Stockholm journey information: Sunsets, fika and island swimming within the gorgeous archipelago

If you’ve been following the newest journey traits and are in search of a “coolcation” in 2026, then you may’t get a lot cooler than Stockholm.

Not solely is Sweden’s capital metropolis cool(er) in temperature, nevertheless it’s additionally a really cool place to hang around for a weekend or quick metropolis break.

Surrounded by 30,000 islands, Stockholm is a perfect vacation spot for out of doors adventures this summer season.

From exploring on foot and two wheels to boarding a ferry and heading additional afield, Stockholm’s gorgeous archipelago presents infinite alternatives for strolling, mountain climbing, kayaking, and wild swimming, all inside straightforward attain of town.

Chasing sunsets and summer season metropolis walks in Stockholm

Sweden – the land of ABBA, IKEA, the Nobel prize, and Pippi Longstocking – isn’t quick on points of interest and locations to go. Even throughout winter, which is the time of 12 months that I had beforehand visited, there’s loads to see and do.

But what’s Sweden, and Stockholm, like in the summertime? In a couple of phrases: it’s considered one of Europe’s brilliant spots, because it by no means actually will get that darkish.

Visiting this time on the finish of June, the dawn was at round 3.30 am and the sundown at round 10 pm. The lengthy summer season days imply you’ll get much more time to find this metropolis and its islands.

Landing at Stockholm Arlanda Airport at simply after 2 pm and arriving in our resort earlier than 4 pm, we had a great six hours earlier than sundown on the primary day of our 48-hour metropolis break.

So, with that in thoughts, we placed on our comfortable strolling footwear and headed out on foot.

Staying within the central Norrmalm district, we ventured to the long-lasting Gamla Stan previous city earlier than heading to the stylish neighbourhood of Södermalm. Here you will discover a scenic waterside path that’s good for strolling and biking.

Crossing over to the island of Långholmen, its park presents an elevated vantage level for sundown with nice views of town and water. We have been in a position to sit down on the rocks and luxuriate in watching the solar begin to set.

With nightfall setting in – nicely, I say nightfall, however as beforehand talked about it by no means actually will get that darkish right here – we continued our stroll over the Västerbron Bridge and again by way of the park at Rålambshovsparken. Even after 10 pm, it felt like a day with individuals having picnics and youngsters operating round.

From Rålambshovsparken, we adopted the waterside earlier than going again by way of town to finish the loop again to our resort. The stroll was round 9 kilometres in complete.

Forget cabs, metro and even bikes, in case you actually wish to see Stockholm metropolis then do it on foot.

Wild swimming on a day journey to Vaxholm

One of the principle causes for selecting a summer season metropolis break in Stockholm was to move out to one of many islands.

We selected Vaxholm, which is thought to be “the capital of the archipelago” and one of the vital standard choices for a day journey from town.

Taking a ferry from the central Strömkajen dock, it’s a straightforward journey of round an hour onboard a Waxholmsbolaget service. Single-journey tickets for adults begin from SEK 61 (€5.50).

On the island of Vaxholm you may go to the historic fortress, browse the waterfront cafés and retailers, or rent a motorcycle and go on a two-wheeled journey. But with temperatures on the day extra akin to the Med than Scandinavia, a refreshing dip within the water was the proper exercise to chill off.

Recommended by the crew at Vaxholm’s vacationer data workplace, we headed to Norrhamnsbadet, a preferred spot for swimming and sunbathing only a few minutes from the ferry port.

Here you will discover a small seashore, rocks and grass to lie on and a jetty which has steps into the refreshingly-cool water.

Did I count on to be chilly water swimming in Sweden? No. Will it become essentially the most memorable a part of the journey? Definitely.

Fika and meatballs: Where to eat and drink in Stockholm

Stockholm’s cafe tradition is pretty much as good as anyplace in Europe and the Swedes even have their very own phrase – “fika” – which suggests “to have a espresso break”. Alongside your chosen brew, you’ll even have one thing candy to eat. Traditional fika treats embody cinnamon buns and cardamom pastries.

