Motorhome holiday in Sweden: 3 great road trip routes
JuliaUpdated at: 09/30/2026
Reading time: 7 minutes
Planning a motorhome holiday in Sweden but not quite sure where to go? With vast forests, thousands of lakes, colourful coastal towns and roads that seem made for road trips, Sweden gives you plenty of options. We've picked three routes that show you very different sides of the country – from the beaches and cities of southern Sweden to the forests and lakes of central Sweden and the wilderness of Swedish Lapland. We've also included practical tips to help you plan your Sweden motorhome tour.
Where should you start your motorhome holiday in Sweden?
If you're travelling from the UK, you have two main options: hire a motorhome once you arrive in Sweden or make the journey across Europe in a motorhome from the UK.
Starting in Sweden saves you the long drive through mainland Europe, and Stockholm is a particularly convenient starting point for the first two routes below. If you're planning to explore Swedish Lapland, hiring further north can save you a considerable amount of driving.
CamperDays tip:
whichever option you choose, compare rental locations, vehicle prices and travel costs before booking.
1. Southern Sweden by motorhome: the classic road trip
RouteStockholm – Västerås – Mariestad – Göteborg – Malmö – Kalmar – Gotland – Tyresta National Park – Stockholm
DistanceApprox 1050 km
Recommended duration2-3 weeks
If it's your first motorhome holiday in Sweden, the south is a great place to start. This varied circular route combines sandy beaches and forests with historic towns and lively cities such as Gothenburg and Malmö.
Some of the best moments, however, come at the end of the driving day. Sweden has some beautifully located campsites, from pitches surrounded by forest at Lake Halen to campsites near the fishing villages and islands of the west coast.
Another worthwhile stop is Vimmerby, the birthplace of Astrid Lindgren, the Swedish author who created Pippi Longstocking. If you're travelling as a family, Astrid Lindgren's World makes this an especially fun addition to the route.
Gotland adds yet another landscape to the trip. Sweden's largest island is known for its beaches, limestone formations and the medieval town of Visby. You'll need to take a ferry to reach the island, so factor the crossing into your itinerary.
Back near Stockholm, finish your journey with a walk through Tyresta National Park, where ancient forest and peaceful lakes feel surprisingly remote for somewhere so close to the capital.
2. Central Sweden by motorhome: through the heart of the country
- Route
Stockholm – Sigtuna – Uppsala – Tällberg – Sunne – Tiveden NLP – Vadstena – Sundbyholm – Stockholm
- Distance
Approx. 1,141 km
- Recommended duration
2 weeks
For forests, lakes and those classic red Swedish cottages, head into central Sweden. The historic province of Dalarna is often described as the heart of the country and delivers exactly the landscapes many travellers picture when they think of Sweden.
Starting from Stockholm, the route first takes you to Sigtuna and Uppsala. Sigtuna is Sweden's oldest surviving town, while Uppsala is known for its cathedral, university and centuries of history. Both are well worth exploring before heading deeper into the countryside.
One of the highlights of this Sweden motorhome tour is Tiveden National Park. Huge boulders, dense forest and clear lakes make it an excellent place to leave the motorhome behind for a few hours and explore on foot.
With a little luck, you might even spot some of Sweden's wildlife along the way. Moose are found throughout much of the country, and lynx live here too, although spotting one is extremely rare.
Continue towards Vadstena on the shores of Lake Vättern before eventually looping back towards Stockholm.
If you want a road trip that balances cities and culture with plenty of time in nature, this is probably the most varied of our three routes.
3. Swedish Lapland: a motorhome tour to the Arctic Circle
- Route
Kiruna – Abisko National Park – Piteå – Skellefteå – Umeå – Arvidsjaur – Arjeplog – Jokkmokk – Muddus National Park – Kiruna
- Distance
Approx. 1539 km
- Recommended duration
2-3 weeks
Looking for something a little more adventurous? Then take your motorhome north.
