Sweden Travelers Recommend

With three days in Stockholm, you have plenty of time to soak in the city’s atmosphere, see its most famous sights—by both land and water—and even head out of town for a history- or nature-filled day trip into the surrounding countryside. Here’s how to experience the best of Stockholm in 72 memorable hours.

Day 1: See the City’s Sights

Spend your first day in the Swedish capital getting your bearings and hitting the top sights. There are multiple ways to explore Stockholm. You can take a bus tour or a boat tour, or a combination of both. Guided tours by both bus and boat typically take visitors to major attractions including the Royal Palace, City Hall, and the Vasa Museum, and conclude with a cruise around the Stockholm archipelago. With many miles of bike lanes and a population for whom pedaling is a part of life, Stockholm is an exceptionally bike-friendly city, so another option is a guided bicycle tour, which has the added benefit of reaching places missed by big buses. Alternatively, a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus or boat tour allows you to set your own schedule, create your own itinerary, and spend as long as you like at each stop before continuing along the route.

Day 2: Get Out on the Water

As Stockholm is spread across 14 islands, water is a crucial element in the very existence of Stockholmers. Immerse yourself in this aspect of Stockholm life on a sailing or kayaking tour around the archipelago—which is made up of around 3,000 islands in total. Tours typically include onshore time on one of the islands and the opportunity to swim in the water; many often also provide lunch.

If you’d rather not stray too far from the city center, you can cruise Stockholm’s central canals and islands on a sightseeing tour by boat. Tours typically offer historical and cultural insight into the city as you glide through tranquil waterways lined with interesting architecture and leafy vegetation, and past such central islands as Reimersholme, Långholmen, and Kungsholmen.

Continue the watery theme by boarding a dinner cruise. Tours typically include a 3-course meal, offering dinner with a view and a relaxing way to top off the day.

Day 3: Venture into Viking or Wildlife Territory

Sweden is, of course, land of the Vikings, and you can uncover some of the secrets of this heritage during a full-day trip from Stockholm into the surrounding countryside. Tours typically head to historic sites such as the ruins of an ancient Viking parliament, runic stones, and burial mounds. Viking heritage–focused tours usually also visit Sigtuna, Sweden’s longest established town, and the Norse religion cultic center of Gamla Uppsala.

If you’re more interested in the natural world than ancient history, you can take a wildlife-focused evening excursion from Stockholm. Tours typically head into the rural landscapes surrounding the Swedish capital, delving into the dense forest to track wild boar, hares, deer, and elk, who are all at their most active at the beginning and end of the day.

Two days in Stockholm allow you time to thoroughly explore the city—from the cobblestoned streets of Gamla Stan to stately Drottningholm Palace—and to get out onto the water that surrounds the city. Here’s how to spend two days in the Swedish capital, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

Day 1: Sightsee in the City

**Morning:**Get your bearings by embarking on a guided tour. A hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus allows you to set your own schedule and spend as long as you like at each stop before continuing along the route. Alternatively, since Stockholm is a very bike-friendly city, a bicycle tour is a great way to see top sights, plus some off-the-beaten-path places missed by big buses.

**Afternoon:**Spend some time delving deep into one or two of Stockholm’s must-see attractions. You can save money by purchasing a Stockholm Pass, which affords entry to sights and museums including the Nobel Museum, Drottningholm Palace, the Vasa Museum, and Skansen for the length of the pass’ validity (one, two, three, or five days). 

**Night:**Discover the hidden side of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s medieval center, and its long and rich history on a ghost-themed walking tour. Ghost tours are typically by foot and recount true stories—plus a few myths and legends—as you walk along cobblestoned streets and duck into little courtyards.

Day 2: Explore the Archipelago

**Morning:**Water is a crucial element in the lives of Stockholmers. Immerse yourself in the scenic archipelago on a sailing or kayaking tour. Tours typically include onshore time on one of the islands and the opportunity to swim in the water; many often also provide lunch.

**Afternoon:**With a hop-on hop-off boat cruise ticket, you can go island-hopping at your leisure. Create your own itinerary by disembarking at any stop of interest along the sightseeing route—such as the Royal Palace, Nybroviken, Gamla Stan, and the Vasa Museum—and spending as little or as much time as you wish.

**Night:**Conclude your visit to Stockholm back out on the archipelago with a dinner cruise. Tours typically include a 3-course meal, offering dinner with a view and a relaxing way to conclude your 2-day visit to the Swedish capital.

Spread over 14 islands, Stockholm is idyllically surrounded by water, woodlands, and plenty of open space. Add in its well-preserved medieval core packed with must-see sights and it’s easy to understand why the Swedish capital is often said to be one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Here’s how to spend one memorable day in Stockholm.

