World Country Guide

Sport & Activities

Watersports
Sweden has hundreds of miles of beaches, particularly on the west coast, and 96,000 lakes. There are numerous water-skiing and windsurfing centres on the coast and more accessible lakes. Skindiving is mostly confined to the rocky coasts and islets on the west coast both north and south of Gothenburg. Courses are held from June to August. The great number and variety of rapids makes white-water rafting a popular sport.

Sailing
There are about 50 centres where canoes are for hire; many campsites also offer a hire service. Sailing boats and motor-cruisers can be hired in more than 25 places in Sweden or visitors can bring their own. Many of Sweden’s canals run through beautiful countryside and are well maintained to provide an ideal boating holiday. Short sightseeing trips are available on several canals but the classic journey is by steamer along the Göta Canal. All meals and accommodation are included in the price. Many cruises, some in vintage steamers, are operated from Stockholm out into the archipelago with its 30,000 islands.

Fishing
Sweden has more than 96,000 lakes and visitors can enjoy fishing in most of them. There are also thousands of miles of rivers, streams and brooks and a coastline of 6760km (4200 miles). The salmon season at Mörrum near Karlshamn opens at the beginning of spring. Sea-trout can be caught throughout the year, except in high summer, which is the best time for char and grayling (typical fish from the northern part of the country). Fishing is generally free all along the coastline and in the larger lakes, including Mälaren, Vänern and Vättern, but a special permit is required to fish in other lakes and rivers. Information is available from local tourist offices. Ice-fishing is an exciting alternative to try. Sea-fishing tours of varying lengths are arranged on the west coast and in the south. Guest harbours are available all round the coast and on lakes Mälaren, Vänern and Vättern. The Swedish Tourist Federation (STF) publishes a list of 330 with some information in English.

Golf
There are excellent golf courses and facilities provided for members and visitors. Sweden has over 400 courses. One situated north of the Arctic Circle enjoys 24-hour daylight during the summer months and many midsummer championships take place at midnight. Clubs and golf carts can usually be rented. For more information, contact the Swedish Golf Federation (website: www.sgf.golf.se).

Wintersports
There are excellent facilities for skating, tobogganing, snow-mobiling, ice-climbing and dog-sledging. Most skiing takes place in the north, particularly in Dalarna, Härjedalen and Jämtland.

Other
Routes for hiking are on well laid-out paths in almost every part of the country. Cycling is a popular holiday recreation, particularly in the south. The Swedish Cycling Promotion Institute, in cooperation with regional tourist offices, has scheduled cycling tours in almost every region.