It just so happened that a month before my journey to Sweden and Norway, I happened to strike up a discussion at a pub with a vivacious Swedish intern who was working in San Francisco. In this blog post we will guide you about the pack for Scandinavia in summer.
“In all honesty, the summers are not that unlike where I am. They have a pleasant temperature, but the humidity is significantly higher and there are far more mosquitoes. Remember to bring insect repellent with you on your journey to Sweden. “
Having spent my childhood in the sweltering, mosquito-infested, once-swampy areas of Washington, D.C., I found it difficult to adjust to climates with high humidity, a high mosquito population, and temperatures below 90 degrees. But once they arrived in Stockholm, everything would make perfect sense.
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After spending a significant portion of June and July riding across Sweden and Norway and having polite conversations with quite a few Danes, Swedes, and Norwegians, the following is a list of suggestions on what to pack for Scandinavia in summer.
Start with the Right Luggage
Before you can do anything else, you’ll need to make sure you have the appropriate luggage for the trip. You will be far more comfortable travelling with a carry-on-sized travel backpack, such as the Outbreaker Backpack, as opposed to a hiking bag or luggage.
A luggage is difficult to manoeuvre. Because it is so heavy, you will need to clumsily lift it into the overhead compartment and then carry it up and down the steps.
A hiking backpack, on the other hand, is fantastic for comfort and has the advantage of allowing hands-free travel; but, since it packs from the top, you will need to empty your dirty clothes all over the place anytime you are searching for anything.
The Setout Backpack is designed to be carried like a hiking backpack thanks to its comfy and cushioned hip belt. However, it packs up like a suitcase, allowing you to easily reach anything you may need.
You won’t have any trouble navigating crowded areas like airports, airlines, stairwells, or public transportation. In addition to that, it offers the optimal level of organization, making it easy to discover what you want at the precise moment you require it.
Things to Know Before Packing for Scandinavia in the Summer
Before I continue with the remainder of our summer packing list for Scandinavia, there are four essential pieces of information you should have regarding vacationing in Scandinavia during the summer:
Things may become rather pricey.
The nations of Scandinavia are, in fact, regarded as some of the most costly places in the world to live in the world. In general terms, Norway is the most costly country, followed by Sweden, and then Denmark comes in third. After being in Norway for a week, we really started to start missing Sweden’s beers that cost ten dollars each.
Consequently, despite the fact that purchasing necessities after you get in the nation will save you valuable packing space, you should make every effort to avoid doing so if you are travelling in Sweden, Norway, or Denmark.
Get Ready for the Sun That Never Sets
It is possible to see the sun for the most of the day in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark during the summer months. It becomes dark (really dark) far sooner in the southern portions of Sweden and Norway, as well as in Denmark than it does in the northern regions of these countries.
If you choose to remain there for an extended period of time, as many other visitors do, you will likely experience some periods of darkness. In spite of this, I strongly suggest that you carry an eye mask with you, but that you leave the headlight at home.
The Countries of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway Are Extremely Secure
You won’t need a money belt in Denmark, Sweden, or Norway; they are all relatively safe nations to visit and are comparable to Iceland in this regard.
Everything Comes to a Halt When the Midsummer Festivals Begin.
The Midsummer festival is a major celebration in Scandinavia, much as the Fourth of July is in the United States. It is the beginning of summer, and most businesses close down since the town’s residents leave to enjoy the holiday weekend in more remote locations, such as the woods or the beach.
If you are going to be in the area over that holiday, you should make lodging reservations in advance and be ready to have fewer dining alternatives available to you.
What to Pack for Scandinavia in summer
Be ready for a mix of cool and warm temperatures, as well as rain and bugs.
An elderly lady in Sweden asked me this question while glancing at my legs, which were covered halfway down my calves by cycle shorts and leg warmers. “Aren’t you cold?” she questioned me.
“No, I’m OK!” I attempted to speak while covering up my trembling with my hands.
I was drenched as a result of the severe rain that was falling outside of Sundsvall, which is located around halfway up the coast of Sweden.
I took off my sweater and rain gear a few hours later because I was becoming too overheated thanks to the sunny break in the rain.
This is how the pack for Scandinavia in summer often go. It tends to be rather cool when there is cloud cover and rain in the forecast.
However, if the sun comes out, the temperature may rise to a comfortable level — at least in the southern regions of Sweden and Norway, as well as across the all of Denmark. Keeping this in mind, I would suggest taking along:
- Two tank tops
- Three t-shirts
- Wear 1-2 fleeces or sweaters
- One warm jacket
- You will need 1 rain jacket (if your other jacket is not waterproof) or an umbrella
- One knit cap
- There is one scarf
- A skirt or a pair of shorts
- Two pairs of pants
- Wear one pair of warm socks
Make sure you pack at least one decent outfit since Denmark, Sweden, and Norway have a lot of amazing restaurants and nightlife for you to experience; you don’t want to miss out on any of it because you’re looking a bit too scruffy!
