day trips from sweden

The very best day trips from Stockholm

Sep 3, 2021 • 8 min read

From island-hopping to learning about Viking culture, here are the best day trips from Stockholm © Igor Grochev / Shutterstock

With country palaces, windswept islets, dynamic towns and Viking culture, the greater Stockholm  area has a wealth of day trips and weekend getaways that are easy to drive to and even easier to reach on public transport . Roads are generally in good repair, and buses and trains are comfortable. Conveniently, SL travel passes allow unlimited travel on all buses and local trains in the area. From Drottningholm Slott to Vaxholm in the Stockholm Archipelago, here are the best day trips from Sweden's capital city. 

Uppsala and Gamla Uppsala

Why go?: Visit the historical and spiritual heart of Sweden

A lively college town that's rich in history, Uppsala is one of Sweden’s oldest cities, dating back to the 3rd century. It's also next-door to one of the most important pre-Viking sites in the country.

The city’s 40,000 students create a youthful buzz that’s easily seen in the sheer number of stylish but unpretentious cafes and bars.  The city’s charm coheres around the meandering river Fyris, which flows through the center, lined by cobblestone pathways and hundreds of bicycles. A squat, pink castle tops the hill above town, with a royal garden stretching out below it. Budding scientists will enjoy the Linnémuseet and adjoining botanical garden, a replica of botanist Carl von Linne’s workspace. History buffs have plenty to absorb, starting with the treasure-filled Museum Gustavianum or the skyline-defining Domkyrka (Cathedral). But the big draw is Gamla (Old) Uppsala, just up the road. 

Gamla Uppsala

A gorgeous cycle ride away, 2.5 miles (4km) north of Uppsala town center, is the fascinating archaeological site of Gamla Uppsala , once a flourishing 6th-century religious center where, allegedly, human sacrifices were made. It’s one of Sweden’s largest and most important ancient burial sites, containing 300 mounds from the 6th to 12th centuries. You can learn more in the adjoining Gamla Uppsala Museum , or wander on your own; there are informative plaques throughout the site.

If you feel like a stroll or a bicycle ride, Eriksleden is a 6km "‘pilgrims path" between the cathedral in Uppsala and the church in Gamla Uppsala. Its namesake, Erik the Holy, was king of Sweden from around 1150 until the Danes beheaded him 10 years later. The story is that his head rolled down the hill, and where it stopped a spring came up. The main trail also provides access to a ridged wilderness hiking area called Tunåsen, with a panoramic viewpoint (follow signs along Eriksleden just south of Gamla Uppsala to "utsiktsleden").

How to get to Uppsala:  SL commuter trains run frequently (every 30 minutes or more) from Stockholm’s Central Station and City Station to Uppsala’s central station in about 40 minutes to an hour. Bus 801 goes frequently from Stockholm Cityterminalen to Uppsala central station via Arlanda Airport in about 45 minutes. Buses for Gamla Uppsala leave from Stora Torget in central Uppsala.

Drottningholm Slott

Why go?: Explore the splendors of a royal palace

If Drottningholm reminds you a little of the Palace of Versaille, you’re not far off: it was designed around the same time, by architectural great Nicodemus Tessin the Elder. Begun in 1662, the Renaissance-inspired main palace is home to the royal family for part of the year. You can roam the grounds on your own, but it's worth taking a one-hour guided tour (30kr; in English three times daily June to August, weekends rest of year). Guides tell entertaining stories about what it was like politically and culturally at the time the palace was being designed and decorated.

Some highlights of the tour include the highly ornamented State Bedchamber of Hedvig Eleonora, the envy of everyone on Pinterest; it’s Sweden’s most expensive baroque interior. The library of Lovisa Ulrika is also a bright and impressive room, complete with most of its original 18th-century fittings (though most of her collection of 2000 books has been moved to the Royal Library in Stockholm for safekeeping).

Both of the Tessins, Nicodemus the Elder as well as the Younger, share credit for the palace's elaborate staircase, with statues and trompe l'oeil embellishments at every turn. And the dedication to design continues outside in the geometric gardens, which are set at an angle for maximum impact and are worth the trip all by themselves.

The royal theater, Slottsteater , was completed in 1766 on the instructions of Queen Lovisa Ulrika. Remarkably untouched from the time of Gustav III’s death (1792) until 1922, it’s now the oldest theater in the world still mostly in its original state. 

A backstage tour of the theater reveals even more about how much people were into the art of illusion in this era. Performances held here in summer still use the original 18th-century machinery to create dramatic effects; the wind machine is impressive. Scenes can be changed in less than seven seconds. Keep a lookout for fake marble, fake curtains and papier-mâché viewing boxes. Even the stage was designed to create illusions regarding size.

At the far end of the royal gardens is Kina Slott , a lavishly decorated Chinese pavilion built by King Adolf Fredrik as a birthday surprise for Queen Lovisa Ulrika in 1753.  The interior was the absolute pinnacle of fashion at the time; it has been restored but remains one of the finest rococo chinoiserie interiors in Europe. On the slope below Kina Slott, the carnivalesque Guards’ Tent was erected in 1781 as quarters for the dragoons of Gustav III, but it’s not really a tent at all (another illusion).

How to get to Drottningholm Slott:  Take the tunnelbana to Brommaplan, then change to the bus to Drottningholm. There's also a well-marked bicycle path from the center of Stockholm to Drottningholm. In summer, regular boat services leave from Stadshuskajen to Drottningholm. 

Why go?: Wander a large Viking settlement

The historic Viking trading center of Birka , on Björkö in Lake Mälaren, makes for an educational and evocative day trip, especially for those interested in Viking lore. A Unesco World Heritage site, the settlement was founded around 760 CE to expand and control trade in the region. There’s not much here today, other than a beautiful Swedish island, but it’s easy to imagine the place bustling with around 700 traders and craftspeople at its peak.

The village site is surrounded by the largest Viking-age cemetery in Scandinavia, with around 3000 graves. Most people were cremated, then mounds of earth were piled over the remains, but some Christian coffins and chambered tombs have been found. There are also excavated remains of a defensive fort and the harbor. 

For those whose imaginations need a little jumpstart, it’s easier to bring the scene to life if you first visit the superb Birka Museum , where exhibits include artifacts from the excavations,  copies of the most impressive objects found, and a scale model of the village as it would have looked in Viking times.

How to get to Birka: Strömma Kanalbolaget runs round-trip cruises to Birka from Stadshusbron in central Stockholm. The trip takes two hours each way; plan on a full day’s outing. Cruise prices include museum admission and a guided tour in English of the settlement’s burial mounds and fortifications. No ferries run during the Midsummer holidays.

Vaxholm and the Stockholm Archipelago

Why go?: Hop between beautiful islands on the Baltic

Stockholmers tend to get misty-eyed when they talk about the archipelago , understandably. This is where the most iconic images of the area come from: little red wooden huts and cabins, deep forests, rocky beaches and low slabs of rock dotted with sunbathing Swedes. The islands are scattered between the city and the Baltic Sea and are a must-visit if you’re in the capital.

There are many thousands of islands in the archipelago, with the count ranging from 14,000 to 100,000 (the general consensus is 24,000), but not all are inhabited or visitable. Some are quite far-flung, but many of the islands with regular ferry service are much closer to the city than many visitors imagine. Several can be seen on a day trip, or you can hop on a round-trip boat to get a look at them from the water. The nominal "capital" of the region is Vaxholm, a good place to start.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Vaxholm , the most obvious being that this is the closest archipelago island to Stockholm, making it a handy introduction to the region. But Vaxholm is more than just a gateway, its cobbled sloping streets, candy-colored wooden houses, excellent restaurants (like the waterfront seafood mainstay Melanders Fisk ) and idiosyncratic shops making it a charming destination on its own.

The oldest part of Vaxholm is Norrhamn, just north of the town hall; here you’ll find a typical 19th-century fisher’s house among other historic buildings. Along the waterfront, take a gander at the eye-catching art nouveau Waxholms Hotell . The island's most prominent sight is the imposing Vaxholm Fortress , originally built in 1544, when King Gustav Vasa ordered its construction to protect the Swedish capital and mainland. It repelled an attack by the Danes in 1612 and the Russians in 1719, among others. There are frequent ferries through the day to the island fort.

How to get to Stockholm Archipelago:  Waxholmsbolaget boats reach most of the visitable islands in the archipelago as part of Stockholm’s public transport network. Ferries leave from Stockholm’s Strömkajen, in front of the Grand Hotel, several times a day depending on the season; it takes around 50 minutes to get to Vaxholm. Buy tickets on board; five- and 30-day travel cards are also available. Most islands in the archipelago have good boat connections, provided you check schedules in advance – although there are worse places in the world to get stranded!

You might also like:

The most unmissable experiences in stunning Stockholm    The best things you can do for free (and nearly free) in Stockholm    The best neighborhoods in Stockholm   

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The 8 Best Day Trips From Stockholm, Sweden

If you're in Stockholm with a day to spare, enjoy a day trip

Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

The best day trips from Stockholm for visitors are the ones that fit well with your trip. One size does not fit all. The following ideas for day trips from Stockholm cover the interesting history and charming cities, while some day trip ideas simply offer a relaxing day in southern Sweden .

A Scenic Day Trip to Gävle

The romantic town of Gävle, Sweden, is only about 100 miles north of Stockholm which makes Gävle one of the best day trips from Stockholm. The town offers attractions, shopping, art, and Sweden's best chocolate! When it comes to Gävle's natural beauty, the rivers of Gavilan and Testeboan bring life to this quaint city on ​Sweden's east coast.

The Historic Island of Gotland

The island of Gotland, Sweden, is found off the east coast of Sweden, about 125 mi (200 km) south of Stockholm. You can get to Gotland from Stockholm by car and ferry, or by air. Gotland is famous for its long sandy beaches since the island is one of Sweden's best beach destinations . Then there's bicycling and hiking, 94 beautiful medieval churches, and the town of Visby, a UNESCO World Heritage site .

A Day Trip From Stockholm to Finland

Yes, you can plan a day trip from Stockholm to the Finnish capital Helsinki . Just don't plan on taking the 16-hour ferry, instead use one of the 1-hour flights across the Baltic Sea to turn it into a quick hop across the sea. Helsinki is a very beautiful and interesting city and is definitely worth a visit, if only for a day or two!

An Interesting Day in Uppsala

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre 

Uppsala is an interesting city with lots of historic buildings, romantic little cafes, and vibrant nightlife. To get from Stockholm to Uppsala (or from Uppsala back to Stockholm), most take the twice-hourly train from Stockholm . Make sure to see Uppsala Cathedral and Uppsala Castle, as well as the pre-Viking, prehistoric burial mounds in the old part of the town.

A Skiing Day Trip From Stockholm

Ski resorts in Sweden aren't hard to find, but there are a few that are outstanding and offer a great wintry experience. During the summer, they offer hiking, cycling, and various outdoor sports. Check the Swedish weather before you visit one of these ski resorts in Sweden. It's at least a ​4.5-hour drive though - depending on which one you want to visit - so you might want to start your day trip early in the morning, or plan to stay overnight.

A City Day Trip to Malmö

To be able to fit the city of Malmö into a day trip from Stockholm, you'll have to fly there, which only takes an hour and is quite affordable. (Driving takes six hours.) Just pick 2-3 of the attractions in Malmö for your day there, and you'll be all set for a great day trip.

A City Day Trip to Gothenburg (Göteborg)

A day trip from Stockholm to Göteborg also requires air travel due to the distance involved. But it's easy. Just hop from Stockholm to Göteborg on one of the many 55-minute flights each day.

A Nice Day on the Göta Canal

One of the best day trips from Stockholm if you want to relax a little and enjoy a little boat tour. Many visitors believe that the Gota Canal leads directly from Stockholm to Gothenburg. This is not true - the Göta Canal ends at the town of Mem, almost 150 mi (240 km) south of Stockholm. Drive south on the E4 for just about two hours and you'll be at the beautiful Göta Canal. Bring your camera.

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Home » Travel Guides » Sweden » 15 Best Day Trips from Stockholm

15 Best Day Trips from Stockholm

A city of contrasts, Stockholm manages to merge the old with the new with relative ease.

Unlike many cities in the world Stockholm sprawls; sprawls across 14 islands in fact.

Stockholm is one of the most environmentally conscious cities on earth and is famed for its innovative use of technology in a bid to become the most sustainable city on earth.

Stockholm is ahead of the game in other ways too, on the forefront of music trends, fashion, innovation and design of pretty much all varieties.

Once you have taken time to cycle around the incredibly clean streets, sipped coffee at the Uber-trendy coffee shops it is time to starting looking a Sweden as a whole.

Let’s explore the best day trips from Stockholm :

1. Broby Bro

Sweden is a country steeped in Viking and Iron Age history and one of the best ways to witness relics from these eras is to head to Broby bro.

This graveyard is over 1000 years old and the stories of those who are buried here live on today.

Broby bro is best experienced with a tour guide for they can bring to life the tales of the Viking heroes that once ruled the land.

There are dozens of these stories to learn about but none so interesting as ‘Estrid’ whose skeleton was found in the Christian section of the Broby bro graveyard in 1995.

2. Jarlabanke Runestones

A visit to the Jarlabanke Runestones and Jarlabanke Causeway is a great way to get to grips with Viking history and how their rule shaped the lay of the land forever.

Earl Jarlabanke is one of the most infamous Viking rulers who many believed abused his power for his own gain.

He did however create the Jarlabanke Causeway that runs its 116m course in Täby, which Jarlabanke once owned all of.

The Vikings were incredible civil engineers and in a visit to the Jarlabanke Runestones you can learn about how their bridge building and road construction changed the world in which they lived.

The tiny town of Sigtuna is home to just 8000 people and can be found sitting to the north of Stockholm.

This quaint and charming Swedish town is steeped in history and is home to some beautiful olde-world townhouses.

Sigtuna town looks out over Sigtuna Bay which is tranquil and incredibly picturesque, if a little icy in winter.

Highlights of a visit to Sigtuna include a walk around the ruins of St Olof Church.

When the winter snows settle on the tumble down medieval church is starts to look almost fairytale like.

Aside from taking time to stroll through Sigtuna winding streets you can visit Steninge Palace and Rosberg Palace too if you are particularly interested in architecture.

4. Stockholm Archipelago

The Stockholm Archipelago is one of the most impressive landscapes in all of Europe, home to some 24,000 islands that sit in the Baltic Sea.

Typically travellers associate island hopping with South East Asia, or the Caribbean, but in a short one tour trip from Stockholm city centre you can be in an island paradise, just a comparatively chilly one.

What makes the Stockholm Archipelago so incredible is that many of the islands are uninhabited and are true wildernesses.

Naturally, the Stockholm Archipelago is best experienced by boat.

You can kick back and relax or there are some tour providers who let you take the helm.

5. Natural Ice Fields

There are dozens of natural ice fields that surround Stockholm city centre and you can take your pick as to where you want to explore.

No need to have ever skated before as the guys and girls who run tours of the ice fields are fantastic teachers and by the end of the day you will feel as if you are ready to trail for the Winter Olympics…maybe.

The best season for ice skating in the Stockholm area of Sweden is between December and March.

This is a great day out for everyone; solo travellers, couples, families and big groups.

You will skate through some mesmerising landscapes, you’ll never want to skate in a rink again.

6. Sörmlandsleden

One of the most loved hiking routes in all of Sweden is Sörmlandsleden.

The trail starts about a 40-minute drive from Stockholm city centre and runs for 1000km through some of Sweden’s most pristine pine forest.

Obviously, on a day trip you cannot cover the full 1000Km but nevertheless you can get a taste for this phenomenal landscape.

You will pass through dense pine forest, walk alongside perfectly still lakes and out on to rocky plateaus.

Many people choose to hike up to Sweden’s highest peak, Kebnekaise, stop for a picnic lunch and admire the views before returning to the car to drive back to Stockholm.

7. Drottningholm Palace

Drottningholm Palace is the private residence of the Swedish royal family and is built on the island of Lovön.

Built in the 16th-Century Drottningholm Palace is a piece of history perfectly preserved in time.

Although each generation of the Swedish royal family has left their mark on the palace the 16-century facade remains the same.

In the centuries to come Swedish royals added a palace theatre and even a Chinese Pavilion.

A walk around the palace’s baroque garden is a real treat, especially when in full bloom in the spring months.

You can take a tour of the public rooms and the gardens too.

The complex is open throughout the year.

It is said that Birka was Sweden’s first city and it can be found on the island of Björkö or ‘Birch Island’. As one of the most significant trading spots of Vikings this is a city rich in history and cultural heritage.

In fact, Birka is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The highlight of a visit to Birka is taking a tour of the Viking Village.

Step inside traditional Viking homes, learn about daily life in Viking times and learn about how the black soil of Birka helped the city to thrive.

Once you have finished in the village head to Restaurant Särimner for a hearty lunch overlooking the sea.

Gävle is something of a hidden gem.

This charming town sits 100 miles to the north of Stockholm and is famed for being the home of Sweden’s best chocolate.

Many people enjoy taking a visit to the Swedish Railway Museums to see the locomotives of yesteryear, others prefer to take a gentle stroll around Boulogne Skogen City Park which is especially beautiful in autumn.

If you fancy something a little bit different book a session at the Dome Adrenaline Zone.

This 6000 sq.m playground has a climbing wall, ninja warrior course and super springy trampolines.

Church Street Saloon is a much loved restaurant in Gävle, and Matildas serves up a wonderful array of traditional Swedish dishes with a modern twist.

10. Helsinki

One thing that is particularly great about Europe is that all major cities are incredibly well connected, either by road, railway or by air.

Flights from Stockholm to Helsinki fly multiple times daily meaning you can have a flying visit to the Finnish capital should you so wish.

Take a wander down Mannerheimintie and pop into the National Museum.

Once you have toured the impressive museums head down to Parliament House or perhaps Kiasma, the city’s best loved art gallery.

The most iconic landmark in Helsinki is the rusty-red Uspenski Cathedral.

Standing proudly overlooking Helsinki Harbour do not miss this amazing architectural gem before you fly back to Stockholm in the late evening.

Malmö is a majestic city that can be found in the south of Sweden.

With cobbled streets and vast city squares there is so much to explore in the course of a day trip to Malmö.

The first port of call should be Malmö Castles that was built by the Danes in the 16th Century.

Speaking of Denmark, be sure to take moment to gaze in awe at the magnificent Øresund Bridge which connects Sweden to Denmark.

Kungsparken is an exquisite inner city park that can found just west of Malmö Town Hall.

Taking a little rowing boat out on the river in Kungsparken is one of the most romantic things you can do in all of Sweden.

12. Gripsholm Castle

Picture a castle from a fairytale, chances are what you are imagining looks a little like Gripsholm Castle.

This magical castle can be found in the small but perfectly formed town of Mariefred near Lake Mälaren.

This is one of the most popular tourist hotspots in Sweden and it is not hard to understand why.

Gripsholm Castle is not only incredibly photogenic but is home to a truly unique collection of Swedish artworks and furniture that date back over 400 years.

Once you have toured the castle’s interiors be sure to take an hour or so to roam the castle grounds.

Stopping by the deer paddock to take a moment to observe these chilled out creatures is a treat.

13. Lake Mälaren

Lake Mälaren, or Lake Malar, is one of Sweden’s natural jewels.

Covering 1,140 km² Lake Mälaren is the third-largest freshwater lake in the country.

During a day visit to Lake Mälaren you can drop by Gripsholm Castle or even Drottningholm Palace for a flying visit but many people prefer to head straight to Långholmen.

This is a sandy beach area that sits on the shores of Lake Mälaren and is the perfect place to relax and unwind, especially in summer.

If you prefer to be more active on your holidays you are more than welcome to be.

There are dozens of cycling and hiking trails that run through the woodlands that border Lake Mälaren.

14. Gotland

Hiding out in the Baltic Sea is the island of Gotland.

The coastline of this island is other-worldly and has to be seen to be believed.

Arches, stacks, and stumps are scattered across the beaches and form stunning silhouettes at sunrise and sunset.

The Gotland Museum is a must-visit and provides fascinating insights into local history and the region’s rich culture.

A visit to the Lummelunda Cave is a great way to spend an afternoon and can be accessed by a short boat ride.

The city of Visby that sits on Gotland is one of the best preserved medieval cities in the world.

Visby is another of Sweden’s gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

15. Uppsala

Uppsala is a charming Swedish university city that has a lot going on.

Being a university city means that there is no short supply of hipster coffee shops and bustling bars.

Marrying the old with the new, much like Stockholm in that sense, Uppsala is a versatile city that is a joy to explore.

There is a lot of history to explore in Uppsala, from the Carolina Rediviva library to Skokloster Castle and Uppsala Cathedral.

If you have a hankering for seafood head to Hambergs Fisk, should you want to hang with the cool kids get yourself to Cafe Årumment and settle down with a latte or two.

15 Best Day Trips from Stockholm:

• Jarlabanke Runestones
• Stockholm Archipelago
• Natural Ice Fields
• Sörmlandsleden
• Drottningholm Palace
• Gripsholm Castle
• Lake Mälaren

12 Top-Rated Day Trips from Stockholm

Written by Andrew Birbeck and Karen Hastings Updated Apr 13, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Swedes love the outdoors, and the picturesque countryside around Stockholm , with islands, woodlands, lakes, and coastal towns, offers plenty of opportunities for adventures and day trips.

Excellent road, rail, and ferry links will take you wherever you want to go, and you'll find many of Sweden's top places to visit just a short hop from the city. Fairy-tale palaces, spectacular waterways, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Viking relics, and medieval villages await.

