Midsommar in Sweden is a time of endless light, wildflower-filled meadows, and deep-rooted family traditions. Citizen Femme flew to Gothenburg to explore Sweden’s west coast with Volvo, for a journey immersed in the country’s culture and to celebrate the start of the summer solstice.
With its clean Scandinavian design, quiet power, and sustainable conscience to match, the refreshed XC60 plug-in hybrid (now Volvo’s best-selling car of all time) turned out to be the perfect companion for soaking up Sweden’s golden hour landscapes. Making light work of winding coastal roads and long inland stretches, a more hushed cabin and seriously comfy seats can make it all too easy to whizz along quicker than you think – luckily a discreet speed alert is on hand to give you a polite nudge when you tip over the speed limit. Volvo’s state-of-the-art air purification technology has also been implemented to support wellbeing on the move, a thoughtful touch, but also not surprising given their already mighty accolade as the safest car brand in the world.
In partnership with Volvo.
STAY
Hotel Strana
Tucked into the charming coastal town of Halmstad, Hotel Strana blends Scandi design with a relaxed seaside vibe – perfect for unwinding after a day exploring Sweden’s idyllic west coast charm. Its scenic coastal roads and tranquil surroundings providing the perfect backdrop to test drive the new Volvo EX30 Cross Country and their best-selling XC60 SUV model.
Situated next to a small marina with lapping waves and endless ocean views, Hotel Strana offers a modern refuge for those looking to disconnect, recharge, and soak up the slower rhythm of Swedish summer living. Book one of the hotel’s sea houses if you’re travelling as a family or checking in for a longer stay. Built on stilts along the marina’s bridge, these wooden huts painted in traditional ‘Falon Red’ feature panoramic views of the harbour (ideal for taking in that Midsommar light) – cosy living quarters, a small kitchen for self-catering, and three white-washed simple bedrooms situated across two floors.
Inside the main building of the hotel, bedrooms are masculine and modern – with smooth concrete walls and black accents dominating the en-suite bathrooms – while dark painted walls clad with timber accents frame the low-lying beds. The star of the show at Strana is, without question, the hotel’s ocean spa. Mixing indoor and outdoor rituals, guests cycle through a series of warm and cold baths – from heated pools set on the jetty deck to invigorating plunges straight into the sea – designed to awaken the senses and calm the mind. The experience continues with a mix of sauna rituals: from peppermint scrubs to a sleek wood-fired sauna, complete with a wall-to-wall window to take in the panoramic views of the harbour. Possibly the most scenic spot you’ll ever sweat out toxins – and a perfect remedy to those late-night Midsommar celebrations.
EAT + DRINK
Bryggvingen
Bryggvingen’s dockside restaurant on the tiny island of Lyr offers a classic taste of Sweden’s west coast, with a focus on fresh, locally-sourced seafood from the surrounding Bohuslän archipelago. Expect a seasonal menu built around line-caught fish and shellfish, served with a modern touch that lets the ingredients take centre stage. Dishes centre around the catch of the day, including freshly shucked native oysters, langoustine gratin, and generous portions of moules frites. The setting is equally impressive, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering uninterrupted sea views, and a relaxed, Scandi-style interior that leans into the natural surroundings. A small on-site fish shop allows guests to take home a taste of the coast, while boat access to the private jetty adds a unique arrival experience. Arrival by car (Volvo, of course) is somewhat of an event in itself. To reach Lyr, you first have to board a small cable ferry – a free, 200 metre, three-minute hop across the channel, running hourly and year-round on demand. From here, a convoy of Volvo’s pull onto the bright yellow ferry, where cars, bikes, and foot passengers are all welcome, making the crossing an easy and charming addition to the exploration of this unique stretch of coastline.
