Stockholm's surroundings, with woodlands, lakes, historic castles, and coastal towns, are extremely picturesque and well worth exploring. Excellent road, rail, and ferry links will take you wherever you want to go. Ancient fairytale castles, spectacular waterways, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and medieval villages await. There are more than 30,000 islands in the magical archipelago, so jump on a boat downtown and discover one for yourself. Swedes love the outdoors, so do things the Swedish way; pack a picnic and go explore.
1 Drottningholm Palace, the Queen's Castle
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, stunning Drottningholm Palace, on the island of Lovö, lies roughly 11 kilometers west of Stockholm center (45 minutes by boat). Dating from the 17th century and built for Queen Eleonora, the palace is now the residence of the Swedish Royal Family. In the beautiful park, with its terraces and avenues of lime trees, are various bronze sculptures brought back from Denmark and Bohemia as trophies of war. In 1774, Drottningholm was given to Queen Luise Ulrike (sister of Frederick the Great) as a wedding present, and new wings were added along with the Chinese Pavilion. The 18th-century Palace Theatre (Drottningholms Slottsteater) is still frequently used for performances and has stage machinery dating back to the reign of Gustavus III. Scenery and costumes from the period are displayed in the theater museum.
Hours: Seasonal opening hours
Admission: Adults SEK120, Under 17's free, Students SEK50
Address: 17893 Drottningholm
Official site: www.kungahuset.se
2 The Viking Settlement of Birch Island (Björkö)
Birka on Björkö island makes for an ideal day trip, and in the process you'll discover one of Sweden's first real towns. During Viking times, this Unesco World Heritage Site was the central hub and the most important trading post in the Mälar Valley. Established in the 8th century, Birka attracted travelers from near and far, and there's a wealth of ancient remains that have been excavated and studied since the 19th century. During summer, boat tours with Strömma Kanalbolaget depart from the dock at City Hall. Guided tours are available and there's a restaurant on the island.
Hours: Seasonal timetable
Admission: Adults SEK360, Children 6-11 yrs half price, 0-5 yrs free
3 Boat Trip Across Lake Mälaren to Historic Mariefred
A boat trip on Lake Mälaren (about three hours) to the picturesque town of Mariefred makes for a relaxing and scenic excursion. The town's origin and name comes from the monastery of Pax Mariae, which was founded here in 1493. The town's main landmark is a hillside 17th-century church. Below that is the oldest part of the town, with wooden houses running down to the lake. In the market square, to the north of the church, stands the Town Hall (1784). On the west side, beyond Stallarholmsvägen, lies the ruined church of Kärnbo. Gripsholm Castle dominates the landscape. To get there, take a nostalgic voyage aboard the steamship S/S Mariefred from City Hall, Stockholm.
Hours: Seasonal schedule - sailings May-September
Admission: Adults SEK270 (return), under 16s half price, under 6s free
Address: Mariefred
Official site: www.mariefred.info
4 Editor's PickMedieval Gripsholm Castle
A visit to historic and beautiful Gripsholm will immerse visitors in four hundred years of Swedish history. On the shores of Lake Mälaren, the castle rises over the pretty town of Mariefred. Gripsholm is sometimes called Gustav Vasa's castle as the King built it here in 1537. Take time to explore the building. The Swedish State's collection of portraits, featuring famous Swedes from the days of Gustav Vasa to Abba musician and composer, Benny Andersson, is a must-see. Wander around the beautiful castle grounds and Hjorthagen nature reserve where royal deer graze.
Hours: Open daily - seasonal variations
Admission: Adults SEK120, students SEK60, under 17s free
Address: 64731 Mariefred
Official site: www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/royalpalaces/gripsholmcastle
5 Modernist Enskede Woodland Cemetery (Skogskyrkogården)
Created by the famous modernist architects, Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz, on about 250 acres, the cemetery is a place of stunning beauty on a boulder ridge cloaked with pine trees. Reflecting Nordic philosophy on the themes of life, death, and nature, the cemetery is hailed as one of the most significant works of these modernist architects. Within the grounds lie a number of beautiful chapels and a visitor's center. The Woodland Cemetery was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is a short trip from Stockholm city center.
Hours: Guided tours Sundays, July-September
Admission: Guided tour SEK100
Address: Skogskyrkogården12233 Enskede
Official site: www.skogskyrkogarden.se/
6 Venture into the Archipelago to Visit the Fortress of Vaxholm
The largest museum in Stockholm's archipelago, Vaxholm lies on the island of Vaxö, northeast of Stockholm, in the channel used by ships and boats headed to the capital. The fortress was given its present form in 1838, but immediately after the rebuilding, it lost any military significance since its walls couldn't withstand modern artillery. It now houses a museum with a collection of material from its days as a fortress. During the 19th century, this was a favorite summer resort with Stockholmers. The little summer houses with carved decorations and enclosed verandas, are relics of that period.
Hours: Open daily - seasonal variations
Admission: Adults SEK60, under 18s free
Address: Kastellet,18599 Vaxholm
Official site: www.vaxholmsfastning.se
7 The Seaside Resort of Saltsjöbaden
Around 20 kilometers southeast of Stockholm (25 minutes by train), on an inlet in theBaggensfjärd, is the small residential town of Saltsjöbaden, a fashionable seaside resort with a yacht marina, golf course, and tennis courts. For those with enough courage to brave the elements, there's an open-air bathing pool (Friluftsbad). Here, too, is the Stockholm Observatory. The observatory, built in 1931, is home to the Department of Astronomy of Stockholm University. It houses 50 centimeter-refractor and one-meter-reflector telescopes, an antique telescope collection, and the world's largest model of our solar system.
Address: Saltsjöbaden
8 Explore Lake Mälaren
Lake Mälaren, Sweden's third largest lake, lies immediately west of Stockholm. This 117-kilometer long waterway extends through the provinces of Västmanland, Södermanland, Uppsala, andStockholm to the Baltic. Numerous arms and inlets indent the shores. Vessels sail from the Baltic to Stockholm on the Södertälje Canal and Hammarbyleden. Around the shores - which are partly fertile and partly rocky - there are castles, manor houses, and sprawling estates. More than 1,000 islands dot the lake with boat services to many of them (including Björkö) in summer. The principal towns on Mälaren are Stockholm, Västerås, and further north Uppsala.
9 Sigtuna: Sweden's First Town
Just 45 minutes north of Stockholm, 30 minutes from the university town Uppsala, and 20 minutes from Arlanda airport lies Sigtuna, famous as Sweden's first town and a major tourist draw. Founded in AD 980, in the final century of Viking times, Sigtuna sits on the shore of Lake Mälaren, in the Uppland. Today, sightseers can see Sigtuna's history in the ruins, rune stones, medieval churches, and other historic buildings that stand to this day. At Stora Gatan, the boutiques and craft shops are fun to browse. Those wishing to see picture-postcard Sweden packed with attractions, need look no further.
Official site: www.destinationsigtuna.se
10 Visit the Ancient University City of Uppsala
Uppsala is an easy 70-kilometer drive northwest of Stockholm and just 25 mins drive fromArlanda Airport. Famous as a medieval university city, it boasts an amazing history and draws visitors from across the globe. This is Sweden's fourth largest city, however that's easy to forget as the town has a laid-back feel, particularly if meandering through the winding streets of the old town. Take in the magnificent 13th-century cathedral (Domkyrka) or the University Museum(Gustavianum), wander around the university grounds and the Botanic Gardens, then relax in the many waterside parks and cafés.
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