Stockholm, Sweden

[Anonymous]

I think you’ll be fine with the amount of time you have. Taking a leisurely pace is really nice. Plus you can go at bit easier as your body adjust to the time change.

You could also go up north and stay in the Ice Hotel. It won’t be quite as large (melting) as in winter but it’s still really, really impressive. There is an interesting museum nearby about the Sami people. There were very few tourists in Sweden outside of Stockholm.

I’d also recommend a visit to Tromso, Norway and the gorgeous Sommeroy Island. Much less crowded than the Lofotens and stunning scenery. When I was considering the Lofotens, a Norwegian guy said, “Do you like driving really slowly behind German camper vans?” I got the point. Plus the tolls are hundreds of dollars and some towns now change admission in an attempt to curb the number of visitors. That wasn’t for me considering stunning naturally scenery abounds in all these countries.

I spent a few months last summer driving from southern Sweden all the way up to Tromso, then cutting across and back down through Finland to Helsinki. It was a blast and I never got bored. Have a great trip!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are visiting Sweden later this summer for 8 days with a teenager, flying in and out of Stockholm. We would love some advice on itinerary as we have never been there. We like a bit of everything. I am more of a city break person and DH is more of a get out in nature person, but all three of us are happy with either type of trip. For those of you familiar with the area, wwyd? Stay the entire time in Stockholm and take short day trips? Split our stay between different cities or towns? Is there anything we should make sure not to miss in the area?

We just spent a day in Mariehamn, Åland Islands (and in the countryside on that island). It was absolutely beautiful. We did a farm tour, went to an 11th century church, (would have loved to go kayaking), etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MAX actually makes a very good burger for when your teen has a burger craving. Sweden loves terrible Mexican food for some reason, but definitely avoid.

MAX was about the quality of Burger King. Just got back from Stockholm... They did have a decent burger chain at the airport, though... Jureskogs. I think there are other locations.

[Anonymous]

I spent a few days in Stockholm last summer. I really enjoyed Stockholm but the highlight was taking a day trip on the ferry to parts of the archipelago. With that much time you could do more than a day trip.

[Anonymous]

If your teen is old enough, definitely Yasurgai Japanese bath. The definition of relaxation. I’d move in I could! https://www.yasuragi.se/en/

[Anonymous]

Went last summer.

We did a day trip to Sigtuna it was beautiful and the museum shouldn’t be missed, amazing history. Had dinner by the dock ferry.

Spent a day at Sandon. The hike was beautiful and ate at Pentaboden. The island was like a tiny version of Nantucket, so maybe just ‘Sconset. Highlight of my trip.

Vasa museum truly is amazing.

Went to city Hall one morning and the Nobel museum in the afternoon.

We stayed in Sodermalm and didn’t rent bikes. We walked everywhere.

We did the bus tour for our shopping day.

Did an archipelago tour. Got off at Vaxon walked around and ate at Hembygdsgårds (we searched ‘coffee shop’ and was blown away by this place.)

Struggled with deciding to do the overnight ferry to Helsinki and decided against it. Time, money and interest were there. Preferred to stay in Sweden than try to jump around.

We were there 10 days too and never went north, west or out of the country. Fabulous vacation.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the wonderful tips, everyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Went last summer.

We did a day trip to Sigtuna it was beautiful and the museum shouldn’t be missed, amazing history. Had dinner by the dock ferry.

Spent a day at Sandon. The hike was beautiful and ate at Pentaboden. The island was like a tiny version of Nantucket, so maybe just ‘Sconset. Highlight of my trip.

Vasa museum truly is amazing.

Went to city Hall one morning and the Nobel museum in the afternoon.

We stayed in Sodermalm and didn’t rent bikes. We walked everywhere.

We did the bus tour for our shopping day.

Did an archipelago tour. Got off at Vaxon walked around and ate at Hembygdsgårds (we searched ‘coffee shop’ and was blown away by this place.)

Struggled with deciding to do the overnight ferry to Helsinki and decided against it. Time, money and interest were there. Preferred to stay in Sweden than try to jump around.

We were there 10 days too and never went north, west or out of the country. Fabulous vacation.

OP, here. Thanks for the details. This sounds very much like the trip we want to take. I decided against Helsinki or other trips out of Sweden as well because we will do that in a future trip, but I am still torn about staying a couple of nights in Visby. I have us booked at Norrmalm for convenience, but the booking is refundable so I will check out Sodermalm as well.

[Anonymous]

Don’t plan on more than 1-2 days in Gothenburg, there is not that much to do there.

