Sweden is a wonderful destination for a roadtrip thanks to its vastness, its varied landscapes depending on the region and its permanent access to nature.
Whether you're travelling by car with tents, in a camper van or a converted van, you'll have no trouble finding peaceful places to camp, or lively towns to discover local Swedish life.
In fact, it was the van option that we chose to explore a new region of Sweden last spring. More compact and manoeuvrable than a camper van, yet better sheltered than a tent, this solution is a great way to get away from it all. van life allowed us to protect ourselves from the still chilly temperatures at this time of year, while taking full advantage of the natural surroundings.
Our 6-day itinerary took us to the heart of the country, around the immense lakes Vättern and Vänernwhere we were able to admire some breathtaking scenery.
Here's our itinerary:
Stage 1: From vibrant Stockholm to charming Örebro
To start our van roadtrip in Sweden, we chose Stockholm as a starting point, since it was in the capital that we picked up our trusty converted van.
After a morning strolling through the cobbled streets of the 'Venice of the North', we set off on the road toÖrebrothe Sweden's 7th largest city about 2h30 from Stockholm.
Örebro is particularly popular with travellers for its medieval castlehis rich cultural heritage and its idyllic location in the heart of nature, a true paradise for lovers of outdoor activities.
Although the city itself didn't make a particularly strong impression on us, we did appreciate the charm of the old quarter of WadköpingIts green parkland offers a wonderful escape from city life, as does the soothing stroll along the canal.
Stage 2: Nora, the hidden gem of Sweden's timber towns
Just half an hour from Örebro, Nora was one of the great favourites of our van roadtrip, as we fell completely under its spell.
This adorable little town deserved an article of its own, which you can read right here: Visit Nora, the jewel of Sweden's unspoilt wooden towns .
You'll discover cobbled streets lined with colourful log houses, pretty bridges spanning crystal-clear waterways and ancient churches that give Nora such a warm, authentic atmosphere. We warmly invite you to enjoy this little gem, which has managed to preserve its authenticity intact. rich heritage of yesteryear.
Stage 3: Mariestad, at the gateway to Lake Vänern
Mariestad enjoys an ideal location, bordering the lake Vänernthe Sweden's largest lake. This little town is well worth a visit if you want to get a glimpse of the immensity of this majestic lake and its charming little ports.
Mariestad can be visited fairly quickly (allow a maximum of half a day on site, unless you want to take part in activities such as the water sports).
The town has some very pretty little streets that reminded us of the pretty, colourful houses in Nora, with that typical Swedish town atmosphere.
Last but not least, Mariestad is an excellent base for enjoying the exceptional natural surroundings of Lake Vänern.
Stage 4: Tiveden National Park, Sweden's natural jewel
Second great crush of our van roadtrip, the Tiveden National Park completely lived up to our expectations and to our idea of a Swedish nature park.
Housed between the lakes Vänern and VätternThis green setting was the ideal place for us, lovers of hiking, photography and wide open spaces. Peace and quiet reign supreme in a breathtaking setting.
In Tiveden, one crystal-clear lake follows another, interspersed with vast forests of brilliant green and imposing rocks sculpted by the glaciers. The footpaths are sometimes steep, but they allow you to reach some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe. breathtaking views on these grandiose landscapes.
Tiveden alone deserved a full article, which you can read on this page. You'll find all our advice on how to make the most of this natural wonder.
We recommend that you spend at least two days there.
Our little plus: The camping Tiveden greatly contributed to the enjoyment of our stay in the eponymous national park, thanks to its exceptional setting nestling in the heart of nature. L'warm welcome of its managers and its top-of-the-range facilities for camping were also major assets.
We enjoyed spotless sanitary facilities, a fully equipped kitchen and dining area, log fires by the lake, children's play areas, a typical restaurant in a giant tipi, as well as the many activities on offer. This 5-star campsite combines comfort with total immersion in the natural splendours of Tiveden.
Stage 5: Return to Stockholm
After extending our stay in the magnificent Tiveden park and cancelling our last stopover (which we have absolutely no regrets about!), we had a longer journey to make back to Stockholm: a drive of around 3.5 hours.
But time flies when the passing scenery is as pleasing to the eye as ever.
Back in the capital around midday, it was time to return our trusty converted van and enjoy our afternoon in Stockholm before taking the train home.
In conclusion
This first van road trip in the heart of Sweden will remain engraved in our memories. We will particularly remember the stages of Nora and Tiveden National Park as must-sees if you're travelling through these regions.
Of course, we mustn't forget that tastes and colours are different. You might be won over by stops other than these during your own van road trip in Sweden!
What you need to know for a successful road trip in Sweden
- Beware of roads and motorways that sometimes have few rest areas: plan ahead for breaks to eat, relax or refuel.
- Some campsites may be very popular in high season or closed in winter: book in advance or contact the managers to check availability.
- Although wild camping is permitted in Sweden, some regions, such as national parks, apply specific regulations, so find out more beforehand.
- Be careful, there are many speed cameras and tolerance is close to zero in Sweden.
With this invaluable advice, you'll be all set for a fabulous roadtrip in Sweden, and you'll be able to take full advantage of the wonders of this Nordic country!
