Sweden is setting a new standard in global wellness travel, positioning itself as the world’s first destination that doctors can literally prescribe. A research-backed initiative by Visit Sweden highlights the country’s potential to improve health and wellbeing through curated experiences, from forest bathing and cold plunges to music festivals and the iconic Swedish fika.
Though most people have never heard of “nature prescriptions,” a new global survey by YouGov reveals that 64% of adults would follow a doctor’s recommendation to spend time in nature. With burnout, stress, and chronic health concerns on the rise, especially in the U.S., nature-based prescriptions are increasingly recognized for their mental and physical health benefits. Systematic reviews show that such programs can improve cardiometabolic outcomes, reduce stress, and enhance mood. Sweden is now pioneering how travel itself can be a prescribed path to wellness.
“Nature, social settings, and culture have restorative powers, and Sweden has these assets in abundance,” says Dr. Stacy Beller Stryer, Associate Medical Director for Park RxAmerica. “As a physician, I would welcome discussing with my patients how Swedish nature and lifestyle could benefit their health – and am open to prescribing a visit if requested.”
The Swedish Prescription program outlines activities reviewed by experts at Karolinska Institutet, offering experiences scientifically linked to wellbeing. Visitors can engage in forest bathing across Sweden’s 69% forest coverage, cold plunges in the country’s nearly 100,000 lakes, or sleep under starry skies on one of its 267,570 islands to regulate circadian rhythms. Music festivals and the mindful ritual of fika provide cultural boosts to mood and social connection, while Stockholm’s clean air and the Royal National City Park integrate urban wellness with nature.
Susanne Andersson, CEO of Visit Sweden, adds, “Visiting Sweden is like a natural health remedy. Our cozy fika tradition, lagom-balanced lifestyle, and accessible nature are a soothing balm for body and mind. Now doctors from around the world can prescribe Sweden to patients seeking holistic wellness.”
The initiative reflects a growing global interest in integrating nature, culture, and social engagement into health strategies. Patients worldwide can now request a medical referral to Sweden, making travel an actionable, research-supported tool for improving mental and physical health.
For those seeking scientifically backed ways to boost wellbeing, Sweden is offering more than tourism—it’s a prescription for a healthier, more balanced life.