Sweden is a Northern European country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is known for its vast forests, glacial lakes, medieval castles, Vikings history, innovative design and technology. Sweden offers many fascinating facts and stories that can make for interesting riddles. Here are 40 riddles about Sweden along with their answers.
Geography
Riddles about Swedish geography
What country has islands named Öland, Gotland and Tjörn? Sweden. The islands of Öland, Gotland and Tjörn are part of Sweden’s geography, located in the Baltic Sea.
I’m a body of water between Sweden and Åland Islands, who am I? Sea of Åland. The Sea of Åland separates Sweden from the Åland Islands.
We are over 25,000 islands along the Swedish coastline. What are we? Swedish archipelago. Sweden has over 25,000 islands along its coast in an archipelago.
I’m a Swedish lake that sounds like a day. What is my name? Lake Vänern. Sweden’s Lake Vänern sounds like the Swedish word for Wednesday, “onsdag.”
History
Riddles about Swedish history
I’m a seafaring group of warriors from Scandinavia during 8th to 11th centuries. Who am I? Vikings. The Vikings originated from Scandinavia, including Sweden.
We are a series of battles between Sweden and Denmark in the 16th century. What are we called? Count’s Feud. The Count’s Feud were battles between Sweden & Denmark in the 1500s.
I’m a 17th century Swedish warship that sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628. What is my name? Vasa. The Vasa was a Swedish warship that sank in 1628.
I’m a 18th century Swedish botanist who created a taxonomy system. Who am I? Carl Linnaeus. Carl Linnaeus revolutionized taxonomy in the 1700s.
Culture
Riddles about Swedish culture
I’m a sweet baked good named after a Swedish town. What am I? Gothenburg cake. Gothenburg cake is named after Sweden’s second largest city, Gothenburg.
We are painted wooden horses from a Swedish province. What are we called? Dalecarlian horses. These decorative carved, painted wooden horses represent the Dalarna province.
I’m a bizarre Swedish fictional character with a pumpkin head. Who am I? The Gourd. The Gourd or Kurbits is a Swedish fictional character with a pumpkin for a head.
I’m a Swedish engineering tradition that awards innovative creations. What am I? Polhem Prize. The Polhem Prize recognizes Swedish engineers for creativity & innovation.
Society
Riddles about Swedish society
I’m a Swedish economic sociologist who wrote about global capitalism. Who am I? Johan Norberg. Johan Norberg examines globalization and capitalism from a Swedish viewpoint.
I’m a Swedish retailer known for my minimalist, functional furniture. Who am I? IKEA. IKEA is the iconic Swedish furniture company known for simplicity.
We are organizations in Sweden aimed at promoting public health. What are we called? Folktandvården. Folktandvården are public dental care organizations in Sweden.
I’m Sweden’s government agency for youth issues concerning leisure, school and work. What’s my name? Myndigheten för ungdoms- och civilsamhällesfrågor. This exceptionally long named agency handles youth policies in Sweden.
Landmarks
Riddles about famous Swedish landmarks
I’m a Swedish palace inspired by Versailles with over 600 rooms. What is my name? Drottningholm Palace. Drottningholm Palace has been compared to Versailles with its lavish halls and gardens.
We’re a series of 57 stairs carved into solid sandstone during the 19th century. Where are we? Södra Stambanan. Södra Stambanan is a railway line in Sweden featuring 57 stairs carved into rock.
I’m a Swedish museum shaped like a ship with artefacts salvaged from a famous wreck. What am I? Vasa Museum. The Vasa Museum in Stockholm displays the preserved 17th century warship Vasa.
I’m a winding canal system through Sweden’s second largest city. What am I called? Göta Canal. The Göta Canal runs through Sweden connecting major lakes and cities.
Government
Riddles about the Swedish government
I’m the current constitutional monarch of Sweden since 1973. Who am I? Carl XVI Gustaf. King Carl XVI Gustaf is Sweden’s current monarch.
I’m the official residence of the Prime Minister of Sweden. What am I? Sager House. The official residence of Sweden’s Prime Minister is called Sager House.
Which party currently leads Sweden’s coalition government along with the Greens and Centre Party? The Social Democrats. Sweden is governed by a coalition of the Social Democrats, Greens and Centre parties.
I’m a Swedish government agency that administers taxes and customs. What’s my name? Skatteverket. Skatteverket is the Swedish Tax Agency.
People
Riddles about famous Swedish people
I’m a famous Swedish scientist who pioneered taxonomy and originated the Celsius temperature scale. Who am I? Anders Celsius. Anders Celsius created the Celsius temperature scale and advanced taxonomy.
