Stockholm Marathon, Sweden. Photo courtesy of Peppe702 via Flickr.

Since its first race back in 1979, featuring a mere 2,000 runners, the ASICS Stockholm Marathon has become one of Sweden’s biggest and most popular sporting events, drawing in over 20,000 runners from all around the globe. The 42km race is lauded as one of Europe’s most scenic marathon routes, with runners undertaking 2 laps of the city, set against a backdrop of the glistening ocean and urban greenery.

The picturesque course loops around the city center and runs along the waterfront before crossing the famous 600-meter Västerbron Bridge and circling the medieval old town of Gamla Stan. After cutting back through the city, the second loop passes through the wooded parkland of Djurgården, before finishing in the iconic Olympic Stadium. With much of the route hugging the waterfront and flanked by some of the city’s most impressive architecture, the marathon offers an exhaustive sightseeing tour of Stockholm, passing by landmark sights like the Royal Palace, the City Hall, the Royal Opera and the Houses of Parliament along the way.

2013 marks the 35th Stockholm marathon, held on Saturday June 1st and kicking off at 2pm from outside the 1912 Olympic Stadium. A record 21,565 runners will be pounding the streets, representing 81 different nations and drawing thousands of spectators to cheer them on.

- Zoe Smith

Stockholm Marathon from Sweden Things to Do

Take a free walking tour of Stockholm.

With a reputation for being one of Europe’s more pricey destinations, Stockholm might not top the list for budget travelers, but there are still plenty of free things to do. Here’s a few ideas.

1. Go Swimming
As the weather gets warmer, locals will be flocking to Stockholm’s open-air swimming spots and with its reputation for having some of the cleanest waters in the world, there’s no excuse for not joining them. Make the most of the free swimming area in Rålambshovsparken park, or head to one of the city’s two swimming beaches, Långholmsbadet or Smedsuddsbadet.

2. Watch the Changing of the Guard
The medieval old town of Gamla Stan, home to the magnificent 18th-century Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet) is one of the city’s most attractive areas, but to make the most of your visit, time your arrival for midday when the Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place. Parades of foot soldiers, military bands and mounted guards take place daily in the Palace courtyard; a fascinating display that lasts around 40 minutes.

3. Explore Djurgården
The Stockholm archipelago has plenty of hidden gems to uncover on a walking tour, but the former royal game park of Djurgården is one of the most idyllic. Covered in greenery, picturesque picnic spots and wildlife filled woodlands, the island is the perfect spot for walking and cycling, as well as housing the impressive Vasa Museum.

4. Tour the city’s museums
A number of Stockholm’s museums offer free entry including the city’s premium modern art museum, Moderna Museet and the neighboring Arkitekturmuseet architecture and design museum. Alternatively, invest in a Stockholm Card, which offers free admission, and queue jumps for over 80 of the city’s museums and attractions, as well as unlimited use of public transport and ferries.

- Zoe Smith

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Free Things to Do in Stockholm from Sweden Things to Do

Cyling is a popular way to get around Stockholm.

With a network of over 760km of dedicated cycle lanes and almost as many bikes on the road as cars, biking is the perfect way to explore the vast Stockholm archipelago. During the summer months, Stockholm City Bikes offer citywide bike loan by pre-purchasing a City Bike Card that enables you to pick up and drop off your cycle at stands all over the city, or else there’s a wide range of bike rental outlets across the city. Pick up a free cycle route map from the tourist information office and explore the sights on your own, or join a guided bike tour, where you’ll get the insider scoop on the city’s main attractions without having to worry about navigating a new city.

With the majority of Stockholm’s islands linked by bridges, getting around the sights on two wheels is easy and cyclists can pedal around Stockholm’s medieval old town of Gamla Stan, marvel at the Royal Palace and get a view of the City Hall, the Munich Brewery and the home of Nobel Prize founder Alfred Nobel. Cycling around Södermalm’s scenic bike paths is another popular choice, with a circular route taking in the island’s stately building and rugged waterside cliffs, and the forested pathways of Langholmen offer welcome respite from the urban sprawl. For a number of scenic bike routes, head over to Royal National City Park on Djurgården, where you can pedal along the Djurgårdsbrunn canal, stop off at the many museums and enjoy the tranquil setting with a picnic in the park.

- Zoe Smith

Planning a Trip? Check out Viator’s Sweden tours and things to do, Sweden attractions, and Sweden travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Sweden for a customized tour!

Biking in Stockholm from Sweden Things to Do

Stockholm makes a perfect cruise destination.

One of Scandinavia’s most attractive cities, sprawled around a 30,000-island archipelago, Stockholm’s effortless blend of historic architecture and modernist cool makes it a popular European cruise destination.

