Sweden's wild gourmet world in new series on Apple TV

October 24th is a big day for a small village in southern Sweden. That's when the episode about Swedish restaurants airs. Knystaforsen, one of Sweden's Michelin-awarded restaurants, in Apple TV+'s new series Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars. Located in an old sawmill, next to a river in the middle of the forest, Knystaforsen offers a menu that celebrates the nature around it. Here you can enjoy fish from nearby lakes and rivers, meat from moose and deer hunted in the forest, as well as fresh berries, mushrooms and vegetables picked and grown locally – all carefully prepared to highlight the flavors of each ingredient. In addition to a Michelin star, Knystaforsen has also been awarded a Michelin Green Star – a recognition of the restaurant’s work in sustainable gastronomy. At Knystaforsen, sustainability is not only about raw materials, but also about the cooking itself; meals are also prepared outdoors over an open fire, among other things to take advantage of the unique community that arises around the fire.
For more inspiration about restaurants in Sweden visit: Eat and Drink in Sweden

New accommodation from the creators of world-famous Treehotel opens for Christmas

Photo: Screenshot / Villa Äng 

For all those who appreciate Treehotel in the heart of Swedish Lapland a new experience awaits! On December 21st, Villa Meadow, an exclusive 400 square meter villa – created by Jenny Isaaksson, daughter of Treehotel’s founder. The new venture offers elegant and comfortable accommodation where guests get close to both the landscape and the changing seasons of northern Sweden. Here you can enjoy panoramic views of the meadows and the nearby river and for the ultimate relaxation, both a sauna and an outdoor jacuzzi are included as part of the experience.
For more tips visit: 10 extraordinary accommodations close to Swedish nature

The world's best gin comes from Sweden

Photo: Herno Gin

Recently awarded Herno Gin the prestigious title of Gin Producer of the Year. It is the second year in a row that the distillery has received the highest award at the International Spirits Challenge, for ”consistently high quality across its entire gin range”. The highest award for an individual product, Trophy, went to Hernö én-gin developed in collaboration with acclaimed chef Björn Frantzén.

And not only is Sweden home to one of the world's best gins – one of the world's 50 best bars is located in Stockholm! The World's 50 Best has recently published this year's list of bars around the world, and among them we find The Red House in place 35. The bar and restaurant work with a Nordic style, where Swedish ingredients and seasonal flavors are at the center. While the list of World's 50 Best Bars was released also writes Vogue Scandinavia that the Red House is more than a bar – rather a ”cultural hub”"and one"”excellent example of the region's ability to combine innovation and tradition.” Meet the innovators putting Swedish beverages on the international drinks list (Visit Sweden) 

World-class Swedish hotels – from historical cultural heritage to floating spas and forest idylls

Photo: Andy Liffner, Grand Hotel HERE

Grand Hôtel receives two keys from the Michelin Guide
Grand Hôtel in Stockholm is one of four hotels in the Nordic region to have been awarded two keys by The Michelin Guide. Just like the stars for restaurants, the keys reward”excellence” in five categories, including architecture, character, and quality and consistency in service. The Michelin Guide gives Grand Hotel two keys thanks to its location, its classic interior, its ”almost comical decadence” and its flawless service.

Press photos Arctic Bath: Anders Blomqvist / Visit Sweden 

In addition to Grand Hôtel, there are ten Swedish hotels with a key in the Nordic region, all located in Stockholm, with one exception – Arctic Bath. The latter is found in the small village of Harads in northern Sweden and is described by the Michelin Guide inspectors as ”unlike all the others”. Here, guests stay in cabins that float on the river in the summer and freeze into the ice in the winter – the architecture pays homage to the region’s timber heritage and creates a ”feeling of deep, grounded presence”.
 

Photo: Henrik Lundell: Courtesy Stockholm City Hotel

Stockholms Stadshotell named one of the world's best hotels
”One of the most exciting openings of the year” writes National Geographic Travelers (UK) editors about newly opened Stockholm City Hotel. The hotel wins in the category ”clever conversion”, which celebrates culturally historic buildings that have been given new life as unique hotels. The hotel was built in the late 19th century as a residence for widows, commissioned by Queen Josefina of Sweden and Norway in memory of her late husband, King Oscar I. The building then served as a home, hospital, school and office, before the City of Stockholm sold it on the condition that it be used for public purposes. Today, architectural details such as ceiling paintings, mirrors and stucco remain from the old days, but in the modern hotel – with 32 rooms, two restaurants, spa and sauna – they have not only been preserved but also ”"restored and recreated with magnificent effect", writes the travel magazine.