Morning: Hit the Must-See Sights

Despite comprising more than a dozen islands, Stockholm is easily navigable, so you can see the top sights within a short time. Guided bus and boat tours typically take visitors to attractions including the Royal Palace, City Hall, and Vasa Museum, and conclude with a cruise around the Stockholm archipelago. Stockholm is an exceptionally bike-friendly city, too, so another option is a guided bicycle tour, which has the added benefit of reaching places that big buses miss. Alternatively, a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus or boat tour allows you to set your own schedule and spend as long as you like at each stop before continuing along the route.

Afternoon: Delve Deeper into Top Attractions

Now that you have gotten your bearings in Stockholm, you can focus on certain attractions that you wish to spend more time at. Save money by booking a Stockholm Pass, which affords entry to attractions and museums including the Nobel Museum, Drottningholm Palace, Vasa Museum, and Skansen for the length of the pass’ validity (one, two, three, or five days). The pass also includes sightseeing tours by boat or bus. If you are feeling hungry, head to Sodermalm for lunch. The traditionally working-class neighborhood has undergone a revival in recent years and is now Stockholm’s hippest, filled with diverse restaurants, galleries, and stores.

Night: Experience Stockholm After Sunset

The cobblestone streets, tiny courtyards, and old buildings of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s medieval center, have seen centuries of turbulent history. You can learn about some of its stories and mysteries on a walking ghost tour after dark. If that’s not your scene, you can improve your photography skills and secure some great nighttime images of Stockholm on an evening photo tour led by a professional photographer. Alternatively, if after a busy day of exploring you’d rather simply take a seat and enjoy the view, a dinner cruise through the inner Stockholm archipelago is a relaxing way to cap off your day in the Swedish capital.

Spread across 15 island, Sweden’s capital is a bustling city of cafes, galleries, and restaurants, but underneath lies a rich history of Viking tribes, warrior spirit, and Norse mythology. Here’s how to see the best of Stockholm’s Viking history.

Viking History in Stockholm

The Vikings dominated the region around what is now present-day Sweden between the late eighth century and the mid-11th century, establishing trade, colonization, and conquest routes to far-flung destinations including the British Isles, the Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Russian, and Ukraine. Although widely revered as a barbaric, marauding force, the Vikings demonstrated advanced engineering skills and even artistic creativity, and their sphere of cultural and linguistic influence reaches far and wide.

Ways to Experience Viking History in Stockholm

Visitors to Stockholm can explore the region’s rich Viking history and heritage by choosing from a broad range of Viking-themed activities, day trips, and tours. In Stockholm, follow a tour guide on a Viking-themed walking tour around the Old Town (Gamla Stan) and take in top sites such as the Royal Palace (Kungliga Slotten) and the Parliament House. Along the way, hear how Viking and Scandinavian cultures have intertwined through the centuries. Alternatively, use Stockholm as a base and head further afield on a day trip to Gamla Uppsala, Sigtuna (Sweden’s oldest town), and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Markim-Orkesta, where the region’s Viking history comes to life.

Though often skipped in favor of Copenhagen—its better-known neighbor on the other end of the Öresund Bridge—Malmö shouldn’t be overlooked. Sweden’s third-largest city has a charming historic center, a stylishly modern waterfront, and one of the country’s best food scenes. Whether you are visiting on a day trip or spending the night, here’s how to make the most of one day in Malmö.

Morning: See the Sights

Compact Malmö is best explored on foot, and a guided walking tour in the morning can introduce you to the city’s most important attractions and help you get your bearings. Tours typically visit St. Petri Church, the Western Harbor, and Malmöhus Castle, as well as some lesser-known parts of the city. Alternatively, you can zip around Malmö like a local by joining a bicycle tour. Another, less energetic option is a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour, which has the added benefit of allowing you to create your own itinerary and explore at your own pace.

Afternoon: Explore the Food Scene

Get a taste of Malmö and Skåne county’s culinary heritage on a food walk. These foodie tours allow guests to sample typical Swedish fare, such as pickled herring, cloudberry jam, smoked and cured salmon, and Scanian cured ham, as well as modern artisanal products including charcuterie, chocolate, ice cream, and some examples of the famed New Nordic cuisine. Some food tours also emphasize the impact of the city’s rich diversity on its food scene by introducing you to the best Middle Eastern eateries, for example, and letting you try everything from falafel to homemade Greek tzatziki. 

Night: Enjoy the Nightlife

Home to a youthful and creative population, Malmö boasts an exciting nightlife scene. Some of the most popular spots in town are Babel, a nightclub housed in a former church, and Cuba Café, known for its mojitos and salsa music. If you are traveling with younger visitors or not interested in clubs and bars, there are also fun escape-room experiences on offer. For those visiting during the summer months, a great option is picnicking in Folkets Park (which often hosts live entertainment during summer) or taking a dip in Ribersborg open-air bath on the waterfront.