The city has a number of ports used by cruise liners, so make sure you check your arrival and departure point before docking and plan ahead to maximize your time in the city. With a network of bridges connecting the many islands, the city’s key landmarks can be easily explored on foot or bike and there’s plenty to cram into a day’s sightseeing. The old medieval center of Gamla Stan is the best area to start a walking tour of the city, with its cobblestone streets crammed with antiques and handicrafts shops, art galleries and cafés. While you’re there, check out the impressive Stockholm Cathedral and pay a visit to the Royal Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony, performed daily at midday. Next take the ferry over to Djurgården, home to the city’s most idyllic parklands, the Skansen open-air museum and zoo, and the hugely popular Vasa Museum, a 17th century warship that sank on its maiden voyage from Stockholm. Back on the mainland, stroll around the central stopping street of Drottninggatan and climb the City Hall Tower for a great view of the city.

A great way to save time is to book on a Stockholm City Hop-on Hop-off Tour, where you’ll not only get great views from the open-top double decker bus, but you can create your own DIY city tour. Alternatively, make the most of your limited time with a Shore Excursion that takes in all the sights and combine it with a boat cruise around the city’s scenic waterways.

- Zoe Smith

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Stockholm for Cruise Visitors from Sweden Things to Do

Gotland Island. Photo courtesy of vauvau via Flickr.

You could spend months exploring Stockholm’s vast 30,000 island archipelago, but if you’d prefer a change of scenery there’s plenty to see in the surrounding area, including these popular day trip destinations.

1. Galve
Around 100 miles north of Stockholm, the historic town of Galve makes a popular day trip from the capital, with its picturesque old town dotted with authentic 19th century wooden houses. While you’re there, take a peek at the town’s National Railway museum and harrowing Prison Museum, wander the many parks and sample some of Sweden’s best coffee and chocolates. Alternatively, time your visit for August, when Galve’s annual City Fest takes over the city streets, with lively street entertainment, parades and live music.

2. Uppsala
Just an hour north of Stockholm, Uppsala is renowned as Sweden’s religious and historical capital, an important medieval center that retains a fascinating array of architecture. The dramatic 15th century Uppsala Castle is one of the city’s main attractions, but be sure to check out the Uppsala Cathedral, the largest in Scandinavia, and the University, the oldest in Sweden dating back to 1477. That’s not all – the 17th century theatre, the Gamla Uppsala Museum, the Disagarden Open air museum and the Linnaeus Botanical Gardens are also well worth a visit.

3. Gota Canal
Escape the city for an idyllic boat cruise along the beautiful Gota Canal, starting in the coastal town of Mem. Drift downstream past historic sites like Motala Ström, Charlottenborg manor and the Grave of Baltzar von Platen, cruising through some of the canal way’s 65 locks.

4. Gotland Island
A scenic 3-hour ferry journey from Stockholm, the historic island of Gotland is the largest island in the Baltic Sea, boasting an impressive 800km of sandy coastline and an illustrious history dating back to the Middle Ages. Start your trip with a wander around the UNESCO World Heritage town of Visby, then take a walking or cycling tour around some of the island’s 94 medieval churches, ending with a trip to Gotland’s main attraction – its glorious beaches, renowned as some Sweden’s best.

- Zoe Smith

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Best Day Trips from Stockholm from Sweden Things to Do

Stockholm. Photo courtesy of Misphan via Flickr.

A sprawling archipelago jutting out into the Baltic sea, Sweden’s capital makes a dramatic location for a walking tour, but if you want to make the most of your sightseeing time, here are a few tips for getting around in Stockholm.

1. Trains and trams
Stockholm is rightly proud of its public transport network, run by Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL) and renowned for being one of the fastest and most reliable in Europe. Buses, trains, Subway trains (T-bana) and trams serve all areas of the city, including the airport. All transport requires pre-bought tickets, although a better deal is to buy an SL Card, available for a number of different time periods or invest in a Stockholm Card, a special tourist pass that allows unlimited use of public transport along with free boat tours, discounts and admission to over 80 museums and sights in Stockholm.

2. Cycling
Stockholm’s fresh sea air and waterfront location offers the perfect surroundings for a cycling tour and bicycles are almost as abundant as cars on the streets of the city center. Dedicated cycle lanes and respectful traffic make getting around easy, although there are a few steep hills to get your heart rate up. Through the summer months Stockholm City Bikes offer citywide bike loan by pre-purchasing a key card that enables you to pick up and drop off your cycle at stands all over the city. Alternatively, a plethora of bike rental outlets are available, and there’s a wide network of out of town cycle routes for those wanting explore further affield.

3. Ferries
Stockholm is a popular stop for cruise ships running through Scandinavian waters and it’s easy to get to many of its neighboring countries by ferry. A popular way to spice up a sightseeing tour is to take a hop on/hop off boat tour (Waxholmsbolaget and Strömma both offer tours) that runs around the city’s principal islands, Gamla Stan, Skansen, and Skeppsholmen. Regular ferries also traverse the waters to Djurgården and Skeppsholmen from the mainland – free to those with an SL card.

Get into the city with a Stockholm airport transfer. 