A road trip through Swedish Lapland is one of the country's great journeys, with enormous distances, sparsely populated landscapes and wilderness that feels completely different from southern Sweden.
Abisko National Park is one of the first major highlights. Mountains surround the broad Abisko valley, and hiking trails take you through a dramatic Arctic landscape. Reindeer are also a common sight in northern Sweden, so keep an eye out while you're driving.
Further south, the scenery changes surprisingly quickly. Between Skellefteå and Piteå, you'll find a coastline dotted with bays, islands and sandy beaches – probably not the landscape you imagined when you first thought about a trip to Lapland.
The route then heads inland again towards Arvidsjaur, Arjeplog and Jokkmokk, taking you across the Arctic Circle and through some of Sweden's most sparsely populated regions.
Muddus/Muttos National Park is another highlight, with ancient forests, wetlands, waterfalls and deep ravines. This is also part of Sápmi, the traditional homeland of the Sámi people, which stretches across northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia.
For this route in particular, take your time. Distances are long, services can be more spread out, and the whole appeal of travelling through Swedish Lapland is having enough time to appreciate just how remote it feels.
Tips for your Sweden motorhome tour
Getting to Sweden from the UK
If you're starting your Sweden motorhome tour in the UK, driving all the way to Sweden turns the journey itself into part of the road trip.
You'll first need to cross to mainland Europe, for example via the Channel Tunnel or a ferry. From there, you can drive north through Germany and Denmark before entering Sweden via the Øresund Bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö.
Because this adds considerable mileage to your holiday, it's worth comparing the total cost with flying to Sweden and hiring your motorhome there. For a two-week trip, picking up locally can save valuable holiday time. For a longer Scandinavian adventure, driving from the UK may make more sense.
Stockholm is an obvious starting point if you decide to hire locally, with several motorhome rental options and easy access to southern and central Sweden.
Where to stay with a motorhome in Sweden
Sweden is very well set up for motorhome travel. You'll find campsites throughout the country, often surrounded by forest, beside lakes or close to the coast.
Another useful option is a ställplats: a dedicated motorhome parking area. Facilities vary, but some provide services such as fresh water, electricity and waste disposal. They can be a convenient alternative when you only need somewhere to stay for a night before continuing your journey.
You've probably also heard about Sweden's famous Allemansrätten, or Right of Public Access. It gives people considerable freedom to explore nature and allows responsible tent camping in many places – but there's an important catch for motorhome travellers.
The Right of Public Access does not give you the right to drive or park a motorhome off-road. You can't simply drive into a forest, meadow or onto a beach and spend the night there.
If you want the freedom of travelling through Sweden without worrying about where you're allowed to park, campsites and designated ställplatser are the easiest options.
Driving a motorhome in Sweden
Feeling slightly nervous about driving a motorhome abroad? Sweden is a good destination for beginners. Particularly in southern and central Sweden, roads are generally well maintained and there's plenty of space once you're away from the cities.
Speed limits vary by road, so always follow the posted limit rather than assuming there's one standard limit for roads outside towns.
Wildlife is something you do need to take seriously. Moose, deer and reindeer can appear on or beside the road, particularly around dawn and dusk. Pay attention to wildlife warning signs and reduce your speed when visibility is poor.
Which Sweden motorhome tour should you choose?
All three routes offer a very different motorhome holiday in Sweden.
Choose southern Sweden if you want a little bit of everything: cities, coast, islands, forests and plenty of campsites. Central Sweden is perfect if lakes, traditional villages and hiking are higher on your wish list. And if you want wide-open landscapes, reindeer and a true sense of adventure, Swedish Lapland is difficult to beat.
Whichever route you choose, don't try to cover too much ground each day. Sweden is at its best when you have time to stop at that lake you spotted from the road, spend an extra night at a beautiful campsite or swap an afternoon behind the wheel for a walk through the forest.
That's exactly what makes travelling by motorhome such a good way to see the country.
Do you have any feedback on the article, questions about booking a motorhome, or are you looking for tips? Then feel free to write to us here. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
