Stockholm Archipelago
5
Day Itinerary •
Sweden
Five days in Stockholm and the Archipelago gives you time to explore one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world properly. Built across fourteen islands where Lake Malaren meets the Baltic, Stockholm is the Venice of the North with extraordinary waterways, remarkable medieval Gamla Stan, the finest museums in Scandinavia and the extraordinary archipelago of 30,000 islands stretching east into the Baltic at its doorstep. This route covers the complete Stockholm experience. The extraordinary Vasa Museum with its perfectly preserved 17th-century warship, the remarkable ABBA Museum, the extraordinary Gamla Stan old town, the remarkable Drottningholm Palace UNESCO World Heritage Site, a day in the extraordinary Stockholm Archipelago and the remarkable Fotografiska museum with the finest photography collection in Scandinavia.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), direct from most European cities
Getting Around
Metro, tram, ferry and on foot in city
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,500 to 2,500 SEK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking and boat trips
DAY 1
GAMLA STAN, THE MEDIEVAL OLD TOWN
MORNING
GAMLA STAN, THE MEDIEVAL OLD TOWN
Gamla Stan, Stockholm's extraordinary medieval old town on its own island, is the finest preserved historic district in Scandinavia. The remarkable Stortorget, the oldest square in Stockholm with its extraordinary coloured merchant houses and the site of the Stockholm Bloodbath of 1520, the outstanding Storkyrkan cathedral where Swedish royals are married, and the remarkable narrow lanes of Prästgatan and Köpmangatan are all outstanding. The extraordinary atmosphere of the medieval street network is free. Travel: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
THE ROYAL PALACE
The Royal Palace in Gamla Stan, the largest royal palace in the world still used for its original purpose with 1,430 rooms, is the extraordinary official residence of the Swedish monarch. The remarkable State Apartments, the outstanding Royal Armoury and the extraordinary Treasury with the Swedish crown jewels are all outstanding. The changing of the guard ceremony at noon is a remarkable daily spectacle. Entry state apartments approx 180 SEK. Travel: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
NOBEL MUSEUM AND THE GAMLA STAN EVENING
The Nobel Museum in Stortorget tells the extraordinary story of the Nobel Prize and the remarkable individuals who have received it since 1901. The outstanding collection of Nobel laureate objects, the remarkable film archive and the extraordinary design of the museum make it the finest cultural experience in Gamla Stan. End the day with fika at Cafe Grillska Huset in Stortorget, the finest traditional cafe in the old town. Entry approx 130 SEK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Mårten Trotzigs Grand in Gamla Stan, the narrowest street in Stockholm at just 90cm wide, and the remarkable Köpmantorget with its extraordinary dragon statue are the finest hidden details of the medieval old town. Both free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Vete-Katten, Kungsgatan The finest traditional Swedish bakery in Stockholm since 1928. | Lunch: Stortorget cafe, Gamla Stan Classic Swedish husmanskost in the extraordinary medieval square. | Dinner: Tradition, Gamla Stan The finest traditional Swedish cuisine in the old town.
DAY 2
DJURGARDEN MUSEUMS
MORNING
VASA MUSEUM
The Vasa Museum is the most visited museum in Scandinavia and one of the finest anywhere. The extraordinary Vasa warship, which sank on her maiden voyage in 1628 and was raised from Stockholm harbour in 1961 after 333 years on the seabed, is 98 percent original and the most remarkably preserved 17th-century ship in the world. The extraordinary carved figurehead, the remarkable painted hull and the outstanding reconstruction of life on board are all remarkable. Entry approx 190 SEK. Travel: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
ABBA MUSEUM
The ABBA Museum on Djurgarden is the most visited pop music museum in Europe and the finest celebration of Sweden's most extraordinary cultural export. The remarkable interactive exhibitions, the outstanding costumes and the extraordinary holograms of ABBA members performing with visitors are all outstanding. The museum gives the finest insight into the remarkable story of four people from Stockholm who changed popular music. Entry approx 250 SEK. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
SKANSEN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM
Skansen, the world's first open-air museum opened in 1891, preserves the most extraordinary collection of historic Swedish buildings on a remarkable hilltop overlooking the city. The outstanding traditional farmhouses, the remarkable craftsmen demonstrating traditional skills and the extraordinary Nordic animals including elk, bears and wolves in the remarkable zoo make it outstanding. The views of Stockholm from the Skansen heights are extraordinary. Entry approx 200 SEK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde art gallery on Djurgarden, the home of the painter prince and now a remarkable museum of Swedish late-19th-century art, has the finest collection of Prince Eugen's own extraordinary landscape paintings. Entry approx 130 SEK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Rosendals Tradgard, Djurgarden The finest organic cafe in Stockholm in a remarkable garden. | Lunch: Vasa Museum cafe Excellent lunch inside the extraordinary warship museum. | Dinner: Oaxen Slip, Djurgarden The finest waterfront restaurant in Stockholm. Outstanding Swedish cooking.