- Zoe Smith

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How to Get Around in Stockholm from Sweden Things to Do

One of the beautiful sculptures which can be found at Millesgarden. Photo courtesy of dr_tr via Flickr Creative Commons.

Spend an afternoon getting lost inside Stockholm’s Millesgården. Part art museum, part sculpture garden, its easy to get caught up in the world of famous sculptor Carl Milles and the other art housed here. Located on the island of Lidingö, the house-turned museum and accompanying grounds feature rotating exhibitions and permanent work from Milles.

The land for the museum was purchased in 1906 by Mills and within two years, he had a home and studio constructed. Less than three decades later, the artist and his wife, Olga, opened Millesgarden to the public. Today, the museum is run by the foundation the couple created, Carl and Olga Milles Lidingöhem Foundation.

Considered one of the country’s top tourist attractions, today the museum is open year-round and attracts thousands to view the art there. During high season (mid-May through the end of September), the museum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the low season (beginning of October through the end of April), the museum is open every Tuesday – Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

- Diana Edelman

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Swedish Art at the Millesgården from Sweden Things to Do

Winter activities in Sweden include ice yachting. Photo courtesy YM_Arki via Flickr.

Sure, the days are shorter and the temperatures are sub-zero in Sweden during the winter, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things to enjoy in this Scandinavian country. From extreme sports to spotting the Northern Lights and relaxing inside, visiting Sweden in the winter does make for a fantastic — albeit somewhat chilly — holiday.

For outdoor enthusiasts, there are a myriad of wintertime excursions which let the sharp air pierce the lungs, while getting that adrenaline fix. With numerous frozen lakes dotting the landscape, many now feature activities like ice yachting, kite winging (similar to the summer time activity of kite surfing) and long-distance skating. If frozen lakes aren’t your thing, there are more traditional wintertime sports activities like skiing or ice climbing that attract adventurers.

If you’re headed north to check out the Northern Lights, try stopping by one of the most unique spots in the country — Lapland, Sweden’s ICEHOTEL. This ever-changing property is fashioned out of (you guessed it) ice and provides a unique spin on lodging. Plus, while you’re up there, try out a hike to a frozen waterfall or head out on a mushing adventure with some huskies. For animal lovers, there is also the opportunity to go on an elk safari while nearby.

Not a fan of the cold? Not to worry. For a milder winter experience in Sweden, head down to  Malmö, a charming city with plenty to do — like shopping and enjoying an afternoon fika — even when it is cold.

- Diana Edelman

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Winter Activities in Sweden from Sweden Things to Do

Stockholm Prepares for New Year’s Eve. Photo courtesy of Bengt Nyman via Flickr.

Planning on ringing in 2013 in Stockholm? You’re in luck! From traditional celebrations to partying all night, there are plenty of options to ensure the start to your New Year will be celebrated perfectly.

If calm and culture are on the New Year’s Eve checklist, be sure to go to the Old City, Gamla Stan’s Storkyrkan Church. Here, people can enjoy a the New Year’s concert, Nyårskonsert, followed by fireworks on the water.For even more culture, be sure to visit the Skansen Open-Air Museum. On this night, revelers can listen to Tennyson’s “Ring Out Wild Bells” read at midnight and broadcast live, followed by music, fireworks and more.

For people who simply want to witness the festivities without partaking, skip the city and head up to Fjällgatan, perched on a cliff,  to see a sweeping view of fireworks as they glitter and sizzle over the city at the stroke of 12.

And then, there is the partying. The hip city of Stockholm doesn’t skirt on the New Year’s Eve celebrations and there are plenty to choose from. Your best bet is to head to Södermalmstorg, in the Södermalm district, where the party spills over until the morning.

- Diana Edelman

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New Year’s Eve in Stockholm from Sweden Things to Do

Christmas Market in Stockholm. Photo courtesy of AndersLindgren via Flickr.

Starting in November, holiday markets begin to decorate Sweden with their sparkling lights. Ornamented Christmas trees and flickering candles line city streets, merchants in their cozy stalls sell everything from beautiful crafts to delicious culinary treats, all the while freshly baked gingerbread and mulled wine (spiced) help warm up visitors from the cold winter air.

In Stockholm, browse the red stalls that blanket Stortorget’s Old Town, Gamla Stan, in the country’s oldest Christmas market, or visit one of the many farmsteads located in the open-air museum in Skansen to learn how to make your own decorations. The largest market takes place in Gothenburg, where visitors can enjoy the celebration beginning in mid-November when the Lane of Light is illuminated with more than five million twinkling lights in the Liseberg amusement park. Even if a visit to these two cities isn’t in the cards, don’t worry – from Malmö to Örebro, Karlstad to Borlänge, each city brings its own unique charm to the holiday season.Whether it’s for the food, the drinks, the activities, the crafts or reveling in the spirit of the holidays, the Christmas markets of Sweden have something for everyone.

- Diana Edelman

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Holiday Markets in Sweden from Sweden Things to Do