Sweden in October 2025: Weather and Travel

October is cool and dark throughout most of southern Sweden at low elevations, and freezing and snowy in the north. The northern highlights include auroras and snow sports, and the central and southern highlights are a burst of fall colors, outdoors activities, and urban experiences. October's tourism is moderate to low.

Read on for our weather information and travel advice including average temperatures and rain, 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 October: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 3–9°C (38–48°F)
• Total rain/snow: 6 cm (2 inch)
• Days with rain/snow: 9
• Humidity: 81%
• Sunshine hours/day: 3 hours

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

In October, Sweden has cool or cold temperatures. There is average of at least 10 hours of daylight.

Southern Sweden: Stockholm, Gothenburg, and the southern coast are at 59° degrees latitude and southward. The weather is brisk, but it doesn't interfere with hiking in the forests. The average high is about 11°C (52°F). The weather is suitable for urban touring and outdoors activities.

Northern Sweden: Arctic tourist towns Kiruna and Abisko are at latitude 68°. They have about 9 hours of daylight on average daily. It is cold during the day, and it usually freezes at night. You can do snow sports and watch auroras there.

The Best Places to Visit in Sweden in October

Sweden's October highlights feature aurora watching all over the country. You will have about 9 or 10 hours of daylight for seeing the fall colors in the central and southern regions. The low rainfall lets you tour the cities comfortably and enjoy the outdoors.

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1. Stockholm — Experience the Autumn Natural and Cultural Highlights

Stockholm is a large modern capital that is built on an archipelago of 3,000 small islands and islets. There is natural autumn beauty in October that is almost unique among large capital cities. October is in a moderate to low tourism season in Stockholm, so you can tour with moderate prices.

The average daily highs are 10°C (50°F), and the lows are 6°C (43°F). The rainfall is low. There is only an average of 3 hours of sunshine, but an average of 10 hours of daylight will let you see the fall colors around Marka Forest, Drottningholm Palace, and Bergius Botanic Garden.

In the cool weather, you could still fish and kayak among the islets and coves. Tyresta National Park has trails for hiking through autumn forests. It is a good place to watch auroras. You could visit the interesting museums or appreciate the music at October's Jazz Festival.

2. Söderåsen National Park — Experience Far Southern Sweden's Mild Weather and Colorful Forests

October is a month to experience Sweden's colorful autumn nature with less tourism before it freezes. For the most warmth for your hikes and nature walks, you could go to the far south of Sweden to Söderåsen National Park. It is low elevation with trails along cliffs and streams.

The weather is still pleasant in October, and there is less crowding than in the summer. The old-growth beech forests turn a myriad of shades of orange, red, and yellow. The park is about a half an hour from Helsingborg, a town near Copenhagen. Many trails are easy and on prepared paths.

Söderåsen is suitable for families, older people, and children to hike in October. The average daily high at Helsingborg in October is 13°C (56°F), and the lows are 6°C (43°F). It rains half of the days of the month for moderate rainfall. On sunny days, it might feel warm.

3. Abisko and Kiruna — Experience the Auroras and Arctic Wilderness with Less Tourism

Kiruna is a tourist town in the far north. It is about an hour away from Abisko National Park. Due to an average of only a little more than 9 hours of daylight and unusually clear skies, you might have the best conditions in the world for aurora watching at Abisko.

Kiruna could be your base for excursions. October might feel gloomy and frigid. There are only 2 hours of sunshine on average. However, the average 9 hours of daylight provide a cheery break from the dark. The light is useful for excursions such as snowshoe trekking, cross-country skiing, or reindeer sleigh rides.

Going in October provides a nice balance of daytime activities and nighttime aurora watching, sun and snow, moderate crowds and prices, and more availability before the busy holidays. The temperature is more moderate than winter. The average high is 3°C (37°F). The low is -4°C (25°F).

4. Lund — Tour the City and Go on Excursions

Lund is out of the way for most tourists. Since it is in the far south, near Söderåsen and Helsingborg, a visit in October gives you basically the same pleasant, mild weather conditions as Helsingborg (see above) with the same temperatures.

There are both natural and urban highlights to enjoy. Lund has one of Sweden's best universities. There are cobblestone streets to walk along to see the Old Town. The Botanical Garden and the big park called Stadsparken are places to see the fall foliage.

Söderåsen National Park (see above) is only about 45 minutes away. There are smaller nature preserves with forests to see the fall colors closer to Lund.

Moderate Tourism Season: Touring Advice for October

Sweden turns cool in the central and south and freezing in the north and the mountains. It is a little gloomy. The schools and universities are in session in October, and there are no national holidays in October, so travel and tourism is moderate to low. There are relatively moderate touring prices.

In October, many businesses and attractions are closed. Travel and touring prices are moderate, and you will find more solitude and availability of accommodations. Pleasant weather and a burst of color in the south entice people out for walks and hikes.

Sweden is more peaceful. The long nights all over the country might let you see the auroras.

For a little more darkness in October, you could go further north to Tromsø in Norway. For more about this Norwegian tourist town, see Norway Weather in November.

What to Wear in October

In October, the tourist areas in the Arctic Circle and the mountains have unpredictable weather. You can be comfortable by dressing in layers. Bring raingear wherever you go Sweden. Bring a winter coat and keep watch on the weather reports.

Temperatures are usually comfortable in the south during the day at low elevations when you are wearing a jacket.

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

• Waterproof boots with good traction for hikes and being outdoors. You might wear them in-flight to travel lightly.
• Comfortable shoes with good traction
• Rain gear
• Warm hat
• Mosquito repellant
• Swimwear for spas and hot springs
• Cardigans or thermals especially for the mountains and the north
• Polarized glasses

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Sweden

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