DAY 3
SODERMALM AND FOTOGRAFISKA
MORNING
FOTOGRAFISKA
Fotografiska in Sodermalm is the finest photography museum in the world, its extraordinary exhibitions of both established and emerging photographers in a remarkable converted customs house above the water being outstanding. The building's remarkable position overlooking the Stockholm waterfront and the outstanding quality of the rotating exhibitions make every visit unique. The rooftop bar and cafe has the finest view of Stockholm from any accessible building. Entry approx 195 SEK. Travel: 20 min walk or metro
MIDDAY
MONTELIUSVAGEN CLIFF WALK
The Monteliusvagen path along the top of the Sodermalm cliff is the finest free viewpoint in Stockholm, its remarkable 500-metre walk giving extraordinary views of the City Hall, Gamla Stan, Riddarholmen and the waterways connecting Stockholm's fourteen islands. The extraordinary combination of the cliff edge, the remarkable gardens below and the outstanding Stockholm skyline make it the finest urban walk in Sweden. Free. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
SOFO AND SODERMALM EXPLORATION
The SoFo district of Sodermalm, Stockholm's most extraordinary neighbourhood, has the finest independent shops, the most remarkable street art and the outstanding fika culture of any area in the city. The remarkable Medborgarplatsen with its extraordinary outdoor food market, the outstanding Hornstull waterfront and the remarkable Tantolunden park with its extraordinary allotment garden are all outstanding. Sodermalm has the finest neighbourhood atmosphere in Stockholm. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Skinnarviksberget, a natural granite hilltop in Sodermalm, is the finest free viewpoint in Stockholm giving a remarkable 360-degree panorama. Almost always less crowded than Monteliusvagen. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Mellqvist Kaffeebar, Hornsgatan The finest specialty coffee in Sodermalm. Extraordinary Swedish pastries. | Lunch: Fotografiska top floor cafe 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 neighbourhood.
DAY 4
STOCKHOLM ARCHIPELAGO
MORNING
STOCKHOLM ARCHIPELAGO FERRY
each way The Stockholm Archipelago, 30,000 islands stretching 80km east of the city into the Baltic, is the most extraordinary urban island landscape in the world. The Waxholmsbolaget ferry from Stranden quay to Vaxholm takes 75 minutes through the extraordinary island scenery and gives the finest introduction to the archipelago. Vaxholm, the gateway town with its remarkable 16th-century fortress, the outstanding colourful wooden houses and the fine harbour is outstanding. Ferry approx 130 SEK return. Travel: Ferry from Stranden
MIDDAY
VAXHOLM FORTRESS AND TOWN
Vaxholm Fortress, built to protect Stockholm from seaborne attack since the 16th century, is the most extraordinary island fort in the Stockholm Archipelago. The remarkable ferry to the fortress island from Vaxholm town takes 5 minutes. The extraordinary museum inside the fortress, the remarkable views of the archipelago from the walls and the outstanding sense of island remoteness while being 75 minutes from the capital are all remarkable. Entry fortress approx 100 SEK. Travel: Short ferry
AFTERNOON
ISLAND EXPLORATION AND RETURN
Spend the afternoon exploring the extraordinary Vaxholm archipelago island landscape, swimming from the remarkable granite rocks, cycling the island paths or taking a smaller boat to one of the nearby uninhabited islands. The extraordinary bathing culture of the Swedish archipelago, where jumping into the cold Baltic from granite rocks is a national ritual, is the finest way to spend an afternoon. Return ferry to Stockholm for the evening. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sandhamn on the outer archipelago, 3 hours by ferry from Stockholm, is the finest summer destination in the entire archipelago. The remarkable village, the extraordinary sailing culture and the outstanding granite rocks for swimming are the finest in the Stockholm Archipelago. Day ferry approx 200 SEK return.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Stockholm hotel or cafe Good breakfast before the archipelago ferry. | Lunch: Vaxholm harbour restaurant Fresh archipelago seafood in the most beautiful gateway town. | Dinner: Return to Stockholm A final Stockholm evening. Mathias Dahlgren at Grand Hotel for a treat.
