Sweden Weather in April: Travel Tips for First-Timers

Sweden is frigid or cold and snowy throughout most of Sweden in April, even at the low elevations. April's highlights include auroras, winter sports, sledding, and skiing. Tourism is low in April.

Read on for our weather information and travel advice including average temperatures and rain/snowfall, places to go, and travel tips…

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• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Best Places to Visit
• 3. Crowds and Costs
• 4. What to Wear

Sweden Weather in April: Overview

Averages: 

• Temperature range: 1–9°C (33–48°F)
• Total rain/snow: 3 cm (1 inch)
• Days with rain/snow: 7
• Humidity: 69%
• Sunshine hours/day: 7 hour

April Climate Comparison (Averages) for Sweden's Top Tourism Areas

In April, southern Sweden enjoys what would usually be considered early-spring temperatures by people from temperate regions along with extra-long doses of both daylight and sunshine that lift the emotions. In the north, it still freezes at night. You can do both spring and winter activities in Sweden in April.

Southern Sweden: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Gotland and the southern coast are at 59° degrees latitude and southward. There is an average of 7 hours of sunshine and a pleasant average high of about 11°C (52°F). The weather is suitable for city touring and nature hikes. You could still ski in the high mountains.

Northern Sweden: Kiruna and other arctic tourist towns are north of latitude 66°. Kiruna and Riksgränsen are at latitude 68° and get almost 16 hours of daylight on average daily. Though sunshine hours are about the same as in the south, the cold temperatures preserve the snow for skiing.

The Best Places to Visit in Sweden in April

Sweden's April highlights feature 14½ or more hours of daylight on average for activities, vast snowy forests shining in the sunshine, ski resorts, winter sports, urban touring, and opportunities for seeing auroras. In the north, you can do snow sports. You can tour the cities and do various excursions as weather permits.

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1. Stockholm — Experience the Urban Highlights and Ski

Stockholm is the capital and the biggest city. In April, you can visit with moderate prices even though an airfare is relatively high. On average, Stockholm has a daily high of 11°C (52°F), 14½ hours of daylight, 7 hours of sunshine, and semi-arid rain/snowfall. April is dry and cold.

Stockholm's gardens and streets come alive in flowers such as cherry blossoms in April. You can walk among the flowering tree bouquets at Kungsträdgården in the center of Stockholm or go to Bergius Botanic Garden. You could see the auroras on clear nights outside the city in April.

If the conditions are suitable for cross-country skiing, you could ski at Nacka or at Hellasgården that is 20 minutes from downtown Stockholm. For downhill skiing, it is best to travel by train or vehicle for about 7 hours to Åre and Duved. See below.

2. Åre and Duved — Enjoy Skiing

The Åre and Duved ski resorts are in the best ski resort region in Sweden. There are good facilities for children there. The mountains are tall enough that April is still ski season. Åre has luxury resorts and hotels.

Duved is a ski resort town a few minutes away from Åre by train or road with lower prices. In Duved, the average high is 5°C (41°F). The low is -3°C (27°F). The total rainfall/snowfall is low. There is an average of about 15 hours of daylight that makes skiing and being outdoors more enjoyable.

Swedes go on sports vacations to the ski resorts and places they can ski cross-country in April, so if it might be busy and expensive at times especially during holidays.

3. Uppsala — Enjoy Walking in Historic Places and Nature

Uppsala is only about 70 kilometers (43 miles) away from Stockholm. In the spring, due to the gardens, woods, parks, the historic center, canals, and the university campus, it is an excellent place to walk around in and enjoy spring flowers and scenery in pleasant weather before tourist crowds arrive.

Uppsala is Sweden's fourth largest city. It has Scandinavia's oldest university and has been a center for learning for almost 1,000 years. So, you can walk to historic buildings such as the Gustavianum Museum that is situated in Uppsala University's oldest building. The museum features scientific and historical artifacts and artworks.

Uppsala was a burial place for kings and Vikings. You could walk in a castle, stroll along canals, and walk on paths through woods and up hills. The weather is mild and dry with a daily average of 6 hours of sunshine, highs of 11°C (52°F), and lows of 0°C (32°F).

4. Kiruna — Enjoy Lapland Highlights and Experiences, the Auroras, Sledding and Skiing

Kiruna is the best town for skiing in Scandinavia in April because Riksgränsen and tall mountains are nearby. Kiruna is also the best Swedish town to experience the indigo/violet/pink skies and auroras. It is the Swedish town that is furthest north.

Abisko is nearby and renowned for clear skies for aurora watching. There is an average of about 16 hours of daylight. The light and twilight sky colors might intoxicate you and provide time for Lapland excursions and sightseeing. You can ski cross-country. There are 7 hours of sunshine on average.

The average high is 3°C (37°F). The nightly lows are -6°C (21°F). The Sami consider March and April the best months for dog sledding and cross-country excursions since there is much light. Kiruna is semi-arid. It is peak ski season in Riksgränsen.

Low Tourism Season: Touring Advice for April

Sweden's cities and towns in southern Sweden generally have low tourism in April. This is partly because there are no national holidays in April except for the Easter season that is often in April. This means you can enjoy some lower prices, more relaxation, and more solitude.

Easter holidays are times of high travel and tourism. In April, flight ticket prices are high due to business travel. It is high season for the ski resort areas.

The Swedes like to take trips to the ski resorts in the central and northern regions in April. You might see auroras.

Public Holidays in April:

Walpurgis Night

Walpurgis Night is April 30 annually. It is a half day off for most Swedes, and businesses may close early.

Easter Holidays

If Easter is in April, as it will be in 2025, 2026, and 2028, then there is a vacation period spanning Good Friday to Easter Monday. Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday are public holidays. Schools and businesses close.

Good Friday celebrates the death of Jesus and Easter Sunday celebrates his resurrection, as many Swedes do by attending church (over 50% are Christians). Swedes might also use these days as part of an extended personal vacation time.

What to Wear in April

In April, there is usually little rain in southern Sweden, but it might also snow. Gothenburg is one of the rainiest cities, and there is only low rainfall/snowfall on an average of 8 days every April.

The highlights in the north and the mountains have unpredictable weather and snow. You could be the most comfortable by dressing in layers, and do take a waterproof coat or raingear when you travel in Sweden for the occasional shower, but also for windproofing.

Here is a packing list for a few essentials in Sweden:

• Warm waterproof boots with good traction for the outdoors. You might wear them in-flight to travel lightly.
• Comfortable shoes with good traction
• Rain gear, especially if you are in the central and southern regions
• Warm hat
• Swimwear for spas and hot springs
• Cardigans or thermals
• Polarized glasses