More than 30,000 islands lie in the sprawling archipelago, and many are close enough for a short (or long) day trip. You can easily take a ferry or sightseeing boat trip from Stockholm to explore them and see all their top attractions.

Plan your Swedish adventures with our list of the top day trips from Stockholm.

1. Drottningholm Palace: The Queen's Castle

2. sigtuna: sweden's first town, 3. visit the ancient university city of uppsala, 4. the viking settlement of birch island (björkö), 5. boat trip across lake malar to historic mariefred, 6. medieval gripsholm castle, 7. modernist enskede woodland cemetery (skogskyrkogården), 8. venture into the archipelago to visit the fortress of vaxholm, 9. the seaside resort of saltsjöbaden, 10. explore lake malar (mälaren), 11. the island of sandhamn, 12. stora fjäderholmen, map of day trips from stockholm.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site , stunning Drottningholm Palace (Drottningholms slott) dates from the 17th century and was built for Queen Eleonora. Today the palace is the residence of the Swedish Royal Family.

It lies on the island of Lovö, roughly 11 kilometers west of Stockholm center — a journey of about 45 minutes by boat.

In the beautiful park, with its terraces and avenues of lime trees, are various bronze sculptures brought back from Denmark and Bohemia as trophies of war. In 1774, Drottningholm was bequeathed to Queen Luise Ulrike (sister of Frederick the Great) as a wedding gift, and new wings were added, along with the Chinese Pavilion .

The 18th-century Palace Theatre (Drottningholms Slottsteater) is still frequently used for performances and has stage machinery dating back to the reign of Gustavus III. Scenery and costumes from the period are displayed in the theater museum.

The palace's two large gardens, designed in Baroque and English styles, date from around the same period and are certainly worth seeing.

English-language guided tours are available, as are fun workshops and programs for children. A gift and souvenir shop is located in the visitor center.

Address: 178 93 Drottningholm, Sweden

Famous as Sweden's first town , Sigtuna is a major tourist draw and one of the best places to visit in Sweden for an authentic Swedish travel experience. If you want to see picture-postcard Sweden packed with things to do, this is your destination.

Founded in 980 CE, in the final century of Viking times, Sigtuna sits on the shore of Lake Mälaren , in the country's Uppland region. Today, you can see Sigtuna's history in the ruins, rune stones, medieval churches, and other historic buildings that still stand. At Stora Gatan , the boutiques and craft shops are fun to browse.

An easy way to visit Sigtuna and soak up some of its rich history without the hassle of driving is on the Viking History Half-Day Tour from Stockholm . On this five-hour tour, you have time to explore the quaint streets and shops of Sigtuna and stop at some fascinating historical sites, including an old Viking parliament, a Viking causeway at Täby, and Sweden's largest runic stone in Granby.

Sigtuna is located just 45 minutes north of Stockholm and about 30 minutes from the university town of Uppsala.

Famous as a medieval university city (the university was established in the 1400s), Uppsala boasts an amazing history and draws visitors from across the globe.

It's an easy 70-kilometer drive or train trip northwest of Stockholm and just 25 minutes' drive from the city's Arlanda Airport.

This is Sweden's fourth-largest city; however, that's easy to forget, as the town has a laid-back feel, particularly if you're meandering through the winding streets of the old town, where you will find many of Uppsala's tourist attractions .

Highlights include the magnificent 13th-century cathedral (Domkyrka), the place of burial for Sweden's kings and queens, and the University Museum (Gustavianum). It's also fun to wander around the university grounds and the Botanical Gardens (Botaniska trädgården), then relax in one of the many waterside parks and cafés.

If you'd like to visit Uppsala without the stress of having to find your own way around, consider the Viking History Tour from Stockholm including Sigtuna and Uppsala . This full-day adventure combines an illuminating visit to Viking historical sites like Jarlabanke's bridge and the Viking graveyard at Broby with a stop in Sigtuna and a guided tour of Old Uppsala.

Birka (Vikingastaden) , on Birch Island (Björkö), is only about 30 kilometers west of Stockholm and is another of Sweden's oldest towns to include on your travel itinerary. During Viking times, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was the central hub and the most important trading post in the Mälar Valley.

Established in the 8th century, Birka attracted travelers from near and far, and a wealth of ancient remains have been excavated and studied from Viking settlement sites and burial grounds since the 19th century.

During summer, boat tours with Strömma Kanalbolaget depart from the dock at City Hall. Guided tours are available, and you can dine at the island's restaurant.

A boat trip on Lake Malar (Mälaren) to the picturesque town of Mariefred takes around three hours and is a relaxing and scenic excursion. The town's origin and name come from the monastery of Pax Mariae, which was founded here in 1493.

The town's main landmark is a hillside 17th-century church. Below that is the oldest part of the town, with wooden houses running down to the lake. In the market square, to the north of the church, stands the Town Hall , built in 1784 and now housing the regional tourist center, and on the west side, beyond Stallarholmsvägen , lies the ruined church of Kärnbo .

Gripsholm Castle dominates the landscape. To get here, take a nostalgic voyage aboard the historic steamship S/S Mariefred — the vessel was built around 1900 — from City Hall, Stockholm.

A visit to historic and beautiful Gripsholm Castle (Gripsholms Slott) will immerse you in four hundred years of Swedish history. Located on the shores of Lake Mälaren , this royal castle rises over the pretty town of Mariefred .

Gripsholm is sometimes called Gustav Vasa's castle, as the king built it here in 1537. A must-see is the Swedish State's collection of portraits, featuring famous Swedes from the days of Gustav Vasa to ABBA musician and composer, Benny Andersson. Wander around the beautiful castle grounds and Hjorthagen nature reserve where royal deer graze.

Address: 647 31 Mariefred, Sweden

Created by the famous modernist architects Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz, Enskede Woodland Cemetery (Skogskyrkogården) is a place of stunning beauty set on a boulder ridge cloaked with pine trees.

Reflecting Nordic philosophy on the themes of life, death, and nature, the cemetery covers an area of about 250 acres and is hailed as one of the most significant works of these modernist architects.

Within the grounds lie a number of beautiful chapels and a visitor center. The Woodland Cemetery was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is a short trip from Stockholm city center.

English language guided tours and audio guides are available year-round, and a good café is located in the visitor center.

Address: Skogskyrkogården12233 Enskede

The largest museum in Stockholm's archipelago, Vaxholm Castle (Vaxholms fästning) — also known as Vaxholm Fortress Museum — lies on the island of Vaxö , northeast of Stockholm, in the channel used by ships and boats headed to the capital.

The fortress was given its present form in 1839, but immediately after the rebuilding, it lost any military significance since its walls couldn't withstand modern artillery. It now houses a museum with a collection of material from its days as a fortress.

During the 19th century, this was a favorite summer resort with Stockholmers. The little summer houses, with carved decorations and enclosed verandas, are relics of that period.

Address: Kastellet 1, 185 99 Vaxholm, Sweden

Around 20 kilometers southeast of Stockholm — a journey of just 25 minutes by train — on an inlet in the Baggensfjärd , is the small residential town of Saltsjöbaden. This fashionable seaside resort features a yacht marina, grand hotel, golf course, and tennis courts.

For those with enough courage to brave the elements, there's an open-air bathing pool ( Friluftsbad ). This is a favorite day trip destination for Swedes, who like to come here and soak up some sunshine and salty sea air. Top things to do include dining by the water, lounging on the beach, or boating in the bay.

Lake Malar (Mälaren), Sweden's third largest lake, lies immediately west of Stockholm. This 117-kilometer-long waterway extends through the provinces of Västmanland , Södermanland , Uppsala, and Stockholm to the Baltic . Numerous arms and inlets indent the shores. Vessels sail from the Baltic to Stockholm on the Södertälje Canal and Hammarbyleden .

Around the shores — which are partly fertile and partly rocky — lie castles, manor houses, and sprawling estates. More than 1,000 islands dot the lake, and boat services run to many of them (including Björkö ) in summer.

The principal towns on Mälaren are Stockholm , Västerås, and, farther north, Uppsala.

Sandhamn is one of the outer islands of the Stockholm Archipelago, as it meets the open Baltic Sea. On a summer day, it's a busy place, filled with people relaxing over coffee and fika in the many cafés , sunning on its beaches , and browsing in its little shops around the fishing port.

There are walking trails through the forest of windswept pines, and a little museum tells about the island's history. You can get there by ferry from central Stockholm.

Stora Fjäderholmen is the largest of four islands in the Fjäderholmarna group. Several ferry operators provide service from Stockholm several times a day during the summer tourist season, which is typically May through mid-September.

The island is part of the Royal National City Park , a notable tourist destination not only for its natural beauty but also thanks to its bountiful shops selling hand-made crafts and local goods, as well as several good restaurants.

If your ferry arrives at the main ferry port on the north side of the island, you don't have to walk far to find shopping and dining, with several options right on the waterfront or within a short stroll. If you are looking for a quieter place to grab a meal with an ocean view, head to the northwest corner of the island for lunch (and maybe a game of pètanque) at Röda Villan .

If you walk south along the eastern side of the island, you will find a small harbor that's home to smaller local boats. Just beyond this is the workshop of Föreningen Allmogebåtar , a local organization dedicated to preserving the building techniques of traditional Nordic boats, which has several fine examples on display.

Continue south and find even more shops along the waterfront, selling everything from locally made textiles to handcrafted candies. Although the short half-hour ferry ride allows you to visit for only part of a day, and the island is small enough to walk about in just a couple of hours, you may want to plan for more time to just explore and appreciate the scenery.

More on Sweden

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The 5 best day trips from Stockholm

From boat trips to old university towns, there's plenty to discover just a train ride from Stockholm

Stockholm is a fabulous spot for a long weekend break full of genre-bending restaurants, beautiful architecture and world-renowned attractions. But if you’re spending a little longer in the city, there’s a whole load more nearby cities worth discovering – and they’re easily reachable as a day trip. 

The day trip options here range from picturesque university towns to the oldest city in Sweden, home to centuries-old castles, swimming lakes and great food. The best part? All of these spots are reachable by public transport (most less than an hour). From old towns to natural havens, here are the best day trips from Stockholm . 

RECOMMENDED: 🛍️ The best spots for shopping in Stockholm 📍 The best things to do in Stockholm 🍽️ The best restaurants in Stockholm 🏘️ Where to stay in Stockholm

This guide was updated by Annika Hipple ,  a travel writer based in Sweden. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines .  

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Best day trips from Stockholm

1.  Uppsala

Just 30 to 40 minutes north of Stockholm by train, Uppsala is home to the oldest university in the Nordics, founded in 1477. More than 40,000 students study in Uppsala every year, adding significantly to the population of Sweden’s fourth-largest city. It’s a walkable, picturesque place with a relaxed yet dynamic vibe and plenty of attractions for a day trip or a longer stay.

Uppsala’s skyline is dominated by the city’s medieval cathedral and 16th-century castle, west of Fyrisån, the river that divides the town. Many of the university’s buildings are located in the same area, including the university administration building, the botanical garden, and the main library, Carolina Rediviva.

Uppsala was an important site long before the arrival of the university, with a history as a religious centre going back more than 1,500 years. Several runestones brought from their original locations in the region stand outside the cathedral, with additional stones in nearby University Park.

Relaxed and unpretentious, Hambergs Fisk serves up fresh, flavorful seafood in a casual, snug riverside restaurant that doubles as a fishmonger’s. Quality wines and an excellent dessert and cheese selection round out the experience. Reservations are recommended.  

Housed in Uppsala’s old train station, Stationen is a three-part venue, housing a brasserie (Paris), a café (Rome), and a bar (London). Specialising in gin, London also serves pub food, weekend afternoon tea, champagne and other drinks. In the evenings there’s sometimes a DJ or live music. Stationen also has a large outdoor seating area during summer.

The oldest university building in Sweden, Gustavianum (temporarily closed) is now a fascinating museum housing archaeological artefacts from the Viking era and ancient Egypt, as well as art, ancient coins, and other objects relating to the university’s history and the history of science. At the top of the building is the Anatomical Theatre, built in the 17th century and formerly used for public dissections. Closed Mondays.

In the heart of historic Uppsala, Hotel Villa Anna is a small boutique hotel with 11 rooms, housed in a lovely 19th-century building close to Uppsala Cathedral, Museum Gustavianum, and other attractions. The breakfast buffet has hot and cold items, with many ingredients sourced from local farms. 

If you only do one thing...

Visit Uppsala Cathedral. As long as it is tall, this red-brick structure with soaring spires is the largest church in Scandinavia. Built between 1270 and 1435, it’s the seat of Sweden’s only archbishop, the head of the national church. Numerous important historical figures are buried here, including Sweden’s most famous king, Gustav Vasa, and his second son, Johan III, as well as Carl Linnaeus and other notable figures. The cathedral also houses the shrine to Sweden’s patron saint, Erik IX.

2.  Sigtuna

Founded around the year 980, Sigtuna is Sweden’s oldest town. Rich in history and archaeological treasures, it’s a picturesque place on an arm of Lake Mälaren, Sweden’s third-largest lake. Just an hour north-west of Stockholm by commuter rail and bus, it’s also reachable by Strömma excursion boat during the peak summer season.

Sigtuna’s attractions are diverse, ranging from runestones and medieval church ruins to a quaint pedestrian downtown and a lovely lakeside promenade. If you’re interested in Swedish history, it’s a place not to be missed, but either way, it’s a charming destination for an escape from the Stockholm bustle.

One of Sigtuna’s most famous institutions, the beloved Tant Bruns Kaffestuga occupies an old wooden house from the 17th century, believed to be the oldest surviving building in the town. The café itself has a long tradition of serving freshly baked bread, pastries and sandwiches, with outdoor seating in the garden. 

Open every night except Mondays, Båthuset Krog och Bar is a floating restaurant and bar near Sigtuna harbour. The drinks menu includes an extensive wine list and a decent selection of beers, as well as cider and non-alcoholic options. The water views are gorgeous from the inside, but in the summer you can get even closer to the lake with outdoor seating on the deck. 

At the main square, off Stora Gatan, check out Sigtuna’s adorably tiny town hall, which dates back to 1744. The interior is open to visitors only from June through August, but it’s worth a look from the outside at any time of year. According to tradition, the key to the town hall used to hang on a hook behind one of the window shutters, and locals who’d been out a bit too late – or perhaps wanted to sober up a bit – would often let themselves in and spend the night rather than heading home immediately.

1909 Sigtuna Stadshotell has one of the best locations in town – in the heart of the historic centre and just a few steps from Lake Mälaren. Decorated in classical Scandinavian style, it’s Sweden’s smallest five-star hotel, with just 26 rooms.

If you only do one thing... 

Don’t miss Sigtuna’s medieval churches. In the downtown area, you’ll find three evocative ruined grey-stone churches built in the early 12th century. The most impressive of the three, St Olof and St Per (Peter), are well preserved, while the remains of St. Lars (Lawrence) are limited to a single tower. Next to St Olof is a very different type of medieval church, St Mary’s, built a century or so later and the first church in the region to be built in brick. Combining elements of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, it’s still in use after more than 750 years.

3.  Sandhamn

Sandhamn, on the outermost edge of the Stockholm Archipelago, began as an outpost for customs agents and ship captains in the late 17th century. It gradually evolved into a permanent settlement and has been a gathering spot for the sailing and yachting community for nearly a century.

About 120 people currently live on the island, but in the summer, the population swells with seasonal residents and short-term visitors, and a lively party atmosphere takes over. Visit during the high season if your aim is to experience the island at its most hopping. If you prefer peace and quiet, opt for the shoulder seasons, when the summer crowds have departed, and the pace slows down substantially.

Sandhamn is an hour by passenger ferry from Stavsnäs, reachable by direct bus from downtown Stockholm (one hour). From April to early November, boats run directly from the city centre (two hours). There is also a summer excursion boat that takes a slower route through the scenic Strömma Canal (three hours). 

The oldest restaurant on the island, Sandhamns Värdshus has a long history – well over 300 years – of serving locals and visitors alike. Just by the main harbour, the inn has a restaurant with large windows on the upper level, a more casual pub on the lower level, and outdoor dining during summer. Daily specials and à la carte classics are served in all seasons, though hours vary, so check the website if visiting at a less busy time.

You won’t find much in the way of watering holes in Sandhamn during the offseason, but if you’re visiting between May and September, pop into laidback Dykarbaren for drinks and/or a meal with a view of the harbour. There’s seating by the bar and upstairs, as well as an outdoor area when the weather permits. Opening hours vary, so check the website.

Sandhamn is known for its white-sand beaches, the largest of which is at Trouville, a 20-minute walk from the harbour. In warm weather, it is a great spot for a swim. The water stays shallow quite far out, making it a good place for families with children. There are also smaller beaches at Fläskberget, on the western edge of the village, and Skärkarlshamn, five minutes’ walk from the harbour, past the yacht club. The island interior, which is less than two miles long and just under a mile wide, is covered in pine forest. Several paths wind their way through it.

Although Sandhamn has a couple of conference hotels open for individual bookings during summer, for accommodation at any time of year, your best bet is Missionshuset, a bed-and-breakfast run by Sandhamns Värdshus. It has five rooms with a shared bath and a freestanding cottage with en-suite facilities. In autumn and winter, additional rooms are available in a separate house in the village, along with a private apartment for up to four guests.

Explore the village away from the harbour. Sandhamn is completely car-free, making it a delight to wander its narrow lanes with typical archipelago houses made of wood, many of them painted the traditional dark red with white trim. From the high point west of the harbour, there are good views of the whole village and the sea.

4.  Vaxholm

Vaxholm began as a defensive outpost of Stockholm in the 16th century but received its town charter in 1647. During the 19th century, it became a popular weekend and summer getaway for Stockholmers, which it remains today. Known as the capital of the archipelago, Vaxholm is easily accessible from the city by both road and passenger ferry.

Although Vaxholm has few large-scale sights, it’s an enchanting place to walk around, with small streets lined with pastel-hued houses with decorative touches and quaint fences. Most date from the turn of the 20th century. The town centre has shops selling homeware, baked goods, sweets, clothing and groceries.

Open year-round, Hamnkrogen is perched on the waterfront opposite the guest harbour. In addition to daily lunch specials, the restaurant serves a regular menu that includes fish, meat, burgers and vegan options. In summer, Hamnkrogen also has an outdoor restaurant, Kobben, and a popular champagne bar right on the pier with light food items such as smoked shrimp and local cheeses.

During the off-season, your best bet for a drink is one of the few year-round restaurants, such as the dining room at Waxholms Hotell on the pier. In summer, the hotel opens up Lilla Strand, a bistro bar with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a good spot to enjoy a drink while watching the passenger ferries and sailboats come and go.

Vaxholm’s main tourist attraction is the imposing fortress just offshore. Known as Kastellet, it is a mid-19th-century structure that replaced an earlier fortress built during the mid-16th century to protect Stockholm from invasion. It’s well worth visiting and easily reachable by a short cable ferry from Vaxholm. Climb the 134 steps for outstanding views, explore the cellar vaults once used to house criminals and political prisoners, and visit the Fortress Museum tracing 500 years of military defence of the archipelago. 

For an unusual night, book a room in the former artillery barracks at the fortress, now converted into guestrooms of the Kastellet Bed & Breakfast, many with sea views. Bathroom facilities are shared, and breakfast is included. If you book your room through the inn’s website, the cable ferry (four times per hour, May through September) is included. Regular ferries (not included) run all year, and taxi boats are also available.

Arrive by boat. A cruise from Stockholm to Vaxholm is the best way to get a sense of the archipelago and Vaxholm’s place within it. Strömma’s Cinderella boats operate from Strandvägen in Stockholm from mid-April to early November and take 50 minutes. Waxholmsbolaget’s passenger ferries run from Strömkajen near Grand Hotel and take just under an hour and a half.

5.  Mariefred

A small town on the southern shore of Lake Mälaren, Mariefred is easily reachable from Stockholm if you catch a train to Läggesta, followed by a short bus ride. During summer, a scenic alternative is to travel between Stockholm and Mariefred by sea aboard the historic steamship SS Mariefred, which has been plying this route since 1903.

Mariefred is best known for Gripsholm Castle, one of Sweden’s most imposing Renaissance structures, built by King Gustav Vasa in 1537 on the site of an earlier 14th-century castle. The town itself is charming, with many well-preserved 18th and 19th-century buildings, plus excellent shops and cafés. It’s a relaxing place to spend the day, particularly in summer, when the town bustles with life and restaurants spill onto the pavements and pier.

Midway between Gripsholm Castle and downtown Mariefred lies Slottspaviljongen (the Castle Pavilion). With large windows and both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a pleasant venue set in a park close to the waterfront and the railway station. Order at the counter, grab a table and wait for your food to arrive. Check the website for current opening hours, as they may be reduced during slower periods of the year.

If you’re looking for bars, Mariefred is not the place for you. In this small town, you’ll either have to order alcoholic drinks at a restaurant or pick something up at Systembolaget, the state liquor store on Storgatan. But why not opt for a coffee instead? You’re sure to find something tasty at Två Goda Ting (Two Delicious Things), a café/shop specialising in coffee and chocolate that also sells tea, liquorice and other moreish goods. 

Take a steam train ride through the countryside: Mariefred’s distinctive yellow railway station is the starting point for rides on a steam train with engines and carriages dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From May to September, the train travels between Mariefred, Läggesta station and Taxinge-Näsby. Mariefred station has an exhibit on railway history.

