Sweden Things to Do

If battling muddy fields and sunburn at the annual Sweden Rock Festival doesn’t sound appealing, the Stockholm Early Music Festival offers a decidedly more sophisticated musical experience, drawing thousands of classical music fans to the Swedish capital each summer.

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.

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.

ou could spend months exploring Stockholm’s vast 30,000 island archipelago, but if you’d prefer a change of scenery there’s plenty to see in the surrounding area, including these popular day trip destinations.

1. Galve
Around 100 miles north of Stockholm, the historic town of Galve makes a popular day trip from the capital, with its picturesque old town dotted with authentic 19th century wooden houses. While you’re there, take a peek at the town’s National Railway museum and harrowing Prison Museum, wander the many parks and sample some of Sweden’s best coffee and chocolates. Alternatively, time your visit for August, when Galve’s annual City Fest takes over the city streets, with lively street entertainment, parades and live music.

A sprawling archipelago jutting out into the Baltic sea, Sweden’s capital makes a dramatic location for a walking tour, but if you want to make the most of your sightseeing time, here are a few tips for getting around in Stockholm.

Sure, the days are shorter and the temperatures are sub-zero in Sweden during the winter, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things to enjoy in this Scandinavian country. From extreme sports to spotting the Northern Lights and relaxing inside, visiting Sweden in the winter does make for a fantastic — albeit somewhat chilly — holiday.