Sweden is among Europe’s most compelling wildlife destinations, with large areas of unspoiled wilderness— sprawling forests, abundant lakes, and vast wetlands—playing host to a wide array of impressive species, including moose, bears, and wolves. See below to find out more about wild animal sightings in Sweden.

Best Ways to Spot Wildlife in Sweden

• Kayak or sail around the Stockholm Archipelago for the best chance of seeing seals and white-tailed eagles.

• Head to the taiga forests of Bergslagen near Skinnskatteberg in central Sweden (two hours northwest of Stockholm) to search for moose, roe deer, owls, and wolves.

• In winter, venture to the valleys of Lapland in Northern Sweden, where moose and reindeer are known to congregate.

• Consult a professional tracker; their intimate knowledge of animal habitats and behavior patterns ensure you are in the right place at the right time.

What You Can See

Among the most commonly spotted animals in Sweden are moose, seals, beavers, otters, wild boar, and deer. Predators, such as brown bears, wolves, arctic foxes, and wolverines, do live in Sweden but can be difficult to spot, with lynx proving to be the most evasive.

Tips for Wildlife Viewing

• Be quiet and still; loud noises usually spook wildlife.

• Listen carefully; you will usually hear a wild animal before you see it.

• Bring binoculars or a camera with a good zoom so you can see the animals clearly, even from afar.

• Lay low; animals are more likely to show themselves if they are unaware of your presence so avoid brightly colored clothing and consider using a hide.

With three days in Malmö, you have plenty of time to soak up the city’s atmosphere, see the historic sights, take a bite out of the food scene, and journey deeper into the surrounding Skåne region. Here are a few ideas for making the most of three days in Sweden’s third-largest city.

Day 1: Explore the City

Spend your first morning in Malmö getting your bearings on a small-group walking or bicycle tour to historic Malmöhus Castle and modern Western Harbor. To customize the itinerary and explore at your own pace, opt for a private tour or a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour. In the afternoon, head for Ribersborg Beach to lay out on the sand or take a dip in Ribersborgs Kallbadhus, an open-air public bath much-loved by locals. The setting offers great views of the Turning Torso tower building and across the water to Copenhagen. From there it’s a short walk back into the town center, where you can take your pick of restaurants then dip into a pub for a glass of Swedish beer, cider, or aquavit.

Day 2: Dive Into the Food Scene

Find out why Malmö is said to be one of Sweden’s best food cities with a walking tour focused on food culture, sampling traditional fare, New Nordic cuisine, and international eats (Malmö is particularly known for its many falafel vendors). Alternatively, explore independently by hitting up food markets such as Saluhall, which sells everything from artisanal sausages to small-batch ice cream, and international Möllevångstorget. Afterward, take a seat at one of the city’s best restaurants, which range from Michelin-starred fine dining to relaxed bistros.

Day 3: See More Skåne

Malmö’s location offers easy access to the surrounding countryside of the Skåne region. Take a train to the university city of Lund, founded by Vikings more than 1,000 years ago, and see several monumental rune stones and medieval Lund cathedral. Alternatively, fans of Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell may opt to take a bus to Ystad, home of the fictional Inspector Wallander. Another fun activity is watercycling on the lakes surrounding Ystad; a guided tour provides all the gear and instruction. Back in the city, round off your trip by checking out Malmö’s nightlife scene. You’ll find lots of bars and clubs in the colorful Mollan district, including such local favorites as Babel, a nightclub housed in a former church, and the live music venue Kulturbolaget.

Three days in Gothenburg give you plenty of time to tick off the highlights, cruise the coast, and get a taste of Swedish culture. Make the most of limited time by booking tours and tickets in advance, and take advantage of money-saving passes. Here’s how to spend three days in Gothenburg. 

Day 1: Sightseeing in the City

As well as allowing you to create your own itinerary, a hop-on hop-off bus or boat tour is a great way to get your bearings. Disembark to take in views from the fortress of Skansen Kronan; admire landmarks such as the Gustavi Cathedral and Gothenburg Opera House; or stroll along Lilla Bommen harbor. Alternatively, to get a more intimate glimpse into Sweden’s second-largest city, take a walking tour. 

In the afternoon, gain insight into Swedish cuisine and culinary traditions on a food tour that reveals local specialities that you may otherwise miss. Tours typically cover Feskekörka fish market and Saluhallen market hall, both famous for their fresh fish and seafood. Spend the evening in Haga, a neighbourhood famous for its cobbled lanes and traditional architecture. Alternatively, track down some of Gothenburg’s best nightlife in Avenyn and on Park Lane. 

