Stockholm Archipelago
3
Day Itinerary •
Sweden
Three days in Stockholm and the Archipelago covers the essential experience of one of Europe's most beautiful capitals. The extraordinary Vasa warship, the remarkable Gamla Stan medieval old town, the finest photography museum in the world at Fotografiska and a day in the extraordinary Stockholm Archipelago of 30,000 islands make three days that leave the city impossible to forget. This route gives a full day in the extraordinary Gamla Stan and Djurgarden museum island, a day exploring the remarkable Sodermalm neighbourhood and Fotografiska, and a day in the outstanding Stockholm Archipelago, the most extraordinary urban island landscape in the world.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)
Getting Around
Metro, tram and ferry
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,500 to 2,500 SEK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and boat trips
DAY 1
GAMLA STAN AND THE VASA MUSEUM
MORNING
GAMLA STAN, THE MEDIEVAL OLD TOWN
Gamla Stan on its own island is the finest medieval old town in Scandinavia. The extraordinary Stortorget, the oldest square in Stockholm with its remarkable coloured merchant houses, the outstanding Storkyrkan cathedral and the remarkable narrow lanes of the medieval street network are all outstanding. Hans Christian Andersen lived here in the 1860s. The remarkable Nobel Museum in Stortorget tells the extraordinary story of the prize since 1901. Entry Nobel Museum approx 130 SEK. Travel: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
THE ROYAL PALACE
The Royal Palace in Gamla Stan is the largest royal palace still in active use anywhere in the world, its extraordinary 1,430 rooms, the remarkable State Apartments, the outstanding Treasury with the Swedish crown jewels and the extraordinary Royal Armoury all being outstanding. The noon changing of the guard is a remarkable daily spectacle. Entry state apartments approx 180 SEK. Travel: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
VASA MUSEUM, THE EXTRAORDINARY WARSHIP
The Vasa Museum on Djurgarden is the most visited museum in Scandinavia. The extraordinary 17th-century warship Vasa, which sank on her maiden voyage in 1628 and was raised perfectly preserved in 1961, is 98 percent original and the most remarkable wooden ship in the world. The extraordinary carved figurehead, the remarkable painted hull and the outstanding reconstruction of life on board are all unmissable. Entry approx 190 SEK. Travel: 20 min walk
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Mårten Trotzigs Grand in Gamla Stan, the narrowest street in Stockholm at just 90cm wide, tucked behind Stortorget, is the finest hidden detail of the medieval old town. Almost always missed by tourists. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Vete-Katten, Kungsgatan The finest traditional Swedish bakery since 1928. | Lunch: Stortorget cafe, Gamla Stan Classic Swedish lunch in the extraordinary medieval square. | Dinner: Tradition, Gamla Stan The finest traditional Swedish husmanskost in the old town.
DAY 2
SODERMALM AND FOTOGRAFISKA
MORNING
FOTOGRAFISKA
Fotografiska in Sodermalm is the finest photography museum in the world, its extraordinary rotating exhibitions of both established and emerging photographers in a remarkable converted customs house above the Stockholm waterfront being outstanding. The remarkable building, the excellent cafe and the outstanding quality of the photography on display make every visit unique and remarkable. Entry approx 195 SEK. Travel: 20 min walk or metro
MIDDAY
MONTELIUSVAGEN CLIFF WALK AND SODERMALM
The Monteliusvagen path along the top of the Sodermalm cliff is the finest free viewpoint in Stockholm. The remarkable 500-metre walk gives extraordinary views of the City Hall, Gamla Stan, Riddarholmen and the waterways of the extraordinary island city. The remarkable SoFo district below is the finest neighbourhood in Stockholm for independent shops, outstanding street art and the best fika stops in the city. Free. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
ABBA MUSEUM AND DJURGARDEN
The ABBA Museum is the most visited pop music museum in Europe. The remarkable interactive exhibitions, the extraordinary costumes worn on stage and in videos, the outstanding holograms performing with visitors and the remarkable story of four Stockholmers who changed popular music are all outstanding. Entry approx 250 SEK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Skinnarviksberget, a natural granite hilltop in central Sodermalm, gives the finest 360-degree panorama of Stockholm and is almost always less crowded than Monteliusvagen. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Mellqvist Kaffeebar, Hornsgatan The finest specialty coffee in Sodermalm. | Lunch: Fotografiska top floor Extraordinary views and excellent food in the finest photography museum. | Dinner: Nytorget Urban Deli, Sodermalm The finest food hall and restaurant in Stockholm's hippest district.
DAY 3
STOCKHOLM ARCHIPELAGO
MORNING
ARCHIPELAGO FERRY TO VAXHOLM
each way The Waxholmsbolaget ferry from Stranden quay to Vaxholm threads through the extraordinary inner archipelago for 75 minutes, passing hundreds of remarkable islands, traditional Swedish red summer cottages and the extraordinary open Baltic beyond. Vaxholm, the gateway town with its remarkable 16th-century fortress, the outstanding colourful wooden houses and the fine harbour is the finest introduction to the Stockholm Archipelago. Ferry approx 130 SEK return. Travel: Ferry from Stranden quay
MIDDAY
VAXHOLM FORTRESS AND ISLAND LIFE
The Vaxholm Fortress on its own island, protecting Stockholm since the 16th century, is the most extraordinary island fort in the inner archipelago. The remarkable ferry from Vaxholm harbour takes 5 minutes. The extraordinary views from the fortress walls across the remarkable island channels, the outstanding museum inside and the fine swimming spots on the rocks below the fortress are all outstanding. Entry fortress approx 100 SEK. Travel: Short ferry
AFTERNOON
ARCHIPELAGO SWIMMING AND RETURN
The Swedish tradition of swimming from granite rocks in the extraordinary Stockholm Archipelago is the finest summer activity in Sweden. Find a flat rock, jump into the cold Baltic and experience the remarkable Scandinavian connection with nature that defines the Swedish summer. Return to Stockholm in the late afternoon for a final evening in the city. The view of Stockholm approaching from the water on the return ferry is extraordinary. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Fjaderholmarna islands, just 25 minutes by ferry from Slussen, are the nearest archipelago islands to Stockholm city centre with remarkable traditional craft workshops, outstanding smoked shrimp and the finest swimming rocks near the city. Ferry approx 120 SEK return.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Stockholm hotel Good breakfast before the archipelago ferry. | Lunch: Vaxholm harbour restaurant Fresh archipelago seafood in the most beautiful gateway town. | Dinner: Final Stockholm dinner Oaxen Slip at Djurgarden or Operakallaren for a farewell dinner.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Norrmalm or Gamla Stan, all 3 nights Central Stockholm. Approx 1,200 to 2,500 SEK per night. Stockholm Card Covers Vasa Museum, ABBA Museum, Skansen and unlimited transport. Booking ahead Book at least 3 weeks ahead in summer. Stockholm fills fast in June and July.
Top Tips
1. The Stockholm Card covers Vasa, ABBA Museum, Skansen and unlimited transport. Worth buying.
2. Book Vasa Museum tickets online. Queues without a booking can be very long in summer.
3. The Monteliusvagen cliff walk in Sodermalm gives the finest free view of Stockholm.
4. The Archipelago is best June to August. Vaxholm is 75 minutes by ferry from the city.
5. Fika is a Swedish institution. Stop for coffee and a cinnamon bun at every opportunity.
6. Stockholm is expensive. Buy supermarket lunch and save restaurant budget for dinner.
Total Budget
1,850 to 3,400 SEK/day