Sweden

Sleep

Car camping is convenient and cost-efficient, as you can stay overnight nearly anywhere.

Stay safe

thumb|Swedish police car thumb|Swedish security officers

Sweden is generally a safe place to travel. Avoid drunk brawls on weekend nights as you would in most parts of the world, look out in the traffic and, if driving, look out for wildlife crossing the road, and you'd be quite safe. Also mind ice safety and the advice for any potentially risky activity you are going to engage in, including boating and hiking.

In metalworking districts such as Bergslagen, mining holes are a particular risk factor.

Stay healthy

Certified pharmacies carry a green cross sign and the text Apotek. For small medical problems the pharmacy is sufficient. Major cities carry one pharmacy open at night. Many supermarkets carry non-prescription supplies such as band aid and antiseptics, but strong painkillers and other actual medicines are sold only at pharmacies, even those that don't require a prescription.

Swedish health care is usually of high quality, but can be quite challenging for foreigners to receive. Most medical clinics are run by the public sector, and their accessibility varies. Therefore, getting a time within a week at some medical centres could prove difficult. In case of a medical emergency, most provinces (and of course, the major cities) have a regional hospital with an around-the-clock emergency ward. However, if you are unlucky you can expect a long wait before getting medical attention. Call 112 for emergencies, and 1177 for non-emergency medical consulting, as well as directions for open medical clinics. Bring your European Health Insurance Card, if you are eligible to one.

Tap water in Sweden is of great quality, and contains close to zero bacteria. Water in mountain resorts might contain rust, and water on islands off the coast might be brackish, but it is still safe to drink. There is no real reason for buying bottled water in Sweden. Also, there is bottled water that doesn't meet the requirements to be used as tap water in Sweden.

There are few serious health risks in Sweden. You…

Respect

thumb|The [[Stockholm Pride Festival is held annually in June/August. Same-sex marriage is legal in Sweden, and homosexuality is nearly universally accepted.]]

Many Swedes have liberal, cosmopolitan, secular, egalitarian and environmentalist values by international standards, similar to other Nordic countries. This spares Western tourists from some cultural clashes that might be imminent in other countries. However, some strict rules of etiquette are almost unique to Swedish people. There are also intolerant circles.

Though some people in Sweden use narcotics, most Swedes, old and young, are strongly opposed to them. Possession and intoxication of non-medical drugs (including cannabis) lead to a fine and a note in the criminal record. The police can force a suspected drug user to produce a urine or blood sample. When it comes to alcohol, Swedes are as double-natured as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Before work or driving, one beer is one too many. However, drunkenness can be a regular part of many Swedish traditions (e.g. Midsommar, Valborg, etc.) – keep this in mind if you abstain from alcohol. Some Swedes frown on people being sober at a party and reject excuses other than driving or pregnancy. Swedish people want and expect privacy and personal space. Salespeople, waiters and other service employees are usually less attentive than their colleagues in other countries, to respect customers' privacy, except a short "hej" to entering customers. Customers are supposed to call for …