The 5 best day trips from Stockholm

Just 30 to 40 minutes north of Stockholm by train, Uppsala is home to the oldest university in the Nordics, founded in 1477. More than 40,000 students study in Uppsala every year, adding significantly to the population of Sweden’s fourth-largest city. It’s a walkable, picturesque place with a relaxed yet dynamic vibe and plenty of attractions for a day trip or a longer stay.

Uppsala’s skyline is dominated by the city’s medieval cathedral and 16th-century castle, west of Fyrisån, the river that divides the town. Many of the university’s buildings are located in the same area, including the university administration building, the botanical garden, and the main library, Carolina Rediviva.

Uppsala was an important site long before the arrival of the university, with a history as a religious centre going back more than 1,500 years. Several runestones brought from their original locations in the region stand outside the cathedral, with additional stones in nearby University Park.

EAT

Relaxed and unpretentious, Hambergs Fisk serves up fresh, flavorful seafood in a casual, snug riverside restaurant that doubles as a fishmonger’s. Quality wines and an excellent dessert and cheese selection round out the experience. Reservations are recommended. 

DRINK

Housed in Uppsala’s old train station, Stationen is a three-part venue, housing a brasserie (Paris), a café (Rome), and a bar (London). Specialising in gin, London also serves pub food, weekend afternoon tea, champagne and other drinks. In the evenings there’s sometimes a DJ or live music. Stationen also has a large outdoor seating area during summer.

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The oldest university building in Sweden, Gustavianum (temporarily closed) is now a fascinating museum housing archaeological artefacts from the Viking era and ancient Egypt, as well as art, ancient coins, and other objects relating to the university’s history and the history of science. At the top of the building is the Anatomical Theatre, built in the 17th century and formerly used for public dissections. Closed Mondays.

STAY

In the heart of historic Uppsala, Hotel Villa Anna is a small boutique hotel with 11 rooms, housed in a lovely 19th-century building close to Uppsala Cathedral, Museum Gustavianum, and other attractions. The breakfast buffet has hot and cold items, with many ingredients sourced from local farms. 

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Visit Uppsala Cathedral. As long as it is tall, this red-brick structure with soaring spires is the largest church in Scandinavia. Built between 1270 and 1435, it’s the seat of Sweden’s only archbishop, the head of the national church. Numerous important historical figures are buried here, including Sweden’s most famous king, Gustav Vasa, and his second son, Johan III, as well as Carl Linnaeus and other notable figures. The cathedral also houses the shrine to Sweden’s patron saint, Erik IX.

Founded around the year 980, Sigtuna is Sweden’s oldest town. Rich in history and archaeological treasures, it’s a picturesque place on an arm of Lake Mälaren, Sweden’s third-largest lake. Just an hour north-west of Stockholm by commuter rail and bus, it’s also reachable by Strömma excursion boat during the peak summer season.

Sigtuna’s attractions are diverse, ranging from runestones and medieval church ruins to a quaint pedestrian downtown and a lovely lakeside promenade. If you’re interested in Swedish history, it’s a place not to be missed, but either way, it’s a charming destination for an escape from the Stockholm bustle.

EAT

One of Sigtuna’s most famous institutions, the beloved Tant Bruns Kaffestuga occupies an old wooden house from the 17th century, believed to be the oldest surviving building in the town. The café itself has a long tradition of serving freshly baked bread, pastries and sandwiches, with outdoor seating in the garden. 

DRINK

Open every night except Mondays, Båthuset Krog och Bar is a floating restaurant and bar near Sigtuna harbour. The drinks menu includes an extensive wine list and a decent selection of beers, as well as cider and non-alcoholic options. The water views are gorgeous from the inside, but in the summer you can get even closer to the lake with outdoor seating on the deck. 

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At the main square, off Stora Gatan, check out Sigtuna’s adorably tiny town hall, which dates back to 1744. The interior is open to visitors only from June through August, but it’s worth a look from the outside at any time of year. According to tradition, the key to the town hall used to hang on a hook behind one of the window shutters, and locals who’d been out a bit too late – or perhaps wanted to sober up a bit – would often let themselves in and spend the night rather than heading home immediately.

