Christmas markets are as much about experiencing the festive spirit as they are about indulging in the season's best flavours, and Sweden has many to offer. You can check out some of the best ones here.
Once you get there, these are the traditional treats you need to try to get a taste of the country's holiday culture.
Swedish Christmas sweets
No Swedish Christmas market is complete without a sweet stall, which is perhaps not much of a surprise considering how much Swedes love the stuff.
Aside from the classic polkagris, a type of candy cane, keep an eye out for knäck toffees, which may or may not be flavoured, as well as the classic pepparkakor gingerbread. They'll also often sell long sticks of liquorice in almost any flavour imaginable.
Marzipan fans should keep an eye out for small figures made out of the sweet almond paste, usually in the form of a pig or a small tomte (Santa).
Reindeer and wild boar
It may not feel particularly festive to tuck into a Rudolph sausage, but if you've always wondered how reindeer or wild boar tastes, then a Christmas market is a great opportunity to try it – you might even be able to snap up a sample and try before you buy.
Expect to see reindeer salami (renkorv), wild boar sausages (vildsvinskorv), venison (hjortkött) and maybe even some elk meat (älgkött) on the menu.
Glögg (Swedish mulled wine)
A staple of Swedish Christmas markets, glögg is a warm, spiced drink, usually made with red wine and often served with almonds and raisins.
Want something non-alcoholic? Look for saftglögg, hot apple juice with Christmas spices like cinnamon, citrus and ginger.
Unlike the alcoholic variant, which Swedish alcohol laws dictate you consume in a closed-off area, you're allowed to take your non-alcoholic glögg with you too, which makes it the perfect way to warm up as you wander through the stalls – there's just something special about exploring a Christmas market with a warm cup of glögg in hand.
Julmust (Christmas soda)
This beloved Swedish Christmas drink, is a sweet, fizzy treat with a unique slightly spiced flavour. The most popular brand is Apotekarnes, but it's common to see other brands try their hand at creating their own version.
It famously outsells Coca-Cola in Sweden during the Christmas season, with the average Swede drinking around five litres of the stuff during this period.
Here's an article that sheds light on the history of the drink.
It's available in most stores during the winter holiday season, so if you forget to try it at a Christmas market, you can also get some at most supermarkets or newsagents.
Julmust is especially popular with children but also has a nostalgic charm for many adults.
Julöl (Christmas beer)
Breweries across Sweden produce special Christmas beers, or julöl, which are darker, spicier, and more flavourful than their regular offerings during the holiday season.
Sip on this seasonal brew while soaking in the festive atmosphere (just remember to budget for it, as the already notoriously pricey alcohol in Sweden gets a hefty price markup at Christmas markets).
Remember that if you want to buy something that packs more of a punch than below 3.5 percent ABV, you'll have to swing by the nearest Systembolaget, as Swedish alcohol laws prevent anyone else from selling anything stronger than that.
Bonus mention: International foods
Adding to the festive atmosphere, Swedish Christmas markets in the country's bigger cities, such as Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, often feature a foreign twist with food stalls (and food trucks) serving the classics like Belgian waffles, German Bratwurst sausages and maybe even slightly less traditional options, like burgers, tacos, or English-style fish and chips.
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