Are you dreaming of a cozy, colorful adventure with your family? Autumn in Sweden is the perfect time for a road trip! The air is crisp, the leaves turn beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow, and the crowds are smaller. In this 6-day Sweden trip itinerary, I’ll guide you through charming towns, peaceful forests, and stunning lakes. So, pack your bags, buckle up, and get ready for an unforgettable journey through Sweden’s breathtaking fall scenery!

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When Is Autumn In Sweden?

Autumn in Sweden is normally from September to November when temperatures start to lower. Fall foliage is best in October normally but the leaves will be at their peak at different times each year. It will also depend on where in Sweden you visit. Sweden is a very large country, so the further North you go the earlier the leaves will change. In this fall itinerary, we will be in Southern Sweden. We traveled in mid to late October and the leaves were stunning. 

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How To Get Around Sweden?

When following this Sweden trip itinerary, the best way to get around the country is by having a car. When we visited, we actually flew into Copenhagen and rented a car there and drove it to Sweden. There were no problems crossing the border, you just need to let the rental company know that you will be going into Sweden. 

There are a couple of parts of this Sweden road trip itinerary where you are in cities. One of the things we didn’t like about Gothenburg was the traffic. I would recommend parking your car and using public transportation around Gothenburg. Otherwise, having the freedom to drive around the country and see the changing leaves will be the best way to get around. 

Day 1 – Autumn In Sweden Road Trip Itinerary

Fly Into Malmö, Sweden

I did a little bit of research and was pleasantly surprised that the price of tickets to Malmö airport are fairly similar to flying into Copenhagen. I would do a quick search from your home airport to be sure, but it appears to me that they are fairly equivalent. 

If you see the price is significantly different, flying into Copenhagen isn’t a bad option. The two cities are separated by a 5-mile/8-kilometer long bridge. One thing to be aware of is that the toll on the Oresund bridge is approximately 63 euros. The price depends on your vehicle size and the time of day, so if your ticket isn’t significantly less, it probably just makes more sense to fly into Malmö. 

Explore Malmö 

Malmö is a fun city with some interesting things to do and see. These would be my recommendations for the best things to do in Malmö, Sweden.

Disgusting Food Museum

The Disgusting Food Museum ended up being one of my favorite activities we did in Malmö. Initially I didn’t want to go. With a ticket price of about $21.50 per adult and kids an additional $7.50, I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it. We walked past the museum earlier and it seemed small and not very exciting. We were traveling with another family and all of our kids really wanted to go, so we gave in. I’m so glad we did! 

Not only is it a museum of weird food that is eaten all over the world, it is also interactive. At one point they took us all outside to open up an especially stinky can of fish. There were also other disgusting foods to try. It was kinda gross but fun at the same time!! 

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Wander The Trails Of Kungsparken

Kungsparken translates to The King’s Park. This forested park near central Malmö is the best place to experience a little nature in the middle of the city. When visiting in the fall, the trees come alive with yellows, reds and orange hues making this a park not to miss. 

As you wander, you can make your way next to the river that winds through the park and eventually take the trails to Malmö Castle. We went inside and toured the castle. It wasn’t the best castle we have ever visited, but it wasn’t expensive either. There is also, strangely, a small aquarium inside too. 

Eat Lunch At Malmö Saluhall

I love a good food market in Europe and Malmö has a great one at Malmö Saluhall. If you are unfamiliar with European food markets, usually they are split up into two sections. One section is where vendors sell fruit, vegetables, meat, spices, etc… Then the other section are small restaurants that make amazingly delicious food. Think farmer’s market all year round, everyday and inside. 

My kids still talk about the pizza and pasta they ate at Malmö Saluhall. Levi’s pizza came with scissors and he was so confused at first. Once he discovered they were for cutting his pizza, he had fun with it. We also ate some yummy ice cream there. Besides Italian food, they also have Swedish food, falafels, burgers, ramen, and more.  

