Nature & Wildlife

Sweden's landscape is shaped by the ice ages: When the glaciers melted 10,000 years ago, they left behind a land full of lakes (over 100,000, many without official names), moraines, archipelagos, and rock formations. The forests — primarily pine and spruce in the north, beech and oak in the south — cover 69% of the land area, making Sweden the most forested country in the EU.

The Major Landscape Zones

• Skåne (South): Flat agricultural land, beech forests, sandy beaches — reminiscent of Denmark. The "granary of Sweden" — here grow rapeseed, wheat, and sugar beets.
• Småland & Central Sweden: The "postcard Sweden": red wooden houses, lakes, dense coniferous forests, moose. The cultural treasure chest of the country.
• Dalarna: The cultural heart of Sweden — Midsummer celebrations, the famous Dala horses, the picturesque Lake Siljan (a meteorite crater!), the copper mine of Falun (UNESCO World Heritage).
• The Fells (Scandinavian Mountains): Along the Norwegian border — high mountain landscape with glaciers, tundra, and Kebnekaise (2,097 m, Sweden's highest mountain — although the south summit is shrinking due to the melting glacier and is now often lower than the north summit).
• Lapland: Arctic wilderness — birch forests, moors, reindeer herds, northern lights. Europe's last true wilderness.

The 30 National Parks — Top 5

Sweden has 30 national parks — the first, Sarek, was established in 1909 (one of the oldest in Europe). All national parks are freely accessible — the right of public access applies.

Sweden's wildlife is remarkably wild by European standards — all major European predators and ungulates still live here:

★★★ Moose (Älg) — The Unofficial National Animal

Around 300,000–400,000 moose live in Swedish forests — one of the highest moose densities in the world. A bull moose can weigh up to 700 kg, reach a shoulder height of 2.30 meters, and carry antlers with a span of 1.80 meters (which are shed and regrown each year — up to 1 kg of antler per day!). Despite their size, moose are surprisingly quiet and can move almost invisibly through the forest.

Where to see moose?

Tips: Moose are most active at dawn and dusk (May–October). Look out at forest edges, clearings, and moors. Stay quiet — moose are shy but not fearful. Keep your distance (especially from cows with calves — they can be aggressive!).

★★ Reindeer (Ren)

Around 250,000 semi-wild reindeer roam through northern Sweden — they belong to the Sami reindeer herders. In summer in the fells, in winter in the forests. In Lapland, you regularly encounter them on the road — drive slowly! Reindeer are curious and like to stand right in the middle of the road.

Other Animals

• Brown Bear (Brunbjörn): About 2,800 specimens in Sweden — the third-largest population in Europe (after Romania and Finland). Extremely shy and almost never seen. Present in northern Sweden and Dalarna. Bear safaris are offered (e.g., in Hälsingland), where you can observe from hidden huts.
• Wolf (Varg): About 400 wolves in central Sweden — one of the country's most controversial topics (conservationists vs. livestock farmers and hunters). Sightings are extremely rare.
• Lynx (Lodjur): About 1,200 specimens — Sweden's largest wild cat, nocturnal and extremely shy. The chance of seeing one is minimal.
• Wolverine (Järv): In Lapland — one of Europe's rarest and most fascinating predators. About 600 specimens.
• Seals: In the archipelagos of Stockholm and Gothenburg — boat tours offer sightings of the grey seal and ringed seal.
• White-tailed Eagle (Havsörn): Along the coasts and lakes — majestic birds with a wingspan of up to 2.4 m. The population has recovered thanks to conservation from 100 pairs (1970s) to over 800 pairs.
• Beaver (Bäver): Almost extinct in the 19th century, today about 150,000 in Sweden. Especially in Småland and Dalarna.

Northern Lights Guide

Northern lights (Aurora Borealis) are visible in northern Sweden (north of the Arctic Circle) from September to March. Abisko is considered one of the best observation spots in the world (→ Chap. Northern Sweden). But even further south, northern lights are possible with strong solar activity: