Trying to travel around Sweden can be quite frustrating. When you google (in English) this incredibly country you are inundated with travel guides for Stockholm and the archipelago with a few for Gothenburg and Mälmo dropped in for good luck. Over the past few years the north has been getting some more attention and with good reason but the east coast, where I am based, has limited information… in English anyway. The Swedes, however, seem to know all the great spots but you would never know until after you have been when you are often told, “Oh yeah it is beautiful there!” And it is so sad because there are some incredibly beautiful places to go.

Well during the second weekend of 2025 we happened to come across one of those places when we decided to try something different. We booked a cabin in a small town just 2 and half hours north of Stockholm called Söderhamn on the recommendation of a photographer who agreed to do a photoshoot for us. It was a beautiful cabin in the coastal area of Söderhamn called Hop Farm Beach and wow what a place!

It is set in a large area of private land surrounded by trees and just a short walk or drive from some of the most beautiful coastal areas I have ever seen that you could only associate with Sweden. It was covered in snow and the whole area looked like a picture perfect winter scene from a Hallmark Christmas card.

The cabin itself is relatively new, built in the ‘Japandi’ style. It has two good sized double beds, a small seating area, storage cupboard, a decent sized shower/toilet room and a beautifully decorated but slightly limited kitchen space.

The floor to ceiling windows across the whole front of the cabin makes the space feel airy and spacious bringing you closer to the nature just outside.

The owners are very passionate about their mission which is to disconnect from social media and reconnect with nature. There is a box to lock away your phones, there are plenty of books to read around the cabin and there is even a camera provided to encourage you get out and make some memories.

What is an extra bonus with this place is that Cole, the owner, is a wedding photographer by profession is passionate about promoting Söderhamn as an elopement destination. In addition to his day time job, you can add a photo package to your stay if you book with them directly and from experience we can honestly say you could not find a more beautiful backdrop for your wedding or family photos than this area of Sweden!

Overall our stay at Hop Farm Beach was perfect. Disconnecting from the world, listening to the radio whilst cooking a good meal and reading in bed with the snow outside was a perfect way to start the new year and we could not recommend it more.

So much so, it was hard to return back to reality.

Organising some anniversary photos is something I have been wanting to do for years but I was always too afraid to do it. What would I wear? Would they turn out how I want them too? Would I be happy with how I look? But after speaking to Cole, all those worries just seemed to disappear and I am so pleased we decided to try. We now have some beautiful pictures to commemorate our 10 year anniversary in a country we currently call home.

The following pictures are the work of Cole who you can contact through his company webpage Nordica. As you can see the scenery is just beautiful and Cole is a genius behind the camera!

Söderhamn is just one example of a beautiful holiday location that very few people know about… unless you’re a Swede! Its proximity to Stockholm and the airport makes it an easy, perfect holiday destination for anyone who wants their own little quiet slice of nature. There are enough water activities and scenery to soothe any soul, from ice skating in the winter to kayaking in the summer. It has something for every season. We can’t wait to go back in the summer to see for ourselves!

Until next time.

SP x