Photo: Thomas Lotter / westsweden.com 

Hyssna Forest Resort among Europe's most relaxing forest resorts  
British The Times has listed 25 of Europe's most beautiful, relaxing forest lodges and Sweden's Hyssna Forest Resortcomes in third place. The resort is located in the middle of a pristine forest, just a 45-minute drive from Gothenburg. The hotel project began just two years ago when brothers Oscar and David Johansson, both carpenters, decided to build some cabins that people would actually want to rent in their family-owned forest.
For more inspiration visit: Where to stay in Sweden * Extraordinary accommodations close to Swedish nature * Top Hotels in Stockholm (Visit Sweden)

Gothenburg becomes the UN's new hub for sustainable lifestyles

 
Photo: Flickr / UN Partnerships Office / Kiara Worth 

What do mussels, crabs and seaweed pickled cabbage have in common with Sweden being a pioneer in sustainable tourism? They are all grown locally on the Swedish west coast and are part of Gothenburg's new signature dish, "”Gothenburg Royale”" which was prepared by Swedish star chef Marcus Samuelsson in connection with the city's being named the new hub for sustainable lifestyles at the UN General Assembly in New York. Gothenburg has long been a pioneer in sustainability and recently ranked second in the 2025 Global Destination Sustainability Index, after topping the list several years earlier. The new initiative, which will be launched in 2026, aims to drive the development towards more sustainable ways of living – from tourism and culture to fashion and food. For more info. visit: Sustainable Travel * 9 sustainable Swedish food and drink experiences
 

Swedish culture on prescription

Crazy Pictures/Visit Sweden Download

Studies show that art and creative activities can promote health and well-being, and doctors are increasingly prescribing cultural activities with the aim of making people feel better. Through the new initiative The Swedish Prescription Sweden is now raising this theme, positioning itself as the first destination in the world where prescriptions can be issued by doctors. Although the claim is made with a twinkle in the eye, doctors in countries such as the UK, Germany, the US and the Netherlands support the idea that Swedish nature, lifestyle and culture contribute to people feeling better.

“Nature, social context and culture have restorative powers – and Sweden offers an abundance of these assets. If a patient requests it, I am open to prescribing a visit to the country,” says London-based GP Dr. Sam Everington.

So why not fill the fall with art, light shows and festivals – here are some of the fall's cultural highlights:

• Portrait! – National Museum, Stockholm A retrospective exhibition of black and white portraits of Greta Garbo from the film The kiss. (6/11-15/03.26) Portrait! – National Museum
• ”"Soejvene" – Västerbottens Museum, Umeå. An exhibition that explores Sami identity and culture through contemporary art. (23/11-26/04/26) ”"Soejvene" – Västerbotten Museum, Umeå
• Lights in Alinsås – Every autumn, Alingsås' streets and parks are filled with light art from international designers. Follow the atmospheric light walk and see the city in a whole new light when darkness falls. (3/10-2/11) Lights in Alinsås

Upcoming highlights… 

Photo: Borgvattnets Rectory HERE

Creepy crawlies and haunted castles – Sweden's Halloween hotels await
Trick or treat for Halloween is nothing new and hardly unique to Sweden, but the stories of sorrow and worry that hide behind some of the country's castle and manor facades can be. Why not visit some of the haunted places where you can actually stay overnight, for example in an old rectory that hands out a "ghost certificate" to anyone brave enough to stay the night - despite the furniture moving and shadowy figures sneaking around the corridors. For more inspiration visit: 9 haunted castles and manor houses you can actually stay in  

The Nobel Prize is awarded in Stockholm (10 Dec)
On the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death, the laureates receive their Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology/medicine, literature and economics in Stockholm. The city celebrates the holiday with a week filled with special events and culinary experiences. For more info. visit The Nobel prize – over a century of innovation

Combining mountain experience with Sami culture (2026)
Idre Fjäll and Idre Sami village in Dalarna is starting a unique collaboration to combine mountain experiences with Sami culture. At Foskvallen, just ten kilometers from the popular Idre Fjäll, a new reindeer herding facility and a guest center are being built where visitors can discover the cultural heritage and traditional Sami ways of working. The new attraction will be a natural and accessible part of the mountain experience and is planned to open in 2026. For more info. visit Discover Sami culture (Visit Dalarna) 

Source: Visit Sweden.