Billed as Sweden’s oldest inn, Gripsholms Värdshus dates from 1609 and occupies the site of a former Carthusian monastery, Pax Mariae, that gave Mariefred its name (Mary’s Peace). Ideally located along the waterfront opposite Gripsholm Castle, the inn has a variety of traditionally decorated rooms, as well as a restaurant, bar and spa.

If you only do one thing...  

Visit Gripsholm Castle. Founded by King Gustav Vasa in 1537, the castle’s located on a small peninsula opposite downtown Mariefred, a short walk from the town centre. As you approach the main gate, don’t miss the runestones along the path, brought to Gripsholm from their original locations nearby. Highlights inside the castle include the Swedish national portrait collection, along with Duke Karl’s chamber from the 16th century and Gustav III’s theatre from the 18th.

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THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Sweden

Day trips from sweden.

• Sweden to Sigtuna
• Sweden to Stockholm
• Sweden to Malmö
• Sweden to Helsingoer
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Viking History and Swedish Countryside Tour to Sigtuna & Uppsala

2. Private Full Day Viking History Tour from Stockholm Including Sigtuna and Uppsala

3. Viking History Small Group Tour from Stockholm: Half Day Including Sigtuna

4. Private Stockholm City Tour by VIP car Vasa and Skansen museum

5. Private Half Day Tour: Viking History Trip from Stockholm Including Sigtuna

6. Private Sigtuna Tour from Stockholm - Oldest Town of Sweden

7. Private Roadbike Adventure in Stockholm

8. Private Shopping Tour from Stockholm hotels to Stockholm Outlet

9. Private Day Tour to Uppsala - Uppsala Cathedral, Viking Burials and countryside

10. Drottningholm and Gripsholm Castle PRIVATE Guide Half Day Tour

11. Half-Day Tour to Abisko From Kiruna: Morning hike

12. Private Tour: Swedish Church History Half-Day Tour from Stockholm

13. Private Tour: Swedish History Day Trip to World Heritage Candidate Markim-Orkesta from Stockholm

14. Private Full Day Malmö and Lund Tour from Copenhagen

15. Private Shopping Tour from Stockholm to Stockholm Quality Outlet

16. Copenhagen to Sweden Private Day Trip

17. Gothenburg : Private Walking Tour with A Guide (Private tour)

18. Private Shopping Tour from Gothenburg to Hede Fashion Outlet

19. Copenhagen private Day Trip to Malmo Old Town and Castle

20. ROYAL Castle Skokloster and Viking Sigtuna PRIVATE Tour

21. Trollsjön Guided Day Tour

22. Private Transfer From Copenhagen to Gothenburg With a 2 Hour Stop

23. Stockholm: Private Walking Tour with A Local Guide (Private Tour)

24. Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Copenhagen With a 2 Hour Stop

25. Private Uppsala & Sigtuna Half Day Tour

26. ROYAL Uppsala and VIKING Sigtuna PRIVATE Tour

27. Private Aurora Borealis Tour Kiruna Abisko with Street Food

28. ROYAL Castle Tour Gripsholm and Drottningholm PRIVATE

29. Voyage of the Vikings: Guided Exploration Through Sweden's Past

30. Guided nature and history experience 8h, Biskops-Arnö and Sigtuna from Stockholm

What travelers are saying.

THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Stockholm

Day trips from stockholm.

• Stockholm to Sigtuna
• Stockholm to Uppsala
• Stockholm to Vallentuna
• Stockholm to Jarfalla
• Stockholm to Haninge
• Stockholm to Mariefred
• Stockholm to Balsta
• Stockholm to Drottningholm
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Stockholm Top attractions all-inclusive Gran Tour

2. 1-Day Small-Group Stockholm Archipelago Kayak Tour

3. Viking History and Swedish Countryside Tour to Sigtuna & Uppsala

4. Full Day Viking Tour with Fika Swedish Coffee Break

5. Private Full Day Viking History Tour from Stockholm Including Sigtuna and Uppsala

6. Viking History Small Group Tour from Stockholm: Half Day Including Sigtuna

7. Day-Trip- to-Uppsala

8. Private Stockholm City Tour by VIP car Vasa and Skansen museum

9. Private Half Day Tour: Viking History Trip from Stockholm Including Sigtuna

10. 1-Day Small-Group Stockholm Nature Summer Hiking

11. Private Shopping Tour from Stockholm to Stockholm Quality Outlet

12. Evening Wildlife Safari Stockholm

13. 1-Day Small-Group Stockholm Nature Winter Hiking

14. Midnight sun and Campfire - Forest evening hike outside Stockholm

15. Private Sigtuna Tour from Stockholm - Oldest Town of Sweden

16. Private Roadbike Adventure in Stockholm

17. Eco Bike Tour of Stockholm Old Town, Djurgarden, Nature

18. Private Day Tour to Uppsala - Uppsala Cathedral, Viking Burials and countryside

19. Drottningholm and Gripsholm Castle PRIVATE Guide Half Day Tour

20. Mountain Biking Small-Group in Stockholm Forests for Beginners

21. Private Tour: Swedish Church History Half-Day Tour from Stockholm

22. Private Tour: Swedish History Day Trip to World Heritage Candidate Markim-Orkesta from Stockholm

23. Stockholm Hidden Gem Tours by Locals: 100% Personalized & Private

24. Skip-the-line Drottningholm Palace Stockholm Tour by Ferry

25. ROYAL Castle Skokloster and Viking Sigtuna PRIVATE Tour

26. Djurgården Walking Tour, Skansen and Vasa Museum Stockholm

27. The-Best-Of-Stockholm

28. Private Shopping Tour from Stockholm hotels to Stockholm Outlet

29. Mountain Biking in Stockholm Forests for Experienced Riders

30. Stockholm: Private Walking Tour with A Local Guide (Private Tour)

What travellers are saying.

• 1-Day Small-Group Stockholm Archipelago Kayak Tour
• Stockholm Top attractions all-inclusive Gran Tour
• Viking History Small Group Tour from Stockholm: Half Day Including Sigtuna
• Full Day Viking Tour with Fika Swedish Coffee Break
• Viking History and Swedish Countryside Tour to Sigtuna & Uppsala
• Stoccolma con Mary - visite guidate
• Stockholm Nature Activities
• Philips Stockholm Tours
• Stockholm By Me - Unique walking tours
• Leopold the Private Tour Guide - Private Tours
• Stockholm Boat Tours

Touropia Travel Experts

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8 Best Day Trips from Stockholm

As the capital of Sweden and the largest city in the country, Stockholm is a must-see destination. While you’re in Stockholm , you can visit plenty of great museums to learn all about the city’s culture, history and art. You can also take boat tours to view the city from its canals, or you can check out the rides and fun at Gröna Lund, a bustling amusement park.

There is plenty to see and do in here, but setting off on a few day trips from Stockholm like the ones outlined below will only add enjoyment to your Swedish getaway.

Map of day trips from Stockholm

The small, rural island of Grinda is definitely a serious contrast from the big city atmosphere. Part of its charm is that you can’t get there by car. The biggest attraction on Grinda is the Wärdshus, a large stone building from the 20th century that now offers everything from accommodation to dining. You can walk across Grinda in under 20 minutes, making it safe and suitable for families.

Getting to Grinda

• Located to the east of the capital in the Stockholm Archipelago, Grinda is best accessed by a combination of bus and ferry. It takes from one and a half to two hours to get there, depending on whether the connection goes smoothly. One option is to take the 438 bus from Slussen in the south of the capital and take a 15-minute ferry ride from Boda brygga to Grinda.
• An alternative route is to take the 670 bus from Stockholm East Station to Vaxholm Soderhamnsplan, where you then take a ferry to Grinda. While this option is longer, it does mean that you get to take an hour-long scenic boat ride through a beautiful part of Sweden.

7. Skokloster Castle

About 65 km (40 miles) north of Stockholm is Skokloster Castle. Built in the middle of the 17th century, this castle was the project of the very wealthy Count Carl Gustaf Wrangel. Skokloster Castle is Baroque in design, and a surprising amount of the interior is still in remarkable condition.

On your visit, take a peek in the Unfinished Hall, which lets you see a genuine 17th century construction site for the hall that was never completed. Beyond just the architecture, the castle is packed with 17th century art and furnishings. You can admire the library, the Baroque paintings and even the extensive weapons collection on display.

Getting to Skokloster Castle

• In general, it takes about an hour to get to Skokloster Castle by public transport, although you will have to make one change on the way. From Stockholm central station, you can take a train heading northwest and get off at Balsta station 30 minutes later. Here, you want to get on the 311 bus taking you directly to Skokloster where you can hardly fail to find the castle.
• A more convenient way to visit the castle is to drive there, although the journey will again take around an hour. Once you’ve got out of the center of the capital, take the E4 heading north and follow it until exit 180, when you hop on the 263. Shortly after passing the ancient city of Sigtuna, you’ll see signs directing you to Skokloster Castle. There is a lot to see in the surrounding countryside, so it is well worth combining your visit to the castle with a stop at nearby Sigtuna.

6. Mariefred

An hour west of Stockholm is Mariefred, a small town within the Södermanland Province. The town was established around a Carthusian monastery called Pax Marie, but that was destroyed in the 16th century. Many of the bricks, however, were used in the construction of the Gripsholm Castle. The castle is from the 16th century, and it is a major attraction in the region.

As you tour Gripsholm Castle, be on the lookout for the official Swedish portrait collection, the enormous stuffed lion and the complete 18th century theater. While the monastery is long gone, Mariefred is still home to a small 12th century church called Kärnbo.

Getting to Mariefred

• To get to Mariefred from Stockholm by public transport is pretty simple. It should only take you around an hour, and on the way, you’ll pass through some lovely woodland scenery. From Stockholm central station, hop on a train heading west and alight at Laggesta station. This stretch of the journey should take 40 minutes and trains depart very frequently. From here, it is only a ten-minute bus ride to Mariefred. Once you arrive, you’ll find everything within walking distance.
• If you rent a car, driving to Mariefred is just as easy, although you will have to pay a toll to use the road. Simply head south out of the capital and hop on the E20 heading west. Take exit 139, and in a few minutes, you’ll find yourself at the charming waterfront town.

Vaxholm is part of the greater Stockholm Archipelago, a collection of thousands of islands that are easily accessible from the Swedish capital. Vaxholm is just a 30-minute drive from Stockholm, or a short ferry ride. The small town of Vaxholm is perfectly preserved in the style of the 19th century, and there are lots of wooden homes in traditional, pastel colors.

One of the top attractions in the town is the Vaxholm Fortress, which was built in the 16th century to defend against pirates. Today, you can tour the fortress and its exhibits, which form the Swedish National Museum of Coastal Defence.

Getting to Vaxholm

• There are a couple of ways to get to the picturesque town of Vaxholm from the center of Stockholm. In general, it should take no time at all, as it is one of the nearer islands of the Stockholm Archipelago. One option is to take the 670 bus, which will take you directly there. This departs from Stockholm East Station, taking around 35 minutes to reach Vaxholm.
• Another option is to take a ferry from Stromkajen in the city center to Vaxholm; the journey usually takes around 45 minutes. It is particularly worthwhile taking the ferry back to Stockholm from Vaxholm, as the city looks spectacular with the sun setting over the water.

4. Sandhamn

In the far eastern portion of the Stockholm Archipelago is Sandhamn, which translates to Sand Harbor in English. The town of Sandhamn has become a popular resort destination for Swedes as well as international travelers.

Historically a sea pilot station, Sandhamn is now a destination for those in search of fun. When you arrive, you can rent a bike or even a kayak to see the town from on the go. In the summer, bring along your bathing suit for a swim in the water off the pebble beaches.

Getting to Sandhamn

• Sandhamn is best visited using public transport. You can either take a lovely ferry ride part way or all the way. From Strandvagen in Stockholm, the ferry ride takes two hours and 15 minutes to Sandhamn. It’s a relaxing way to travel, and because you pass by some perfect picturesque scenery, a very pleasant journey. The other alternative is to take the 433 bus to Stavsnas vinterhamm; this should take around 50 minutes. After that, Sandhamn is an hour and 15-minute ferry ride away.

3. Drottningholm Palace

Drottningholm Palace is located just a few miles east of Stockholm, putting it in a convenient spot for a quick day trip outside the city. The palace, built in the 18th century, is situated on Lovö island in Lake Mälaren. Although the architecture is fascinating, the real appeal of the palace is that it is home to the Swedish Royal Family.

Unlike many royal residences, parts of the palace is open to the public. Guided tours are offered every half hour in Swedish and English, and you’ll want to be on the lookout for spaces like the 18th century Chinese Pavilion and the gorgeous English gardens.

Getting to Drottningholm

• By public transport it should only take you half-an-hour to get there. Just hop on metro line 17 and get off at Brommaplan. From here, you can either take a five-minute bus or taxi ride to the palace. Bus lines 176 and 323 both depart very frequently from the station.
• Another option for visiting the palace is to combine it with a half-day sightseeing tour of Stockholm. As well as seeing many of the capital’s most prominent landmarks – such as Gamla Stan, Stockholm City Hall, and the Royal Palace – your guide will take you around Drottningholm Palace, explaining the history and architecture of the place as you go.

The very first capital of Sweden was Sigtuna, located north of Stockholm. When pirates attacked Sigtuna in the 12th century, the capital was relocated. However, Sigtuna is still a remarkable destination and a great day trip spot from the current capital.

As the oldest city in Sweden, Sigtuna boasts a number of historic and even ancient attractions. You can spot artifacts like runestones that date from the Viking Age as well as the ruins of St. Olof’s Church. Of particular interest is the Mariakyrkan, or St. Mary’s Church, a Brick Gothic building that is likely the oldest church in all of Sweden.

Getting to Sigtuna

• Although you will need to take a train and then a bus to get to Sigtuna from Stockholm, the journey is quite simple and should only take you around an hour from the city center, depending on connections. Hop on a train from the central station and alight at Marsta station around 20 minutes later. From here, you then want to take bus 575 to Sigtuna; this again should only take about 20 minutes. Both the train and bus service run quite regularly.
• By car, Sigtuna is a 40-minute drive away, and you can combine your visit to the town with a trip to nearby Uppsala or Skokloster Castle. Hop on the E4 motorway heading north from Stockholm and take exit 180. You then want to follow the 263 all the way to Sigtuna.
• If you’re interested in history, it is well worth taking a Viking tour of Sigtuna. As well as visiting the town’s ancient sights, your guide will also take you to see the impressive Vada burial mounds and Vallentuna Church, which was built in 1190. Throughout the tour, your guide will regale you with myths and legends of times gone by and teach you about the Viking history and culture – a fascinating glimpse into a past you’ve only seen in movies.

Head 70 km (45 miles) north of Stockholm to Uppsala in order to see a thriving, youthful university city with a tremendous amount of history. The 15th century Uppsala University is the oldest university in Scandinavia, and it is a major attraction in the city .

Also of interest is the Uppsala Cathedral, the largest church in Scandinavia, the seat of the Church of Sweden and a dominating presence in the city, thanks to its impressive spires.

About 5 km north of Uppsala lies Gamla Uppsala (Old Uppsala). This was one of the most important pre-Viking sites in Scandinavia, hosting regular sacrifical rites and the fiery burials of royalty. There is an old church and the open-air museum Disagården with old Swedish houses.

Getting to Uppsala

• From the capital, it is very easy to visit Uppsala; direct trains frequently run between the two cities. From Stockholm central station, the journey takes about 40 minutes. When you arrive, you’ll find yourself within walking distance of all the main sights.
• It actually takes a bit longer to drive to Uppsala from Stockholm, but this does then mean you can visit some other wonderful sights on the way back to the city. If you take the toll roads, the journey takes an hour. It couldn’t be simpler; you just need to stay on the E4 which will bring you all the way there. After exploring Uppsala, it is well worth stopping by the former capital of Sigtuna on the drive back – or even Skokloster Castle if you have enough time.
• For visitors interested in learning more about Sweden’s fascinating history and Viking past, a guided tour is recommended, as this takes you to both Uppsala and Sigtuna. Both places have some fantastic Viking sites for you to explore. With your knowledgeable guide on hand, you’ll certainly come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the country’s Viking heritage.

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July 2, 2018 at 2:29 am

When I was in Stockholm, we joined a Stockholm Archipelago tour with a private boat. Since this tour is organized by the owner of the boat, it was pretty affordable compared to other alternatives. We also had a chance to meet another couple on the tour which was pretty nice.

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Coming soon, subscribe here to be the first to know when we launch this, 11 day trips from stockholm, sweden: from nordic islands to viking villages.

Here is our top pick for day trips that you can take from the capital of Sweden.

When it comes to travelling in Sweden, Stockholm is a good first step for planning out your adventures. One of the aspects that makes Stockholm such a great hub for day trips is that it is set on an archipelago with nearly 30,000 different islands and inlets. A good portion of these are uninhabited but also have thriving communities and historical sites that are worth visiting. Its location in Europe also makes it easily reachable to other cities, like Helsinki, the capital of Finland. There are many different choices to pick from for short excursions, but here is our pick for the absolute must-visit destinations which are easily reachable from Stockholm. 

The first stop we would recommend worth checking out is the city of Uppsala . Founded in the 15th century, this location is the fourth largest city in Sweden and is known for its university, as well as its museums. Have a walk through the hallowed halls that many students study in, and visit the nearby castle and botanical gardens. After walking through the city and visiting the different attractions - ideally finishing at the Gamla Uppsala Museum - go down to the cathedral and then follow the Pilgrim’s Walk, which is a six-kilometre trail that leads you to the Viking burial mounds in Old Uppsala.

Though Uppsala is a picturesque location to visit year-round, one of the best times to visit is the Valborg celebration, or Walpurgis Eve in English. While this is an event that is celebrated throughout many European countries, Uppsala has a unique way of celebrating, with people constructing floats weeks beforehand and then racing them down the Fyris River. Each float has a different theme, whether it be a speeder from Star Wars or a local student society promoting their club. The only thing stopping participants is their imagination!

Where to Stay

Budget - Foundry Hotel Apartments

This hotel offers apartments which are suitable for solo travellers and families with cheap options, the building itself is just a short walk away from the city park in Uppsala.

Mid-Range - Grand Hotell Hörnan ‍

Set in an early 20th-century building, this hotel is right in the middle of Uppsala, and is a stone’s throw away from the station. Some of these rooms have a private balcony which offers beautiful views of the city.

Luxury - Elite Hotel Academia

The deluxe rooms at this hotel offer the most comfort of any hotel in Uppsala, with a gym, sauna, and minibar in each room as well as a rooftop bar.

Drottningholm Palace

On the eastern outskirts of Stockholm, is one of Sweden’s best-preserved castles. Built in the 15th century, Drottningholm Palace is a medieval landmark of the country’s past, constructed in the architectural style typical of European castles during this period. A UNESCO world heritage site, most of the palace and surrounding gardens are open to the public. That is, except for the southern wing. These rooms are still used as living quarters for the king and queen of Sweden.

You’ll need a couple of hours at least here, not just to investigate the palace’s interior but also the stunning surrounding gardens, which are split into three sections. There’s the Baroque Garden, the closest one to the palace, lined with box hedges, the Chinese Pavilion to the south is a diversion from the baroque style that some of the grounds are styled in, and then the most modern section to the north is the English gardens. Entrance is ticketed, but with the Go-City pass , you can visit the Palace as well as 45 other attractions within Stockholm and the nearby area, including other locations on our itinerary.

Budget - ApartDirect Sundbyberg

Located in between the Drottningholm Palace and Stockholm, the basement apartments at this complex offer a cheap but pleasant stay just North of the capital city.

Mid-Range - Biz Apartment Bromma

Closer to Drottningholm Palace than Sundbyberg, these comfortable apartments are not only within walking distance of this attraction but also Bromma Stockholm airport.

Luxury - Best Western Plus Grow Hotel ‍

Though this accommodation is the furthest away from Drottningholm Palace, it provides the most pleasant stay, with a fitness centre, sauna, parking access, airport shuttles and room-service

Outside of Stockholm, closer to Arlanda Airport, is one of Sweden’s oldest settlements. Sigtuna was established by King Erik the Victorious in the tenth century, and though Stockholm is the modern capital of the country, Sigtuna was once the seat of power in Sweden. Much of this town represents a significant landmark in Sweden’s history, lined with traditional wooden houses and old streets. While Stora Gatan may be reminiscent of many other streets within historical districts throughout the country, it is actually the oldest in Sweden. 

There is plenty to do in the town and its surrounding area. St Mary’s Church sits in the town centre, but there are also the nearby ruins of St. Olaf’s church, St. Lawrence’s and St. Peter’s. After you’re done exploring, you can sit down at one of Sigtuna’s coffee shops and enjoy some fika, ideally one with a view of the nearby Lake Mälaren. Depending on the season, go out on the lake for a spot of kayaking or ice skating!

Budget - Hotell Kristina

One of the cheapest places to stay in Sigtuna is the single room at this family-owned hotel, but cheap doesn’t mean bad, as breakfast is included in the price, and you get free parking as well.

Mid-Range - 1909 Sigtuna Stads Hotell

Built in 1909, this hotel offers a lovely stay in the centre of this historic town, with the double room offering a view of the beach and the hotel restaurant being in the top 20 of those throughout Sweden.

Luxury - Sigtunastiftelsen Hotell & Konferens

Also built at the start of the 1900s, this hotel has provides plenty of creature comforts, including free parking, traditional Swedish cuisine, as well as views of the lake and sea.

