In case you’re following the newest journey tendencies and in search of “cool climate” in 2026, there is no cooler place than Stockholm.
Sweden’s capital not solely has cool temperatures, however it’s additionally a really cool place to spend a weekend or a brief break within the metropolis.
Surrounded by 30,000 islands, Stockholm is the right place for out of doors adventures this summer time.
From exploring on foot and on two wheels to heading additional afield by ferry, Stockholm’s lovely archipelago affords limitless alternatives for strolling, mountaineering, kayaking and wild swimming all inside simple attain of the town.
Stroll across the summer time streets chasing the sundown in Stockholm
Sweden, the land of ABBA, IKEA, the Nobel Prize, and Pippi Longstocking, has a lot to see and do. Even within the winter, the place I’ve been earlier than, there may be nonetheless lots to see and do.
So, what’s summer time like in Sweden and Stockholm? In brief, it does not get a lot darker and is considered one of Europe’s shiny spots.
This time I visited on the finish of June, and the solar rose round 3:30 a.m. and sundown round 10 p.m. The lengthy summer time days will enable you extra time to discover this metropolis and its islands.
We landed at Stockholm Arlanda Airport simply after 2pm and arrived at our lodge simply earlier than 4pm, giving us a full six hours till sundown on the primary day of our 48-hour metropolis break.
So we placed on snug footwear and headed out on foot.
We stayed within the coronary heart of the Norrmalm district and visited the long-lasting Gamla Stan Previous City earlier than heading to the stylish neighborhood of Södermalm. There are lovely waterfront trails right here which might be good for strolling or biking.
Spanning the island of Langholmen, this park affords gorgeous views of the town and water as you watch the sundown. We have been capable of sit on the rocks and benefit from the solar beginning to set.
Nightfall is approaching, and despite the fact that it is nightfall, as I stated, it does not get that darkish right here. We continued our stroll, crossing the Westerbronn Bridge and returning by the park of Roramshofsparken. Even after 10pm, it nonetheless felt like a day with picnickers and kids working round.
From Roramshofsparken we accomplished a loop alongside the waterfront after which by the town again to our lodge. The stroll was about 9km in whole.
In case you actually need to discover the town of Stockholm, neglect about taxis, the metro, and even bikes and do it on foot.
Wild swimming on a day journey to Vaxholm
One of many principal causes we selected Stockholm for our summer time metropolis trip was to get out to one of many islands.
We selected Vaxholm, thought of the “capital of the archipelago” and one of the vital standard choices for day journeys from the town.
It is a straightforward journey of about an hour by ferry from the central Stromkajen quay and on the Waxholmsboraget service. One-way tickets for adults begin from SEK 61 (€5.50).
On the island of Vaxholm, you may go to historic fortresses, stroll by seaside cafes and outlets, or hire a motorcycle for a two-wheeled journey. Nevertheless, the temperature that day was extra Mediterranean than Scandinavian, so a cool dip within the water was the right exercise.
On the suggestion of the crew at Vaxholm’s vacationer workplace, we headed to Norramnsbadet, a well-liked spot for swimming and sunbathing simply minutes from the ferry port.
Right here you’ll find a small seashore, mendacity rocks and grass, and a pier with steps into the refreshing chilly water.
Did you count on to swim in chilly water in Sweden? No. Will it’s essentially the most memorable a part of the journey? completely.
Fika and Meatballs: Stockholm eatery
Stockholm’s cafe tradition is healthier than anyplace else in Europe, and Swedes even have their very own phrase for “taking a espresso break”: fika. Along with your favourite beer, you may as well take pleasure in one thing candy. Conventional fika treats embrace cinnamon buns and cardamom pastries.
In case you stroll across the streets of Stockholm, you will discover a whole bunch, maybe 1000’s, of locations providing fika. We selected Skeppsbro Bageri in Gamla Stan. There was a pleasant out of doors seating space proper by the water. Nevertheless, please watch out. Do not be stunned if a duck involves your desk. Additionally they love candy pastries.