The Fashion of Scandinavia
If it is crucial to you to blend in with the crowd, then I suggest that you pack clothing that are simple and uncluttered. The clothing is understated yet edgy, with plenty of neutral hues and clean lines, which also makes it very ideal for an outfit designed for travelling.
Spending time at the beach and hanging around
Even if it is most probable that you will have cold weather, you should still make preparations for true warm and pleasant weather just in case it occurs.
Even though I was shivering my way through a fishing trip in the Norwegian Fjords in July, our tour guide was happy to tell us about an August boat tour when the temperature was so high that all of his customers decided to skip fishing and go swimming instead. Despite the fact that I was shivering my way through the trip, our guide was happy to tell us about it.
In a similar vein, both Denmark and southern Sweden, in addition to Norway, are home to a number of breathtaking beaches that are ideal for basking in the warm rays of the sun.
Additionally, you need to pack:
- swimming suit
- Slippers
- Sunblock
Day Bags
For me, I took a compact crossbody bag that was large enough to accommodate my things, like my camera, wallet, and other necessities. It was adaptable enough to serve both the purpose of going out in the evening and strolling about town.
However, if you want to do anything that involves being outside, I strongly suggest that you carry a small backpack either in addition to or in place of a handbag.
Camping: Pack for It
It’s common knowledge that travelling and pack for Scandinavia in summer may put a serious dent in your bank account, but did you know that during the summer months, the region’s temperate climate makes it ideal for camping?
It is not illegal to spend the night anywhere in Sweden (with the exception of private land), and the cost of pitching a tent at one of the country’s official campgrounds is just approximately ten dollars per night (and usually includes a shower and kitchen).
Camping is permitted outside of towns throughout Norway (with the exception of farmlands) for up to 48 hours at a time. However, camping is prohibited in all areas of Denmark that are not designated as official campsites.
The camping facilities in all three nations are of a good standard, and if you don’t have a tent, many of them have quaint, tiny cottages that you may stay in instead.
If you want to go camping, be sure to carry the following items with you:
- Tent (unless you’re relying on cabins, – which you should try to reserve in advance).
- Bringing a sleeping bag
- Pad for sleeping
- Knife, fork, and collapsible cup
- (Have I mentioned you need bug spray?)
If you plan on skipping the official campgrounds, you do not need to bring a camp stove.
Keeping in Hostels
To save money on your trip and make the most of your time in hostels, pack the following items in your carry-on luggage before you leave:
1 compact beach towel
1 set of sheets suitable for travel (like the Cocoon mummy sheet).
You will be expected to pay for some, but not all. You could probably carry a pillowcase as well, but what I generally do is simply put the pillow inside of a t-shirt that I don’t mind being stretched out and call it a day/night combination.
Shoes: Just Cities, or, Into the Woods?
I brought my cycling shoes, a pair of black sandals, and a pair of Toms with me on my trip across Sweden and Norway since I was going to be doing some bike touring. It turned out well given that I spent most of my time in my cycling shoes.
Nonetheless, the sandals and Toms were not appropriate footwear for the wet weather. If I were to embark on the journey again without the bike, I would carry the following with me:
Types of shoes
- This pair of ankle boots will keep you dry in the rain
- Shoes
- Hiking sneakers
If you just want to visit urban areas, you may be able to get away with simply a pair of ankle boots, some casual rain-proof shoes, or comfy sandals. This is especially true if you only intend to visit smaller towns.
You should make sure that you have footwear that you can wear in any of the following scenarios:
- The Stockholm archipelago beach
- Norway’s arctic circle trek
- Taking in the nightlife in Copenhagen
- Getting on a bike in Gothenburg
- In the rain, exploring Oslo
Are you concerned about what to bring for your pack for Scandinavia in summer?
Begin with the appropriate baggage; a travel backpack that you can take on is your best option.
You should be sure to take clothes that will keep you warm on a cold and wet day (or when waiting on a boat in the fjords), but you should also include a few things that you can use on the beach when the weather is nice.
Also, don’t forget to pack at least one great dress with you so that you may wear it while experiencing the vibrant nightlife and eating scene to pack for Scandinavia in summer.
Insect repellent and sunscreen are absolute musts, as are any other personal items you may need during your time there (since buying them in the country will be pricey).
If you are looking to save some money while still taking advantage of the beautiful weather, you may want to think about carrying camping gear with you, or at the very least, a travel sheet for stays at hostels.
When it comes to footwear, a combination of sneakers and sandals or sneakers and sandals will serve you well. You are going to want something that is going to hold up whether you are going to be active, sloshing about in the rain, or wearing it out for a night on the town.
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