Wander the streets of Stockholm and also you’ll discover lots of, possibly hundreds, of locations that supply fika. We opted for Skeppsbro Bageri in Gamla Stan, which had a pleasant out of doors seating space by the waterside. A phrase of warning although, don’t be shocked to be joined at your desk by some geese – additionally they actually take pleasure in a candy pastry.

Beyond fika, Sweden is probably finest recognized for its iconic meatballs. Internationally, you’ll have loved them at IKEA whereas taking a break from shopping for the newest in flat-pack furnishings.

A fast seek for “best meatballs in Stockholm” brings up numerous suggestions. On the menu for us was a desk for 2 at Bakfickan, the “back pocket” restaurant on the Royal Swedish Opera. Served with creamy mashed potatoes, gravy, lingonberries and pickles, the Bakfickan meatballs have been scrumptious – and nicely value their on-line reward.

For a night aperitivo, or a sundown drink, head to Stockholm Under Stjärnorna (SUS). Located at Hotel At Six, a design-led boutique resort, SUS is a rooftop park which boasts 360-degree panoramic views over town.

Hotel and locations to remain in Stockholm

Like any fashionable capital metropolis, you’ll discover a variety of lodging choices in Stockholm.

With simply 48 hours to discover we needed to remain someplace very central, so we checked in on the Haymarket by Scandic.

Located instantly throughout Hötorget Square from the Stockholm Concert Hall, this artwork deco-style resort is simply 10 minutes’ stroll from central station and the full of life space is stuffed with purchasing streets, eating places and bars. For two nights in a double room we paid round €357.

How to get from the airport to Stockholm metropolis centre

Arlanda Airport, Sweden’s largest, is 40 kilometres north of Stockholm and there are a couple of methods guests can get to town after touchdown.

While not the most cost effective possibility, the Arlanda Express prepare is definitely the quickest. The continuous journey from the airport to Stockholm Central takes simply 18 minutes. A spherical journey ticket for 2 adults price us SEK 920 (€83) and was legitimate for 90 days.

Other transport choices embody the Flygbussarna airport coaches, which depart each 15 to half-hour for Stockholm City Terminal subsequent to central station, with a journey time of round 35 to 45 minutes.

Alternatively, SL commuter trains depart twice an hour from Arlanda Central Station in SkyCity, reaching Stockholm Central in round 43 minutes. Coach operators corresponding to FlixBus and Nettbuss additionally serve the airport.

The Stockholm guidelines for first-time guests

While you may obtain quite a bit on a brief metropolis break in Sweden’s capital, you’ll by no means actually get to see every little thing.

To assist first-time guests, right here’s our guidelines of issues to see and do in Stockholm…

• Gamla Stan: Explore Stockholm’s Old Town, with its vibrant buildings, medieval streets and historic squares. Traveller tip: in case you’re within the south-east nook of Stortorget sq., don’t neglect to lookup and spot the cannonball above the Stortorgskällaren signal…
• Stockholm Archipelago: Take a ferry by way of the islands and go to charming locations corresponding to Vaxholm.
• Djurgården: Known because the “true lung” of the Swedish capital, the island of Djurgården has a lot to supply that you could possibly additionally spend an entire weekend right here exploring its museums, parks, strolling trails and waterfront.
• Vasa Museum, Djurgården: The Seventeenth-century warship is considered one of Sweden’s most visited points of interest.
• Skansen, Djurgården: The world’s oldest open-air museum options historic buildings, Nordic wildlife and conventional crafts.
• ABBA The Museum, Djurgården: Take an opportunity on this entertaining museum which is devoted to Sweden’s most well-known pop group.
• Stockholm City Hall, Kungsholmen: This iconic landmark is dwelling of the Nobel Prize banquet and its magnificent Blue and Golden Halls.
• Södermalm: One of Stockholm’s trendiest neighbourhoods that’s recognized for its unbiased boutiques, cafés, galleries and eating scene.
• Monteliusvägen: Walk this scenic viewpoint in Södermalm for a few of the metropolis’s finest panoramic views over the skyline and waterfront – particularly at dawn and sundown.
• Östermalm Food Hall: Enjoy a conventional Swedish fika or pattern native delicacies.