Sweden Things to Do

One of Scandinavia’s most attractive cities, sprawled around a 30,000-island archipelago, Stockholm’s effortless blend of historic architecture and modernist cool makes it a popular European cruise destination.

The city has a number of ports used by cruise liners, so make sure you check your arrival and departure point before docking and plan ahead to maximize your time in the city. With a network of bridges connecting the many islands, the city’s key landmarks can be easily explored on foot or bike and there’s plenty to cram into a day’s sightseeing. The old medieval center of Gamla Stan is the best area to start a walking tour of the city, with its cobblestone streets crammed with antiques and handicrafts shops, art galleries and cafés. While you’re there, check out the impressive Stockholm Cathedral and pay a visit to the Royal Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony, performed daily at midday. Next take the ferry over to Djurgården, home to the city’s most idyllic parklands, the Skansen open-air museum and zoo, and the hugely popular Vasa Museum, a 17th century warship that sank on its maiden voyage from Stockholm. Back on the mainland, stroll around the central stopping street of Drottninggatan and climb the City Hall Tower for a great view of the city.

The highlight of my train trip from Berlin to Stockholm was going over the Great Belt Bridge between Zealand and Sprogø in Denmark. Although the train takes a tunnel for the spectacular suspension bridge section, the box girder bridge from Sprogø to Funen is truly magnificent.