A floral teapot and blue-and-white vintage teacup filled with tea on a wooden table at afternoon tea at Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund, Sweden. — Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund

Afternoon tea is becoming more popular in Sweden lately. The British tradition of afternoon tea has some things in common with the Swedish tradition of fika, although fika mainly focuses on coffee, pastries, and cakes, while afternoon tea typically includes tea instead of coffee, sandwiches and scones in addition to pastries and cakes, and sometimes champagne too. In any case, both are about spending quality time together in the afternoon over snacks and a hot beverage.

This guide is organized geographically from to help you plan road trips and weekend getaways that include a fun afternoon tea experience. For those who would rather stay home, there’s also a section on how to create your own beautiful afternoon tea experience at home with Swedish-inspired touches.

Blue-and-white vintage china with tea and freshly baked scones topped with jam and cream at an afternoon tea at Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund, Sweden. — Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund

Afternoon tea in Skåne

Skåne is one of the best regions in Sweden for cozy cafés and food-focused day trips. Its proximity to Denmark and continental Europe has helped shape its café culture, giving many of its tea rooms a slightly more continental atmosphere.

A brightly lit three-tiered afternoon tea service at Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund. The top tier has an assortment of miniature sweets, including chocolate cake topped with walnuts and yellow cake garnished with fresh raspberries. — Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund

Afternoon tea at Alice och Kattens Tesalong

Visiting Alice och Kattens Tesalong in the university city of Lund feels like stepping into a storybook. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, this charming tea salon is filled with vintage details, mismatched teacups, colorful décor, and a cozy atmosphere that makes it one of the most unique afternoon tea experiences in Sweden.

The tea selection is a highlight here, with a variety of black, green, white, oolong, rooibos, flavored, and herbal loose-leaf teas on the tea menu. They also serve coffee and sparkling wine. Their afternoon tea service includes freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches, and mini cakes. A great place for a relaxed afternoon with friends, a birthday celebration, or a rainy-day fika with a little something extra.

A tea setting on a wooden table at Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund. An ornate, dark brown ceramic teapot with a wide cream-colored band decorated with gold filigree and blue patterns. — Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund

Afternoon tea at Grand Hotel Lund

Grand Hotel Lund, which has been welcoming guests since the late nineteenth century, serves afternoon tea on Saturdays and Sundays. The menu includes tea, sandwiches, pastries, and scones, and the experience includes live piano music. You can also add on champagne or cake when you book. This is a great option for couples or families visiting Lund.

Lund is also worth exploring during your visit. The cobblestone streets, historic university buildings, and medieval cathedral make the city perfect for a slower-paced day trip.

A man sitting at a table at Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund. Two glasses filled with champagne, a clear swing-top glass bottle, and a glass of water. — Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund

Afternoon tea at Malmö Opera

Malmö Opera offers afternoon tea before performances on Sundays. The menu includes tea, sandwiches, scones, and pastries. When you book, it’s possible to request vegetarian or vegan food, and it’s also possible to add a glass of champange. Malmö Opera’s grand interiors and historic atmosphere offer something closer to the classic luxury hotel afternoon teas you might find in London.

A dessert buffet table covered in a white tablecloth at Vadstena Klosterhotel. — Vadstena Klosterhotel

Afternoon tea in Östergötland

Östergotland is a great place for relaxing weekend getaways and scenic road trips. You can spend the afternoon lingering over tea before taking a walk along the water, exploring a historic town, or simply enjoying the quiet surroundings.

Afternoon tea at Vadstena Klosterhotel

Vadstena Klosterhotel, on the shores of Lake Vättern in the historic town of Vadstena, is deeply connected to the town’s medieval history. Parts of the property include 13th-century royal buildings and 14th-century monastic buildings.

Afternoon tea is served on selected Saturdays (see their website for specific dates) and includes a buffet of scones, cheese, fruits and vegetables, sandwiches, cakes and other desserts, and teas. You can also order champagne and other drinks at the bar.

Afterward, you can wander through Vadstena’s charming streets, visit the famous abbey, stroll along the lakefront, or combine the afternoon with a spa visit or an overnight stay at the hotel. This is a great idea for a romantic weekend.

An elaborate dessert buffet table covered in a white tablecloth at afternoon tea at Vadstena Klosterhotel. — Vadstena Klosterhotel

Afternoon tea at Kanalmagasinet

Kanalmagasinet, located near the Göta Canal outside of Söderköping in a 19th-century canal warehouse building, offers a countryside afternoon tea experience on selected Saturdays (see their website for specific dates). The menu includes soup, sandwiches, scones, cakes, coffee, tea, and a glass of sparkling wine.