I’m a Swedish actress who portrays Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s The Crown. What is my name? Claire Foy. Though she’s not Swedish, Claire Foy plays Queen Elizabeth in The Crown.
We are members of the famous Swedish pop group ABBA with hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia.” Who are we? Benny, Björn, Agnetha and Anni-Frid. ABBA was made up of Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
I’m a Swedish environmental activist who protests climate change. Who am I? Greta Thunberg. Greta Thunberg is the renowned Swedish climate activist leading change.
Science and Technology
Riddles about Swedish science and technology
I’m a scale for measuring temperature created by Anders Celsius. What am I? Celsius temperature scale. Anders Celsius invented the Celsius temperature measurement scale.
I’m a Swedish company that pioneered safer matches and dynamite. What’s my name? Alfred Nobel industries. Alfred Nobel was a Swedish scientist and businessman who enabled major innovations.
I’m a messaging platform created by a Swedish programmer and launched in 2009. Who am I? Spotify. Spotify is a popular digital music streaming platform from Sweden.
I’m a Swedish retailer of audio products like headphones and speakers. What company am I? Urbanears. Urbanears is an audio brand from Sweden selling headphones and speakers.
Animals
Riddles about animals from Sweden
I’m a majestic reindeer that lives in the Northern regions of Sweden. What is my name? Eurasian Reindeer. Reindeer like those at the Sami in Northern Sweden are Eurasian Reindeer.
I’m a unique chicken breed named after its plumage colors, red and black. What Swedish chicken am I? Gotland Chicken. The Gotland Chicken has distinctive black and red feathers.
I’m a Northern Eurasian deer named after one of Sweden’s islands. What am I? Fallow Deer. The Fallow Deer have been introduced to some Swedish islands like Öland.
I’m a majestic brown bear that inhabits Sweden forests. What kind of bear am I? Eurasian Brown Bear. Eurasian Brown Bears roam remote forest areas of Sweden.
Food and Drink
Riddles about Swedish cuisine
I’m cardamom-flavored yeast bread that makes a holiday ring. What am I? Vörtbröd. Vörtbröd is a sweet, aromatic Swedish Christmas bread flavored with cardamom.
We are bite-sized pastries named after the Swedish province of Blekinge. What are we? Blekkan. These tiny biscuits originated from the Blekinge region of southern Sweden.
I’m a traditional fermented herring dish served at Swedish Midsummer. What am I called? Surströmming. Surströmming is famously pungent fermented Baltic herring eaten in Sweden.
I’m a Swedish vodka made exclusively from winter wheat and pure water. What brand am I? Karlsson’s Gold. Karlsson’s is a premium Swedish vodka distilled for exceptional smoothness.
Sports
Riddles about sports in Sweden
I’m a sport played on ice with curving sticks to hit a puck into goals. What game am I? Bandy. Bandy is like ice hockey played with a ball and is popular in Sweden.
I’m a downhill skiing race named after a Swedish mountain. What am I called? Åre Giant Slalom. This prestigious World Cup Alpine ski race is held on Åre Mountain.
We are a Swedish professional ice hockey team that plays in Stockholm. What is our name? Djurgårdens IF. Djurgårdens IF is a top-tier Swedish ice hockey team.
I’m a Swedish Olympian who won gold medals in the high jump at 3 straight Olympic Games. Who am I? Stefan Holm. Stefan Holm remarkably won high jump gold at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
Language
Riddles about the Swedish language
I’m a letter in Swedish alphabet pronounced like “OO.” What letter am I? Å. In Swedish, the letter Å makes an “oo” sound.
I’m a mark above Swedish vowels to indicate a long sound. What am I called? Umlaut. The umlaut changes vowel sounds in Swedish, like å becoming a long “oo.”
What does the Swedish word “lagom” meaning not too much, not too little describe? Moderation. Lagom beautifully embodies the Swedish ethos of perfect balance.
I’m a saying in Swedish meaning “slightly sour herring.” What expression am I? Gammal ost. Gammal ost translates literally to “old cheese” and means something is boring or dated.
Conclusion
From geography and history to culture, society, landmarks, government, and more – Sweden offers some clever riddles across many categories. The Swedes have made major contributions from Stockholm’s gorgeous architecture to IKEA’s minimalist furnishings to Spotify’s digital streaming platform, Nobel’s dynamite, Celsius’ temperature scale and Linnaeus’ taxonomy system. Sweden punches far above its weight on the innovation front. These brainteasers about Sweden provide some amusement along with insight into what makes this Scandinavian country so exceptional.