STAY

1909 Sigtuna Stadshotell has one of the best locations in town – in the heart of the historic centre and just a few steps from Lake Mälaren. Decorated in classical Scandinavian style, it’s Sweden’s smallest five-star hotel, with just 26 rooms.

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Don’t miss Sigtuna’s medieval churches. In the downtown area, you’ll find three evocative ruined grey-stone churches built in the early 12th century. The most impressive of the three, St Olof and St Per (Peter), are well preserved, while the remains of St. Lars (Lawrence) are limited to a single tower. Next to St Olof is a very different type of medieval church, St Mary’s, built a century or so later and the first church in the region to be built in brick. Combining elements of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, it’s still in use after more than 750 years.

Sandhamn, on the outermost edge of the Stockholm Archipelago, began as an outpost for customs agents and ship captains in the late 17th century. It gradually evolved into a permanent settlement and has been a gathering spot for the sailing and yachting community for nearly a century.

About 120 people currently live on the island, but in the summer, the population swells with seasonal residents and short-term visitors, and a lively party atmosphere takes over. Visit during the high season if your aim is to experience the island at its most hopping. If you prefer peace and quiet, opt for the shoulder seasons, when the summer crowds have departed, and the pace slows down substantially.

Sandhamn is an hour by passenger ferry from Stavsnäs, reachable by direct bus from downtown Stockholm (one hour). From April to early November, boats run directly from the city centre (two hours). There is also a summer excursion boat that takes a slower route through the scenic Strömma Canal (three hours). 

EAT

The oldest restaurant on the island, Sandhamns Värdshus has a long history – well over 300 years – of serving locals and visitors alike. Just by the main harbour, the inn has a restaurant with large windows on the upper level, a more casual pub on the lower level, and outdoor dining during summer. Daily specials and à la carte classics are served in all seasons, though hours vary, so check the website if visiting at a less busy time.

DRINK

You won’t find much in the way of watering holes in Sandhamn during the offseason, but if you’re visiting between May and September, pop into laidback Dykarbaren for drinks and/or a meal with a view of the harbour. There’s seating by the bar and upstairs, as well as an outdoor area when the weather permits. Opening hours vary, so check the website.

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Sandhamn is known for its white-sand beaches, the largest of which is at Trouville, a 20-minute walk from the harbour. In warm weather, it is a great spot for a swim. The water stays shallow quite far out, making it a good place for families with children. There are also smaller beaches at Fläskberget, on the western edge of the village, and Skärkarlshamn, five minutes’ walk from the harbour, past the yacht club. The island interior, which is less than two miles long and just under a mile wide, is covered in pine forest. Several paths wind their way through it.

STAY

Although Sandhamn has a couple of conference hotels open for individual bookings during summer, for accommodation at any time of year, your best bet is Missionshuset, a bed-and-breakfast run by Sandhamns Värdshus. It has five rooms with a shared bath and a freestanding cottage with en-suite facilities. In autumn and winter, additional rooms are available in a separate house in the village, along with a private apartment for up to four guests.

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Explore the village away from the harbour. Sandhamn is completely car-free, making it a delight to wander its narrow lanes with typical archipelago houses made of wood, many of them painted the traditional dark red with white trim. From the high point west of the harbour, there are good views of the whole village and the sea.

Vaxholm began as a defensive outpost of Stockholm in the 16th century but received its town charter in 1647. During the 19th century, it became a popular weekend and summer getaway for Stockholmers, which it remains today. Known as the capital of the archipelago, Vaxholm is easily accessible from the city by both road and passenger ferry.

Although Vaxholm has few large-scale sights, it’s an enchanting place to walk around, with small streets lined with pastel-hued houses with decorative touches and quaint fences. Most date from the turn of the 20th century. The town centre has shops selling homeware, baked goods, sweets, clothing and groceries.

EAT

Open year-round, Hamnkrogen is perched on the waterfront opposite the guest harbour. In addition to daily lunch specials, the restaurant serves a regular menu that includes fish, meat, burgers and vegan options. In summer, Hamnkrogen also has an outdoor restaurant, Kobben, and a popular champagne bar right on the pier with light food items such as smoked shrimp and local cheeses.