Make Your Way To Old Town – Gamla Staden

Gamla Staden is a beautiful section of Malmö that needs to be explored on foot. The cobblestone streets are picture perfect with cute squares, shops, bars and restaurants mixed in.

Grab a table at one of the bars or if you are traveling with kids go to Camping Malmö. 

Camping Malmö has a very deceiving name. You don’t actually camp there. There is no camping involved actually. It is an indoor mini golf bar. We had so much fun playing a game of mini golf and enjoying a cocktail at the same time.  Be sure to check their hours. Last I checked, they were closed on Sundays and Mondays and open at 3pm most days except Saturday when they open at 12pm.

Eat A Tasty Dinner At Poke Ramen

Poke Ramen may not look like much on the outside, but don’t let that deceive you. We had some of the best food of our trip here and the people were soooooooo friendly. Seriously, one woman entertained our kids so much they hardly wanted to leave. We tried to return the next day, but they were sadly closed. I am pretty sure I would have eaten there every day if I could. It’s good. Go!!!

Where To Stay In Malmö 

• Scandic Triangeln – This is where we stayed and I would highly recommend it. The breakfast was plentiful and delicious, the rooms were spacious and the location was super convenient!
• Best Western Plus Hotel Noble House – Another highly rated hotel that has very nice looking family rooms with bunk beds (hard to find in Europe!) in a great location. 

Day 2 – Autumn In Sweden Road Trip Itinerary

Copenhagen For The Day

Copenhagen is a pretty city that should be visited since you are so nearby. There is so much to see and do there, but be prepared to pay more money than Malmö. It’s a very expensive city. Even though Malmö and Copenhagen are only a few miles apart, the price difference is drastic. On average, Copenhagen is 30-50% more expensive than Malmö to visit. You can either drive to Copenhagen or take the train.

Here is a summary of what you could do in Copenhagen for one day. 

• Take the train or drive to Copenhagen.
• Start in Nyhavn and explore the famous harbor with its colorful buildings. 
• Rent a boat and see Copenhagen from the water. If you don’t want to drive a boat, you can also take a canal tour. These tours leave right from Nyhavn. 
• Eat street food. I would recommend going to Reffen. 
• Spend the afternoon and early evening in Tivoli Gardens. 
• Eat dinner in the food hall right at Tivoli

Interested in more details of this day out? Check out my full post of “How to Spend One Day in Copenhagen With Kids And Have Fun.”

Day 3 – Autumn In Sweden Road Trip Itinerary

Drive To Gränna

The drive to Gränna is a beautiful drive. It became especially beautiful when we got to Jönköping which is the southern tip of Lake Vättern. The trees were vibrantly yellow and orange and the rolling hills made the leaves easy to view. 

But before you get to Jönköping and Lake Vättern, there are a couple of stops you must do along the way.  

Alnarp Castle

The first stop you should make is right outside of Malmö. Alnarp Castle or sometimes called Alnarp Manor is a stunning manor house that sits on 26 hectares of land. The land surrounding the manor is a public park where you can meander and enjoy the fall leaves. The best part of visiting Alnarp is the outside of the castle. One side of the castle is covered with color changing vines that are deep reds and oranges and the other side has green vines covering the front. 

Read This For More Info: Everything You Need To Know To Visit Alnarp Manor, Sweden

Lund University Library

A little further north is the city of Lund. Lund is the home of Lund University. Now I don’t know much about the university itself, but I do know that its library is one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen in autumn. The library is a gorgeous building that normally has green vines covering the front, but in the fall, the building’s vines change magically into different shades of red, orange, yellow and green. Just stunning!

Dinner At Restaurant Valvet

Once you arrive in Gränna and have settled into your hotel, make your way to Restaurant Valvet. It is a cozy little restaurant that feels like you are eating in a little cave. The intimate setting is not the only thing it has going for it. The food is delectable. Since the restaurant is so small, you may want to make a reservation. We didn’t have a problem just stopping in since it was off season when we visited, though. They are also open for lunch. 

