What is a fika? Find it out here!

Hej, Anto, what is a fika actually? This is one of the most asked questions of recent years.When you travel to Sweden, one of the things you will probably notice is that people regularly talk about ‘fika’ or that signs along the road say ‘öppet för fika’. Swedes really love coffee and regularly take a fika break, or coffee break, during the day. In this article I will tell you more about the Swedish tradition of fika and how you as a visitor should treat it respectfully.

Hey! My name is Antonette and I have been living in Swedish Lapland since the summer of 2023. On my site you will therefore find a lot of tips and facts written by a local. Enjoy reading!

The fika is more than a coffee break at work or wherever you are at that moment. The fika stands for relaxing, catching up with others and enjoying the pleasures of life. You sometimes do a fika twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon, even at work. In addition to the ‘dagens lunch’ (lunch of the day), many restaurants are also open for fika and it seems as if fika is now also spreading to other countries. A fika can very simply consist of a cup of coffee with sometimes something tasty. Those sweets are optional, but the holiday can be celebrated and the Swedes also like a little sweetness.

I often read that the sweet with coffee is called a “fika”, but this is not correct. A fika is a moment and not a delicacy!

The name fika comes from the word coffee. In the 19th century it was common to reverse words, kaffi (coffee) became fika and this gave rise to a typical Swedish custom that we as visitors can also enjoy during our holidays. 

Fika does not necessarily have to be with coffee, but it can also be another hot drink or a cold drink. The kanelbulle (cinnamon bun) is the most traditional option for a pastry during your fika, but of course not really healthy to eat every day. That is why there are now healthy options such as fruit in many places.

Every year on October 4th it is Kanelbullens day, a day in honor of the cinnamon ball. It has little meaning, but it is of course the perfect time to eat a kanelbulle. Or two…

There is only one rule you should remember as a visitor to Sweden and that is: never deprive a Swede of his fika. A Swede, for his part, will never miss out when it’s time to do a fika. Some working contracts officially include daily fika breaks besides the regular time for lunch breaks. When a Swede is doing a fika, he really lets go of the activity he is doing at that moment. So don’t ask a Swede to help you during his fika break.

A popular form of fika is the outdoor fika, or taking a break from your outdoor activity and having a (usually hot) drink and something tasty with it. The outdoor fika often includes a fire. Whenever possible, do this in a designated place (fire pits can be found all over Sweden) and damage the fragile nature as little as possible!

I’ve made it a habit to do a fika whenever I go out. Apart from the places in nature, the following cafes and conditoris are my real favorites:

• Konditori Dorotea (my hometown!)
• Maria Caféet in Ystad
• Choklad heads in Stockholm
• Café Old Fashion in Höör
• Cafe Frösötornet in Östersund
• Landhs Konditorier in Mullsjö

Book your trip

  SEARCH FOR
cheap flights

  BOOK
your Stena Line ferry here

  BOOK
your other ferries here

  SEARCH FOR
great hotels in Sweden

  RERSERVE
your camping in Zweden

  BOOK
your all inclusive rental car here

Hopefully I answered your question “what is a fika?” and from now on you can enjoy this Swedish tradition to the fullest, just like me! If you would like to read more about Sweden, you will also enjoy the following articles:

• Sweden packing list: this is what you need to take with you on holiday
• How to make a delicious Swedish smörgåstårta (recipe)
• Picking berries in Sweden: everything you want to know
• Fika in Stockholm: my 5 favorite places

E-book Sweden for Beginners

Are you planning your first trip to Sweden? Excellent choice—there’s a good chance you’ll fall in love with this country just like I did.

I was once a beginner myself. Back in 2015, to be exact. Since then, I’ve traveled to Sweden every year, and since 2023 I’ve been living in Swedish Lapland. In my e-book, you’ll find everything you need to know about your first trip to Sweden, written by a local (me!).

I share many of my own experiences and all the things I wish I had known when I first traveled to Sweden in 2015.

View the e-book

This article contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase or reservation via such a link, I may receive a modest commission, at no extra cost to you.