Our next stop is another UNESCO world heritage site on the island of Björkö (translating into Birch Island) to the west of Stockholm. In Sweden’s history, the settlement of Birka was a trading outpost during the time of the Vikings, first established in 750 AD and abandoned around the same time that Sigtuna became a town. Nowadays, it is a must-visit destination to learn about Sweden’s origins as a nation.

There are many events that run throughout the year, obviously with Viking and archaeological theming. If you want a souvenir of a different kind, this location plays host to the Birka Historical Tattoo Fest, where historical, Nordic, Celtic, and Baltic tattoo artists come together every year, turning Birka into a trading centre but of a different kind to when it was first founded. There aren’t any places to stay on the island of Björkö itself. However, it is easy to reach by boat from Stockholm.

Vaxholm Fortress

Any settlement constructed by a body of water needs to have defences against any shipborne threats, and this is especially the case for Sweden. Due to its geography, ship fleets are one of the most likely way for Stockholm to be threatened. One of the fortresses to be built for the purpose of protecting Stockholm is Vaxholm Fortress . Connected to the town of Vaxholm by the electric-powered Kastellet ferry, which is about an hour away by bus from Stockholm, the history of this fortress starts in the 16th century.

After many changes, the current fortress now stands as the largest museum within the Stockholm archipelago, housing artefacts from Sweden’s military history, as well as some period furnishings. Its opening times are varied, so have a look at their website and keep an eye on the dates before you visit.

Budget - Bogesund Slottsvandrarhem, Vaxholm

If you decide to skip out on public transport and drive to Vaxholm, this location is ideal. With free parking and family rooms, this accommodation is just the place to stay for a venture to Vaxholm.

Mid Range - Biz Apartment Gärdet, Stockholm

On the outskirts of Stockholm, these apartments are a good halfway point between Vaxholm and the capital and include parking should you decide to drive out to Vaxholm fortress. 

Luxury - Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Stockholm

If you’re going to stay in Stockholm, you might as well do it in style at the local Raddison Blu Hotel. This also offers parking, with a few additional comforts. 

Another lovely spot for would-be boaters and the setting for Viveca Sten’s Sandhamn Murder series, Sandhamn is one of the outermost islands within the Stockholm archipelago and a great spot to visit. Less than a hundred people live here year-round, and it’s only reachable by ferry With white sandy beaches as well as the rocky shores, which are a trademark of these islands, it’s no wonder the high season here is when the temperatures start rising. 

Though best visited in the summer season, it is also worth checking out when the tourists aren’t around, when this town reverts to a more relaxed state. If you’re looking for a place to eat, check out Sandhamns Värdshus, which has been trading for a very long time. Whether you want a bustling summer day or an adventure in winter, Sandhamn is an ideal day excursion. Check out their website for things to do while visiting.

Mid-Range - Missionshuset Bed & Breakfast

Stay in a traditional Swedish cottage at a reasonable price. Though it’s shared accommodation, you can usually have the place to yourself in the off season. 

Luxury - Sandhamn Seglarhotell

As well as providing a quality stay on Sandhamn, this hotel additionally offers a fitness centre, hot tub and sauna to make your stay that much more enjoyable.

There are many places on Lake Mälaren, and the town of Marefred , along with the towering Gripsholm Castle, is one of them. This town is an idyllic place to enjoy some time off, even among local Swedes - the actor Dolph Lundgren has a summer home here. From here, you can travel to other locations on the lake aboard the steamer Mariefred, including the previously mentioned Birka. 

Another attraction worth checking out from here if you have a particularly sweet tooth is doing the Cake tour at the nearby Taxinge Castle , where you can sample around 60 different kinds of cake! Alternatively, you can do the same trip overland on the historic steam train, or vary it up and do both.

Budget - Almnäs Park Hotel, Södertälje

A lot of the accommodation in Mariefred is closer to the mid-range or luxury price mark, so even though this is a bit of a drive away, this hotel is ideal if you wish to travel on a budget.

Mid Range - Röda Magasinet, Mariefred

This 19th-century guest house is the perfect place to act as a base in Mariefred. As well as offering you a place to stay, they offer you free bicycles during your stay and have free parking if you’re travelling by car.

Luxury - Östa Gård Boutique Bed and Breakfast, Stallarholmen

To the north of Mariefred, this bed and breakfast provides an excellent stay throughout your visit to the area, with free parking and family rooms.

Prepare for an early start and a potentially late finish with this destination because we are going south to Malmö . It’ll take five hours to reach Malmö from Stockholm, but it’ll be worth it to see this city on the south coast of Sweden. With architecture that ranges from that typical of Sweden’s medieval past to more contemporary buildings, Malmö is deserving of its own adventure if you have the time.

There are many attractions worth visiting within the city of Malmo, but one of the most iconic sites is the Øresund Bridge , which connects Sweden to Denmark via Copenhagen. It’s a symbol of the region, and has appeared throughout different media projects, including The Bridge, a crime thriller where Danish and Swedish police work together to investigate a murder that has occurred on the bridge.

Budget - HOTEL N Hostel Malmö City

One of the cheapest places to stay within Malmö, this accommodation is within walking distance of many of Malmö’s attractions and is a great way to meet fellow travellers in Sweden.

Mid Range - Best Western Hotel Royal

With breakfast included in the price and a nearby restaurant, this hotel is a perfect location to act as a hub for your travels throughout Malmö.

Luxury - UNITY Malmö

This modern hotel offers private apartments within Malmö city centre, with the superior studio being the height of luxury in this establishment.

As with Malmö, if you have the opportunity, more time is required to visit the island of Gotland . However, it is doable for a day trip and is easily reachable from Stockholm, with the quickest flights taking less than an hour and the average ferry crossings taking around three hours (Nynashamn to Visby). Gotland is the largest island in the Baltic Sea. Its main city, Visby, is a UNESCO world heritage site, with its city walls offering panoramic views of the surrounding sea.

Gotland also offers a snapshot of the geographical and cultural history of the island at the Gotlands Museum. There is something here for everybody, whether you want to see more historical reminders of the Vikings or enjoy more modern recreation in the art galleries. This is a great destination to visit year round, with blossoming colours in spring, major events and bustling business in the summer, autumn being described as the best season to visit by the locals and Christmas markets and tranquillity in winter.

Budget - Nissevikens Stugby, Havdem

If you want a quiet place to plan out the rest of your trip throughout Gotland, this renovated chalet is the perfect place to stay on a budget.

Mid Range - Teatergalleriet B&B, Stenkyrka

This bed and breakfast offers a quirky stay on the island, offering tents instead of rooms, with free parking and breakfast included in the price.

Luxury - Strandakar Hotell & Restaurang, Stånga

Though a trek away from Visby, the journey is worth it as this modern hotel will provide an extraordinary stay during your time in southern Gotland.

Saltsjöbaden

One of the many different communities worth visiting within the Stockholm archipelago is the town of Saltsjöbaden . Located to the southeast of Stockholm on the Baltic Sea coast, it’s about half an hour away on the Saltsjöbanan train line. 

An ideal location to visit in the summer, this is a town that takes things slower than Stockholm, with gorgeous beaches and a harbour where locals and tourists alike go out boating. You don’t need to take a packed lunch with you, as there are many different restaurants which you can pop into and sample the local cuisine - unless you’re planning to hike in the area. 

Budget - Notholmen, Tyresö

This accommodation is not in Saltsjöbaden, but in one of its neighbouring towns. If you’re travelling on a budget, this pet-friendly accommodation is an ideal place to stay.

Mid Range - House. 80m2, near Lake, with car charge, Sommarbo

A twenty-minute drive north of Saltsjöbaden, this property offers free parking and offers free bicycles too, if you cycle throughout the area.

Luxury - Vår Gård Saltsjöbaden, Saltsjöbaden

Finally, on Saltsjöbaden itself, this hotel offers private suites with all the comforts of luxurious living, including a private beach, a sauna and a gourmet restaurant.

Fjäderholmarna

Our final stop on this itinerary is actually the closest archipelago island to Stockholm city. Fjäderholmarna is actually made up of several smaller islands, with Fjäderholmarna being the main island. It used to be an area known for shipbuilding and naval activities, but now it is a great location for both domestic and international tourism. As with many of the different inhabited islands, there is a unique slice of Swedish culture to be experienced here, with major events taking place throughout the year and being the perfect escape from urban life.

There is loads to do here, from different artisanal craftsmen that create jewellery, glassware and ceramics, scenic walks along rocky coasts where you can go for a dip in the Baltic Sea, and even the first microbrewery in Stockholm's archipelago, Fjäderholmarnas Bryggeri. Here, people can sample locally brewed beer, and there is a restaurant on the property that sells traditional Swedish food, making it a perfect place to cater to your every whim. The islands are too small for any hotels, but they are close enough to Stockholm that you don’t have to worry about a place to stay.

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Are these the 15 BEST DAY TRIPS from Stockholm?

But with an archipelago of islands nearby, charming towns just a train ride away, and a surrounding countryside steeped in ancient history, there’s more to see outside of the city.

So we’ve put together a handy list of the best day trips from Stockholm, easy to reach destinations on the train, a few romantic day trips just for couples, plus several things to do with kids.

You’ll see that there really is something for everyone to do around this cool capital city.

Editor’s note – Check out our 15 best hostels in Stockholm and find a hostel that suits your style!

Quick Answer: Best Day Trips from Stockholm

• Day Trips from Stockholm by Train –  Uppsala
• Romantic Day Trips from Stockholm for Couples –  Sigtuna Village Oldest Town in Sweden Guided Tour
• Best Day Trips from Stockholm with Kids –  Stora Holmen

Best Places to Stay in Stockholm

Bunk up in one of the Swedish capital’s slick and stylish places to stay. After spending busy days exploring the city and making adventurous day trips, you’re going to want to return to a comfortable room and get a good night’s rest. Make sure you choose the best accommodation for your travel style.

• Best Hostel in Stockholm •

Skanstulls hostel.

• Great all-rounder of a hostel

Quirky and colourful throughout, this is the best hostel in Stockholm for so many reasons. There’s a good social area, a subway right across the street, loads of eateries and shops on the doorstep, they allow early check-in, it’s clean, it’s friendly… What more do you want?!

• Best Budget Hotel in Stockholm •

Wasa park hotel.

• Right near public transport

Unfussy but homely and cosy, this budget hotel in Stockholm is a great place to base yourself if you’re on a trip to the Swedish capital on a shoestring. It’s a guesthouse with kitsch decor, friendly staff and a great location – there’s even a free breakfast!

• Best Luxury Hotel in Stockholm •

• All about style

True to its name, this top luxury hotel in Stockholm is set in a bank building dating back from 1910. If that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, then how about the elegant restaurant, multiple bars, or the totally stylish decor throughout? Fans of design will absolutely love this historic, elegant place.

#1 Best Day Trip from Stockholm – Uppsala

Day trips from stockholm by train.

• Full of history  
• Beautiful botanic gardens
• Trendy Cafes

Just 40 minutes by train from the city, this is one of the quickest day trips from Stockholm you could do. The city of Uppsala is one of the oldest in Sweden and it shows: there’s a 530-year-old university here, the main building of which is now a museum.

More historic credentials of Uppsala lay at the Carolina Rediviva library, where you can catch a glimpse of the Silver Bible, dating back to the 6th century!

Elsewhere you can visit the city’s elaborate gothic cathedral, the 16th century Uppsala Castle as well as the Linnaean Gardens – the country’s oldest botanic gardens – for a stroll around the manicured grounds.

But alongside all its history, Uppsala’s student population gives it a dynamic edge. There are loads of cafes to try out for some lunch or a snack, a picturesque riverside for an afternoon stroll, and then it’s a quick train ride back to the Swedish capital.

How easy is that for one of the best day trips from Stockholm by train?

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#2 – Gothenburg

• Arty & creative
• Vintage trams
• Delicious food

A Swedish city with a cool edge, Gothenburg is a good option for a day trip from Stockholm . The city itself is quickly becoming a world-class destination, with a trendy arts scene evolving as well as some beautiful parks to stroll about – and just off the shore, there’s an archipelago of islands to explore.

Gothenburg is traditionally a shipbuilding city dating back to 1621. It’s easy to get around and see the sights thanks to its charming vintage tram system.

There’s also a fresh and vibrant student population, bringing new energy into the city – and a day trip here means soaking up all the creativity they imbue, as well as in the art galleries and museums; and shopping for cool Swedish design products.

A cool day trip from Stockholm by train, a visit to Gothenburg also involves hopping in and out of trendy cafes and trying out some of the delicious shellfish that this city is known for.

#3 – Skogskyrkogården

• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Natural scenery
• Architecture fans will love it

Leave the hustle and bustle of the city for an authentic Swedish experience at Skogskyrkogården. A perfect half day trip from Stockholm, this one isn’t extremely far from the city itself, but it’s well worth a visit.

Skogskyrkogården (meaning ‘woodland cemetery’) is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site and dates back to the early 1900s. Even though it’s not so far away, making the trip here means spending time among huge pine trees and the freshness of nature.

To get there you can simply take a ride on the capital’s subway system – making it a very easy day trip from Stockholm by train; you’ll be right in amongst the tranquillity of nature before you know it.

This place is renowned for its architecture – the designers, Asplund and Lewerentz, created the iconic Skogskyrkogården based on primitive architecture and medieval Nordic burial grounds, with pathways twisting through the woods, seeming to melt into the surrounding environment.

It’s also notable as the final resting place of Greta Garbo.

Looking for something different? Check out our guide to party hostels in Stockholm !

#4 – Västerås

• Easy day trip
• Loads of history

Even though many people fly to Västerås, it’s only located a hundred kilometres from Stockholm; plus the hour-long journey by train starts conveniently at Stockholm’s central station and runs directly to Västerås.

So on this easy day trip from Stockholm by train, you’ll get to wander around one of Sweden’s oldest cities, which also doubles up as a great space to explore nature.

Set on the scenic shores of Lake Malaren and with a cottage lined river that gently winds through the city centre, Västerås is a calm and cultural day trip from Stockholm – and a chance to refresh yourself outside of the big city.

As for history, Västerås Cathedral dates back to the 13th century and there are some interesting open-air museums to explore. The lesser touristed nature of the city means that you’ll really feel that you’re discovering an authentic slice of Sweden.

Though fairly large, Västerås has a lovely small town feel. However, the downtown area comes complete with skyscrapers – great for those who can’t get enough of cities!

Need to save money? Check out the cheapest hostels in Stockholm !

#5 – Mariefred

• Ride the steam train
• Old royal castle
• Pedal around on a bike

To reach the small town of Mariefred it’s pretty simple: just take the train from Stockholm to Läggesta, which takes only 45 minutes.

From there you have a decision to make: do you walk for three kilometres? Do you get the local bus? Or do you take the steam train into town? We think the steam train journey alone makes it one of the best day trips from Stockholm by train!

Once you’ve arrived in Mariefred you’ll be greeted by a quaint town that’s perfect for wandering around and enjoying its many interesting attractions. Make sure to take a trip to Gripsholm castle, belonging to the Swedish royal family and home to the National Portrait Gallery. The castle looks stunning from the town itself across the water.

You could even rent a bike and pedal further afield – or get the steam train again – to the nearby Taxinge Castle, famous for its cakes! But you should also make a stop in one of Mariefred’s many pretty cafes for a spot of lunch, too.

Staying Safe in Stockholm

While Stockholm is super safe, no matter where you are traveling, you NEED to have great travel insurance . We have personally tested TONS of travel insurance companies, and World Nomads is our favorite (and most affordable!).

Fill out the form below to get a quote so you can have a stress-free time traveling around Sweden!

#6 – Sigtuna Village

Romantic day trips from stockholm for couples.

• Charming streets
• Cool castle

Sigtuna Village is actually the oldest town in Sweden , founded over a thousand years ago, which alone makes it worth a visit.

Spend the day here on one of the best romantic day trips from Stockholm for couples by exploring the village itself and soaking up the history in its charming streets.

The small lanes are lined with very well preserved traditional wooden houses: some famous examples of the old buildings in town include the town hall, built before 1750. Sigtuna Village also includes some of the oldest stone churches in the country, dating back to before the 1100s.

After exploring the village, make a trip to Wenngarn Castle, said to be home to the best preserved Baroque chapel in the whole of Europe. Find out about the castle’s history and hear the tale of Count Magnus Gabriel De La Gardi. Then you can take a breath of fresh air in the carefully manicured palace garden.

Finally, walk around Viby Village with its red cabins – little has changed since the 1850s!

#7 – Fjaederholmarna

• Waterside wandering
• Stunning scenery
• Arty & Creative

Take a little trip out of the city to Stockholm’s closest island, Fjaederholmarna. Simply take a ferry from the city, which takes about 30 minutes, and you’ll soon be surrounded by stunning scenery and beautiful watersides on this lovely island.

Spend as much time as you like here – a couple of hours, or a whole day, relaxing in a tranquil natural setting.

The perfect time to visit is, of course, in summer when you can make the most of what Fjaederholmarna has to offer. You can take a walk along the cliffs, explore the beautiful woodlands for a breath of fresh air. Make sure to pop into the small workshops and shops to see craftspeople hard at work – here you can see glassblowing and pottery boutiques.

On this romantic day trip from Stockholm, after a tasty traditional lunch, the best thing to do is spend the afternoon lazing on the island beach and swimming in the water. Finally, when it’s time to return back to the city, round up your island break perfectly by picking yourself a tasty ice cream at the marina.

Need more info? Here’s a rundown of things to do in Stockholm  to fill your time there!

#8 – Nordic Skiing

• Snowy Adventure
• Natural Landscape

If you want to try out something new with your other half whilst on your city break then this romantic day trip from Stockholm for couples is a great idea. Not only do you get to experience the incredible natural landscapes and Sweden but you also get to try something completely new and a lot of fun. Get away from the city streets and spend your day in the snow travelling across country on skis.

Make sure to travel with a guide who will show you the way through the countryside as well as give you tips and instructions which is especially helpful for beginners.

After a while of sliding through the snow and snapping a load of pictures, you can stop for some well-deserved lunch among the wilds of nature.

Set off again with a stomachful of good food and enjoy the rest of your journey in the romantic setting and make amazing memories in the incredible snowy countryside.

Editor’s Recommendation – You should definitely check out our guide on the coolest places to visit in Sweden.

#9 – Snowshoe Hike

• Amazing frozen lakes
• Woodland trails

Go on an incredible adventure with your other half and enjoy this amazing, romantic day trip from Stockholm for couples as you delve into the snowy Swedish countryside. This is an exciting adventure and best done with a guide who will help you use snowshoes as well as to navigate the pathways through the snow-capped trees.

The trip is a special chance to spend a day in the wild landscape, meeting wild deer and taking in the stunning beauty of frozen lakes and all just a few minutes from the city boundaries.

The day trip is also the chance to learn more about the ecosystem of Sweden – your guide will be able to answer any questions you might have about the country’s wildlife.

After a few hours, you’ll get the chance to warm up around a campfire and enjoy a traditional hearty lunch before finishing up your snowshoe hike. Of course, there’ll be some great opportunities to snap some amazing pictures, too.

#10 – Stora Holmen

Day trips from stockholm with kids.

• Adventure playgrounds
• Quick train journey
• Miniature train

An island in the middle of the River Svartån, Stora Holmen is a haven for families with young children. So if you’re looking for the perfect day trip from Stockholm with kids, then this is definitely up there with the best.

Stora Holmen is located in Örebro, just a couple of hours by train (or by car) west of Stockholm. Örebro is a nice town in itself, but the island of Stora Holmen is a great family day trip from Stockholm because of just how family friendly it is.

Once popular for entertainment like fireworks in the 19th century, today the grassy isle is definitely a place to bring the kids. Stora Holmen boasts play parks, an adventure playground (complete with zip lines!) as well as a miniature train that takes visitors around the island – and that’s only a few of its attractions.

You can also row around the river itself in the summer months – a fun, relaxed way to spend the afternoon!

If you are traveling you should ALWAYS have emergency cash hidden on you! Security belts are great because they are affordable and can fit a ton of stuff in them (great for peace of mind!). Check out our favorite travel belt!

#11 – Learn about Viking Culture

• Full of history
• Mysterious old tales
• Educational

This one is such a fun and educational day trip from Stockholm with kids. This trip consists of making your way out of the city centre to the countryside of Uppland where you can go on a hunt for the remains of the Vikings.

You can enjoy the day out with your kids having fun in the outdoors as you come across interesting relics of Sweden’s heritage. Make a stop off at the Broby Bro burial ground and enjoy learning about the strange burial rites of the Vikings as well as the tale of the strong female Viking, Estrid of the Obotrites.

Her story is depicted in the five famous runestones in Uppland. Make a visit to the Jarlabanke where the family can find out about the Viking chief, Jarlabanke himself and his tales from more runestones.

Finally, you have to see the Arkils Tingstad, which is the site of an old Viking parliament to understand more about Viking society as well as sipping on a well earned (alcohol-free) Viking mead before the return journey home.

#12 – Tom Tits Experiment

• Quick and simple journey
• Great chance for fun

Named after a character that appeared in French newspaper l’Illustration, as well as several books, Tom Tits Experiment is a science museum that makes for an interesting day trip from Stockholm with kids.

Boasting a huge 450 different science experiments over four floors, this interactive museum is sure to be a hit with curious young minds; your children can ride with robots, learn about the periodic table, and even freefall from 15 metres! There’s also an outdoor park open from May to September, too.

This fun-filled family day trip from Stockholm is great since it’s not only fun, but it’s also educational, so your children can learn about the world around them thanks to some pretty fascinating science experiments.