Where To Stay In Gränna

• We stayed at an Airbnb in Uppgränna which is just north of Gränna. I would recommend it with a small family with one child. It would be a little cramped for a bigger family. It has great views and a very friendly host. 
• I would recommend looking for an Airbnb to stay in for this area. There are many options in and around Gränna while there aren’t many highly rated hotels. 
• Hotel Gyllene Uttern– A beautiful castle hotel with a beautiful view of Lake Vättern and the island of Visingsö could be a good option, however the reviews say to eat elsewhere. 

Day 4 – Autumn In Sweden Road Trip Itinerary

Hike The Tegnér Tower

The trail to Tegnér Tower is a short 1.5 kilometer or a little less than a mile hike. It is an easy hike with not much uphill. The trail winds through the trees where moss grows all over the forest floor. When you reach the Tegnér Tower, you can climb the 144 stairs to the top and be above the trees. From this vantage point you can see Lake Vättern and all the trees changing color from above. It is a beautiful view! 

Grab Some Lunch

There aren’t many restaurants in Gränna, so your choices are limited. If you have an Airbnb, you can cook something. Another option is to go to Hanna’s Kök which is highly rated. You will need to check when it is opened though. We planned on going to this restaurant, but it wasn’t open when we could go. 

Learn How To Make Candy Cane

Gränna is where candy cane was created! A fun activity to do is to learn how to make it yourself. There are a few different candy cane shops that have classes, but I recommend Polkapojkarna where they use Amalia Eriksson’s (the inventor of candy cane) original recipe. Sign up for a class and make your own candy cane sticks. If you don’t want to do it yourself but still want to enjoy the sweet goodness, be sure to stop by the shop and buy a few goodies! 

Explore Grännaberget

After eating all those sweets, it’s time to work off some of that energy. Behind the city, is a beautiful natural area that offers scenic views of Gränna, Lake Vättern and Visingsö Island. There are about 240 stairs to reach the top. If you are unable to climb that many stairs, it is possible to take a car to the top and park up there. After taking in the breathtaking view of Gränna, wander the trails behind you. We followed a path and found this stunning lake surrounded by trees with leaves covered in gold. 

Brahehus Castle Ruin

Next, drive to Brahehus Castle Ruin. You will need to take the route that goes onto the highway. We tried to go there by taking a different route on Google Maps, and it took us through a wind turbine farm. Then, ultimately, to a gate we couldn’t pass through.

Once you arrive, you will park on one side of the highway and walk under the highway to reach the castle ruin. The Brahehus Castle sits on a hill and is beautiful to walk around. It is not very big, so it won’t take too long to explore. I love wandering around in castle ruins. They are also fun to photograph. Go at sunset! 

Dinner In Gränna

As I mentioned earlier, your options are limited when visiting this area. You could cook something, return to Restaurant Valvet or there is a McDonalds not too far from the Brahehus Castle. 

Alternate Activity: Take the ferry to Visingsö and explore the island. If we had more time in this area or if we return, a trip to Visingsö is on the list. This beautiful island is in the middle of Lake Vättern. There you can bike around or explore by horse-drawn carriage to see the sights. 

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Day 5 – Autumn In Sweden Road Trip Itinerary

Explore Röttle

On your way out of Gränna, you need to stop in the small village of Röttle. This quaint town doesn’t have much in the way of conveniences, but it is a stunning place to take a stroll. Walk around and see all the leaves and don’t miss the main attraction, the waterfall. The impressive waterfall in the middle of town is surrounded by cute red buildings and is picture perfect. The waterfall can be seen from above and from below. You won’t be disappointed with this stop. 

Drive To Alingsås

Alingsås is a small town about 40 minutes northeast of Gothenburg, Sweden. It is known for its many cafes and is considered “The Capital of Fika.” 