Watching boats move through the Göta Canal makes this experience distinctly Swedish. Visiting Kanalmagasinet can be part of a road trip through Östergötland, for example along the Göta Canal route or combined with stops in Söderköping and Vadstena.

A three-tiered afternoon tea service on a table at Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund. The top tier has a variety of small cakes. This middle tier has four large, golden-brown scones. — Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund

Afternoon tea at a castle or manor house

The elegant dining rooms, antique interiors, landscaped gardens, and quiet countryside surroundings of Sweden’s castles and historic manor houses create the kind of atmosphere that seems appropriate for afternoon tea. These destinations are ideal for travelers looking for an overnight getaway. They’re located within easy driving distance of Stockholm, making them popular weekend escapes for both locals and visitors.

A small selection of treats and tea on a table at Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund. — Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund

Afternoon tea at Dufweholms Herrgård

Dufweholms Herrgård in Katrineholm serves afternoon tea on Saturdays. The menu includes a buffet of scones, croissants, cookies, fruits, pastries, cakes, coffee, tea, and lemonade. A visit to this peaceful manor by the water can include a hotel stay and a spa visit, making it perfect for a romantic weekend getaway.

A round table covered in a white tablecloth with an abundant display of fruit and cookies at afternoon tea at Vadstena Klosterhotel. — Vadstena Klosterhotel

Afternoon tea at Södertuna Slott

Södertuna Slott offers elegant afternoon tea on Saturdays in a classic Swedish castle near Gnesta. The menu includes sandwiches, savory pies, scones, croissants, cakes, other desserts, and teas. After tea, visitors can explore the gardens, relax beside the water, or stay overnight to fully experience the atmosphere of the estate. This is a great location for special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays.

A tea setting on a wooden table at Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund. A delicate teacup filled with light-colored tea on a matching saucer and a larger plate, all featuring an intricate blue floral pattern. — Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund

Afternoon tea in Stockholm

Stockholm offers a wide range of afternoon tea destinations that are inspired by classic British traditions but also feel distinctly Swedish.

An open-faced sandwich and tea on a table at Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund. A piece of dark bread topped with a bright pink spread, sliced radishes, and dark leafy greens on a white plate with an intricate blue floral pattern. — Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund

Afternoon tea at Cadierbaren

Cadierbaren at the iconic Grand Hôtel Stockholm offers what is perhaps the most luxurious afternoon tea experience in Sweden. The location, overlooking the waterfront, the Royal Palace, and Gamla Stan, makes the experience feel special before the tea service even begins. The menu includes sandwiches, pastries, scones, and teas, with the option to add a glass of champagne. The service and presentation are polished and traditional, making Cadierbaren a favorite for birthdays, anniversaries, and visitors wanting a true luxury hotel experience in Stockholm.

Tea service at Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund. A triangular slice of bread topped with a light spread, fresh lettuce, thinly sliced cucumber ribbons, and delicate microgreens, served on a white plate with an intricate blue floral pattern. — Alice och Kattens Tesalong in Lund

Afternoon tea at Hotel Diplomat

Hotel Diplomat on Strandvägen, with a waterfront location and beautiful Art Nouveau interiors, has been one of Stockholm’s classic destinations for afternoon tea since the 1960s, which they offer on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The menu includes sandwiches, pastries, scones, and teas with the option to add a glass of champagne. This experience is popular with locals and with international visitors. After tea, you can explore nearby areas such as Östermalm, Djurgården, or the waterfront promenade stretching along Nybroviken.

A buffet-style arrangement of savory snacks and sandwiches on a counter at afternoon tea at Vadstena Klosterhotel. — Vadstena Klosterhotel

Afternoon tea at Villa Godthem

Villa Godthem on Djurgården is a historic villa with cozy fireplaces in the winter and garden seating in the summer. Their afternoon tea menu includes sandwiches, scones, desserts, teas, and coffee, and it’s possible add a glass of sparkling wine or champagne. You can also request a vegetarian menu when you book. This is a great place for a family gatherings or an afternoon with friends.

You can combine afternoon tea with a museum visit on Djurgården or a stroll along the waterfront.