From the capital, it’s just half an hour by car or 45 minutes on the train, so it’s simple to get to this cool science museum, so this could even work as an easy half day trip from Stockholm.

#13 – Kayaking in the Archipelago

• Island hopping
• Explore nature
• Outdoor adventure

This top day trip from Stockholm is perfect for families with older kids who want to have a fun and active day out together. The day-long trip will take you are your family out onto the open water as you paddle at your own pace around the many deserted islands that sit in the waters close to Stockholm.

Take a tour that will teach you the basics of kayaking equip you with the skills you need to explore the open water.

Many of the islands in the archipelago are uninhabited – these have become havens for wildlife, which is fantastic for nature lovers who can learn all about the local flora and fauna that thrives in these conditions.

Kayaking in the calm of the waters is great fun, especially when the weather is good and the sun is shining. You can paddle into inlets and bays and take a break for lunch on a deserted beach. Afterwards, if its warm enough, you’ll have the chance to take a refreshing dip in the cool of the water, too!

#14 – Wildlife Safari

• Perfect for nature lovers
• Magical atmosphere
• Try traditional Swedish food

The perfect Summer day trip from Stockholm, exploring the city’s nearby forests is sure to be something that all the family will enjoy.

Just 20 minutes from the city itself and you’ll be surrounded by woodlands. Wild boar, deer and moose can be seen on this unique safari, taking place around sunset when the wildlife is quite active.

It’s also a chance to learn more about the history of rural Sweden, too, with 17th-century country mansions and ancient runestones dotting the trail as you move from meadows to woodlands spotting animals. The adventurous nature of this tour means it’ll be great as a day trip from Stockholm with kids – just picture your children stomping around the woods with myths, legends and Vikings in their imagination!

And then you finish up with a tasty traditional Swedish midsummer meal before heading back to the city.

#15 – Fire & Ice Skating

• Evening adventure
• Natural ice
• Barbecue dinner

Try out something a little bit different and take your family on a classically Swedish trip . Wrap up warm and head out of the city in the late afternoon as the sun starts to set on this amazing day trip from Stockholm for kids, and enjoy an adventure they’ll never forget.

The natural ice that coats much of the countryside outside of Stockholm is perfect for skating and makes for a fun evening spent with your family having fun on the ice. The skating routes are lit by fire with torches so you get to have an actual adventure as you slide by torchlight over the natural ice.

Marshalls are on hand to guide the way and help out if anybody needs help making it a safe and enjoyable experience for children. Once you’ve had enough fun gliding through along the skating course, warm up with a dinner cooked on the barbecue.

Conclusion to the Best Day Trips from Stockholm

Our list of the best day trips in Sweden mean you might not even have any time at all to explore the city itself – there’s just so much to do just on the doorstep of the capital!

From tours to learn all about the country’s Viking past and island exploration, to science museums and a chance to spot wildlife in beautiful settings, there’s a lot on offer.

There are so many places that are easy to get to by train, too – even other major cities like the vibrant Gothenburg, and charming towns like Mariefred, are easily reached by rail.

So what are you waiting for? Stockholm is waiting!

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5 Amazing Day Trips From Stockholm You Shouldn’t Miss

Last Modified: January 22, 2024 //  by  Anda //   15 Comments

It’s hard to run out of things to do in Stockholm.  From museums and art galleries, to  great restaurants, parks and unusual city tours there is plenty to see and do in this great city. But if you have more time in the Swedish capital and want to explore the area around, you can try some unique day trips from Stockholm. 

Table of Contents

1. Trip to Landsort Village

2. trip to julita manor, 3. day trip to nynäs manor & nature reserve, 4. day trip to nyköping.

• 5. Day Trip to Birka 

AMAZING DAY TRIPS FROM STOCKHOLM

While Stockholm is easy to visit on foot, doing these day trips will require taking the boat, or other means of public transportation, or hiring a car. Driving in Sweden is not difficult however, so the most convenient way to reach these destinations from Stockholm is by car.

Landsort has its own way of attracting visitors. The remote little village nestled on the most southern island of the Stockholm Archipelago holds a lot of history. And it is also home to a very unique flora and fauna. But the most important attraction in Landsort is its beautiful lighthouse, which is the oldest one in Sweden. 

Getting to Landsort from Stockholm

Landsort is about 60 kilometers south of Stockholm, on Öja island. To reach the island from Stockholm you need to take a boat from the town of Nynäshamn, where you can get by train or by bus. The boat ride takes about 40 minutes, but the total time from central Stockholm is nearly three hours.

Visiting Landsort Village

Visiting Landsort was one of our the best day trips from Stockholm. The village is located on Öja island, a long and narrow strip of land with a very unusual nature. Unlike any other island in the Archipelago, Öja has barren rocky areas that alternate with verdant vegetation. The northern part of the island is dense forest with shrubs. The southern part has swamps and marshes populated with rare species of orchids and other botanical rarities.

Landsort’s current population is around thirty people. There is a number of vacation homes on the island, so during the summer months the number of inhabitants is considerably higher. 

As you walk through the serene village with little red houses, granite boulders and a wild coastline you get a sense of peace and tranquility. Time seems to have stopped here, since nobody worries about its passing.

Landsort is home to the oldest one in Sweden. The original building was erected in the 1660s, but the current structure dates only from 1870. If you climb up to the top of the lighthouse you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the island and the sea.

At the foot of the lighthouse you can also visit the bunkers and the naval guns, vestiges of the intricate military installations that were once ready to defend Sweden from an attack. For more information on Sweden’s military history you should read Jane Dempster’s article “ Stockholm’s Archipelago & Military History, Sweden .”

Some of the most exciting day trips from Stockholm include the manor houses and castles in the beautiful region of Södermland. Julita Manor is a mansion like no other. The estate started as a monastery in the Middle Ages ( Julita Abbey ) and continued to grow and receive big donations from the Swedish kings and other members of the aristocracy.

During the Protestant Reformation, King Gustav Vasa seized the abbey and gave its rights to his vassal, the bailiff in Nyköping. After becoming a secular domain, Julita changed hands many times between members of the Swedish nobility, but it never went back into the possession of the church.

What sets Julita apart from all the other manor house in the region is that it’s still a working farm. Julita Manor still maintains all its original structures that insured its sustainability in the past.

Visiting Julita Manor

The beautiful country estate that you see today dates from the turn of the 20th century and has been preserved with all its elegant interiors and parks.

The manor house itself was erected in 1760, after a fire destroyed an earlier structure on the site. Visiting Julita Manor is like stepping back in time into a world of luxury and elegance, a world long forgotten.

The estate park and rustic cottages inspired by Skansen are particularly beautiful. One can easily spend the whole day at Julita, going inside all buildings, taking a horse drawn carriage tour through the park, visiting the church, the museum, the dairy. 

Julita hosts lots of events and festivals all year round. From Walpurgis Night, to Midsummer and Christmas Market you can experience old Swedish ceremonies celebrated in traditional style. In summer there is an International Chamber Music Festival, the Julita Festival, featuring classical concerts performed by young international musicians.

The beautiful region of Sörmland is home to many lavish and elegant estates, vestiges of a time when wealthy landowners controlled the agricultural production of Sweden. Set on the Swedish Baltic coast, about 80 km south of Stockholm, the Nynäs manor and nature reserve is the largest in the in the province of Södermanland. On a day trip from Stockholm you’ll have time to visit this beautiful estate that encompasses over 8000 acres.

The manor house which was built in the late 17th century by the influential Gyllenstierna family, is considered today one of the best preserved historical houses open to the public in Sweden, still displaying the original art and furniture from more than three centuries ago. That is very valuable because it gives today’s visitor a good idea about the lifestyle of the Swedish aristocracy from the late 1600s up to the early 20th century.

Visiting Nynär Manor

Although it is considered a “country home,” the house is quite luxuriously furnished. The place seems very much alive, leaving you with the feeling that it is still occupied by its owners. The main house was actually inhabited till the late 20th century, when it was sold to Sweden’s National Museum. The closets and cupboards are still full of textiles, cloths and glass sets.

The manor’s owners kept the plumbing, gas and electricity up to date. However, the big kitchen escaped modernization. You can still see the old wood stoves and all the pots and pans used centuries ago.

Some of the old buildings that have been used in the past by the craftsmen and workers on the estate are still standing today. The old distillery building serves today as a hostel for those interested in staying on the estate overnight.

The castle’s conservatory (orangery) has been turned into a nice restaurant that serves both food and “fika.” During the summer months the terrace outside the orangery is open, so you enjoy the beautiful views of the estate while having lunch. There is also a nice flower/garden shop next to the restaurant.

For a completely different kind of day tour from Stockholm you should go to Nyköping. The small town is about an hour south of the capital, alongside the Swedish Baltic coast. Nyköping has a population of around 30,000, and its main industry is manufacturing. The town is really nice and is one of the oldest cities in Sweden. 

Getting to Nyköping from Stockholm

There are several ways to get to Nyköping from Stockholm: 

By car: driving south from Stockholm via E4 is probably the easiest way to get to Nyköping. By bus: there are several buses going from Stockholm to Nyköping, also via E4. Or by train: regional trains depart from Stockholm’s central station, taking around 1 hour to reach Norrköping.

Visiting Nyköping

Strolling around the city center is probably the best thing to do in a town like Nyköping. The city center is where you will find the shops, the restaurants and some beautiful old buildings. Along the Main Street you will find the City Hall and the church of St. Nicolai, dating back to medieval times.

Another nice place for enjoying the town’s laid back atmosphere is the Nyköping Harbor. The area is not very big, but you can easily spend a couple of hours here enjoying the sea views.

Given its proximity to the capital, Nyköping makes one of the easiest day trips from Stockholm. However, the town makes a nice base to explore the beautiful region of Södermanland. If you decide to spend a couple of days in Nyköping, my recommendation for lodging would be the Sunlight Hotel.

The Sunlight Hotel

Located just a short 5-minute walk from Nyköping Train Station and 10-minute drive from Stockholm-Skavsta Airport, the hotel is very accessible. This one-of-a-kind hotel is one of the most unique accommodations in which I ever stayed. Don’t let the small, unimpressive appearance fool you.

The Sunlight Hotel was once and old soap factory. The only thing that betrays that however is its unusual floor plan. But the huge spaces have been cleverly turned into very attractive and useful areas, with comfortable and stylish furniture, oriental rugs, and appealing decor. 

There are several spacious meeting rooms named after Swedish bar soaps (Surf, Sunlight, Lux). You’ll see large staircases and corridors and even a car museum on the third floor. The museum has a beautiful collection of vintage cars (Ford, Excalibur, Cadillac to Ferrari.)

Nyköping makes one of the best day trips from Stockholms. The town is only 55 mile away from the city, so it’s an easy outing. There is plenty of fun stuff to do and the area is unusually beautiful. 

5. Day Trip to Birka  

If you want to get a glimpse of how the Vikings used to live, a day trip to Birka, on the island of Björkö, is your best bet. After a 2.5 hrs boat ride in the southern arcapeligo of Stockholm you will find yourself in a rough landscape where myth and legend meet.

Birka was the biggest town in Scandinavia during the Viking age. The settlement was established in mid 8th century and is considered the oldest urban community in the Scandinavian peninsula. 

The highlight of a visit to Birka is taking a tour of the Viking Village. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and takes you inside traditional Viking homes and some old burial sites. You’ll learn about daily life in Viking times and about how the black soil of Birka helped the city to prosper. 

The museum on Birka is small but it has a huge model of a Viking village which shows hot the Vikings lived. There are also a few life size building reconstructions, craft areas and a fort. After the tour you can wander around in the fields and take pictures. Birka is perfect to visit on a sunny day. 

You spend roughly 3 – 3.5 hrs on the island before the boat takes you back to Stockholm. If you have time before the boat arrives, head to port restaurant for a hearty lunch overlooking the sea.

Did you do any of these outings from Stockholm? What was your favorite one?

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Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

March 14, 2019 at 3:35 pm

This looks absolutely wonderful! I’ve not been to Scandinavia but my husband has and he loved it so I have a good chance in getting there when he returns.

Bhushavali N

March 11, 2019 at 2:53 pm

I haven’t been to Sweden yet but I really hope to visit soon. Lansort village and Birka are definitely fascinating. Birka is 2.5hrs by boat? That’s pretty far away! But I bet its an awesome place esp., to take the kids.

Anda Galffy

March 11, 2019 at 3:16 pm

The boat trip in itself is very beautiful, so I’m sure the kids will have lots of fun.

March 11, 2019 at 6:27 am

Wow, all day trips from Stockholm are worth with wonderful nature and beautiful houses. Landsort village with only 30 people looks relaxing and very peaceful. A must visit in summer from busy city life. Day Trip to Nynäs Manor & Nature Reserve looks enchanting with lovely estates and grand Manor.

Daniel Kiteski

March 11, 2019 at 2:25 am

I have never visited Stockholm before and I have to admit I didn’t know that there were so many interesting day trips to take from the capital. The Nynäs Manor look fascinating. Visiting Stockholm and Sweden wasn’t really high on my bucket list but this post just pushed it up a few places ? Thank you for sharing.

Rhonda Albom

March 11, 2019 at 1:23 am

I haven’t been to Sweden yet. The day trips from Stockholm sound quite interesting. I’d like to visit the Nynäs Manor estate. The original kitchen looks amazing.

March 11, 2019 at 1:48 pm

Hope you’ll get to visit Stockholm someday, Rhonda.

March 10, 2019 at 8:02 am

Even though I am guilty of not doing this previously, now, whenever I travel to a new place, I make it a point to check out some of the day-trips that let me explore the surrounding areas. Stockholm is quite high on my travel list, and I would especially love to visit Landsort Village. It looks ideal for some peaceful introspection. As an amateur photographer, the island does come across as quaint and would make for a lovely subject.

March 10, 2019 at 6:36 am

I can’t believe Landsort has a population of 30 people! I’ve never heard of such a small population. Julita manor looks absolutely gorgeous, but I also love that it is a fully functioning farm!

Jane Dempster-Smith

March 9, 2019 at 1:48 pm

There is so much to do outside Stockholm. The Manor Houses looked amazing. I was interested to learn more about the Sunlight Hotel once being used as the Sunlight soap factory. Thanks for sharing.

Carrie Ann Karstunen

March 9, 2019 at 10:08 am

We’re visiting Stockholm this summer, and I’m just starting to plan our activities. I love your suggestions for day trips from the city! Both Julita Manor and Nynäs Manor look so beautiful – I bet I could spend an entire day visiting either. Thanks for the great ideas!

Kavita Favelle

March 9, 2019 at 1:43 am

We spent a few days in Stockholm in 2017 and loved the city. I had planned to do some day trips but in the end we didn’t leave the city. I love your suggestions of places to visit, especially Landsort and Nyköping.

March 8, 2019 at 5:55 pm

Sweden looks like such an inviting place. There are so many places to visit here. Thanks to this post I now have a clear idea what needs to be seen and how. I love lighthouses and the Landsort lighthouse looks so beautiful.

March 7, 2019 at 7:33 pm

I’ve not been to Scandinavia yet, so I had no idea of what to expect. Great idea to take day trips to explore the countryside around Stockholm. I would love to explore more of the region’s Viking heritage. It’s so interesting.

However, I’m left with one puzzling question after reading your article: How did they get all those cars up to the third floor?!

March 9, 2019 at 12:13 am

Don’t forget this was a soap factory before being a hotel. The building had huge corridors and elevators. Being a factory I’m sure they had huge machines for making soap as well, so when they took those out, it was easy to replace them with a few cars.

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• Destinations

25 Best Weekend & Day Trips from Stockholm, Sweden

Last Updated By VI on April 9, 2024 in Things to Do in Europe & Places to Visit

Tyresta National Park

• Complete List & Map

Take a day trip from Stockholm to visit the Gothenburg archipelago, which can be visited by ferry, personal vehicle, or group bus. There are so many waterways through Gothenburg you can also explore the city by kayak or boat tour. Make sure to visit the Haga neighborhood where you'll find cafes and artisan shops. If you're visiting with the family, visit the world-famous Universeum where you'll find a rainforest, aquarium, and zoo, all under one roof.

Activity in the Tyresta National Park is limited for preservation sake; however, the Tyresta Nature Preserve which provides a buffer zone around the national park allows more intensive outdoor recreation such as hiking. Visitors to the National Park can explore Naturum National Park House (the visitor center), the Tyresta village, Fornborgen at Lake Stensjon and the fire area. The Tyresta Village is one of the best-preserved iron age villages in Sweden.

Gavle , Gävle Tourist Center, Södra Skeppsbron 15, 802 84 Gävle, Sweden, Phone: +46-26-14-41-17

Sigtuna , STORA GATAN 33 SIGTUNA, PHONE: 08 - 594 806 50, Sweden

Uppsala , Stationsgatan 22, 753 40 Uppsala, Sweden, Phone: +46-1-87-27-48-00

The downtown area was part of the cities modernization project during the 1950s-1970s, but there are still many old architecture buildings and historic sites that can be seen and explored including the Anundshog, an ancient burial ground; The Turbine House, Vasteras castle built in 1527, Vasteras Cathedral, the burial place of Erik XIV, built in 1200, and several parks with ancient stone inscriptions. Map

Jarlabanke Runestones

In Uppland, Sweden the Jarlabanke Runestones are a set of twenty runestones written in the Younger Futhark rune script from the Old Norse language in the 11th century. A chieftain named Jarlabanke ingefastsson ordered the runestones to be carved by his clan. Ingefastsson was also responsible for organizing the leidang (coastal fleet) and the stones specifically mention his Christianity rather than pagan beliefs which were still strong at the time of his rule. There are dozens of other runestones in Uppland related to the Jarlabanke clan including eight attributed to Estrid, and others of Jarlabanke’s direct relatives.

Gotland and Visby

Visby is the only town in Gotland and is a town full of ethereal romance with cottages covered in rose vines, towers and turrets, cobblestone streets, and charming shops that will transport visitors back to the Olde World. Visby still has many medieval structures, and visitors can shop, dine, and enjoy saffranspannkaka, a Gotland specialty. A walking tour of Visby is available that tours the 2km medieval city wall. Stops on tour also include the historic Sankt Mary Cathedral. Other great attractions in Gotland include the limestone pillars that line the coast around Sudret and Faro, the island that was once home to Ingmar Berman, gamed filmmaker. Outdoor adventurers will enjoy spending the day at Gotska Sandon National Park where they can enjoy sand dune, turquoise waters, and the best beaches in Sweden. Gotland and Visby Map

Sörmlandsleden

Sörmlandsleden is The Sormland trail and stretches more than 1000 km making it one of the longest Scandinavian hiking trails. There are many different places throughout Stolkholm where hikers can access the trail which features many landscapes from lakes and coastline to dense forest. Nearly all of the path is uninhabited, and hikers can see moose, deer, and other wild animals along the trail. Hiking the Sormland Trail can be done just for the day, but hikers are also encouraged to pack a tent and spend a few days on the trail exploring the historic monuments, nature preserves, and swimming lakes. There are 90 sections of the trail, and hikers can choose easy, moderate, or difficult trails between 2 and 21 km each.

Malmo is the perfect town to venture to if you’re looking for a relaxing day spent on beautiful beaches and exploring lush, green city parks and museums. Malmo features a modern, vibrant commercial center but is surrounded by the past with Olde Town and Malmohus Castle being just a short walk away. Visitors interested in shopping can explore the 16th-century shopping center or one of the shopping areas with boutique shops. There are also several restaurants and cafes with fine and casual dining, fantastic seafood, and taverns. The best time to take a trip to Malmo is during the last week of August. Malmofestivalen is the biggest festival in Scandinavia and features music, food, art, vendors, cultural events, sports, and more.

Often regarded as the first city in Sweden, Birka is a Viking City on Bjorko Island on Lake Malaren and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Birka dates back to the 8th century, and the island was a particularly important trading center in the Viking world. Many tours are available that allows visitors to discover the rich cultural history of Birka and Scandinavia. One of the top attractions in Birka is the reconstructed Viking Village, but visitors also enjoy the archaeological tours, Birka Museum, and fabulous restaurants and cafes. Other historic monuments in Birka include The Monument of Ansgar and the Ansgar Chapel. Map

Lake Malaren

Phone: +46-8-12-00-40-00

If you’re looking for a day away from Stockholm, or a unique way of exploring the city, book the overnight ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki . The luxury ferry features saunas, amazing food, and comfortable accommodations on the overnight from Stockholm to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. Two different cruise lines offer these luxury ferry trips that also include live entertainment such as discos and casinos. Viking Line and Tallink Sillja are the cruise lines with Viking being known as a party boat and Tallink Sillja as the more elegant and refined option.

Stockholm Archipelago

The Stockholm Archipelago is just minutes from the city and provides some of the most scenic landscapes in Sweden. There are 30,000 islands in the archipelago, and the beautiful rocky coastline outlines the sandy beaches. Islets and coves surround the wooded islands just waiting to be explored. Some of the islands are still uninhabited while others have quaint communities with abundant cultural experiences to be had. Boat, car, bus, train, or bicycle can be used to explore the archipelago.

Orebro has a rich history in Sweden, and visitors can explore many landmarks such as Orebro Castle where the first parliament act of Sweden took place. The shop is located in the southwest corner of Orebro Castle and offers tickets to the guided tours, souvenirs, and historically inspired gifts for the whole family. Other great attractions to see in Orebro include the Lost City adventure water park, Prison island, City Park, and the Skatepark which is one of the largest in Sweden. The World of Lego Festival is also hosted in Orebro every July and visitors should also check out Stora Holmen, an island dedicated to children’s activities. You can even quickly fill your day with shopping, art galleries, and fantastic music and dining.