Highly recommended Gotland, there are short easy flights departing from Bromma airport so you don’t have to spend the day on a boat to get there. You could easily spend a few days there. The beaches and rock formations are incredible.

Spend a day at Grona Lund, a fantastic amusement park on Djurgarden.

Visit Kungstragarden, there are often free shows and events but it is worth taking some time just to lounge around in the park. You could also spend a day walking around the island of Sodermalm, which has some fantastic scenery, old buildings, and shopping.

If you like kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, etc. there are many places to rent and it’s a fun way to spend a morning or afternoon and see the city from a different perspective.

Make sure to take bathing suits/towels everywhere. Stockholm has incredibly clean water and there are places to swim everywhere! Beaches, rock formations, and built up city piers.

Skansen is worth a day. The Vasa Museum is popular but I would combine that with maybe a couple smaller museums like the Viking or Abba.

There is a beautiful 10k trail around the island of Kungsholmen with a beach and a swimming boardwalk and lots of great little places to eat and relax. Be prepared to see the every square inch of open ground covered in Swedes when it’s sunny.

Every t-bana station is decorated with a different theme, so even taking public transportation can be interesting.

Also recommend a day trip to Sigtuna, it’s a charming town.

Hope this helps, Stockholm is an amazing city and I hope your family enjoys your trip!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t plan on more than 1-2 days in Gothenburg, there is not that much to do there.

Highly recommended Gotland, there are short easy flights departing from Bromma airport so you don’t have to spend the day on a boat to get there. You could easily spend a few days there. The beaches and rock formations are incredible.

Spend a day at Grona Lund, a fantastic amusement park on Djurgarden.

Visit Kungstragarden, there are often free shows and events but it is worth taking some time just to lounge around in the park. You could also spend a day walking around the island of Sodermalm, which has some fantastic scenery, old buildings, and shopping.

If you like kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, etc. there are many places to rent and it’s a fun way to spend a morning or afternoon and see the city from a different perspective.

Make sure to take bathing suits/towels everywhere. Stockholm has incredibly clean water and there are places to swim everywhere! Beaches, rock formations, and built up city piers.

Skansen is worth a day. The Vasa Museum is popular but I would combine that with maybe a couple smaller museums like the Viking or Abba.

There is a beautiful 10k trail around the island of Kungsholmen with a beach and a swimming boardwalk and lots of great little places to eat and relax. Be prepared to see the every square inch of open ground covered in Swedes when it’s sunny.

Every t-bana station is decorated with a different theme, so even taking public transportation can be interesting.

Also recommend a day trip to Sigtuna, it’s a charming town.

Hope this helps, Stockholm is an amazing city and I hope your family enjoys your trip!

Amazing info. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your teen is old enough, definitely Yasurgai Japanese bath. The definition of relaxation. I’d move in I could! https://www.yasuragi.se/en/

This place is amazing. I was traveling alone and only went for the day and wished I had booked the night to go back to the baths the next day. Sitting outside in a warm bath overlooking the water with a cool breeze was phenomenal. Massage and sushi lunch were also great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are visiting Sweden later this summer for 8 days with a teenager, flying in and out of Stockholm. We would love some advice on itinerary as we have never been there. We like a bit of everything. I am more of a city break person and DH is more of a get out in nature person, but all three of us are happy with either type of trip. For those of you familiar with the area, wwyd? Stay the entire time in Stockholm and take short day trips? Split our stay between different cities or towns? Is there anything we should make sure not to miss in the area?

We just spent a day in Mariehamn, Åland Islands (and in the countryside on that island). It was absolutely beautiful. We did a farm tour, went to an 11th century church, (would have loved to go kayaking), etc.

Where my family’s from/cousins still live. ❤️ OP, highly recommend trying to get out to the archipelago, but you may not want to go much farther than Mariehamn. Ferries get smaller, schedules less frequent, amenities fewer and a bit less English spoken.

Have a great trip, OP! So envious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You could take an overnight ferry to Helsinki, Finland and back

If you take the overnight ferry to Helsinki, you can hop on a ferry from central Helsinki to the Unesco World Heritage site, Suomenlinna, where there are museums, former bunkers and a World War II submarine.

[Anonymous]

Go to Copenhagen also

[Anonymous]

I had exactly three and a half hours of sightseeing in Stockholm before my flight back to the US. I took the ferry to the “island” and went to the Vasa Museum for just a hour. I walked by the Abba museum, the vodka museum, and the amusement park. So cool!