SHOPPING TIPS
Swedish fashion chains, furniture and design houses have long made a name for themselves in this country. But you can also shop wonderfully in the country of origin. Find out more about the general opening times in Sweden and what you should definitely take with you as a souvenir from your vacation.
OPENING HOURS
Banks are usually open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a little longer on Thursdays. The post offices in Sweden usually open Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Post offices in shops are usually open longer.
Shops in smaller towns are usually open between 9.30 a.m. and 6 p.m., on Saturdays often until 4 p.m. Shopping centers often have longer opening times. Department stores are usually open until 8 or 10 p.m. and often open on Sundays between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
SOUVENIRS
Abbreviated as SW by abbreviationfinder, Sweden clearly stands for the simple and elegant Scandinavian design. This can be seen in fashion as well as in furniture, souvenirs and everyday objects. The branches of Designtorget are recommended here. Fashion enthusiasts are recommended to visit the numerous outlets and large department stores around Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. Here you can quickly make a bargain. A typical Swedish souvenir are the Dala horses (or dalahäst), which are used as wooden toys for children and were carved in the cold winter months. In addition, Sámi handicrafts made from reindeer skin, jewelry made from artistically woven wire or knives with reindeer horn applications are very popular. Culinary you can recommend the popular Gravad Lax or the delicious and huge crispbread wheels, which can be bought in bakeries. Swedish glass, which is made in Småland, is also world-famous.
INFORMATION ABOUT DRIVING IN SWEDEN
Motorists in Sweden find almost paradisiacal conditions, because the traffic is far less than here and the quality of the roads is excellent in most cases. Often you don’t meet another vehicle for miles. At most, you have to expect a bit more traffic in southern Sweden.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Due to the greater distances between the individual cities, you should always keep an eye on the petrol level, it can sometimes take a long time until you come across a gas station again. Petrol prices in Sweden are also expensive and petrol stations are mostly self-service (in Swedish: tanka själv).
OBLIGATIONS FOR DRIVERS
In Sweden it is compulsory to turn on the dipped headlights during the day, neglecting this obligation can be punished with a fine. With rental cars, however, the light is usually switched on automatically. Also, after sunset, expect moose and reindeer to cross the streets. They are often the cause of accidents on Swedish roads. In addition, it is mandatory to wear seat belts and child seats for children up to 7 years.
SPEEDS
The speed limits are stricter than in this country. Between 90 and 120 m / h are allowed on motorways, between 70 and 90 km / h on interurban roads and between 30 and 50 km / h in urban areas. Here, too, it is imperative to adhere to the guidelines, because even minor violations can be expensive. At 20 km / h too fast, a fine of at least EUR 110 should be expected. In addition, the Swedish police can even confiscate cars if you were traveling too fast. Drinking and driving is also a delicate matter, because the alcohol limit has already been set at 0.2.
CAR RENTAL IN SWEDEN
If you want to rent a car in Sweden, you should be at least 21 years old. Up to the age of 25 there can usually be a surcharge for young drivers. Tolls in the city of Stockholm or Gothenburg are usually already included in the rental price for car rental travelers or will be billed afterwards. Please also remember that child seats for children up to 7 years of age are compulsory and may need to be borrowed when renting.
TOLL
As in other northern European cities listed on countryaah, Sweden counteracts the increasing volume of traffic in the inner cities. Tolls are levied in Stockholm city center and Gothenburg. The license plates are recorded when entering the inner city area in Stockholm or when driving through the E6 in Gothenburg and then billed by post. Since 2015 foreign drivers have also been asked to pay. In Stockholm and Gothenburg the toll is collected Monday to Friday between 6 a.m. and 6:29 p.m., in Gothenburg the weekends, public holidays, the day before a public holiday and the month of July are toll-free, and in Stockholm the weekends, public holidays, and sometimes the day before a public holiday the last three weeks of July.