Day 2: Cruise the Coast

Due to a prime location at the mouth of the Göta River and Kattegat Sea, Gothenburg is the main departure point for boat cruises and ferries to the islands off Sweden’s west coast. To see a different side of Sweden, take a day trip to the islands of Tjörn and Orust, where you can experience local life in historic fishing villages, shop for local handicrafts and sample typical Swedish foods, and visit a traditional bee farm.

Alternatively, set sail on an island-hopping cruise of the Southern Archipelago. Home to more than 20 islands, highlights include the island fortress of Nya Älvsborg, the beaches of Styrsö island, and the nature reserve of Vrangö island, a prime spot for hiking and bird-watching. 

Day 3: Parks and Museums

Gothenburg is home to some of Sweden’s most important museums and cultural institutions, so it’s worth setting aside a day to visit as many as possible. For the best value, purchase a Gothenburg Pass, which offers free or discounted admission to many of the city’s museums. 

Highlights include the Gothenburg Museum of Art, the Universeum Science Museum, and the Museum of World Culture, all located within walking distance of one other. After visiting Gothenburg’s Natural History Museum, stroll through Slottsskogen park or the nearby Gothenburg Botanical Garden. Spend your final night at Liseberg, Scandinavia's largest amusement park, where you can ride rollercoasters, enjoy live entertainment, and fill up on classic funfair foods. 

Like most Swedish cities, Gothenburg was inhabited by the Vikings from the late-eighth century. Sweden’s second-largest city still has much to appeal to modern-day travelers, from its neoclassical architecture to 17th-century canals. Here’s what you need to know to explore Gothenburg’s Viking past.

Viking History in Gothenburg

An important port whose west coast location made it a gateway to the North Sea and Atlantic, Gothenburg was a strategically important city for the Norse seafarers. The Vikings dominated the region around what is now present-day Sweden, Norway, and Denmark up until the mid-11th century, establishing trade routes around Europe, exploring America, and settling as far away as Russia and Ukraine. While brutal in their methods, the Vikings also demonstrated advanced engineering skills, as you can see in examples of their strong and extraordinarily seaworthy longboats.

Ways to Experience Viking History in Gothenburg

Traces of Gothenburg’s Viking history are few but the city is home to one star attraction—the impressively preserved remains of the Askekarr longboat. You can see the longboat and its runic inscriptions at the Museum of Gothenburg (entrance to which is included in the Gothenburg Pass). The building, the 18th-century home of the Swedish East India Company, is itself of interest to maritime history enthusiasts. 

The 10th-century Askekarr longboat was discovered in the nearby Ale Viking Farmstead, 19 miles (30 kilometers) away, a reconstructed version of which welcomes tourists. If you are here in June, you can also visit the Hornebore Ting Viking market in Hamburgssund, 79 miles (127 kilometers) north of Gothenburg. 

Explore the city at your own pace on foot, take a hop-on hop-off bus or boat excursion, or a guided bicycle tour.

With two days in Malmö, you’ll be able to fully explore the sights of Sweden’s third-biggest city, get out onto the water, and dive into its delicious food scene. Here are some suggestions for how to make the most of your 48 hours.

Day 1: See the Town

**Morning:**Get your bearings and see Malmö’s top attractions on a morning sightseeing tour by foot or by bike. Explore historical landmarks such as Malmöhus Castle as well as modern attractions such as the sleek Western Harbour area. Alternatively, set your own itinerary and explore at your own pace on a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour.

**Afternoon:**If the sun is shining, head down to Ribersborg Beach to soak it up on the thin stretch of sand or from Ribersborgs Kallbadhus, an open-air public bath set on the beach. You’ll get great views of the strikingly modern Twisting Torso building and across the water to Copenhagen. 

**Night:**Discover why Malmö is said to be one of Sweden’s best food cities with a visit to one of the city’s acclaimed restaurants. Bastard, for example, is famed for its nose-to-tail cooking, while Vollmers offers fine dining prepared with locally sourced produce.

Day 2: Dive Deeper

**Morning:**Kick off your second day seeing some of the sights that you may have missed yesterday. Some of Malmö's most attractive sights can only be experienced from the water, so embark on a guided boat tour that takes you through the canals and under the bridges of the city.

**Afternoon:**Get a fuller taste of Malmö’s food scene on a food-themed walking tour. These tours typically offer a diverse view of the city’s culinary heritage by introducing you to traditional fare, such as pickled herring; more-modern New Nordic cuisine; and international fare, courtesy of the city’s ethnically diverse population.

**Night:**Check out Malmö’s nightlife scene. The trendy Mollan neighborhood is chock-full of bars and clubs, such as Babel, a nightclub housed in a former church. In the center of town, around Lilla Torg, you’ll find a cluster of more-traditional pubs.