Weather
As the year reaches midsummer, the sun does not set in much of Sweden. Temperatures are pleasantly warm in the south at 59°F (15°C) with average highs of 69°F (20°C). They are mild in the north, where they average 49°F (10°C). Most of the country is ablaze with greenery in June, although some snow lingers on mountains and in the Arctic. The balmy weather has a downside: increased rainfall in both south and north.
Crowds & Costs
Sweden enters the high season in June, and accommodation is reaching its maximum yearly prices in popular destinations, even though crowds are still below their July peak. Festivals in towns and cities and enticing outdoor activities in the countryside mean that there is the possibility of meeting large numbers of other travelers anywhere in the country, even in remote places such as on the long-distance Kungsleden trail in the Arctic.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Where to Go
Most big towns and cities have some festivity this month. However, festival-lovers will be interested in Stockholm and Gothenburg, where events such as Stockholm Early Music Festival and Gothenburg's Summerburst are world-class and attract large crowds. Relaxing at an outdoor café or bar in trendy neighborhoods like Stockholm's Sodermalm Island or Gothenburg's Haga is also pleasant in the June sunshine, as is exploring some of the cities' culture that has an outdoor focus, like Stockholm's Skansen Museum.
It's a good month for exploring the island-dotted sea coasts or any of the thousands of lakes across the country by kayak. A destination like Kosterhavet Marine National Park on Sweden's west coast offers guided kayak trips or self-guided adventures. The sun also coaxes Swedes and foreign visitors out to southern islands like Gotland and Fårö, with a festival celebrating Swedish director Ingmar Bergman at the end of June.
In the north, the melting snow means epic hiking trails like the 280-mile (450-km) Kungsleden are now open. The wilderness trail bisects four national parks: Abisko, Stora Sjöfallet, Sarek and Pieljekaise. The High Coast along the northern Gulf of Bothnia is another excellent possibility for hiking. Later summer brings mosquitoes to all northern hiking destinations, so June is a good time to hit these trails.
What to Do
Attend a festival, relax at a lovely outdoor café or bar, or picnic in a pretty park if you are staying in the cities, but make sure you get out to the countryside too as it is one of the best times of year to do so.
It's easy to explore relatively peaceful islands close to Stockholm or Gothenburg in the Stockholm Archipelago and Gothenburg Archipelago by boat or self-guided kayak trip. And, with those rising water temperatures, it's never been more tempting to go wild swimming: this could be at one of Sweden's numerous lakes or up in the pristine waters of the High Coast. Or just take the plunge in a body of water like Lake Örsjön, where the lake acts as a cool-off after sweating in one of Sweden's most atmospheric wood-fired saunas, a tempting countryside tradition to indulge in this month.
There are numerous hiking possibilities throughout Sweden in June, headlined by the Kungsleden long-distance trail in the Arctic. The most popular section of this is from Abisko to Nikkaluokta; outside of this, there are long stretches where you won't come across anyone. The craggy High Coast region contains Skuleskogen National Park, a hiking area full of sea-hugging forests with fascinating geological features such as caves and rocky crevices.
June is also an excellent month for cycling: go mountain biking on Sweden's leading mountain bike park at Slite in Gotland or adventure along the cycle path that now runs around the shore of the largest lake in Sweden (and in the European Union), Lake Vänern.
Events in June
Stockholm Early Music Festival, Stockholm. This is one of Scandinavia's leading celebrations of early classical and world music, mainly from the medieval and Baroque periods, celebrated for a week in early June.
Smaka Good Food Festival, Stockholm. Gastronomic festival taking place in Stockholm's Kungsträdgården, with many of Sweden's top restaurants serving food.
Brännbollsyran, Umeå. Billed as Northern Scandinavia's largest music festival, this happens in Umeå on the northern Gulf of Bothnia coast.
Summerburst, Gothenburg. Held for two days in early June, this is Sweden's premier dance music festival, showcasing acts from across Europe.
Swedish National Day, nationwide. June 6 is an occasion for countrywide flag-waving and anthem-singing. The main events are at the open-air Skansen Museum in Stockholm, where Sweden's king and queen make an appearance, and large parts of Stockholm Palace are free to enter.
Sweden Rock Festival, Sölvesborg. Held in Southern Sweden, this rock fest is known for its diversity within the genre, going strong since 1992.
Midsummer Festival, nationwide. This is a celebration of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, on June 24. Festivities tend to be in the countryside but occur in cities too. Participants don flower wreaths in their hair, dance around leaf-decorated maypoles, sing folk songs, drink schnapps and wolf down plates of pickled herring, potatoes, sour cream, and chives.
Bergman Week, Fårö. Famous Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman moved to the Baltic Sea island of Fårö in the 1960s and this week of Bergman films, along with related discussions and lectures, celebrates his life's work on the island in late June and early July.
More Helpful Information
Sweden in May
Sweden in July
Best Time of Year to Visit Sweden
How Many Days to Spend in Sweden