses that line the pier, and snap the stunning views back over the strait. As the island lies fewer than 20 miles from Copenhagen, this Skåne spot is the perfect, grid-worthy day-trip.

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Scandinavians are renowned for their love of clean, minimalist architecture, and one of the finest contemporary examples is discreetly hidden among a canopy of birch trees in northern Harads, Sweden, just a stone’s throw from the Arctic Circle. This mirrored treehouse, part of a hotel featuring several cutting-edge designs nestled in the forest, is nearly invisible to outsiders. Accessible only by rope ladder, it floats suspended above the forest floor, offering visitors a leafy, picturesque hideaway – complete with lush 360-degree views and a wood-fired sauna.

Sweden's west coast offers more than its fair share of stunning, Instagram-worthy scenery and charming destinations, and Smögen, an island and fishing village just off Gothenburg, is one of the ultimate places to visit on the country's west side. With colourful cabins dotting the shoreline, the freshest seafood, and plenty of rugged yet tranquil beaches to explore, Smögen epitomises the allure of Sweden’s archipelago.

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While many of Sweden's most scenic spots are located outside urban areas, no list would be complete without including Stockholm's Old Town, or Gamla Stan as it's known to locals. With its historic buildings dating back to the 13th century and winding cobblestone streets lined with charming cafés, restaurants, and boutiques, it's worth dedicating a whole day to wandering around (and snapping pictures of) this beautiful district. If you're in the city in December, the Christmas market in the Old Town are a must-visit.

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You’ll find a masterpiece of Swedish design floating along the Lule River, just south of the Arctic Circle, covered in what looks like twigs and a muddle of logs. This extraordinary natural circular spa, with its bird’s nest-style exterior, only opened in 2020 but has already become a lusted-after escape for many a chill-seeker - and it's easy to see why.

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Known to most as the Swedish Riviera, this quaint town on the south-western tip of the country is a dream summer holiday destination, with its shimmering clear waters, towering white dunes, and pretty little pastel-hued beach huts. But it’s also become something of an artistic refuge for young creatives, with many new galleries, such as Falsterbo Photo Art Museum, popping up all the time.