After experiencing my first summer in Doha, I quickly understood why so many look for ways to escape the intense heat. When temperatures climb above 45°C, I find myself longing for something completely different — cool air, open spaces, the sound of water, and that soft northern light that never quite fades. For me, that place is Sweden, my country of birth.
Since moving to Doha earlier this year, travelling north during the summer has become the perfect contrast. Swedish summer isn’t about crowds or busy tourist hotspots — it’s about calm, clarity, and connection to nature. It’s early morning swims in glassy lakes, quiet dinners on sunlit terraces, and evenings where the sky glows pink long past midnight. It’s where time stretches, and the air feels clean enough to breathe deeply again.
And then there’s the light itself — or sometimes, the lack of it. In the far north, during June and July, the midnight sun never sets. Imagine the sun at 2 a.m., with birds that sing through the night. You can not tell if it is night or day.
In winter, darkness returns, and with it comes another wonder: the Northern Lights, dancing across the Arctic sky in waves of green, violet, and pink. Few countries capture such extremes of light, weather, and emotion as Sweden.
**media[371138]**
A city built on water and light
The journey begins in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital and my former hometown. Built on 14 islands connected by elegant bridges, the city is surrounded by water so pure you can swim right in the centre.
In summer, Stockholm feels alive yet unhurried. Cafés spill onto cobblestone streets, boats glide across sunlit channels, and people gather on piers to share ice cream or watch the light change over the water. Temperatures hover around 22°C by day and dip to 16°C at night — perfect for evening walks by the sea. In winter, the same water turns to ice, and it becomes dark. Not all the day like in the north, but from 3pm in the afternoon, you feel like it is time for bed.
**media[371135]**
The magic of the archipelago
Just beyond Stockholm lies one of Europe’s most breathtaking landscapes — the Stockholm Archipelago, a scatter of 30,000 islands stretching into the Baltic Sea. Some islands are lively with cafés and summer houses, while others are wild and untouched, home only to seabirds and pine forests.
A ferry to the small city of Vaxholm brings you pastel-coloured houses and harbour charm; a longer ride to Sandhamn offers sailing, beach walks, and long lunches under pine trees. Sleeping on an island, with the water outside your window and the whisper of waves as your lullaby, is pure Scandinavian peace.
**media[371134]**
North to the light — and the aurora
Further north lies Swedish Lapland, where nature still sets the rhythm. In summer, under the midnight sun, days never end. The light glows soft and gold, touching rivers, forests, and mountains that seem to go on forever.
In winter, this land turns silent and white. The temperature can drop to minus -30°C, the air feels like crystal, and then suddenly the sky erupts in colour - the Northern Lights, moving like silk across the stars.
Here you might meet reindeer, grazing freely across the tundra, tended by the Indigenous Sámi people whose culture is deeply rooted in this region. It’s a place where time slows and nature commands respect.
And in Kiruna, the northernmost city, something remarkable is happening: an entire city is being moved due to the expansion of the iron ore mine beneath it. Homes, schools, and even the magnificent wooden church — one of Sweden’s most cherished buildings — are being carefully relocated piece by piece. It’s a powerful story of resilience and coexistence between people, industry, and nature.
**media[371137]**
A culinary awakening
Back in the south, Sweden’s food scene has blossomed into one of Europe’s most exciting. What was once a land of meatballs and herring now offers a world-class mix of innovation and tradition. Chefs highlight local, seasonal produce - chanterelles, cloudberries, Arctic char, and fresh seafood.
You’ll find cosy cafés serving shrimp sandwiches and cinnamon buns, vibrant food halls filled with artisanal cheeses and sourdough bread, and restaurants blending global inspiration with Nordic precision. And, of course, no day in Sweden is complete without fika — coffee and something sweet, shared with friends, preferably by the water.
**media[371130]**
Where innovation meets nature
Sweden is a country of contrasts — where cutting-edge innovation lives side by side with deep respect for nature. It’s home to world-renowned companies like Volvo, Scania, ABB, Ericsson, IKEA, Spotify, and Klarna — each reflecting the Swedish spirit of problem-solving and design thinking.
Sweden is also one of the world’s top music exporters. Producer and songwriter Max Martin has written global hits for artists like Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Adele, and Coldplay, shaping the sound of modern pop music. From ABBA to Avicii, Swedish creativity continues to travel far beyond its borders.
And at the heart of it all is something often called Scandinavian design — a philosophy of simplicity, functionality, and beauty in everyday life. It’s about clean lines, natural materials, and spaces that breathe. Whether it’s a chair, a house, or a digital product, Scandinavian design strives to make life both beautiful and practical — elegant, but never excessive.
**media[371132]**
Why Sweden?
So why choose Sweden for your summer escape? Because it offers something rare: a perfect balance between modern life and untouched nature, between innovation and stillness, creativity and calm.
For travellers from Qatar, Sweden is not just a change of temperature — it’s a change of tempo, perspective, and mood. A cool-cation in the truest sense: refreshing, restorative, and unforgettable.
**media[371131]**
Top natural highlights
Sweden’s greatest luxury might just be its nature. Whether you have a week or a month, these belong on any traveller’s list:
• The Stockholm Archipelago – explore by ferry or private boat
• Abisko National Park – pristine wilderness and Northern Lights hotspot
• Sarek National Park – one of Europe’s last wild frontiers
• Gotland & Österlen – coastal beauty, medieval towns and art-filled landscapes
• ICEHOTEL – sleep inside art made of snow and ice
• Sandhamn & Vaxholm – classic summer escapes just outside Stockholm
• Kiruna – the moving city and its iconic church
• Jokkmokk – reindeer herding traditions and Sámi culture
**media[371132]**
Practical Information
• Flights: Qatar Airways flies direct from Doha to Stockholm in under 7 hours.
• Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK). Sweden is largely cash-free; cards are accepted everywhere.
• Language: Swedish. English is widely spoken.
• Clothing: Layer up — even in summer, evenings can be cool (down to 12–15°C).
• Cost of living: Similar to other Northern European destinations. A coffee costs around USD 5, lunch USD 15–20, and dinner USD 50–70. Public transport is efficient and affordable. It is common to use bicycle. Parking the car is extremely costly.
**media[371136]**
Fun facts
• Sweden has nearly 100,000 lakes — more than almost any other country in Europe.
• You can roam freely in nature thanks to Allemansrätten, the “Right of Public Access.”
• Stockholm’s subway system doubles as an underground art gallery.
• In the north, you can ski at midnight in June under the midnight sun.
**media[371133]**
When to go
The best time to visit is June–August, when Qatar is hottest and Sweden is at its most alive. Days stretch endlessly, with temperatures around 20–25°C in Stockholm and 10–15°C in Lapland.
Winter (December–March) offers its own magic: Northern Lights, reindeer sleigh rides, snow adventures, and a stillness that feels almost sacred.