Råda Säteri
A perfect arrival pit-stop, Råda Säteri is just a 15-minute drive from Gothenburg Airport. The historic manor house was built in 1772, and has played host to prominent Swedish families throughout its history – even counting Albert Einstein among its notable guests. Its Baroque-style architecture, tree-lined avenues, and preserved outbuildings lend the estate a quiet grandeur, while the surrounding grounds, as per the theme of this trip, invite you to slow down and explore. Meander through the manicured gardens, a seasonal flower field, and along forested walking trails — including a 12 km lakeside loop with swimming spots and picnic areas that locals flock to with a friendly dog at their side. Råda’s food scene is equally worth the visit. Lokal, set in the main manor house, serves elevated seasonal dishes using local produce — think Nordic flavours with a modern touch, often sourced from nearby farms and gardens, including the on-site grounds. Feast on delicious and seasonal vegetarian dishes, including cabbage with sautéed Gotland lentils in a tarragon broth and spicy roasted carrots served with the most delicious crispy potato bake and split pea cream.
TO DO
Take a roadtrip through the stunning Swedish countryside
Whizzing along the scenic roads of Sweden’s western coast, the XC60 feels right at home as it glides smoothly past rocky promontories and charming fishing villages – the serene cabin cocooning you from the whipping sea breeze; uncommonly chilly for this time of year in Sweden. Navigating winding coastal routes dotted with quaint harbours is made reassuringly easy thanks to the heads-up display keeping key information in sight, allowing you take in the scenic views and twisting roads ahead without distraction.
Since its debut in 2017, the Volvo XC60 has redefined what it means to drive a luxury SUV, blending Scandinavian design elegance with cutting-edge technology and comfort. Known for its exceptional safety technology, the car is a genuine pleasure to drive – whether that’s navigating city streets with the aid of the blind spot system integrated into the side mirrors, or cruising scenic coastal roads with the occasional nudge from the steering assist; gently guiding you back into your lane. Balancing sophistication and everyday practicality, this is an SUV that’s appealing to a new generation of discerning drivers who demand style without compromise. With safety at the forefront of every journey.
Those for a penchant for being at one with nature will love Volvo’s optional roof tent, something that comes into its own in Sweden where allemansrätten, or “everyman’s right,” is a uniquely Swedish principle that gives everyone the freedom to roam nature. Less a formal law than a deeply rooted ethos: that nature is for everyone to experience. At its core, allemansrätten allows you to hike, cycle, ski, swim, forage, and even camp for a night on uncultivated land — forests, mountains, lakes, and meadows — without needing land owners permission. You can pitch a tent in the wild (or on your car, in this case) so long as you do so respectfully and responsibly, leaving no trace behind. The roof tent sleeps two, sets up in minutes with a built-in ladder, and offers a weatherproof, elevated camping experience complete with a plush mattress and mesh windows to wake up to views of nature (while keeping insects at bay). All fastened to secure mounting on Volvo’s roof rails – allowing you to stay wherever the journey takes you.
Immerse yourself in nature
In the quiet woodlands of Himlabacken, a guided forest bathing experience takes place under the canopy of pine and birch. Here, amongst moss-covered boulders and the dappled morning light, barefoot walking, mindful breath work – and even tree hugging – invite a reset. Encouraging a deeper connection with the landscape before taking to the road once more.
From here, the route returns to the coast for an afternoon spent on the water. Kayaks are launched into a sheltered harbour, gliding past the brightly coloured summer cottages with their tethered dayboats – a place city dwellers retreat to for weekend and summer escapes. Paddling to the small islet is calm and meditative, moving in rhythm through quiet channels, occasionally slowed by thick ribbons of sea kelp drifting just beneath the surface. On land, a feast is being prepared from the talented kitchen team at Hotel Strana, all cooked over open flame. Hunks of bread are speared onto wooden sticks to crisp over the fire, served with a warming dashi broth and sustainably-caught local fish cooked en papillote – wrapped in parchment – and gently reheated over smouldering coals.
Eaten on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea, the experience speaks to something deeper than food or setting. Through moments like this, Volvo creates space to engage with Sweden’s natural world — offering a kind of quiet reset that lingers long after the journey ends. A reminder that true luxury lies not in excess, but in access to the wild, and the freedom to fully exhale.
IMAGERY CREDIT: VOLVO CARS
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