my scandinavian home: airbnb

Slow Living by the Sea: A Tiny Cabin Getaway on Gotland

Today is a "red day" in Sweden – a public holiday – and like many others, I’m spending it at our summer cottage. With less than two weeks until the school holidays, thoughts are already drifting toward summer.

Sweden has no shortage of classic holiday spots, but few are as iconic as Gotland.

This beautiful island in the Baltic Sea truly comes alive in summer – with cosy cafés, artist studios, farm shops, beaches, and a laid-back, joyful vibe. It’s one of my all-time favourite places in Scandinavia.

This morning, I stumbled across a tiny beach cabin in Väskinde, and it instantly had me dreaming of slow, simple days by the sea.

The cabin has everything you need – a kitchenette, dining table, sofa bed, and a separate little bathroom cabin just steps away. There’s a peaceful outdoor nook between the trees, perfect for morning coffee in the sun. And at night, you can drift off to the sound of the waves.

A small pier sits just beside it – perfect for a refreshing dip and the large sea-facing windows are shielded with a wooden screen, letting in the light while keeping things private.

Oh, and best of all? It’s on Airbnb – dangerously easy to book, and very hard to resist. A perfect little escape to get us in the weekend mood!

So lovely!

Can you imagine relaxing here, drifting off to the sound of the waves?

If you're visiting Gotland, I highly recommend renting a car — it's the best way to explore the island at your own pace. I put together a guide a while back that you might find helpful — you can check it out here.

Want to see a few more Gotland homes today? Here are some beautiful tours to inspire you:

A rustic summer cottage with a pool
Elsa's charming summer cottage
A beautiful limestone barn on Gotland

Well friends, that’s it from me this week. As always, thank you so much for stopping by — and for sharing your thoughts and observations. I’ve loved reading them, and I’ll be settling down with a coffee at some point this weekend to respond.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks.

A Dreamy Lakeside Swedish Cabin Escape on Airbnb

It’s Fredag (Friday), the sun is shining, and after a few days at our cabin over the Labour Day holiday watching blackbirds and oystercatchers roam around our garden, I’m fully immersed in the Swedish nature. In a country with just 10 million people (not far off the population of London) and land that stretches 1,574km (978 miles) from north to south, it’s easy to find the perfect solitude.

If you’re planning a visit, there are plenty of idyllic and remote Airbnbs to be found – like this gem. Tucked away in a forest clearing in Näsum, Skåne (southern Sweden), LakeView Cabin is a classic Swedish wooden cottage that’s been lovingly renovated with a fresh, minimalist yet comfy feel. With it's own pier and bathing deck, it's perfect for those who love a morgondopp (that bracing pre-breakfast dip!), plus there’s an outdoor shower and a sauna for warming up afterwards. All of it nestled in the kind of peaceful, whispering forest that makes you forget what day it is.

As the owners put it: “It's perfect for couples, winter bathers, life lovers and nature lovers who appreciate nature and peace and quiet as much as we do.”

For those of you who may live a little too far away to book this, there’s still plenty of inspiration to be gathered – from the way they’ve embraced the great outdoors, to the little thoughtful details indoors, like nature-themed embroidered cushions in an otherwise minimalist white room.

I hope you feel inspired and that this gives you just the virtual getaway you need to ease into the weekend!

What a perfect getaway—and by my calculations, it's only a 1.5-hour drive from Malmö, so maybe I should book a long weekend there myself.

Could you imagine relaxing here? If so, you can find more details on Airbnb.

Keen to discover a few more Scandinavian Airbnbs? Here are a few lovely ones I've featured in the past:

The Stonecutters' farm on the Swedish island of Öland

A beautiful Danish summer cottage

A fabulous Copenhagen home that's available to rent

A beautiful limestone barn on the Swedish island of Gotland

A cosy riverside cottage in Denmark

An architect's calm home (and Airbnb) in Copenhagen.

A magazine-ready cabin on a Swedish island

Getaway from it all in a Swedish lakeside cottage

A rustic pool villa on the island of Gotland

So many wonderful places to stay – perhaps this will entice you to this part of the world this summer? Välkommen!

On another note, I’m sorry for being so slow to reply to comments this week. Poor Alice has been home sick all week, and with work and the Labour Day holiday thrown in, it’s been a bit of a juggle. But I’ve loved reading every single one of your messages, and I’m so grateful that you take the time to write and share your thoughts and observations. I’m looking forward to sitting down with a coffee tomorrow and replying properly.

Have a relaxing weekend and see you Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb with thanks.

FILED UNDER: airbnb holiday rental rural retreats Summer cottage swedish cottage

Step Inside A Cosy Gower Country Home (Plus an Airbnb You Can Stay In)

Hej! Or maybe hi feels more fitting today, since I’m whisking you away to a lovely corner of Wales called Gower. I first visited many moons ago on a school geography field trip to study the coastline – and I remember being bowled over by how wild and beautiful it was. So, you can imagine my delight when I recently stumbled across the charming home of Jane Griffiths.

Tucked away in the woods in a secluded valley, Jane’s country home is not just where she lives – it also serves as a location for shoots and includes a separate annex which she rents out on Airbnb (take note!).

While Jane shares plenty of lovely images over on her Instagram @parkplacegower, I thought I’d post a little snapshot here to give you a taste of her pretty stone-walled haven, with its gorgeous beams and sash windows. The furniture is mostly vintage and gives the place a cosy, lived-in feel, while the master bedroom – complete with a bathtub – adds a touch of spa-like luxury.

I hope you enjoy this peek into Jane’s beautiful world on the Gower - snoozing dogs, an outdoor kitchen, deserted beaches and all.

Would you also like to see a couple of pictures from her charming Airbnb? Here's a sneak peek:

So pretty and cosy! I could easily imagine winding down here for a week or two – how about you?

Tap here for more information about staying in Jane’s Airbnb, and head over to @parkplacegower to see more lovely snapshots from Jane’s life on the Gower.

It’s a busy day here in Sweden as we’re all frantically trying to wrap up our work and shut our laptops before heading out to celebrate Valborg in the sunshine. Valborg is a traditional Swedish festival that marks the arrival of spring, usually with bonfires, singing, and friends gathering outdoors. And with a bank holiday tomorrow, it’s the perfect excuse for a proper celebration!

Are you off tomorrow too for May Day?

I’ll be back here on Friday and hope to see you then for one more inspiring home tour before the weekend, thank you for stopping by!

Niki x

Photography courtesy of @parkplacegower, shared with kind permission.

FILED UNDER: airbnb country style living holiday rental International homes

Weekend Dreaming: A Cosy Riverside Cottage in Denmark

Fridays are for a little dreaming, don’t you think? I’m always on the lookout for the perfect Scandinavian weekend getaway. While sinking into the lap of luxury is undeniably, well, luxurious… I often find myself more drawn to cosy little cottages tucked away in peaceful settings—ideally by the water.

This morning, I stumbled across the most idyllic riverside cottage in Veksø, Denmark.

Once upon a time, fire was the heart of the home, used for both cooking and warmth. These days, we still feel that unmistakable sense of hygge (cosiness) when gathering around the flames—chatting with friends and family, reading, or simply gazing into the embers. In this little cottage, a wood-burning stove sits at the centre of the open-plan living space, creating the perfect spot to unwind.

Look closely, and you’ll spot some beautiful details. A natural slab of wood serves as a worktop in the kitchen, while sheepskin seat cushions soften the wooden chairs—adding to the cottage’s relaxed and informal charm.

In summer, life spills outdoors, where a lovely terrace and fire pit await for those long Danish evenings under the setting sun.

Could you imagine relaxing here over the weekend?