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Åre

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Sweden’s Alpine Playground, Year-Round

Sweden’s Are stands out as a quiet coastal town with clean air and wide open spaces. The landscape features gentle hills, forests that reach toward the sky and rocky shores along the Baltic Sea. Local shops sell fresh fish and handmade goods while cafes serve coffee made from nearby beans. Walking paths follow old railway lines turned into bike routes. Public transport connects residents to schools and markets without heavy traffic. Are’s community centers host music nights and seasonal festivals that bring neighbors together for shared meals and conversation about local history.

Town in Sweden
Climate zone: Boreal

Boreal: Cool-summer subarctic climates with brief mild seasons, long cold winters and coniferous forests adapted to low temperatures.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 8.7
General Safety:9
Health & medical:8
Accessibility:7
Tap water:10
Read details
Tourist English: 4/5
English is widely spoken in Åre, especially in hotels, restaurants, and among younger locals. Most signage and menus are in English, so communication is easy for international visitors.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Åre Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
World-class for skiing and mountain adventure. Ski long alpine slopes, snowboard terrain parks, hike summer trails and enjoy lively mountain village dining.
Place score
8.5
Best at:
Skiing
10
Snow
9
Spotless
9
Natural sites
9
Walkable
8
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 9
Families
🧓 8
Seniors
🛡️ 9
Travel Beginners
❤️ 9
Couples
Sweden – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type F:
Diagram of a Type F power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)
£1 ≈ SEK 13.23
Cashless info: Rating 5/5
Sweden is one of the most cashless countries in the world. Nearly all transactions are conducted through digital means, with credit cards and mobile payments being standard. Cash is rarely used.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is optional in Sweden but appreciated. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving a 5-10% tip is customary. Taxi drivers expect a small tip or rounding up the fare, while hotel staff may appreciate a small tip for services.
Public drinking: Public drinking is allowed in Sweden in designated areas, especially during festivals and in outdoor events. However, drinking in public spaces such as streets and parks may be restricted.
Public smoking: Smoking is banned indoors in public places, including restaurants, bars, and public transport. Designated smoking areas are available in many public spaces.
Midsummer
(June)
One of the most important holidays, with celebrations, festivals, and outdoor activities, expect crowded areas and increased travel.
Christmas
(December)
Christmas celebrations with markets and events, expect higher prices and crowded cities.
Swedish National Day
(June)
A national holiday with celebrations, parades, and festivals, particularly in Stockholm.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps: Uber, Bolt
Other: Sweden is known for its beautiful landscapes, from the Northern Lights in Lapland to the archipelagos. Be prepared for cold winters, especially if you plan to visit during the winter months.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Åre, Sweden
🌨️
Jan
🌨️
Feb
🌨️
Mar
🌨️
Apr
☁️
May
☁️
Jun
🌥️
Jul
🌥️
Aug
☁️
Sep
❄️
Oct
🌨️
Nov
🌨️
Dec
High season: Jan. - April, July - Aug., Dec.
Shoulder season: June, Sep.
Crowdedness: 6 (Many tourists)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Ski lifts run late November to late April, snow cannons extend the start; summer lifts mid June to late August
Many hotels and restaurants close mid May to mid June and October to mid November

Why travel to Åre?

Åre is Sweden’s largest and most celebrated ski resort, with over 90 km of slopes, a charming village and a peak (Åreskutan) that’s iconic in the Swedish landscape. But it’s not just about winter: in summer, the ski runs turn into a paradise for mountain bikers and hikers, with endless trails and sweeping views. The village buzzes with great restaurants, local craft shops and a surprisingly energetic nightlife for such a small place. Events like Åre Sessions music festival and the Telemark World Cup add to the year-round excitement. But Åre isn’t all fairy lights and powder. Winters are long and cold, with temperatures dropping well below freezing and frequent snowstorms – pack accordingly and be prepared for short daylight hours. In summer, rain showers are common and the weather can change fast. The town gets crowded (and pricey) during peak ski season and major events, so book early. Still, if you love the outdoors and want a taste of Swedish mountain culture, Åre is a must.

🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Zipline Black
  • 2 Björnen Örnen
🎈Events
  • Åre Sessions music festival (April/May)
  • Telemark World Cup (February)
  • Midvinterfestivalen (chamber music, Jan/Feb)
  • Fjällmaraton (summer trail running)
  • Åre Pre Sessions (December, music)

Knowledge before you go

  • Pack layers; weather changes quickly between village and mountain.
  • Book ski rentals and lessons ahead during peak winter weeks and holiday periods.
  • Use trains to Åre station, then walk; roads and sidewalks get very icy.
  • Ride the funicular to Fjällgården for views, then continue via lifts if operating.

How to travel to Åre

Åre is accessible by train from Stockholm (about 7 hours, direct overnight options) and by domestic flights to Åre Östersund Airport (about 1 hour by bus or car). Long-distance buses also connect Åre to major Swedish cities. In winter, book travel early – seats fill up fast during holidays and big events.

Access summary

  • From Åre Östersund Airport (OSD): 80–90 min by pre-booked shuttle, taxi or car.
  • From Stockholm: Direct day or night train to Åre, usually 6–8 hours.
  • From Trondheim (Norway): Around 2 hours by car; 3–5 hours by train.

Where to stay in Åre

Åre offers everything from luxury hotels and boutique lodges to cozy cabins, hostels and ski-in/ski-out apartments. Many places have saunas, mountain views and easy access to lifts or trails. Book early for winter and major festivals. Camping is possible in summer, but facilities are basic.

How to get around Åre

Åre is compact and walkable in the village center. Free ski buses and shuttles connect the main ski areas, hotels and attractions. For exploring further afield (like waterfalls or outlying villages), rental cars or taxis are handy. In winter, roads can be icy-drive carefully or rely on public transport.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+11 %
Daily expenses in the region are around 11% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to SEK) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Ostersund, Sweden - 64 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£79
£161
£460
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£38
£75
£188
🍝 Food per day
£30
£74
£231
🚕 Transportation per day
£11
£12
£41
Notable additional fees: Adult day pass about SEK 700 (£52.93) at Scandinavia's largest resort. Ski, boot and pole hire runs roughly SEK 400 – 500 (£30.24 – 37.81) a day. Peak weeks in February and Easter cost more.
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£30
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£11
🍟 Fast food combo
£8.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£10.50
☕ Cappuccino
£3.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£6
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£2.80
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£23
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.50
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£13
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£23
🤧 Cold medication
£6
💇 Basic haircut
£22

Safety information overview

General safety
9
Åre is very safe, with low crime rates and a friendly atmosphere. The main risks are weather-related: icy roads, avalanches off-piste and cold exposure. Always follow local advice and check conditions before heading out.
Health & Medical
8
Good medical care is available, with clinics and pharmacies in town. Bring any prescription medications. The cold and altitude can be tough for some — dress warmly and pace yourself. Tap water is safe and delicious.
Accessi­bility
7
The village center and main attractions are accessible, but steep hills and snow can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Many hotels and lifts are adapted, but check ahead for specific needs.
Tap water
10
Tap water in Åre is exceptionally clean and safe to drink — straight from the mountains. Bring a reusable bottle and refill as needed.

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