We had added Alingsås to our Sweden road trip itinerary because of the Lights in Alingsås festival that is held every October. At this festival, international architecture students have one week to design an installation around the theme of the festival. This sounded fun and interesting to us, so we gave it a shot. It wasn’t as grand as we thought it would be, but still a nice way to walk around Alingsås and see the town. We really liked the vibe of Alingsås and wished we had more time to spend in the many cafes. 

In addition, we did a couple of hikes in the area. We enjoyed the walk around Gärdsken Lake best. It was flat, easy for the kids and beautiful.

Where To Stay In Alingsås

• Boutiquehotell Dahlbogarden – a unique hotel in a country setting 
• Best options for families are Airbnbs or private apartments like this one: Lägenheten på innergården 2
• Grand Hotel Alingsås could work too for its central location, but the family rooms don’t look as nice as the other rooms. 

Day 6 – Autumn In Sweden Road Trip Itinerary

Gothenburg, Sweden

After spending one night in Alingsås, drive 40 minutes to get to Gothenburg. Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden. I would recommend finding a parking spot at either your hotel or nearby and using public transportation or walking around. The one thing we disliked about Gothenburg was driving around it. With the cool looking tram system, buses and even boats, you can easily navigate the city without a car. 

Giant Cinnamon Roll Time

Start your day wandering around the old town Gothenburg called Haga. For me, it wasn’t the coolest old town I’ve ever seen, but it is unique with its old wooden buildings and it’s laid back vibe. When you are in Haga, stop in at Café Husaren to get a gigantic cinnamon roll! They are fantastic. 

Skansen Kronan For The View

A short walk away from Haga is Skansen Kronan. This hilltop fortress offers panoramic views of Gothenburg. It is not too difficult to get up the hill and it is a nice way to see Gothenburg from above.

Slottsskogen Park

Next up, walk to Slottsskogen Park. This is a huge park to spend time in. On the way, pass Oscar Fredrik Church pictured above and marvel at this 19th century, neo-gothic church. 

When you get to Slottsskogen, there are many activities to choose from. Our kids really enjoyed the huge playground and labyrinth. There is also the Natural History Museum which is free for kids and only about 7 dollars for adults. The museum has a very large collection and is a great way to escape the rain. There’s even a free zoo in Slottskogen too. 

Lunch At Dirty Records

I would recommend stopping into Dirty Records for lunch. The food is tasty and the decor is fun. It’s such a fun ambiance. We really enjoyed our fresh and flavorful meals. 

Liseberg Amusement Park

If you are traveling to Gothenburg in the fall and you like amusement parks, you need to add Liseberg to your list. Liseberg is decked out in Halloween decorations and is considered by many to be the best amusement park in Europe. If you are a rollercoaster fan, you will love it there. Liseberg is a must visit for an autumn in Sweden road trip.

Pro Tip: Purchase your Liseberg tickets well in advance. I failed to do this and missed out on our chance to visit. They sell out quickly!!!

Where To Stay In Gothenburg 

• Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel – to be near Liseberg
• Hotel Flora – Centrally located, near public transportation
• Clarion Hotel Draken – centrally located, beautiful views

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easy to drive around Sweden?

Sweden is easy to navigate. The roads are nice and well taken care of. Autumn in Sweden is also a nice time to drive since there isn’t any snow on the roads yet.

Just like visiting any European country, you will need to learn what some of the road signs mean. There is a difference between U.S. and European signs and many European signs don’t have words and can be a bit confusing for international visitors. Here is a quick guide to learning about European road signs. 

How to get to Sweden?

Sweden and especially Southern Sweden is pretty accessible with international airports in Malmö, Gothenburg and Stockholm. Even Copenhagen is a good option to fly into. If you are coming from Europe, you can take a sleeper train from Hamburg or Berlin. Check out the SJ  or Snälltåget website for more routes and information. 

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