Fika Is A Delightful Swedish Custom You Should Know About Before Visiting The Country

Whether you're planning a trip to one of Sweden's sunniest islands for an outdoor retreat away from the crowds or to its vibrant capital city of Stockholm, you should know about fika. Pronounced "fee-kuh," fika is both a noun and a verb, and it refers to the Swedish tradition of having coffee (and often a sweet snack) with friends and catching up.

It's not quite what you might think of as a coffee break in America, which can often be a quick pause from work to get a caffeine jolt before you get back to it. Instead, it's an important Swedish ritual that's all about savoring time with your friends and family while slowly nursing a drink. So if you're meeting up with someone in Sweden for fika, be prepared for a leisurely, laid-back experience. Think of it as being a part of a healthy work-life balance; taking time to just relax and not worry about things for a while.

Visit Sweden, the country's official website, notes that the word fika likely became a part of the language in the 18th century as a flip-flop of the syllables of the word kaffi (coffee) in Swedish. That would also explain why it's so commonly associated with drinking the caffeinated beverage. But it doesn't even have to actually be coffee you sip on as you fika; any non-alcoholic drink will do.

While you don't have to pair your fika drink of choice with a pastry, it's a common part of the ritual for many Swedes. The country is known for its tasty baked goods, so you'll be spoiled for choice. Both cinnamon buns and cardamom buns are popular go-to fika treats. But if you're looking to really indulge your sweet tooth and also enjoy a classic Swedish confection, try it with a slice of princess cake (prinsesstårta). The baked good's origins date back to the 1920s, and it features sponge cake layers separated by jam and cream, all covered in a green marzipan.

It doesn't have to be a fancy coffee and pastry; you can be eating in Europe on a shoestring budget and still enjoy fika. Remember, it's less about what you're eating and drinking and more about your state of mind, focusing on recharging your mental batteries and bonding with others.

You can also do it pretty much anywhere — from a park bench to a sidewalk cafe to your own living room. All you need is a spot where you're comfortable having a chat and connecting with loved ones while you snack. As for when the best time is to fika, pretty much any time of day is fair game. You can even fika multiple times a day.

You don't have to go as far as Sweden to experience fika; you can do it wherever you are. But if you're looking to enjoy the tradition in a Swedish setting without having to break out your passport, visit Lindsborg, Kansas, which is known as "Little Sweden." It has cafes and coffee shops where you can embrace the fika tradition as well as Swedish design and decor throughout town, which will help make your fika experience feel that much more authentic.