Here’s the thing about Sweden:
If you’re not on the water, you’re missing half the country.

Look at a map and you’ll see it instantly. Sweden is basically a collection of lakes connected by forests. The whole place looks like someone spilled blue ink across northern Europe.

So when we planned our trip, we made one choice that completely changed how we traveled:

We brought an inflatable boat.

Not a fancy kayak. Not a heavy canoe. Just a simple, packable, easy-to-carry inflatable boat. And it turned out to be the best idea we had on our trips to Scandinavia.

On the water, Sweden becomes something else — quieter, more cinematic, more alive. Think drifting across a lake at sunrise, the surface perfectly still, branches reflecting like glass.

Why an inflatable boat?
Because it gives you total freedom. You can paddle across a lake instead of hiking around it. You can reach tiny islands that feel untouched. You can turn a random morning into a micro-adventure just by inflating the boat and pushing off.

And the best part is how easy it is. The boat fits into the car, even in a big backpack. No rentals, no extra fees for a ferry, no marinas. Just inflate → launch → explore.

Sweden makes this even better thanks to allemansrätten — the Right of Public Access. You’re allowed to explore nature respectfully almost anywhere. With a boat, that right becomes even more magical. Lakes stop being barriers and start becoming your pathways.

Some of our favorite moments from the trip happened because we had the boat:
– Paddling out at golden hour because the sky was glowing like molten gold.
– Floating silently while watching an elk drink at the shore.
– Crossing a lake to avoid a long, unnecessary detour.
– Landing on a tiny island for a spontaneous, no-plan picnic.

Nothing dramatic. Nothing extreme. Just simple, good moments — the kind that make a trip unforgettable.

So should you bring a boat to Sweden?
Yes. Absolutely yes. Let Sweden’s lakes guide your trip..