Written by Kelsey
24 Nov 2025
I must admit, I was dreading the Swedish winter. In Florida, I can recall several Christmases where it was too hot to wear a sweater or even a long-sleeved shirt. There are a few cold days here and there, but not to the extent of the Swedish winter. I didn’t even see snow for the first time until I was 19! So, I was a little bit worried about how I would adjust to more enduring cold and darkness. While winter is just getting started, I have a few tips that have helped me to enjoy the season so far!
1. Go Thrifting For Your Winter Essentials
First things first, you’ll need to get some basics to keep you warm. As the Swedish saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. Layering is essential, as you’ll want to shed some layers once you get inside. Lara breaks down the materials you should look for in each layer here. Personally, on cold days, I usually start with a thermal base layer, add a sweater and jeans as my middle layer, and top it all off with my big winter jacket. And some advice my Swedish classmate gave me: for more warmth, look for a long winter jacket that goes past your waist! If you’re looking to balance warmth and style, Nana’s post gives great tips for finding winter clothes and accessories that express your personality.
Brand new winter gear can be expensive. But thrift stores have a great selection of winter basics for a more affordable price. I found my super warm North Face winter jacket at a thrift store for 199 SEK, plus a 10% student discount! Recently, I also found a brand new Haglöfs– a popular Swedish brand for outdoor clothing– fleece zip up for 249 SEK, instead of the normal retail price of 900 SEK! Even accessories like gloves, scarves, and hats can be found at the thrift store. Thrifting is great for your wallet and the planet, giving clothes a second life instead of letting them end up in the landfill. Plus, you can score unique thrift finds that not everyone else has!
2. Go Outside! Enjoy the Snow and Christmas Lights
Now that you have your winter essentials, you’re ready to go outside! The cold weather might make you want to stay inside, but it’s important to get some sunlight and fresh air (and maybe even take Vitamin D supplements). I highly recommend bundling up and going on a walk, even if it’s only 20 minutes. I especially like walking outside after it’s snowed (but be careful not to slip on the icy sidewalks)! Even though I’m from Florida, I love snow. Probably because I’ve only seen it a handful of times in my life. But when the ground and trees are covered in a blanket of white snow, it really feels like a winter wonderland. The first snow of the season was magical, especially with little kids building snowmen and sledding down hills.
The city is even beautiful in the dark, with Christmas lights up around town! I can even see Liseberg’s massive Christmas tree from my window. From trees covered in lights to cats perched on bridges, there are many different light displays around the city. Being in a festive holiday spirit makes the winter way more enjoyable!
3. Participate in Holiday Activities – Christmas Markets!
I had always heard about beautiful European Christmas markets, and now I understand what all the hype is about! The University of Gothenburg’s International Centre planned an excursion for international students, renting buses to take us to the Christmas market and a guided tour at Tjolöholms Slott. The castle is beautiful on its own, but was especially stunning decorated with lights and Christmas trees in almost every room. My guided tour happened to be during sunset, so we had a beautiful view of the sun setting over the sea from the castle.
There were lots of vendors at the Christmas market, selling everything from holiday gifts to honey. I tried a version of traditional Swedish glögg, a hot spiced wine served during the Christmas season. Except this (alcohol-free) mulled wine was made with birch sap– björksavsglögg! It was delicious, so I bought a bottle to share with my friends. I’m definitely looking forward to going to more Christmas markets this winter!
4. Find Indoor Activities & Connect with Family and Friends
Of course, winter is also a great time for cozy indoor activities. I was waiting until it got cold to visit some museums, so recently I went to the Gothenburg Museum of Art. As a student, you get free entry! It was nice to walk around and look at the beautiful paintings and thought-provoking exhibitions. When I went, the featured exhibition was Apocalypse: From Last Judgement to Climate Threat. This was an interesting exploration of how the idea of the world ending is expressed through art. While this might be a little intense, there were also plenty of serene landscape paintings, portraits, and other types of artwork. It was a lovely escape from both the cold and my coursework! Many museums offer student discounts or free entry, so I recommend checking out museums near you.
After my trip to the museum, I went to the Gothenburg City Library, which is right next door. I highly recommend getting a (free) library card! Winter is the perfect weather for reading in bed with a cup of tea. I was feeling a little bit homesick, so I checked out “Florida” by Lauren Groff. Between the book, frequent calls with my family, and less than a month until I fly home for Christmas, I’m reminded of home this holiday season. While I miss my family and friends back home, I also love the community I’m building here. My friends have hosted cozy get-togethers, like game nights and dinners. This brings so much warmth and joy into my life, since the holiday season is about showing gratitude and connecting with loved ones!
Winter is also arguably the best time to get a gym membership, if you don’t have one already! I go to Fitness24Seven, which I ultimately chose because of their student discounts, group fitness classes, and convenient locations. Going to the gym is obviously good for your physical and mental health, which is especially important when battling seasonal depression. I’ve found that when I’m staying active through workouts and yoga classes, I feel better overall! I feel stronger and healthier, but also in a better mood. Again, it’s a nice way to destress, taking a break from studying to dedicate time to yourself!
So… is winter miserable in Sweden?
While I admittedly miss the sunlight and warmth of summer, winter isn’t nearly as bad as I expected it to be. As long as you dress for the weather, spend time outside, partake in Christmas activities, and spend time with loved ones, you might find winter to be a cozy season in Sweden!