Saltsjobaden

Saltsjobaden , Torben Gruts vag, 13322 Saltsjobaden, Sweden, Phone: +46-0-87-17-05-52

Drottningholm Palace

178 02 Drottningholm, Stockholm, Sweden, Phone: +46-0-84-02-62-80

Gripsholm Castle

64731 Mariefred, Lake Malaren, Sweden, Phone: +46-0-15-91-01-94

Fortress of Vaxholm

Fortress of Vaxholm , Kastellet 18599 Vaxholm, Phone: +46-08-54-17-18-90

Enskede Woodland Cemetery

Enskede Woodland Cemetery , Skogskyrkogården 12233 Enskede, Phone: +46-08-50-83-01-58

Mariefred , Rådhustorget Mariefred, Phone: +46-0-15-92-97-90

Fjaderholmarna

Fjäderholmarna, 100 05 Stockholm, Phone: +46-0-87-18-01-00

Gustavsberg and Varmdo

Gustavsberg and Varmdo , Odelbergs väg 5 B 134 40 Gustavsberg, Phone: +46-08-57-04-70-00

Sandhamn , Sandön Sandhamn, Phone: +46-8-57-04-70-00

Vaxholm , Torget 1, 185 32 Vaxholm, Phone: +46-08-54-13-14-80

• 1. Gothenburg
• 2. Tyresta National Park
• 6. Vasteras
• 7. Jarlabanke Runestones
• 8. Gotland and Visby
• 9. Sörmlandsleden
• 12. Lake Malaren
• 13. Helsinki
• 14. Stockholm Archipelago
• 16. Saltsjobaden
• 17. Drottningholm Palace
• 18. Gripsholm Castle
• 19. Fortress of Vaxholm
• 20. Enskede Woodland Cemetery
• 21. Mariefred
• 22. Fjaderholmarna
• 23. Gustavsberg and Varmdo
• 24. Sandhamn
• 25. Vaxholm

Stockholm is the Swedish Capital and is made up of 14 islands that are connected to the Baltic Sea Archipelago by more than 50 different bridges. You will find a great choice of day trips right from the city.

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THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Sweden

Day trips from sweden.

• Sweden to Sigtuna
• Sweden to Stockholm
• Sweden to Malmö
• Sweden to Helsingoer
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Viking History and Swedish Countryside Tour to Sigtuna & Uppsala

2. Private Full Day Viking History Tour from Stockholm Including Sigtuna and Uppsala

3. Viking History Small Group Tour from Stockholm: Half Day Including Sigtuna

4. Private Stockholm City Tour by VIP car Vasa and Skansen museum

5. Private Half Day Tour: Viking History Trip from Stockholm Including Sigtuna

6. Private Sigtuna Tour from Stockholm - Oldest Town of Sweden

7. Private Roadbike Adventure in Stockholm

8. Private Day Tour to Uppsala - Uppsala Cathedral, Viking Burials and countryside

9. Private Shopping Tour from Stockholm hotels to Stockholm Outlet

10. Drottningholm and Gripsholm Castle PRIVATE Guide Half Day Tour

11. Half-Day Tour to Abisko From Kiruna: Morning hike

12. Private Tour: Swedish Church History Half-Day Tour from Stockholm

13. Private Tour: Swedish History Day Trip to World Heritage Candidate Markim-Orkesta from Stockholm

14. Private Full Day Malmö and Lund Tour from Copenhagen

15. Private Shopping Tour from Stockholm to Stockholm Quality Outlet

16. Copenhagen to Sweden Private Day Trip

17. Gothenburg : Private Walking Tour with A Guide (Private tour)

18. Private Shopping Tour from Gothenburg to Hede Fashion Outlet

19. Copenhagen private Day Trip to Malmo Old Town and Castle

20. ROYAL Castle Skokloster and Viking Sigtuna PRIVATE Tour

21. Trollsjön Guided Day Tour

22. Private Transfer From Copenhagen to Gothenburg With a 2 Hour Stop

23. Stockholm: Private Walking Tour with A Local Guide (Private Tour)

24. Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Copenhagen With a 2 Hour Stop

25. Private Uppsala & Sigtuna Half Day Tour

26. ROYAL Uppsala and VIKING Sigtuna PRIVATE Tour

27. Private Aurora Borealis Tour Kiruna Abisko with Street Food

28. ROYAL Castle Tour Gripsholm and Drottningholm PRIVATE

29. Voyage of the Vikings: Guided Exploration Through Sweden's Past

30. Guided nature and history experience 8h, Biskops-Arnö and Sigtuna from Stockholm

What travellers are saying.

Top 10 BEST Day Trips from Stockholm (Sweden)

Stockholm is the largest city and capital of Sweden and a must-visit tourist attraction. You can visit a lot of exciting museums to learn about the arts, culture, and history of the city. If you love outdoors, you will definitely fall in love with the beautiful countryside around the city where woodlands, islands , coastal towns, and lakes offer a lot of room for day trips from Stockholm and adventures.

You can go wherever you want to be with its excellent rail, road, and boat connectivity and you will come across a lot of things to do on the outskirts of the city.

Visit the ancient villages, UNESCO World Heritage Sites , spectacular waterways, and fairytale castles in your boat trips from Stockholm. This sprawling archipelago houses over 30000 islands, and you can visit these islands and all of their tourist attractions with boat trips in Stockholm.

So, here are the best day trips from Stockholm to plan your adventure:

Table of Contents

Tourists who are planning day trips from Stockholm should visit this idyllic town after visiting the whole capital and enjoying most of the sightseeing. Boat trips from Stockholm will take you to the core of this destination, which is also the birthplace of Sweden , Sigtuna.

With this 9-hour boat trip, you will sail along the calm and serene waters of Lake Mälaren to get a deep insight into the past of Sweden’s capital, which dates back to 980 CE, its ruins, leftovers, and churches. The cruise is available from the start of July to the mid of August .

Where to stay: Best hotels in Sigtuna, Sweden

Drottningholm Palace

Visiting Stockholm is an experience on its own, but if you do decide to wander other places in the surrounding areas, then you must not miss Drottningholm Palace , which is the UNESCO World Heritage Site and where the King and Queen of Sweden live. It also includes entry to the Chinese Pavilion, Drottningholm Palace itself, an 18th-century old theater, and the nearby gardens and parks.

It takes around an hour from Stockholm to Drottingham, but if you take a boat trip, it will take you about 5 hours, but you may want to stay longer and get back by public transport or subway to get around in the city. Boats leave from the deck near the City Hall. These boat trips are available from March to October .

It is a convenient 70km train trip or a short road trip through the northwest of the city center and only a 25-minute drive when you are coming from Arlanda Airport .

The historic University City, Uppsala houses a rich history and captivates the eyes of visitors from different parts of the world. It is the fourth largest city in Sweden, but you won’t see it like that because it has the traditional feel, especially if you are meandering along the old town’s winding streets.

Some of the major highlights are Domkyrka, a 13th-century cathedral, and Gustavianum, the University Museum . You may definitely love to wander around the Botanic Gardens and the university grounds, and relax in several cafes and waterside parks.

If you have the plan to get there without the hassle of getting lost, and navigating the streets, pick the weekend trips from Stockholm tours which include Uppsala. These full-weekend adventures have an exotic visit to the historical landmarks of Viking in Granby and Täby, with a guided tour to Old Uppsala and Sigtuna. Have all the fun and free time to have the complete experience of New Uppsala.

It is an amazing city with plenty of romantic and small cafes , medieval buildings , and vivid nightlife . To get to Uppsala from Stockholm (or from Stockholm to Uppsala), you may take a 2-hour train journey from the city. Be sure to explore Uppsala Castle and Uppsala Cathedral, along with pre-historic mounds and pre-Viking in the old side of town.

Where to stay: Best hotels in Uppsala, Sweden

Lake Mälaren

The third-largest lake in Sweden, Lake Mälaren, is located west of Stockholm. This waterway is 117km long, which extends the way along the regions of Uppsala, Västmanland, Södermanland, and Stockholm to Baltic.

A lot of inlets and arms align the shores. Boats sail to Stockholm from the Baltic region on the Hammarbyleden and Södertälje Canal. The shores are partly rocky and fertile, which house manor houses, castles, and sprawling estates.

The boat services run across 1000 islands, including Björkö during summers. On Mälaren, the principal provinces are Västerås, Stockholm, and Uppsala.

Vaxholm belongs to a cluster of thousands of islands, Stockholm Archipelago, which are simple to access from the capital of Sweden. It is located only 30-minutes from the capital on a quick boat ride. Vaxholm is a small town that is preserved well, and it has the art of the 19th century in the form of rustic wooden homes painted in typical pastel colors.

Vaxholm Fortress is known to be among the tourist attractions built to prevent pirates in the 16th century. You can visit the fortress and witness its exhibits in the Swedish National Museum .

Take the boat trip from Stockholm to explore the picture-perfect town of Vaxholm located in the northeast of the archipelago. It is an idyllic tourist destination filled with shops, narrow streets, and citadel, and art galleries.

Where to stay: Best hotels in Vaxholm, Sweden

Located in the far east of Stockholm Archipelago, the Sand Harbor or Sandhamn is a small town located only two hour’s drive from Sweden capital. If you have time, take the scenic boat ride to set your journey longer.

It has become an incredibly popular destination for both global tourists as well as the Swedes. Sandhamn was initially a sea pilot station. Today, it is nothing like a destination for fun-loving tourists. You may rent a kayak or a bike when you get here to witness the town. You can enjoy swimming on the pebble beaches during summers .

Where to stay: Best hotels in Sandhamn, Sweden

Saltsjöbaden

Located around 25 minutes of a train ride or 20km southeast of Stockholm, Saltsjöbaden is a small posh town in the Baggensfjärd. It houses a yacht marina along with a trendy seaside resort, golf course, grand hotel , and tennis courts.

Do you have the courage to challenge yourself? Enjoy bathing in an open-air pool named Friluftsbad. If you want to soak up the sun and dine by the salty sea air and water, boat in the bay, or lounge on the beach , Friluftsbad is the hottest favorite destination for day trips in Stockholm.

Where to stay: Best hotels in Saltsjöbaden, Sweden

Birch Island (Björkö)

The Birch Island of Björkö is located around 30km west of Stockholm. It is one of the oldest towns in Sweden. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , which was the hub for trading in the Mälar Valley during the Viking era.

Birka has been the attraction for both local and foreign tourists, as it dates back to the 8th century. A wealth of pre-historic leftovers have been studied and excavated since the 19th century. From Strömma Kanalbolaget, boat trips depart at City Hall during summer . You can dine at the restaurant on the island and take guided tours here .

Sörmlandsleden

The Sörmland trail or Sörmlandsleden is mainly a hiking tour system , and the trails cover 1000 km of walkways south of Stockholm. The walking path passes through the areas of cultural tradition, natural reserves , and various ancient monuments.

The trail starts at Björkhagen and takes the tourists through various provinces, including Nynäshamn, Stockholm, Nyköping, Trosa, Oxelösund, Hälleforsnäs, Katrineholm and others. Several branches here pass through the areas like Eskilstuna, Flen, Mariefred, and Gnesta.

You may take the trails which take you through Paradiset Natural Reserve, Tyresta National Park , Nackareservatet, Stora Träsket Nature Reserve, and other natural reserves.

You will spot the orange-colored markings on the trail along the pole and signs or rings with letter “S” or symbols with an orange backdrop. The path will take you through various difficulty levels and different terrains.

You can also rest at campsites, lean-to, rest areas, shelters, and log cabins. You can also refill your bottle with fresh drinking water from various springs here. There are 100 sections on the trails. The section length varies from 3km to 17km.

There are six runestones at Broby bro which is located at Uppland. The Broby bro runestones U139, U151, and U140, stand tall by the road, but U136, U135, and U137 are standing away from the road. The last three stones dated back to 1020 to 1050 in Pr2 style, but the internal bonding proves that U137 is the oldest runestone.

They belong to the c.20 group of runestones, Jarlabanke, and his clan, which are combined with the local strongman. These runestones belong to the matriarch of Estrid clan with the Hargs bro and Uppland Rune and runic inscriptions 101, 147, and 143.

The U137 is the sign that Gag is the son of Osten and Estrid, who dies, and Osten was still alive when it was raised. U135 and U136 are the twin monument which is the symbol of the visit of Osten to Jeruselum, and he died in the Byzantine Empire.

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Evan Kristine a.k.a Pretty Wild World is a professional travel blogger with over 10 years of experience in content creation. Originally from the Philippines, she's been living in Finland for 15+ years working as a chef and entrepreneur in Tampere, Finland.

She's an expert in Finland travel and explores the country often sharing her insights and tips in this blog and social medias. She also splits her free time either going for weekend getaways in Europe or galavanting to different European destinations on her holidays. All her useful Europe travel guides are also in this blog!

Evan Kristine is also the food blogger behind at The Kitchen Abroad and on her free time, she enjoys decorating her 75m2 apartment and shares her experience over at Solía Avenue .

A true master of her own life and despite her busy schedule juggling life as a chef, blogger, and entrepreneur, she still finds time to read 50+ books a year and indulge in several hobbies like hiking, working out, yoga, and painting.

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Move away from Stockholm, and it’s easy to appreciate its unique geographical location. Water surrounds the city and – although you can travel by train and bus – it’s worth making the effort to ply the serene waters of Lake Mälaren or the Stockholm archipelago by boat. The archipelago is made up of a staggering 24,000 islands, islets and rocks, as the Swedish mainland slowly splinters into the Baltic Sea; it’s a summer paradise for holidaying city dwellers.

Around Lake Mälaren

The stockholm archipelago, uppsala and nyköping.

A boat trip inland along Lake Mälaren is also a must, either to the Viking island of Birka , where you can see the remains of Sweden’s most important medieval trading centre and a dizzying array of ancient finds, or to Drottningholm , the seventeenth-century royal residence situated right on the lakeside. Another easy excursion on Lake Mälaren leads to the impressive castle of Gripsholm at Mariefred .

Also within easy day-trip reach are the ancient Swedish capital and medieval university town of Uppsala and one of the country’s oldest settlements, Sigtuna , complete with its rune stones and ruined churches.

If you’ve flown in with Ryanair, consider spending a day in lakeside Västerås , with its fascinating mix of the new and old – including a sixth-century royal burial mound, or handsome Nyköping on the Baltic coast which rewards visitors with its laid-back seaside atmosphere and impressive castle.

Top image: Gripsholm castle © Roland Magnusson/Shutterstock

Freshwater Lake Mälaren dominates the countryside west of Stockholm, and provides the backdrop to some of the capital region’s most appealing day-trip destinations. During the summer months, boats sail frequently to Drottingholm , home to the Swedish royal family, as well as pretty Mariefred , an enchanting little town on the lake’s southern shore with a magnificent castle. Sweden’s main settlement during the ninth and tenth centuries, the island of Birka, is great for anyone interested in Sweden’s stirring Viking past. The main city on the lake is Västerås , a modern and thoroughly enjoyable place with good sandy beaches and some impressive Viking remains, too.

The island of Björkö (the name means “island of birches”), in Lake Mälaren, is the site of Sweden’s oldest town, BIRKA , which was founded around 750AD and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. For over two centuries, Birka was the most important Viking trading centre in the northern countries, benefiting from its strategic location near the mouth of Lake Mälaren on the portage route to Russia and the Byzantine Empire. Today, a visit here is not only an opportunity to get to grips with Sweden’s Viking heritage, thanks to the site’s excellent museum, but the boat trip to the island also gives you a chance to explore the tranquil waters of Lake Mälaren.

Brief history

After Birka was founded in the mid-eighth century, tradesmen and merchants were quick to take advantage of the prosperous and rapidly expanding village, and the population soon grew to around one thousand. The future patron saint of Scandinavia, Ansgar , came here in 830 as a missionary at the instruction of the Holy Roman Emperor, Louis I, and established a church in an attempt to Christianize the heathen Swedes. They showed little interest and the Frankish monk preached on the island for just over a year before being recalled. Birka reached its height during the tenth century before sliding into decline: falling water levels in Lake Mälaren, the superior location of the Baltic island of Gotland for handling Russian-Byzantine trade and the emergence of nearby rival Sigtuna all led to its gradual disappearance after 975.

Drottningholm

Even if your time in Stockholm is limited, try to see the architecturally harmonious royal palace of Drottningholm, beautifully located on the shores of leafy Lovön , an island 11km west of Stockholm's centre and less than an hour away to reach. Drottningholm is perhaps the greatest achievement of the two architects Tessin , father and son. Work began in 1662 on the orders of King Karl X’s widow, Eleonora, with Tessin the Elder modelling the new palace in a thoroughly French style – giving rise to the stock comparisons with Versailles. Apart from anything else, it’s considerably smaller than its French contemporary, utilizing false perspective and trompe l’oeil to bolster the elegant, though rather narrow, interior. On Tessin the Elder’s death in 1681, the palace was completed by his son, then already at work on Stockholm’s Kungliga Slottet.

Since 1981, the Swedish royal family has lived out at Drottningholm, instead of in the city centre, using it as a permanent home. This move has accelerated efforts to restore parts of the palace to their original appearance, and the monumental grand staircase is now once again exactly as envisaged by Tessin the Elder. In the rooms, good English notes are available to help you sort out the riot of Rococo decoration, which largely dates from the time when Drottningholm was bestowed as a wedding gift on Princess Louisa Ulrika (a sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia). No hints, however, are needed to spot the influences in the Baroque "French" and the later "English" gardens that back onto the palace.

Within the extensive palace grounds is the Kina slott ( Chinese Pavilion ), a sort of eighteenth-century royal summerhouse. Originally built by King Adolf Fredrik as a birthday gift to Queen Louisa Ulrika in 1753, the structure is Rococo in design and, though it includes some Chinese flourishes which were the height of fashion at the time of construction, it is predominantly European in appearance.

Capital of the county of Västmanland and Sweden’s sixth biggest city, VÄSTERÅS is an immediately likeable mix of old and new. Today, this lakeside conurbation, 100km west of Stockholm, carefully balances its dependence on ABB, the industrial technology giant, with a rich history dating back to Viking times. If you’re looking for a place that’s lively and cosmopolitan, yet retains cobbled squares, picturesque wooden houses and even a sixth-century royal burial mound, you won’t go far wrong here. Västerås also boasts some of Lake Mälaren’s best beaches , all a short ferry ride from the city centre.

Svartån River

From the train station, it’s a short stroll up Köpmangatan to the twin cobbled squares of Bondtorget and Storatorget. The slender lane from the southwestern corner of Bondtorget leads to the narrow Svartån river , which runs right through the centre of the city; the bridge over the river here (known as Apotekarbron) has great views of the old wooden cottages which nestle eave-to-eave along the riverside. Although it may not appear significant (the Svartån is actually much wider further upstream), the river was a decisive factor in making Västerås the headquarters of one of the world’s largest engineering companies, Asea-Brown-Boveri (ABB), which needed a ready source of water for production; if you arrived by train from Stockholm you’ll have passed its metallurgy and distribution centres on approaching the station.

North of Storotorget, the brick Domkyrkan dates from the thirteenth century, although its two outer aisles are formed from a number of chapels built around the existing church during the following two centuries. The original tower was destroyed by fire, leaving Nicodemus Tessin the Younger (who also built the Kungliga Slottet in Stockholm) to design the current structure in 1693. The highly ornate gilded oak triptych above the altar was made in Antwerp, and depicts the suffering and resurrection of Christ. To the right of the altar lies the tomb of Erik XIV, who died an unceremonious death imprisoned in Örbyhus castle in 1577 after eating his favourite pea soup – little did he realize it was laced with arsenic. Local rumour has it that the king’s feet had to be cut off in order for his body to fit the coffin, which was built too small. His elegant, black-marble sarcophagus rests on a plinth of reddish sandstone from Öland.

Beyond the cathedral is the most charming district of Västerås, Kyrkbacken , a hilly area that stretches just a few hundred metres. Here, steep cobblestone alleys wind between well-preserved old wooden houses where artisans and the petit bourgeoisie lived in the eighteenth century. Thankfully, the area was saved from the great fire of 1714 – which destroyed much of Västerås – and the wholesale restructuring of the 1960s. At the top end of Djäknegatan, the main street of the district, look for a narrow alley called Brunnsgränd, along which is a house bearing the sign “Mästermansgården”: it was once the abode of the most hated and ostracized man in the district – the town executioner.

A quick walk south past the restaurants and shops of Vasagatan in the city centre will bring you to the eye-catching modern Stadshuset in Fiskatorget – the building is a far cry from the Dominican monastery which once stood on this spot. Although home to the city’s administration, the Stadshuset is best known for its 47 bells, the largest of which is known as “the Monk” and can be heard across the city at lunchtimes.

Karlsgatan 2: Västerås Konstmuseum and Länsmuseum

The Karlsgatan 2 building houses two museums: the Västerås Konstmuseum and the Länsmuseum. The Västerås Konstmuseum, the town's compact art museum, is rather disappointing. It’s worth a quick look for its contemporary collections of Swedish and other Nordic art – but don’t expect too much. The Länsmuseum unfortunately also lacks direction, containing a rag-tag collection of obscure items such as children’s dolls and old typewriters, plonked in glass cabinets; you’ll glean little about the province’s history from this load of junk.

