The 12 Winter Days Out in Sweden That Earn Their Price

1.Winter Kayaking, Swedish Fika and hot Sauna Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $160Our pick

You’ll paddle a sea kayak through the winter waters near Vaxholm, often passing ice and channels toward Vaxholm Fortress. Guides such as Sam, Jules, Rowan, Karl, and Theresa coach beginners with calm safety briefings. Dry suits keep you warm, while coffee, fika, sauna access, and an optional Baltic plunge complete this three-hour outing.

“Great time out on the water with a leisurely paddle around the area. The water was iced over in places so it was fun to "ice break" through with your kayak. You get fully suited up in dry gear which was comfortable and 100% dry. A little fika break was nice. Then once you put away your kayak, you can get naked with your group for the cold plunge and sauna. Not as scary as it sounds. The cold part. Europeans love getting naked so that was just fun. Make a friend or two, go for it!”

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2.Wilderness Snowshoe Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 94 reviews · 2 hours · from $88

Walk into Abisko’s Arctic birch forest on a two-hour guided snowshoe outing limited to eight people. Your English-speaking guide, including Anne, Anna, Michelle, or Cecilia, leads you through snowy trails, points out moose and fox tracks, and serves a hot drink. Waterproof shoes are essential.

“Had a lovely afternoon with Anna who showed us a beautiful panorama and took photos for us …. And she gave us so much information about the wildlife - we were lucky to see two moose! The snowshoes were fun and made it much easier to walk through the snow.”

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3.Winter Snowshoe Full-Day Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 57 reviews · from $176

Spend about seven hours with The Green Trails, leaving central Stockholm for a small-group winter hike. Guides such as Tigo, Eric, and George explain Swedish wildlife, teach snowshoe or ice-grip walking, and cook an organic lunch over a campfire. Snow conditions decide which equipment you use.

“due to the lack of snow the snowshoe hike was just a regular hike, which was still quite amazing and beautiful. our guide, George, was quite knowledgeable and made sure everybody in the group, no matter their proficiency in English, felt included and part of the group.”

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4.Snowshoe in a Winter Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $146

Join guide Anders for an easy 2 to 2.5 kilometer snowshoe walk through the winter forest near Kiruna. Learn to read animal tracks, hear about Sami culture and local life, then warm up beside a fire with homemade berry juice and Kangoskaka cookies. Snowshoes and a headlamp are supplied. Dress warmly, since extra clothing is not provided.

“Really nice moment. The forest and the walk have been nice. The juice and the cakes tasted food. Anders was very kind and knew a lot about the country and city. Recommend !”

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5.Snowshoe Winter Hike from Stockholm

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $191

Leave Stockholm by minibus for an eight-hour winter outing in a national park or nature reserve. Your guide chooses the best area for current snow and weather, then provides snowshoes or ice cleats, poles, binoculars, lunch, and Swedish fika. Expect a relaxed forest hike, wildlife tips, campfire cooking, and possible walks across supervised frozen lakes.

“It’s one of those once in a life time experiences. I really enjoyed the hike, despite being tired. We also walked on two lakes, which was very scary but our guide managed to help all of us and even take pictures and videos while we do so. The soup we had was very delicious as well!”

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6.Stockholm Winter Boat Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 25 reviews · from $21Best value

Take a 1-hour-15-minute guided winter cruise from central Stockholm along the city’s quays and around Fjäderholmarna. You can sit upstairs in the open air or downstairs under cover, with blankets available when the cold sets in. Light snacks and hot or cold drinks are sold onboard. The group is limited to 15 people.

“Although it was a little cold, we sat outside for most of the cruise using the blankets provided. The guide was informative and made some jokes, which kept it light-hearted but educational.”

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7.Snowshoe up a Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $146

Join local guide Anders for a moderate 2.5-hour snowshoe walk near Kiruna. You’ll cover about 3 to 3.5 km, stop to read animal tracks, climb above the tree line, and pause for views, photos, and hot local berry juice. Snowshoes, a headlamp if needed, pickup, and a small group of up to eight are included.

“We hiked up a mountain with Anders in Kiruna. Pick up and quick drive was friendly and informative. The nature was snow covered magic! Lush surrounds. Lots of interesting animal tracks to spot. A good paced hike both up and down and the snow shoes were comfortable ! I do recommend you buy the heat warmers off Anders at the start! Thank you for also getting gluten free cookies for me to enjoy our celebration snack at the top of the mountain :) Definitely recommend for the outdoors adventure !”

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8.Winter Kayak Tour in Stockholm City (Dry Suit Kayaking)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $152

Meet your guide at LEK MER, suit up in a dry suit, and paddle Stockholm’s city waterways for about two and a half hours. Stable tandem kayaks are standard, with singles available for experienced paddlers by request. Guides such as Bobby and Emil share local stories while you pass Kungsholmen, Långholmen, Södermalm, Gamla Stan, and Lilla Essingen.

“Fabulous way to see Stockholm, we really enjoyed the tour and Bobby was a great guide telling us a bit about the area. Would definitely recommend it. Only negative thing was there is no toilet or changing room but there is public toilets a few minutes walk away.”

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9.Winter City Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 3.5 - 4 hours · from $171

Join a small group of up to eight for a 3.5 to 4-hour winter kayak tour with an English-speaking guide such as Johan or Pete. You’ll paddle past City Hall, Gamla Stan, and Södermalm, wearing a dry suit and gloves, then warm up with lunch or fika and hot drinks.

“really nice trip, professional gear, nice guide and lunch!”

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10.Nordic Touring Skiing Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $151

Meet guide Henrik at the smallboat harbour and spend four hours skiing across mainland snow and the frozen Bay of Bothnia. Stable touring skis, warm boots, beginner-friendly instruction, Swedish fika, and stories about Sami culture and northern Sweden make this a small-group outing with plenty of character.

“Wir hatten eine tolle Zeit mit Henrik! Das Wetter war aufgrund des milden Winters nicht perfekt. Hendrik hat die Tour deshalb verlegt und wir konnten dort eine super Zeit verbringen. Neben Snacks und warmen Getränken erhielten wir viele tolle Informationen über das schwedische Outdoorleben. Man merkt einfach, dass Hendrik liebt was er tut und genau das macht diese Aktivität so empfehlenswert. Equipment ist sehr modern und hochwertig. Auch Sonderwünsche (Drohnenbilder) waren kein Problem. Danke Hendrik ! Englisch: We had a great time with Henrik! The weather wasn't perfect due to the mild winter. Hendrik therefore rescheduled the tour and we were able to have a great time there. In addition…”

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11.Stockholm Top attractions all-inclusive Gran Tour Winter Edition

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $309

Spend about six hours touring Stockholm with an English-speaking guide and driver, visiting the Vasa Museum, History Museum, Royal Palace, Riddarholmen, Stortorget, and Gamla Stan. Lunch is included, entry fees are covered, and the group is limited to 13 people, with pickup possible from selected inner-city hotels.

“It's great just needs a little more time to cover it properly . A little more time for self discovery would help. Guide was very knowledgeable.”

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12.Cross-Country Skiing Tour with a Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $176

Set out from Kiruna with a local Swedish or English-speaking guide for three hours of cross-country skiing. Your guide chooses trails to suit your ability, helps beginners find their balance, and offers technique tips to experienced skiers. Annette and Levi have guided previous outings. Equipment and pickup are included, with covering clothes available on request.

“It was a nice trip, with room for all levels, good and less good. Super guide”

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