Sweden
The must visit dog friendly spots in Sweden
Sweden is one of those places that stays with you. Quietly beautiful, vast, and incredibly dog-friendly. I first visited in the winter of 2020 with my family, staying in a small town near Torsby, during our stay we even met a Dutch family living with over 20 huskies. We explored the snowy forests, went snow scootering through Finnskogen, and soaked in the calm of a Swedish winter. In the summer of 2022, I returned on my solo road trip to Norway, camping in my car with my dogs and experiencing a completely different side of Sweden. Endless forests, serene lakes, and golden light made it feel like a different world. Whether you're road tripping, hiking, or just looking to slow down with your dog by your side, Sweden is a place that really gives you the space to breathe.
The ultimate guide to Sweden in winter & summer | dog friendly places
Torsby region
Torsby in winter is everything you'd hope for in a snowy escape. Quiet, scenic, and full of cozy charm. We stayed in a lake house in Lekvattnet, right by a frozen lake, and spent our days walking through the snow-covered forests and along the lakeshore with the dogs. It was so picturesque! The area gets a good amount of snow, which made every walk feel like stepping into a postcard. We also visited the nearby town of Östmark, wandered around the village, and took in the peaceful surroundings. There are plenty of walking and snow scooter trails to explore, and spending Christmas here felt really special. This area is perfect if you're looking for a relaxing holiday in snowy Sweden without having to drive up too far north. It's also very close to Norway if you're thinking of combining the two countries.
Visit Highyard Sled Dogs
Visiting Highyard Sled Dogs in Bograngen was such a wholesome experience, even though the weather didn’t allow us to go on a sledding tour like we had hoped. The Dutch family who runs the place was incredibly welcoming and took the time to show us around their beautiful property and introduce us to their amazing huskies, some of which were still puppies! While it's not common practice to bring your own dogs, we had ours with us in the car, planning to leave them there during the tour. But since the sledding was cancelled, they kindly let our dogs go for a walk on their property and even try out the sled for fun. If you want a unique experience in winter or summer (they also organise husky related activities in the summer), I'd definitely recommend visiting. However, you may want to leave your dog at home or in the car if the weather allows. For more information click here.
Finnskogen
Finnskogen was one of those places that just feels like pure winter magic. Thick layers of snow everywhere and total silence except for the crunch under your boots. We came here for a snow scooter tour, but before that, we let the dogs stretch their legs and go wild in the snow. They absolutely loved it. Hunter, my sister’s husky, was bouncing through a field so deep he nearly disappeared in it. After that snowy play session, the dogs stayed cozy in the car while we geared up for our snow scooter ride, which lasted about 1.5 hours. It was such a fun experience, racing through snowy forests and open terrain felt like something straight out of a movie (even if my dad almost crashed his scooter at one point). Definitely a highlight of our winter trip.
Halmstad
We spent New Year’s in Halmstad and it turned out to be the perfect mix of calm and cozy. Our stay was a little south of the city, tucked away in a quieter spot, but we made the short drive into town one evening for a nice dinner. The real highlight, though, was New Year’s Day on the beach. The weather was surprisingly mild for January, and the soft winter light over the water made it such a peaceful place to start the year. The dogs had the best time running around, sniffing everything, and chasing each other along the shoreline.
Bua
Bua Beach was a perfect little pit stop during my summer 2022 road trip to Norway. We only spent about an hour here, but it was just what we needed, a quiet, scenic spot for the dogs to stretch their legs and burn off some energy. They loved splashing around in the water and exploring all the new smells. What I really liked about this beach was how varied the landscape is. From the parking area, you walk through lush green surroundings before reaching the beach itself, which has a mix of soft sand and a more rugged, rocky shoreline. It’s a great place to take a break and let the dogs roam for a bit before getting back on the road.
Bengtsfors (camping tip!)
This quiet lakeside spot near Bengtsfors was the very first wild camping location of my summer road trip and it ended up being so perfect, I returned for my last two nights as well. Tucked just off the main road (which surprisingly sees very little traffic), I drove right down to the water and parked with a direct view over the lake. On that first night in early July, I had the entire place to myself. The sunset was absolutely beautiful, the lake was perfect for a swim, and the dogs were completely at ease lounging by the water.
Even though it felt remote, it was easy to reach, and the peaceful vibe made it the ideal way to kick off and wind down the trip. Just a heads-up: the area is full of ticks, so I made it a habit to check the dogs each night before we settled into the car. And during the final two nights, it was definitely a bit busier with a few more campers around and unfortunately, some persistent horseflies too. Still, this spot was one of my favourites of the whole trip.
Gaddesanna, Vänersborg
Gaddesanna in Vänersborg turned out to be the perfect place to stop on a warm summer’s day. This dog-friendly beach offers a relaxed vibe where both dogs and people can enjoy the sun. While dogs do need to stay on a leash, that didn’t stop them from having a great time lounging by the water and cooling off with a swim. There were several other dogs around too, all sharing the space peacefully as families picnicked, sunbathed, and played nearby. You can choose between the soft sandy beach or the large rocks right by the shoreline, and there’s plenty of natural shade thanks to the trees lining the area, great for keeping both humans and dogs cool. It was a lovely afternoon, and the dogs were completely content after a few hours here.
Laholmsbuktens beach
Laholmsbuktens beach easily became one of my favourite beach stops in Sweden. With its wide stretch of soft sand, rolling dunes, and calm atmosphere, it’s the kind of place that feels both peaceful and wild at the same time. Dogs are welcome here, which made it even better. We arrived just in time for sunset and the views were absolutely stunningthe sky lit up in soft pastels as the waves gently rolled in. There was plenty of space for the dogs to roam (on leash), splash in the cold water, and lounge around in the sand. The dunes add a beautiful backdrop and create a bit of shelter from the wind.
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Curious about our experience here and at Gaddesanna, you can watch my vlog here.
Dog-friendly stays in Sweden
Dog friendly AirBnB in Sweden right by the lake and surrounded by beautiful nature.
For the full review, please click here