The Anundshög burial mound

Whilst in Västerås, try not to miss nearby Anundshög , the largest royal burial mound in Sweden, just 6km northeast of the city. Dating from the sixth century, the mound – at 60m in diameter and 14m high – is said to be the resting place of King Bröt-Anund and his stash of gold. Although unexcavated, the mound is widely thought to contain the remains of a cremation burial and a stone cist. Anundshög was also used for sessions of the local ting , or Viking parliament, and several other smaller burial mounds nearby suggest that the site was an important Viking meeting place over several centuries. Beside the main mound lie a large number of standing stones arranged end-to-end in the shape of two ships measuring 53m and 50m in diameter. The nearby rune stone dates from around 1000 AD though it’s not thought to be connected to the burial mound. The stone’s inscription, when translated, reads “Folkvid erected all these stones for his son, Hedin, brother of Anund. Vred carved the runes.”

Västerås beaches and boat trips

Boats run from Färjkajen quay in the harbour, southwest of the train station, to a string of small islands in Lake Mälaren blessed with great beaches .

The closest is Östra Holmen , which is noted for its three excellent nudistbeaches on the southern shore. It’s popular with locals who come here to enjoy the wide open views of Lake Mälaren and to explore the island’s undisturbed shoreline – an easy circular walk of around 2km.

Further south, much larger Ridön traces its history back to Viking times, and is today a peaceful forested haven, with sheltered coves ideal for swimming . A country lane winds across the centre of the island from west to east; there’s a small café and wooden bell tower at the point where this lane meets the path leading up from the ferry jetty.

Two other uninhabited islands, Almö-Lindö and tiny Skåpholmen, are perfect for seekers of total solitude. Almö-Lindö, which the boat reaches first, is the better bet since it’s larger, has more varied terrain and some good swimming beaches – though no facilities. Skåpholmen is a skinny sliver of an island, again with no facilities.

Detailed ferry times can be found at wrederimalarstaden.se but generally boats sail several times daily between late April and early November.

If you arrived in Stockholm by plane, you’ll already have had a tantalizing glimpse of the Stockholm archipelago . In Swedish the word for archipelago is skärgård – literally “garden of skerries” and a pretty accurate description: the array of hundreds upon hundreds of pine-clad islands and islets is the only one of its kind in the world. Most of the little-known islands are flat and are wonderful places for walking or cycling (ferries to the islands accept bikes onboard); we’ve picked out the most rewarding islands for strolls and hikes, and have suggested a few trails which are a good way to take in the sweeping sea vistas and unspoilt nature here. The archipelago, though, holds another secret, little known even to most Swedes – many of ABBA ’s most famous hits were written out here, on the island of Viggsö where the famous foursome owned a couple of summer cottages.

The easiest and fastest section of the archipelago to reach, and consequently the most popular with day-tripping Stockholmers, the central archipelago is the islands at their most stunning: hundreds of rocks, skerries, islets and islands jostle for space in the pristine waters of the Baltic, giving the impression of giant stepping-stones leading back to the mainland.

The islands in the northern stretches of the skärgård are far fewer in number. As a result, the appearance of the northern archipelago is very different: characterized by open vistas and sea swells rather than narrow sounds and passageways, the islands here are very much at the mercy of the sea and weather. Although sharing more in appearance with the denser central archipelago than its more barren northern counterpart, the southern archipelago is generally much quieter in terms of visitor numbers, because it’s harder to reach from central Stockholm.

Don't miss the boat

If you’re waiting for the boat out in the archipelago, you must raise the semaphore flag on the jetty to indicate that you want to be picked up; torches are kept in the huts on the jetties for the same purpose at night.

In some parts of the archipelago, it’s possible to visit a couple of islands on the same trip by taking the ferry to your first port of call, then rowing across to a neighbouring island, from where you return to Stockholm by the ferry again – we’ve detailed these options in the text. For this purpose, there’ll be a row-boat either side of the water separating you from your destination. When you use the boats, you have to ensure there’s always one left on either side – this entails rowing across, attaching the other boat to yours, rowing back to your starting point, where you leave one boat behind, and then rowing across one last time.

A beautiful low-lying island covered with thick pine forest, Gällnö is the archipelago at its best. Home to just thirty people, a couple of whom farm the land near the jetty, Gällnö has been designated a nature reserve: you can spot deer in the forest or watch eider ducks diving for fish. The youth hostel is well signposted from the main village, where there’s also a small shop selling provisions. From here, there’s the choice of two walks : either head east through the forest for Gällnönäs, from where you can pick up boats back to Stockholm or further out into the islands, or continue past the youth hostel, following signs for Brännholmen until you arrive at a small bay popular with yachties. Look for the hut where the toilet is, as one of its walls bears a map and sign on the outside showing the path leading from here to the row-boats – these enable you to cross the narrow sound (around 15m wide) separating Gällnö from its neighbour, Karklö. When you head across, remember to leave one boat on either side of the sound.

Thank Viggsö for the music

The rocky outcrop topped by dense pine forest that lies sandwiched between Grinda and much larger Värmdö to the south holds a big secret. It was here on the island of Viggsö that ABBA composed Dancing Queen , Fernando and several other chart-topping hits; shots of Viggsö were also used in ABBA The Movie . Agnetha and Björn bought a summer cottage here in 1971, closely followed in 1974 by Benny and Anni-Frid; the sound of piano music drifting across the treetops was a sure sign that one or other couple had sailed their boat out from Stockholm to spend a few days away from the city. The two men would spend days at a time in Björn’s yellow wooden outhouse hammering away at a battered upright piano and strumming an old guitar – the restorative calm of Viggsö was at the heart of much of ABBA’s music-making.

The vibrant university city of Uppsala lies 70km to the north of Stockholm, and boasts some great museums, including the home and gardens of world-renowned botanist Carl von Linné.

The city is regarded as the historical and religious centre of the country, and attracts day-trippers seeking a lively alternative to Stockholm as well as travellers looking for a worthwhile stop on the long trek north. A medieval seat of religion and learning, Uppsala clings to the past through its cathedral and university, and a striking succession of related buildings in their vicinity.

Just north of town, the sixth-century burial mounds of Gamla Uppsala mark the original site of Uppsala.

Gamla Uppsala

Five kilometres to the north of Uppsala, three huge royal burial mounds dating back to the sixth century mark the original site of the town, Gamla Uppsala . According to legend, they are the final resting places of three ancient kings – Aun, Egil and Adlis. Though the site developed into an important trading and administrative centre, it was originally established as a pagan settlement and a place of ancient sacrificial rites by the Svear tribe. In the eleventh century, the German chronicler, Adam of Bremen, described the cult of the æsir (the Norse gods Odin, Thor and Freyr) practised in Uppsala: every ninth year, the deaths of nine people would be demanded at the festival of Fröblot, the victims left hanging from a nearby tree until their corpses rotted. Two centuries later, the great medieval storyteller, Snorri Sturluson of Iceland, depicted Uppsala as the true home of the Ynglinga dynasty (the original royal family in Scandinavia who also worshipped Freyr), a place where grand sacrificial festivals were held in honour of their god.

Gamla Uppsala kyrka

The pagan temple where Uppsala’s bloody sacrifices took place is now marked by the Christian Gamla Uppsala kyrka , which was built over pagan remains when the Swedish kings first took baptism in the new faith. Built predominantly of stone yet characterized by its rear nave wall of stepped red-brick gabling, this is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful churches in Sweden, with an understated simplicity at the very heart of its appeal. Although what survives of the church today is only a remnant of the original cathedral, the relics inside more than compensate for the downscaling. In the porch are two impressive collecting chests, one made from an oak log and fitted with iron locks, which dates from the earliest days of the church. Entering the nave, look out for the cabinet on the left containing a superb collection of church silver, including a fourteenth-century chalice and a censer from the 1200s. Nearby, in the nave wall, a stone memorial to Anders Celsius, inventor of the temperature scale that bears his name, is a worthy tribute. Outside, if you haven’t yet set eyes on a genuine rune stone in Sweden, look carefully in the church walls at the back to find a perfectly preserved example from the eleventh century.

The burial mounds

Southeast of the church, the tinghög or parliament hill (the only burial mound not fenced in) was once the site of the local ting where, until the sixteenth century, a Viking parliament was held to deliberate on all matters affecting Uppsala. Immediately west of here, a path leads around the three main mounds, the first of which, östhögen – the east mound – dates from around 550. Following the 1846–47 excavations of Gamla Uppsala, this hill yielded the site’s most astonishing artefacts: the cremated remains of a woman – possibly a priestess of the god Freyr – buried in magnificent wool, linen and silk clothing, as well as a necklace bearing a powerful image of a Valkyrie. The adjacent central mound, mitthögen , is thought to be around fifty years older than its neighbour but has still to be excavated. Finally, the western västhögen has been dated from the late sixth century, and following excavations in 1874 revealed male bone fragments and jewellery commensurate with high status.

If you’re looking for a taste of provincial Sweden before pushing on further south or, alternatively, to Stockholm Skavsta airport, historic NYKÖPING , 100km southwest of Stockholm, is perfect. Indeed, since Ryanair established a base in 2003 at Skavsta (7km northwest of the town), the airport has effectively become Nyköping’s lifeblood, supplying a steady flow of arriving and departing Ryanair passengers, despite the fact that flight operations have been scaled back somewhat in recent years. Capital of the surrounding pastoral province of Södermanland, Nyköping’s underrated charms include an excellent museum in and around the ruins of its thirteenth-century castle , and a thriving harbour – a regular target for the Stockholm yachting set – that bustles with life in summer.

St Nicolai kyrka

On the main square, Storatorget, opposite the tourist office, stands the vast St Nicolai kyrka with its white, vaulted ceiling. The building dates from around 1260, although most of what you see is the result of sixteenth-century refurbishment. The pillars here are adorned with dozens of beautiful, heavily moulded silver candle sconces. It’s the Baroque pulpit, though, that’s the highlight; crafted in Norrköping in 1748, it was modelled on the one in the Storkyrkan in Stockholm. Outside, standing proudly on a nearby rocky outcrop, is the red 1692 bell tower, the only wooden building not destroyed in 1719 when the town was attacked from the sea by invading Russian troops who burnt virtually the entire place to the ground.

Nyköpingshus

From Storatorget, it’s just a couple of minutes’ wander south, down Slottsgatan with the river to your left, to Kungsgatan. Here you’ll see the King’s Tower , the main part of Nyköpingshus castle. A late twelfth-century defensive tower, built to protect the trading port at the estuary of the Nyköping river, it was subsequently converted into a fortress by King Magnus Ladulås.

In the sixteenth century, Gustav Vasa fortified the castle with gun towers; his son Karl, who became duke of Södermanland, converted the place into one of Sweden’s grandest Renaissance palaces. Devastating fires here in 1665 and 1719 reduced all lesser buildings to ash and gutted the castle. With no money forthcoming from the national coffers, it was never rebuilt; only the King’s Tower was saved from demolition and became used as a granary. Today, the riverside tower and the adjoining early eighteenth-century house built for the county governor form a museum complex . Wandering through the original gatehouse ( porthuset ) beneath Karl’s heraldic shield, you reach the extensively restored King’s Tower. On the first floor, a stylish job has been done of rebuilding the graceful archways that lead into the Guard Room. The rest of the museum is fairly uninspiring, the best exhibition being a display of medieval shoes and boots.

The last supper

It was in the King’s Tower in 1317 that the infamous Nyköping Banquet took place: one of King Magnus’s three sons, Birger, invited his brothers Erik and Valdemar to celebrate Christmas at Nyköping and provided a grand banquet. Once the meal was complete, and the visiting brothers had retired to bed, Birger had them thrown in the castle’s dungeon, threw the key into the river and left them to starve to death. In the nineteenth century, a key was caught by a boy fishing in the river; whether the rusting item he found, now on display in the museum, really is the one last touched by Birger, no one knows.

Forty kilmoetres south of Uppsala is SIGTUNA , 40km south of Uppsala, a compact little town that dates all the way back to Viking times, with extensive ruined churches and rune stones right in the centre. Apart from its ruins, it looks like any other old Swedish town with cobbled streets and squares. Scratch the surface though, and you’ll understand what made Sigtuna so important. Founded in 980 by King Erik Segersäll, Sigtuna grew from a village to become Sweden’s first town. Fittingly, it contains Sweden’s oldest street, Storagatan; the original, laid out during the king’s reign, still lies under its modern-day counterpart. Sigtuna also boasts three intriguing ruined churches dating from the twelfth century. The Sigtuna district also contains more rune stones than any other area in Sweden – around 150 of them have been found to date – and several can be seen close to the ruins of the church of St Lars along Prästgatan.

St Per and St Olof

Two of Sigtuna’s most impressive ruins, the churches of St Per and St Olof , lie along Storagatan itself. Much of the west and central towers of St Per’s still remain from the early 1100s; experts believe it likely that the church functioned as a cathedral until the diocese was moved to nearby Uppsala . The unusual formation of the vault in the central tower was influenced by church design then current in England and Normandy. Further east along Storagatan, St Olof’s has impressively thick walls and a short nave, the latter suggesting that the church was never completed.

Mariakyrkan

Close to the church ruins on Olofsgatan is the very much functioning Mariakyrkan , constructed of red brick during the mid-thirteenth century to serve the local Dominican monastery. Inside, the walls and ceiling are richly adorned with restored paintings from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.

Sigtuna museum

On the main road, Storagatan, the Sigtuna museum includes material on Sigtuna’s role as Sweden’s foremost trading centre. Coins bear witness to the fact that this was the first town in the land to mint coins, in 995, plus there’s booty from abroad: gold rings and even an eleventh-century clay egg, from Kiev.

Uppsala and around

First impressions as the train pulls into UPPSALA , only an hour northeast of Stockholm, are encouraging, as the red-washed castle looms up behind the railway sidings with the cathedral dominant in the foreground. A medieval seat of religion and learning, Uppsala clings to the past through its cathedral and university, and a striking succession of related buildings in their vicinity. The city is regarded as the historical and religious centre of the country, and attracts day-trippers seeking a lively alternative to Stockholm as well as travellers looking for a worthwhile stop on the long trek north.

Concert Hall

From the train and bus stations, it’s best to make the new Concert Hall your first port of call, barely a five-minute walk away on Storgatan, just the other side of the train tracks. A mammoth structure of brushed steel and glass, whose facade resembles the keys of a giant piano keyboard, it’s certainly divided local opinion; many people believe it’s little more than a huge carbuncle. Be that as it may, venture inside and take the escalators to the top floor for a superb view of the entire city. It hosts Swedish-language theatre as well as musical productions.

From the concert hall, Vaksalagatan leads back under the train tracks and up towards the great Domkyrkan , Scandinavia’s largest cathedral and the centre of the medieval town. Built as a Gothic boast to the people of Trondheim in Norway that even their mighty church, the Nidarosdom, could be overshadowed, it loses out to its rival only on building materials – local brick rather than imported stone. The echoing interior remains impressive, particularly the French Gothic ambulatory, flanked by tiny chapels and bathed in a golden, decorative glow. One chapel contains a lively set of restored fourteenth-century wall paintings that recount the legend of St Erik, Sweden’s patron saint: his coronation, subsequent crusade to Finland, eventual defeat and execution at the hands of the Danes. The Relics of Erik are zealously guarded in a chapel off the nave: poke around and you’ll also find the tombs of the Reformation rebel Gustav Vasa and his son Johan III, and that of the botanist Linnaeus, who lived in Uppsala. Time and fire have led to the rest of the cathedral being rebuilt, scrubbed and painted to the extent that it resembles a museum more than a thirteenth-century place of worship; even the characteristic twin spires are late nineteenth-century additions.

Gustavianum

Opposite the west end of the cathedral, the onion-domed Gustavianum was built in 1625 as part of the university, and is much touted by the tourist office for the masterpiece of kitsch that is the Augsburg Art Cabinet – a treasure chest of black oak containing all manner of knick-knacks presented to Gustav II Adolf by the Lutheran councillors of Augsburg in 1632 – and the world’s first ever thermometer from 1745 owned by none other than Anders Celsius, inventor of the temperature scale. Whilst here be sure to make it up to the top floor to see the perfectly preserved anatomical theatre from 1660 where convicts’ bodies were once carved up in the name of science, until the church stepped in to end the practice. The same building houses a couple of small collections of Egyptian, Classical and Viking antiquities.

The university

The current university building is the imposing nineteenth-century Renaissance-style edifice opposite Gustavianum. Originally a seminary, today it’s used for lectures and seminars and hosts the graduation ceremonies each May. Among the more famous alumni are Carl von Linné (Linnaeus) and Anders Celsius. No one will mind you strolling in for a quick look, but the rest of the building is not open to the public.

Carolina Rediviva

From the university, Övre Slottsgatan leads south to the Carolina Rediviva , the university library and one of Scandinavia’s largest, with around five million books. On April 30 (Valborgsmässoafton) each year the students meet here to celebrate the official first day of spring (usually in the snow), all wearing the traditional student cap that gives them the appearance of disaffected sailors. Take a look in the manuscript room , where there’s a collection of rare letters and other paraphernalia. The beautiful sixth-century Silver Bible is on permanent display, as is Mozart’s original manuscript for The Magic Flute .

When compared to the glorious building of the university, the castle up on the hill, built by Gustav Vasa in the mid-sixteenth century, is a disappointment. Certainly significant chapters of Sweden’s history were played out here over the centuries: the Uppsala Assembly of 1593, which established the supremacy of the Lutheran Church, took place in the Hall of State, where also, in 1630, the Parliament resolved to enter the Thirty Years’ War. Sadly though, much of the castle was destroyed in the 1702 fire that also did away with three-quarters of the city, and only one side and two towers – the L-shape of today – remain of what was once an opulent rectangular palace. Inside, admission also includes access to the castle’s art museum but, quite frankly, it won’t make your postcards home.

Linnéträdgården

The beautiful Linnéträdgården contains around 1300 varieties of plants. These are Sweden’s oldest botanical gardens, established in 1655 by Olof Rudbeck the Elder, and relaid out by Linnaeus in 1741 with perennials and annuals either side of the central path; some of the species he introduced and classified still survive here. Incidentally, you can see the garden behind Linnaeus’s head on the 100kr note.

The museum adjoining the garden was home to Linnaeus and his family from 1743 to 1778, and attempts to evoke his life through a partially restored library, his writing room and even the bed where he breathed his last.

Bror Hjorth museum

The first sight that greets arrivals at Uppsala train station is an erotic statue of a man with an oversized penis, the work of Uppsala-born sculptor and painter, Bror Hjorth (1894–1968), a former professor of drawing at the Swedish Royal Academy of Fine Arts, who’s considered one of Sweden’s greatest artists. A modernist with roots in folk art, his numerous public art commissions can be seen right across the country – perhaps most strikingly in the church in Jukkasjärvi in Lapland. His former home and studio in Uppsala, west of the city centre have now been turned into a museum containing the largest and most representative collection of his work in the country.

Linne’s Hammarby

In 1754, Carl von Linné acquired a country estate at Hammarby , 15km southeast of Uppsala, and built a house there. Today, the beautiful homestead, complete with unique wallpaper of botanical engravings, is open to the public and makes a great day-trip. It’s surrounded by lush gardens including a collection of Siberian plants and a gene bank for the fruit species of the Lake Mälaren region.

Carl von Linné

Born in Småland in 1707, Carl von Linné , who styled himself Carolus Linnaeus, is undoubtedly Sweden’s most revered scientist. His international reputation was secured by the introduction of his binomial classification , a two-part nomenclature that enabled plants and animals to be consistently named and categorized into families; it was Linnaeus who invented the term homo sapiens , for example. Only very recently has the basis of his classifications been undermined by genetic methods, resulting in the complete realignment of certain plant families.

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Day trips from Stockholm

Tours in the archipelago & on lake mälaren.

Stockholm is unique for its beautiful archipelago and Lake Mälaren, Sweden’s third-largest lake. Enjoy a day trip in, around or outside Stockholm. Stromma offers day tours on every occasion, weather, and age. Choose the perfect option that’s just right for you to experience Stockholm by boat.

Go on a day trip to the Stockholm Archipelago

Among the most popular choices for tourists and Stockholmers alike are our boat trips to various islands and sights located in the archipelago. Most of our day tours are guided and have a restaurant or café on board. Some of the trips allow you to get off the boat and explore a specific island or destination. All archipelago tours depart from Nybroviken, see the map below. These are Stromma’s day tours in the archipelago of Stockholm:

• Archipelago Tour with Guide - a live guided sightseeing tour where you get to see the best of Stockholm's beautiful archipelago. Choose tour length.
• Boat Tour to the Archipelago City Vaxholm – a cruise through the scenic archipelago with the possibility to get off the boat and explore Vaxholm.
• Thousand Islands Archipelago Cruise - a full-day premium cruise with the highest guest rating. The excursion include tour guide on board,  guided tours on three islands and meals during the day.
• Boat to Fjäderholmarna Islands – a 30-minute boat trip to Stockholm's closest archipelago island. Get off and enjoy the island.
• Grand Archipelago Canal Tour to Artipelag – a guided boat tour to the unique Art Gallery Artipelag.
• Grand Archipelago Canal Tour to Gustavsberg – a live guided cruise to the porcelain city Gustavsberg on one of the most scenic waterways in the archipelago.
• Boat Tour to Vaxholms Kastell – a boat tour through the archipelago. Get off and explore history, and art in a fortress from the 16th century.
• Archipelago Canal Tour to Sandhamn – a full-day live guided boat tour to Stockholm´s outer archipelago through scenic winding canals and open sea.