Apart from fika, Sweden might be greatest identified for its iconic meatballs. Whereas overseas, you’ll have loved furnishings at IKEA throughout a break from shopping for the newest flat pack furnishings.
A fast seek for “greatest meatballs in Stockholm” will deliver up numerous suggestions. On our menu was a desk for 2 at Bakfickan, the Royal Swedish Opera’s “again pocket” restaurant. The bakfikan meatballs with creamy mashed potatoes, gravy, lingonberries and pickles have been scrumptious and worthy of the reward on-line.
For a night aperitif or sundown drink, head to Stockholm below Starnorna (SUS). Positioned throughout the design-led boutique lodge Resort at Six, SUS is a rooftop park with 360-degree panoramic views of the town.
Stockholm inns and lodging
Like all fashionable capital, Stockholm has a variety of lodging choices.
Since we solely had 48 hours to discover, we wished to remain someplace central, so we checked into the Scandic Haymarket.
Instantly reverse Stockholm Live performance Corridor from Hotorget Sq., this Artwork Deco lodge is only a 10-minute stroll from Central Station and in a vigorous space of procuring, eating places and bars. The fee for 2 nights in a double room was roughly 357 euros.
get from the airport to Stockholm metropolis heart
Arlanda Airport, Sweden’s largest airport, is positioned 40 kilometers north of Stockholm, and there are a number of methods guests can get into the town after touchdown.
Though not the most affordable possibility, the Arlanda Specific prepare is certainly the quickest. Direct flights from the airport to central Stockholm take simply 18 minutes. A round-trip ticket for 2 adults price SEK 920 (EUR 83) and was legitimate for 90 days.
Alternatively, the Flygbussarna Airport Bus departs each 15 to half-hour to Stockholm Metropolis Terminal, positioned subsequent to Central Station, and takes roughly 35 to 45 minutes.
Moreover, SL commuter trains depart from SkyCity’s Arlanda Central Station twice an hour and arrive at Stockholm Central Station in roughly 43 minutes. Bus firms resembling FlixBus and Nettbuss additionally service the airport.
Guidelines for first-time guests to Stockholm
You may accomplish rather a lot within the Swedish capital on a brief metropolis break, however you will not actually see every thing.
To assist first-time guests, here is a guidelines of issues to see and do in Stockholm.
- Gamla Stan: Discover Stockholm’s Previous City with its colourful buildings, medieval streets, and historic squares. Traveler tip: In case you are within the southeast nook of Stortorget, keep in mind to lookup and spot the shell above the Stortorgskällaren signal.
- Stockholm Archipelago: Hop on a ferry to discover the islands and go to fascinating locations like Vaxholm.
- Djurgården: Generally known as the “true lungs” of the Swedish capital, Djurgården has a lot to supply that you might spend a whole weekend exploring its museums, parks, strolling trails and waterfront.
- Vasa Museum, Djurgården: The seventeenth century warship is considered one of Sweden’s most visited vacationer points of interest.
- Skansen, Canton Djurgården: The world’s oldest open-air museum options historic buildings, Nordic wildlife and conventional crafts.
- Abba the Museum, Djurgården: Go to this enjoyable museum devoted to Sweden’s most well-known pop group.
- Stockholm Metropolis Corridor, Kungsholmen: This iconic landmark is dwelling to the Nobel Prize Banquet and its magnificent blue and gold corridor.
- Södermalm: One among Stockholm’s trendiest neighborhoods, identified for its impartial boutiques, cafes, galleries, and eating scene.
- Monteliusvägen: Stroll to this scenic viewpoint in Södermalm for a number of the metropolis’s greatest panoramic views of the skyline and waterfront, particularly at dawn and sundown.
- Östermalm Meals Corridor: Take pleasure in conventional Swedish fika and pattern native delicacies.