DAY 5
DROTTNINGHOLM UNESCO PALACE
MORNING
DROTTNINGHOLM PALACE
Drottningholm Palace, the private residence of the Swedish royal family on Lake Malaren and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the finest baroque palace in Scandinavia. The remarkable palace interior, the extraordinary formal gardens in the French style and the outstanding Drottningholm Court Theatre, the best preserved 18th-century theatre in the world with its original stage machinery, are all outstanding. The extraordinary approach by boat from City Hall is the finest way to arrive. Entry approx 160 SEK. Travel: Boat from City Hall
MIDDAY
THE CHINESE PAVILION AND PALACE GARDENS
The Chinese Pavilion in the Drottningholm Palace gardens, built as a royal birthday surprise in 1753 and the finest example of chinoiserie in Scandinavia, is the most remarkable outbuilding of any Swedish palace. The extraordinary interior with its remarkable Chinese lacquer, the outstanding porcelain collection and the fine English landscape garden surrounding it are all outstanding. The palace gardens themselves are the finest formal gardens in Sweden. Entry approx 100 SEK. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
LAKE MALAREN AND STOCKHOLM FAREWELL
Return to Stockholm by boat across the extraordinary Lake Malaren, the finest approach to the city and the route by which Swedish history flowed for centuries. The remarkable view of the Stockholm skyline approaching from the water, the outstanding City Hall with its extraordinary tower and the remarkable Riddarholmen church spire create the finest panorama of the capital. A final fika in Kungstradgarden before departure. Boat approx 130 SEK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Fjaderholmarna islands, 25 minutes by ferry from Slussen, are the closest archipelago islands to central Stockholm and have the finest combination of traditional crafts, outstanding smoked shrimp and remarkable swimming rocks of any island near the city. Ferry approx 120 SEK return.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Stockholm hotel Good breakfast before the Drottningholm boat. | Lunch: Drottningholm Palace cafe Excellent Swedish lunch in the remarkable palace gardens. | Dinner: Final dinner, Stockholm Operakallaren or Frantzén for a farewell extraordinary Swedish dinner.
Where To Stay
Norrmalm or Gamla Stan, all nights Central Stockholm. Approx 1,200 to 2,500 SEK per night. Sodermalm option Trendier, slightly cheaper, 10 minutes from the centre by metro. Stockholm Card Consider the Stockholm Card: unlimited transport and 80+ museums included.
Top Tips
1. The Stockholm Card covers the Vasa Museum, ABBA Museum, Skansen and unlimited transport.
2. Book Vasa Museum tickets online. It is the most visited museum in Scandinavia.
3. The Archipelago is best June to August. Sandhamn is the finest island for a day trip.
4. Sodermalm's Monteliusvagen cliff walk gives the finest free view of Stockholm.
5. Fika culture is real. Stop for coffee and a cinnamon bun at every opportunity.
6. Swedish midsommar in late June is the most extraordinary cultural event in Stockholm.
Total Budget
1,850 to 3,400 SEK/day