Tap, Sparkling, or Totally Confused?

Welcome back and happy Sunday!

It’s Day 20 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge, and today we’re... getting ourselves wet. Sort of.

One of the first things I noticed in Sweden: the water culture is different. Not in a bad way, just... intriguing.

Photo by Daniel Tafjord on Unsplash

💧 Self-Serve Water Stations

In many Swedish cafés and casual restaurants, there’s often a water station tucked in a corner, usually offering free still or sparkling water. Sometimes even infused with lemon or cucumber.

But here’s the twist:

You’re expected to help yourself - which feels nicely democratic - but there’s usually no sign telling you if you’re actually allowed to take it. In some fancier places, you won’t get any water unless you ask... and you might even get charged for tap water. Confusing, right?

It all goes hand-in-hand with the "serve-yourself" vibe. Remember my other post about how “the customer isn’t king”? It shows here, too:

You order and pay at the counter, then balance your tray, jacket, umbrella, and purse while hunting for a table. And yes, you’re also expected to clear your own table when you’re done. Whether you’re at a student café or a stylish bakery, no one will tell you off if you forget... but you will get a subtle look. Thankfully, IKEA restaurants around the world have trained us well for this moment.

☕ Where’s My Water with the Coffee?

In Switzerland, it’s common to get a little glass of water with your espresso. In Sweden? Not so much. Unless there’s a self-serve water station nearby, you usually have to ask for it.

But! To Sweden’s credit: many cafés offer free coffee refills ("påtår"), a lovely bonus you won’t get in Switzerland. So I guess it all balances out.

Photo by "N" on Pexels

🚰 Water Quality

If you’re wondering whether it’s safe to drink: absolutely yes. Tap water in Sweden is clean, fresh, and delicious, just like back home in Switzerland. Whether you’re filling your bottle in a city café or at a trailhead in the countryside, it’s good to go. I had zero hesitation rinsing my mouth in the hotel bathroom. No chlorine taste, no weird aftertaste, just great water. 

🧼 "Fun" Fact I’m Glad I Missed

I didn't personally experience this (Thank God!), but apparently some public bathrooms, especially in train stations or tiny cafés, might offer

• No warm water
• No soap
• Nothing to dry your hands

In a country that is otherwise so clean and health-conscious, that's a bit of a curveball. From what I read, it's due to budget issues and a general "you''ll manage" mindset. Yikes!

Photo by Gabor Monori on Unsplash

Have you noticed any “small but strange” things about water while traveling?