Stockholm travel guide

Location, location, location. A mantra for estate agents, but over in Sweden, it’s the reason the capital Stockholm is so beautiful, so magical, so worth a visit. Dating from 1000 AD when the Vikings were the locals, the city spans 14 islands where the Baltic meets Lake Mälaren. There is water everywhere. Stockholm is only a third developed, with another third green space and the remaining third water, so it never feels polluted or overcrowded. But that’s just the start. Southern Sweden continues this patchwork of land and water, with lakes and the Baltic lapping at islands, forests and fields, all right on the capital’s doorstep. Once you’ve explored the city and its 70+ museums, galleries and Ecopark, try another Swedish cultural must-do, allemansrätten – the right to roam. Jump on a boat and you’re transported to its archipelago or quiet, rural Sörmland. As ABBA might have put it – Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

Our Stockholm guide has more information (and no more bad ABBA gags – promise).

Swedes relish the outdoors life, and those living in Stockholm are spoiled for choice when it comes to making the most of the country’s culturally enshrined right to roam. The capital’s huge Ecopark can be explored on foot or bike, while a short bus or boat ride takes you into the countryside that borders the city on all sides. To the southwest, undulating Sörmland with its many lakes and manor houses is a great hiking, biking and kayaking location, and despite starting just a few minutes from the capital, Stockholm Archipelago of unspoiled islands delivers natural beauty and deserted beaches on a day trip.