Things to do in  Sweden

Travelers to the Scandinavian country of Sweden could be forgiven for arriving in Stockholm and never wanting to leave, but there's much to explore beyond the chic, history-drenched capital city made up of 14 islands. Sure, Stockholm is a blockbuster: sleek, modern, with plenty of Scandinavian design, oodles of cultural attractions, an impressive palace on the waterfront, and the medieval Gamla Stan—start with a walking, bike, or bus tour to get your bearings. But it's easy to get out in the Stockholm archipelago from there and it's worth the trip. The string of more than 30,000 islands, islets, and rocks is ripe for exploring, and its contents range from tourist-centric towns to uninhabited, unnamed rocks emerging from the sea. Gothenburg is Sweden's second city and is home to highlights such as Lilla Bommen, the Maritime Museum and Aquarium, Feskekörka fish market, and Liseberg amusement park, which are accessible by hop-on hop-off bus and boat tours. Moving north into central and northern Sweden uncovers a forested, farmed landscape that's sparsely populated. Swedes take full advantage of this terrain, regularly engaging in active pursuits such as cycling, fishing, boating, skiing, and foraging for the natural bounty that is the foundation of sophisticated Scandinavian farm-to-table cuisine.