Sweden Things to Do

Since its first race back in 1979, featuring a mere 2,000 runners, the ASICS Stockholm Marathon has become one of Sweden biggest and most popular sporting events, drawing in over 20,000 runners from all around the globe. The 42km race is lauded as one of Europe’s most scenic marathon routes, with runners undertaking 2 laps of the city, set against a backdrop of the glistening ocean and urban greenery.

With a reputation for being one of Europe’s more pricey destinations, Stockholm might not top the list for budget travelers, but there are still plenty of free things to do. Here’s a few ideas.

1. Go Swimming
As the weather gets warmer, locals will be flocking to Stockholm’s open-air swimming spots and with its reputation for having some of the cleanest waters in the world, there’s no excuse for not joining them. Make the most of the free swimming area in Rålambshovsparken park, or head to one of the city’s two swimming beaches, Långholmsbadet or Smedsuddsbadet.

With a network of over 760km of dedicated cycle lanes and almost as many bikes on the road as cars, biking is the perfect way to explore the vast Stockholm archipelago. During the summer months, Stockholm City Bikes offer citywide bike loan by pre-purchasing a City Bike Card that enables you to pick up and drop off your cycle at stands all over the city, or else there’s a wide range of bike rental outlets across the city. Pick up a free cycle route map from the tourist information office and explore the sights on your own, or join a guided bike tour, where you’ll get the insider scoop on the city’s main attractions without having to worry about navigating a new city.

The summertime in Sweden is spectacular. With long, sunny days, and a culture that embraces the outdoors after a cold and dark winter, areas near the water become the places to be. Langholmen, originally a prison island located in central Stockholm, today is one of the most popular beaches in the region. It wasn’t always the green and lush island it is today. Prison inmates transformed the island in the 18th century from rocky and barren to exotic, dredging mud from the waterways.

On April 30 (exactly six months before Halloween), Sweden celebrates one of its main traditions – Walpurgis Night. The holiday, which has its roots in the Viking Era, is a pagan event which pays homage to fertility and the arrival of spring.