Sweden is seeing a notable influx of tourists from southern Europe, particularly France and Spain, as travelers seek to escape the intense heatwaves affecting their home countries. Data from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Development highlights this shifting trend, with French overnight stays in commercial accommodation having already surged by 28 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. During the first five months of this year, that growth trajectory continued with a 15 percent increase over the same period in 2024.
The trend is visible in both the northern mountains and the capital. In Västernorrland, northern Sweden, Tero Libell, who operates a climbing business at Skuleberget in Ångermanland, has observed a distinct change in his clientele. While the mountain has historically attracted visitors from Germany and the Netherlands, this year’s guest book shows a rise in arrivals from France, Spain, and Belgium. Libell noted that many of these foreign tourists explicitly mention that they traveled north because the temperatures at home were unbearable. "Now there are more foreign tourists and they have explicitly said that the reason they are up here is because it is too hot at home," said Libell. He remarked that there are significantly more French visitors this season than in the past.
In central Stockholm, the sentiment is echoed by those seeking a milder climate. French traveler Julien Mary, who is visiting the city with his friend Ethan Hanoch, explained that they left southern France because temperatures there were reaching 33–35 degrees. They described the atmosphere in Stockholm as calm and the people as welcoming. Similarly, Alba Hervás, visiting from Barcelona to see her friend Mariona Martínez, a student at Stockholm University, expressed appreciation for the trip. "It's so nice that you can wear a jacket and avoid temperatures of 35–40 degrees," said Hervás.
While the overall proportion of foreign guests at Swedish Tourist Association accommodations remains steady at 19 percent, specific regions and nationalities show strong growth. June and July saw increases of 20 percent for French visitors and 49 percent for Spanish visitors. Last year, Södermanland, located south of Stockholm, recorded a 29 percent jump in foreign overnight stays. Klas Stockman, who runs Hälgö Kajak in the Stendörren nature reserve, noted he has been hosting many guests from Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland, and even welcomed a visitor from Dubai during a recent heatwave. Scientists have attributed these recurring heatwaves to global warming, driven by the burning of coal, oil, and gas, and warn that such extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent, longer, and more intense.
During the January to May period this year, the increase is 15 percent compared to the same period last year.
"We're going to look around the city and go to nice restaurants," said Hanoch.