DRINK

During the off-season, your best bet for a drink is one of the few year-round restaurants, such as the dining room at Waxholms Hotell on the pier. In summer, the hotel opens up Lilla Strand, a bistro bar with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a good spot to enjoy a drink while watching the passenger ferries and sailboats come and go.

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Vaxholm’s main tourist attraction is the imposing fortress just offshore. Known as Kastellet, it is a mid-19th-century structure that replaced an earlier fortress built during the mid-16th century to protect Stockholm from invasion. It’s well worth visiting and easily reachable by a short cable ferry from Vaxholm. Climb the 134 steps for outstanding views, explore the cellar vaults once used to house criminals and political prisoners, and visit the Fortress Museum tracing 500 years of military defence of the archipelago. 

STAY

For an unusual night, book a room in the former artillery barracks at the fortress, now converted into guestrooms of the Kastellet Bed & Breakfast, many with sea views. Bathroom facilities are shared, and breakfast is included. If you book your room through the inn’s website, the cable ferry (four times per hour, May through September) is included. Regular ferries (not included) run all year, and taxi boats are also available.

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Arrive by boat. A cruise from Stockholm to Vaxholm is the best way to get a sense of the archipelago and Vaxholm’s place within it. Strömma’s Cinderella boats operate from Strandvägen in Stockholm from mid-April to early November and take 50 minutes. Waxholmsbolaget’s passenger ferries run from Strömkajen near Grand Hotel and take just under an hour and a half.

A small town on the southern shore of Lake Mälaren, Mariefred is easily reachable from Stockholm if you catch a train to Läggesta, followed by a short bus ride. During summer, a scenic alternative is to travel between Stockholm and Mariefred by sea aboard the historic steamship SS Mariefred, which has been plying this route since 1903.

Mariefred is best known for Gripsholm Castle, one of Sweden’s most imposing Renaissance structures, built by King Gustav Vasa in 1537 on the site of an earlier 14th-century castle. The town itself is charming, with many well-preserved 18th and 19th-century buildings, plus excellent shops and cafés. It’s a relaxing place to spend the day, particularly in summer, when the town bustles with life and restaurants spill onto the pavements and pier.

EAT

Midway between Gripsholm Castle and downtown Mariefred lies Slottspaviljongen (the Castle Pavilion). With large windows and both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a pleasant venue set in a park close to the waterfront and the railway station. Order at the counter, grab a table and wait for your food to arrive. Check the website for current opening hours, as they may be reduced during slower periods of the year.

DRINK

If you’re looking for bars, Mariefred is not the place for you. In this small town, you’ll either have to order alcoholic drinks at a restaurant or pick something up at Systembolaget, the state liquor store on Storgatan. But why not opt for a coffee instead? You’re sure to find something tasty at Två Goda Ting (Two Delicious Things), a café/shop specialising in coffee and chocolate that also sells tea, liquorice and other moreish goods. 

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Take a steam train ride through the countryside: Mariefred’s distinctive yellow railway station is the starting point for rides on a steam train with engines and carriages dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From May to September, the train travels between Mariefred, Läggesta station and Taxinge-Näsby. Mariefred station has an exhibit on railway history.

STAY

Billed as Sweden’s oldest inn, Gripsholms Värdshus dates from 1609 and occupies the site of a former Carthusian monastery, Pax Mariae, that gave Mariefred its name (Mary’s Peace). Ideally located along the waterfront opposite Gripsholm Castle, the inn has a variety of traditionally decorated rooms, as well as a restaurant, bar and spa.

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Visit Gripsholm Castle. Founded by King Gustav Vasa in 1537, the castle’s located on a small peninsula opposite downtown Mariefred, a short walk from the town centre. As you approach the main gate, don’t miss the runestones along the path, brought to Gripsholm from their original locations nearby. Highlights inside the castle include the Swedish national portrait collection, along with Duke Karl’s chamber from the 16th century and Gustav III’s theatre from the 18th.