A buffet-style arrangement of savory and sweet items for tea service at Vadstena Klosterhotel. A white three-tiered stand on the left is lined with white napkins and holds a large quantity of golden-brown scones. — Vadstena Klosterhotel

Afternoon tea at Eldtomta Café

Eldtomta Café, south of Stockholm in Grödinge, is a popular destination for weekend drives and leisurely fika outings. They offer afternoon tea Thursday-Sunday in September-November and January-March. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the menu includes sandwiches, scones, desserts, coffee, tea, and a glass of sparkling wine. Surrounded by farmland and quiet roads, this location is a peaceful contrast to the pace of central Stockholm.

A three-tiered afternoon tea stand on a light wooden table. The top tier has a white teacup with a black illustration on a saucer containing a pink macaron.

How to create afternoon tea at home

There’s also something special about creating the experience at home. A homemade afternoon tea can feel luxurious even without complicated recipes or formal table settings. With a few pastries, a pot of quality tea, and a cozy vibe, you can recreate the feeling of a relaxing afternoon at some of Sweden’s best tea destinations.

A three-tiered afternoon tea stand on a wooden table. The top tier has a white teacup with black cursive text holding two green marzipan dammsugare pastries with chocolate ends, surrounded by Ballerina sandwich cookies on the saucer.

Build a classic afternoon tea menu

A traditional afternoon tea usually includes a balance of savory and sweet items served across multiple tiers or plates. You don’t need to prepare everything from scratch. Combining homemade treats with bakery favorites works perfectly well.

A classic afternoon tea menu might include:

Finger sandwiches with cucumber and cream cheese
Freshly baked scones served with jam and cream cheese
Mini cakes, macarons, tartlets, or pastries
Cookies
Tea

For a more Swedish-inspired version, you can include:

Kardemummabullar
Princess cake
Kladdkaka
Cloudberry or lingonberry jam
Seasonal berries and fruit

A three-tiered tea stand filled with sweets and savories on a kitchen counter. The top tier has a white teacup with an Alice in Wonderland illustration on a matching saucer, holding a single pink macaron.

Choose the right tea

Tea is naturally the centerpiece of afternoon tea. Black teas are traditionally the most common choice, and herbal or green tea are also good choices. Loose-leaf tea often creates a more authentic tea room feeling, especially when served from a teapot.

Popular options include:

Earl Grey
English Breakfast
Darjeeling
Jasmine green tea
Chamomile tea
Rooibos blends
Swedish herbal teas with berries or flowers

A three-tiered afternoon tea stand on a light wooden table.

Alcoholic drinks for afternoon tea

Traditionally, if you’re going to have an alcoholic drink with your afternoon tea, it should be champagne. Any type of sparkling wine also works. Another idea is to create a cocktail that includes champagne or sparkling wine, such as the French 75, a cocktail that is made with wine, champagne, lemon juice, and sugar.

An afternoon tea spread on a light wood table. The top tier has a white teacup with black illustrations with four green dammsugare pastries with chocolate-dipped ends.

Create a cozy vibe

This is part of what makes afternoon tea feel memorable. Even simple details can make the experience feel elegant and intentional.

A few easy ways to style afternoon tea at home include:

Using vintage teacups or mismatched porcelain

Serving food on cake stands or wooden boards
Adding candles, flowers, and cloth napkins
Playing music
Decorating seasonally with spring flowers, autumn leaves, or Christmas decorations

A three-tiered tea stand filled with treats and sandwiches on a wooden table.

Easy afternoon tea ideas for different seasons

One of the best things about afternoon tea is how easily it can adapt throughout the year.

An afternoon tea service on a light wood table. A white teacup with black Alice in Wonderland themed illustrations holds four green dammsugare pastries with chocolate-dipped ends, resting on a matching illustrated saucer.

Spring & Summer

Lemon cake
Berry tartlets
Iced tea
Floral tea
Outdoor garden seating
Fresh strawberries
Edible flowers

Fall

Apple cake
Cinnamon pastries
Chai tea
Spiced tea blends
Candles
Blankets
Pumpkin desserts
Caramel desserts

Winter & Christmas

Gingerbread cookies
Saffransbullar
Mulled tea blends
Cranberry pastries
Chocolate pastries
Warm lighting
Christmas decorations

A self-service tea and coffee station in a vintage wooden hutch at afternoon tea at Vadstena Klosterhotel. The top shelf has neatly stacked white porcelain teacups and saucers on the left and white mugs with blue floral patterns are on the right.

One of the most enjoyable things about afternoon tea in Sweden is that each place feels completely different. Afternoon tea can be part of a romantic getaway, a weekend with friends, a birthday celebration, or just a way to turn an ordinary afternoon into something memorable, at one of the locations in this guide or at home.