Enjoy a day Tour on Lake Mälaren in Stockholm

In addition to these archipelago trips, Stromma also offers a wide variety of tours and excursions across Lake Mälaren and to the many famous sights located in this historical environment. Several of our day trips have a restaurant or café on board and you can listen to a guided tour. All our trips stop and let you explore the specific destination of the tour. All trips on Lake Mälaren departs from Klara Mälarstrand, see the map below. These are Stromma’s day tours on Lake Mälaren:

• Boat to Drottningholm Palace – a boat tour to Unesco´s world heritage Drottningholm Palace in Lake Mälaren.
• Birka – The Viking City – live guided boat tour to the Viking City Birka across Lake Mälaren. The excursion includeds a guided tour and Museum entrance at Birka.
• Glamping at Birka the Viking City – an overnight stay in Glamping tent, breakfast, dinner, entry to museum and guided tour at Birka the Viking City.
• Lake Mälaren Cruise to Skokloster - live guided boat tour through beautiful Lake Mälaren to one of Europe's finest Baroque castles Skokloster.
• Lake Mälaren Cruise to Sigtuna – a live guided boat trip through Lake Mälaren to picturesque Sigtuna - Sweden's first city.

Day Trips from Stockholm in Winter

The archipelago is at least as beautiful in winter as it is in summer. On a winter day when the water freezes over, we may even be lucky enough to get the opportunity for some icebreaking. During the winter season we have a couple of day trips in och out of Stockholm. Choose between an Archipelago tour with guide , Boat to Vaxholm or our sightseeing tour Stockholm Winter tour .

Stromma Departure Points in Stockholm

Our day trips on Lake Mälaren depart from Klara Mälarstrand, next to the Stockholm City Hall. Our cruises in the Stockholm archipelago depart from Nybroviken. 

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At Stromma we are continuously working to reduce our use of plastic. Our efforts reduced our plastic consumption by 1 097 kg in one year.

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In Sweden and Denmark Stromma together with WWF and local partners have placed out Seabins to improve the environment in/of the Baltic Sea.

Archipelago Tour with Guide

The best of stockholm archipelago, glamping at birka the viking city, stay in a tent in a unesco world heritage site, boat tour to the archipelago city vaxholm, boat cruise from stockholm, boat tour to birka across lake mälaren, thousand islands archipelago cruise, a full day boat excursion in stockholm, boat to fjäderholmarna islands, stockholm's closest archipelago, grand archipelago canal tour to artipelag, art museum and guided boat cruise, boat to drottningholm palace, boat tour to unesco´s world heritage drottningholm, boat tour to vaxholms kastell, art, ”fika” and history in the archipelago of stockholm, grand archipelago canal tour to gustavsberg, guided boat cruise, porcelain & shopping, archipelago canal tour to sandhamn, guided boat tour to stockholm outer archipelago, lake mälaren cruise to skokloster, explore the swedish empire, lake mälaren cruise to sigtuna, guided boat tour to sweden's birthplace.

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8 Day Trips From Stockholm By Train

Sweden’s relatively efficient rail system offers an ideal way to discover hidden gems. Here are some top day trips from Stockholm by train. Stockholm’s central location makes it a fantastic starting point. Whether you are interested in culture or nature, the train journeys provide a window into the diverse and enchanting Swedish landscape.

Stockholm, with its historic charm, winding waterways, and bustling streets, is undoubtedly the jewel in Sweden’s crown. However, beyond the city’s limits lies a treasure trove of fascinating towns, unbelievable sceneries, and cultural experiences just waiting to be explored.

Travel time: Around 40 minutes

Just a short train ride away, just north of Stockholm, you will reach Uppsala. Uppsala is one of Sweden’s oldest cities with a rich history that dates back over a thousand years, and is today the fourth largest city in Sweden. As home to the Nordic’s oldest university, the city has a lively student scene.

Key attractions include the Uppsala Cathedral (one of the largest and well-preserved Gothic cathedral in the Nordics), Gustavianum (a museum housing the second oldest anatomical theatre in the world), and the beautiful Botanical Garden (once cared by the famous botanist Carl Linnaeus).

Remember to check the opening times beforehand, as Gustavianum and the Botanical Garden is a part of the university and undergoes renovations frequently. Gustavianum is set to open again in spring of 2024.

Travel time: Around 1.5 hours

Sigtuna is Sweden’s oldest town and was Sweden’s first capital. People visit here for the authentic Swedish experience as most wooden buildings were persevered from the 13 th century. There are plenty of charming local cafes, restaurants and shops along Stora Gatan, the main street.

This small town once played a major role in Swedish history, especially during the Viking age and medieval times. That is why you would not be able to find as many runestones in the world than Sigtuna, and there are plenty of medieval ruins. It is also where the old Royal Mint was.

You can always enjoy the beautiful lakeside setting, as lake Mälaren flows past Sigtuna.

Travel time: Around 1 hour

Mariefred is the perfect place for a short getaway. Mariefred is best known for Gripsholm Castle, a royal fortress turned museum that gives the visitors an insight to royal living. The town has a certain charm to it, that’s why it became the royal family’s favorite residence from King Gustav Vasa in the 1500’s to King Gustav III in the 1700’s. Mariefred offers a relaxed and authentic Swedish royal experience.

Another underrated attraction is the Eastern Södermanland Railway Museum. At the museum, you can take a historic journey and ride genuine steam trains that are more than 100 years old on a track no wider than 600mm. The most popular tour is the Slott & Ånga (Little Round Tour) that takes you between Mariefred and Taxinge. The station is the museum with a railway history exhibition, as well as a café and shop next to it.

On the way back to Stockholm, you can choose to take the boat on lake Mälaren instead and enjoy the view, which takes about 3 hours.

Perfect for those seeking a seaside escape, Nynäshamn lies on the southern tip of Stockholm’s archipelago. Nynäshamn harbor is known for being a hub for travelers going to Gotland, Lithuania, Poland, and other places by boat. Visit the ChokladHuset (the House of Chocolate), where they make the delicious chocolate for the Nobel Prize Night Party every year since 2006. Taste chocolate delights such as, pralines, truffles, marzipan, cakes and much more.

A popular activity is to walk along Strandvägen, built in connection with the Olympic sailing events in 1912, and rest your eyes on the horizon. You will eventually reach Lövhagen, an open-air recreation area, where you can rest your body and mind on the soft green grass and have lovely picnics.

In the afternoon why not take a guided tour around Nynäshamns Ångbryggeri (Steam Brewery), which started to brew beer in 1997 and has since won several national prizes. Learn more about beer, brewing, and the brewery’s history.

Travel time: Around 2 hours

Located in central Sweden, Örebro is a city that beautifully blends history with modernity. Famous for its iconic castle and thriving food scene, there’s no shortage of things to see and do here. For example, you can join the yearly International Food Festival around May and taste dishes from all over the world.

Örebro Medieval Castle has stood for over 700 years, and is the heart of the city. It serves as both a historical landmark and a contemporary cultural venue for different events. Some of the rooms are even used as classrooms for the local high school.

You also cannot miss the Wadköping Open-Air Museum. Think of it as a living history book. It showcases traditional Swedish wooden houses, complete with characters dressed in period costume, and crafts from the past.

Sala is not a place that comes to mind for a day trip, however Sala is definitely worth a visit, especially for nature goers and history buffs. The Sala Silver Mine, one of the world’s best-preserved mines, takes visitors deep underground, sharing tales of miners and their life. There are plenty of hiking trails, canoe opportunities, and mountain biking routes in the area.

Hälleskogsbrännans Nature Reserve is unique because it covers a large portion of the burned region by the major forest fire in 2014. After the forest fire, a special environment is established, in which a surprising number of very rare and endangered species thrive. For animal lovers, there are farms that offers close encounter with alpacas and moose.

Travel time: Around 3.5 hours

Right by lake Siljan in Dalarna County, Rättvik is your quintessential Swedish countryside town, steeped in tradition and surrounded by scenic landscapes. Lake Siljan is the result of a meteorite impact nearly 350 million years ago. The original crater is estimated to be about 52km in diameter, however it is mostly eroded. You can paddle, swim, and fish in the marvelous lake and there are circling hiking trails.

Styggforsen Nature Reserve is perhaps one of the most beautiful reserves to visit in Sweden. There are steep cliffs, beautiful forests, winding rivers, and a roaring waterfall. Perfect for a day outdoors in nature.

Another must visit destination is Dalhalla. It is an open-air theatre built in a former limestone quarry with surreal acoustics and the experience is incomparable. Dalhalla is considered an engineering marvel and becoming a venue for world-class concerts. In 2019, a record setting of more than 6000 people attended a concert at Dalhalla.

Travel time: Around 2.5 hours

Situated by Lake Mälaren, Västerås offers a variety of experiences. The city’s cathedral, dating back to the 13th century, is a notable landmark. It is the tallest building in the city. However, due to countless fires throughout the centuries, the cathedral had been rebuilt and restored several times. Therefore, this cathedral fuses Gothic and Romanesque styles, revealing the city’s historical significance.

For nature lovers, Djäkneberget Park offers beautiful walking trails. Make sure to also visit Vallby Open Air Museum, a recreated 19 th century Swedish village showcasing traditional Swedish life. For some family fun, Kokpunkten is an action-packed water park inside a former steam power plant, offering endless slides and pools.

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Gothenburg , Sweden , The Best Day Trips From Gothenburg, Sweden · July 12, 2023

The Best Day Trips From Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg is a beautiful city to explore, and can keep you busy for more than a week. But, whether you live in Gothenburg or are just visiting, it is definitely worth stepping outside of the city and exploring all of the unique places that surround West Sweden . Whether you are looking for a beautiful, quiet swimming spots in the Gothenburg archipelago , to visit a unique small town, take a trip out into nature, or to discover a bit of Swedish culture – there are so many day trips for everyone. In this guide I have outlined some of the best day trips from Gothenburg. Make sure to scroll to the end where I have linked all the other day trips I recommend, to unique places such as Vinga Lighthouse and Orust .

Without further ado, let’s get started!

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The 10 Best Day Trips from Gothenburg

The gothenburg archipelago.

Taking a day trip out into the Gothenburg Archipelago is a must – especially if you are in Gothenburg during the summer! There are so many different islands to explore, secret beaches to find, and walks to do. The archipelago is split into two parts – the Southern and Northern islands. The northern islands ( Hönö , Björkö, Fötö, Hälsö etc.) are easily reached by car and have so much to explore. The southern islands of Styrsö , Vrångö , Asperö, Donsö etc. are car free islands only reached by a ferry from Saltholmen. There is also the island of Vinga which is one of the best day trips from Gothenburg. This is the most westerly island in the archipelago and can only be reached by guided tour or your own boat. It has one of the most beautiful swimming spots in the archipelago, and the lighthouse on the island has such an interesting history.

Make sure to read my guide to the Gothenburg Archipelago islands where you can find out what to do on each island and choose the perfect day trip for you!

Floda and Nääs Slott

Floda and Nääs Slott are located to the east of Gothenburg, around a 26 minute train ride from the central station. Arriving at the station, you can explore the small industrial village of Floda. From Floda you can either walk the 8km hike around the Sävelången lake, or take the 533 bus to Nääs. Alternatively, you can hike the Gotaleden past Nääs Slott if you want a mix of nature, walking and culture.

In Näss you can visit the castle, known for its cultural history and upkeep of the area. Here there are several museums. One focuses on the history of Nääs Slott and their cultural methods, as well as guided tours of the house. The garden surrounding the castle is beautiful, with space for many walks on the grounds of Nääs Slott, and the parkland opposite.

Just down the river is Nääs Fabriker, an old industrial factory turned spa hotel, cafe and boutique for local designers. This is a very cool place to stroll through if you are in the area. Where the old factory meets the lake is a fantastic swimming spot. Just down from Nääs Fabriker you will find Sjölyckan. This locally run cafe offers canoe hire for half day, full day, and overnight trips. This is the perfect day trip from Gothenburg in the summer months as the lake lends itself to so many beautiful swimming spots. From here, you can canoe back up to Näss Slott and explore the gardens, as well as discover private swimming areas around the lake.

Find out more information about this day trip from Gothenburg to Nääs or the Gotaleden hiking trail .

Marstrand is one of the most popular islands in the West Sweden archipelago, just north of Gothenburg. With buses running regularly from Kungälv, it is an easy day trip from Gothenburg. In the summer months, the beach areas are thriving and all the summer restaurants and shops are open for business. In the spring, autumn and winter it is a calmer island, with the nature reserve the perfect place for a picnic. Here you will find some beautiful swimming spots, especially along the island walk.

Carlstens Fästning, and old fortress with a lot of history, is located in the heart of Marstrand. Built in 1658, this fortress was once a prison for criminals such as Lasse-Maja, one of Sweden’s most well known criminals. The castle is open for tours throughout the summer months. The courtyard is accessible all year round, and from the top you can get an amazing view over the whole archipelago.

You can find more tips on how to visit the island, the best swim spots, hikes and restaurants, in this guide to Marstrand island .

• West Sweden Map

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In this map and guide to West Sweden you will find over 300 tips for places to visit in and around the region. These are places I have visited and personally recommend – some hidden gems and a few more well known spots!

Trollhättan

Trollhättan is one of the most underrated day trips from Gothenburg. When you arrive in this city, you should head straight down to the canal. Here you will find a tight water network with a constant flow of water traffic heading up to the Vänern. The island in the middle of the river is a great place to take kids in the summer, with several parks, mini-golf, and a small forest on the other side.

Walking across the park away from the canal system, you come to Olidan Power Plant. This hydroelectric power plant was once responsible for creating the majority of West Sweden’s energy, and is one of the first sustainable energy sources in the country. If you walk down towards the factory, you can see the turbines working away through the windows. From here you can hike the Edsvidsleden, down and across the river to the viewing platform Kopparklinten, where you get access to a view over the whole power system.

Alingsås is a very sweet little town just 30 minutes outside of Gothenburg. It is known as the city of Fika, with quite a few local bakeries and cafes that bake fresh, delicious bread and cakes every day. It is definitely worth visiting Ekstedts Bageri & Café for their outdoor courtyard and delicious bread! Nygrens Café is another known for their fresh salads and great lunches. If you are happy to venture out a little bit, then visit Nolbygårds Ekobageri! Here you will find a beautiful outdoor garden and home made unique pastries. Throughout the year, there are many “fika walks” held in Alingsås where you can discover the best of the city!

Not only is it known for fika, Alingsås has some beautiful parks and swimming spots. Head down to Nolhaga park and visit the small animal farm, Nolhaga Slott and walk through the castle gardens. Here you can also play frisbee golf, bird watch or go for a swim on the sandy beach by Alingsås angöring. If you follow the canal down you get to Plantaget, a beautiful city park that holds a sculpture and light walk in the summer.

On the other side of the town you have lake Gärdskin and the lakeside promenade which is the perfect place for swimming, hiring canoes and paddle boards. From here you can walk all the way around the lake, passing Mörtaberget view point and so many other great swimming spots.

Alingsås is one of the best day trips from Gothenburg in the summer time as there is so much to do in this little town.

Vättlefjäll Nature Reserve

If you are looking for a Gothenburg day trip where you can do some hiking, canoeing, stay in a wind shelter or perhaps pick some mushrooms than Vättlefjälls nature reserve is perfect. There are lots of different hiking trails here, including the Vättlefjällsleden and the Bohusleden. In the summer, you can hire canoes from Kanotpool in Vättlestugan and paddle around the connecting lakes. There are wind shelters and fire pits throughout the nature reserve perfect for taking a lunch break, cooking some food or even sleeping overnight.

Varberg is one of the most well known cities on Sweden’s south west coast. Located in the county of Halland, Varberg is only 1 hour south of Gothenburg and makes for the perfect day trip with so much nature and history to explore. In the main city of Varberg you can visit Varberg Fortress and do a guided tour of the 13th century castle, visit Varberg Kallbadhus for a swim, sauna and dip in the sea! If you are looking for a more relaxed day trip you could spend the day at Varberg Stadshotell and Asia Spa ! This is one of the best spas near Gothenburg , and definitely a good Swedish experience to immerse yourself in – especially in the autumn and winter months.

Varberg also has some great nature to explore! Getterön is a beautiful nature reserve with several walks, swimming spots, or you could head south to the beautiful Träslövsläge havsbad beach! For lunch you have to try Spiseriet, a smokery/ farmshop selling local goods and GREAT food! The best thing about this place is the way the food is presented – in wooden boxes with various picked dressings and extras for your meal.

Klädesholmen

Klädesholmen is one of the biggest fishing villages on the island of Tjörn, one of the closest islands north of Gothenburg. This is home to the Nordic Watercolour Museum, great restaurants, swimming spots and walks! The town itself is great to walk through, with narrow streets of white wooden houses which ones housed a thriving fishing community. This is a place that is best to visit in the summer as most of the restaurants and shops are closed during the winter months.

Here you can visit the Sill museum and learn about the tradition of Swedish pickled herring, eat at the renowned restaurant Salt och Sill, or take a swim from one of the many rocky cliffs. If you want to see a traditional fishing village with a rich history then Klädesholmen is one of the best day trips from Gothenburg!

Bohus Fästning and Kungälv

Bohus Fästning is one of the best medieval fortresses to visit in Gothenburg. Located in the city of Kungälv, it takes around 20 minutes to drive / take the bus to the castle. Throughout the spring, summer and autumn the fortress is open for guided tours. The grounds outside are beautiful in the spring as the hills become covered with wild flowers and you get a view over the Göta canal. You can spend the whole day here enjoying the fortress museum and the gardens.

During the first weekend in July, there is a medieval market that opens in the castle, and in the winter they have one of Gothenburg’s best Christmas markets . This is the best time to take a day trip to Gothenburg and experience a real historical atmosphere.

Fiskebäckskil and Grundsund

Fiskebäckskil and Grundsund are connected by a part of the Kuststigen. If you are looking for picturesque, authentic fishing villages then this is the best day trip to take. There is a bus route which takes you to these different towns, however, this day trip is best done with a car as the buses are not very regular. Starting in Grundsund, you can wak for several hours along the cliffs, through the forest, past the beach, until you reach Fiskebäckskil. Here, there is a nice restaurant and it is very much worth spending time walking around the village. There are so many little streets and flowering alleyways connecting the houses and fishing harbours.

The 10 Best Day Trips from Gothenburg: An Overview

These are just 10 day trips from Gothenburg. I have tried to keep those in this list quite varied in terms of activities, experience, and whether you can get there with public transport. However, there are so many more amazing day trips you can take to Gothenburg – most of which I have written blog posts about! So, make sure to look through the list below and continue exploring!

Don’t miss these Gothenburg Day Trips:

The Best Things To Do in Smögen, Sweden

The Ultimate Guide to Käringön, Sweden

The Ultimate Marstrand Sweden Island Guide

The Complete Guide to Donsö Island in Gothenburg, Sweden

Vinga Lighthouse – A Must Visit Gothenburg Island

What to do on Orust, Sweden – The Ultimate Island Guide

Things to do on Hönö, Sweden – Gothenburg Island Guide

Gothenburg Archipelago – The Best Island Hopping Guide

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August 8, 2023 at 12:42 pm

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THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Sweden

Day trips from sweden.

• Sweden to Sigtuna
• Sweden to Stockholm
• Sweden to Malmö
• Sweden to Helsingoer
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Viking History and Swedish Countryside Tour to Sigtuna & Uppsala

2. Private Full Day Viking History Tour from Stockholm Including Sigtuna and Uppsala

3. Viking History Small Group Tour from Stockholm: Half Day Including Sigtuna

4. Private Stockholm City Tour by VIP car Vasa and Skansen museum

5. Private Half Day Tour: Viking History Trip from Stockholm Including Sigtuna

6. Private Sigtuna Tour from Stockholm - Oldest Town of Sweden

7. Private Roadbike Adventure in Stockholm

8. Private Day Tour to Uppsala - Uppsala Cathedral, Viking Burials and countryside

9. Drottningholm and Gripsholm Castle PRIVATE Guide Half Day Tour

10. Private Shopping Tour from Gothenburg to Hede Fashion Outlet

11. Half-Day Tour to Abisko From Kiruna: Morning hike

12. Private Tour: Swedish Church History Half-Day Tour from Stockholm

13. Private Tour: Swedish History Day Trip to World Heritage Candidate Markim-Orkesta from Stockholm

14. Private Full Day Malmö and Lund Tour from Copenhagen

15. Private Shopping Tour from Stockholm to Stockholm Quality Outlet

16. Copenhagen to Sweden Private Day Trip

17. Gothenburg : Private Walking Tour with A Guide (Private tour)

18. Copenhagen private Day Trip to Malmo Old Town and Castle

19. ROYAL Castle Skokloster and Viking Sigtuna PRIVATE Tour

20. Trollsjön Guided Day Tour

21. Private Shopping Tour from Stockholm hotels to Stockholm Outlet

22. Private Transfer From Copenhagen to Gothenburg With a 2 Hour Stop

23. Stockholm: Private Walking Tour with A Local Guide (Private Tour)

24. Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Copenhagen With a 2 Hour Stop

25. Private Uppsala & Sigtuna Half Day Tour

26. ROYAL Uppsala and VIKING Sigtuna PRIVATE Tour

27. Private Aurora Borealis Tour Kiruna Abisko with Street Food

28. ROYAL Castle Tour Gripsholm and Drottningholm PRIVATE

29. Voyage of the Vikings: Guided Exploration Through Sweden's Past

30. Guided nature and history experience 8h, Biskops-Arnö and Sigtuna from Stockholm

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