Stockholm, Sweden's stunning capital, spans 14 islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea, creating a city of breathtaking waterways, medieval history, and state-of-the-art design. As Scandinavia's largest city, it blends royal palaces and Viking heritage with a thriving food scene and world-class museums.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Uppsala
Sweden's fourth-largest city is home to the country's oldest and most prestigious university (founded 1477), a magnificent Gothic cathedral, and important Viking history including the ancient Uppsala Högar burial mounds. A perfect blend of academic atmosphere, medieval history and Swedish culture.
Highlights: Uppsala Cathedral — largest church in Scandinavia · Uppsala University Gustavianum Museum · Uppsala Castle · Old Uppsala Viking burial mounds (Gamla Uppsala) · Botanical Gardens
Sigtuna
Sweden's oldest existing town, founded around 980 AD on the shores of Lake Mälaren. Sigtuna's main street (Stora Gatan) is Sweden's oldest street, lined with wooden buildings, independent shops, medieval church ruins and a beautiful lakeside setting.
Highlights: Stora Gatan — Sweden's oldest street · Medieval church ruins · Sigtuna Museum · Lake Mälaren waterfront · Viking rune stones
Vaxholm
The gateway to Stockholm's archipelago — a charming island town centred on the 16th-century Vaxholm Fortress and a picturesque wooden town of brightly painted houses. Perfect for a first taste of the 30,000-island archipelago.
Highlights: Vaxholm Fortress (16th century) · Archipelago boat tours from Vaxholm · Traditional Swedish summer town · Fresh seafood restaurants on the harbour · Coastal walking paths
Sandhamn
The most celebrated island in the Stockholm outer archipelago and the last Swedish port before the open Baltic Sea. Sandhamn is unusual for its sandy beaches — rare in the mostly rocky archipelago — and its charming village of white painted wooden buildings.
Highlights: Sandy beaches unique to the archipelago · Traditional summer archipelago village · Sandhamn Segelsällskap (historic yacht club) · Lighthouse walk · Swimming in the Baltic Sea
Drottningholm Palace
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the permanent residence of the Swedish Royal Family, set on the island of Lovön in Lake Mälaren. The 17th-century baroque palace has magnificent formal gardens, an 18th-century court theatre that still performs opera, and a Chinese Pavilion.
Highlights: Royal Apartments (when Royal Family is away) · 18th-century Court Theatre (Slottsteater) with original stage machinery · Baroque formal gardens · Chinese Pavilion · Beautiful lakeside setting
Birka Viking Town
Birka is Sweden's first town, a major Viking trading centre from 800-975 AD and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island preserves 3,000 burial mounds, fortifications and an excellent museum reconstructing Viking life. Boats typically include a guided tour.
Highlights: Viking trading post established 800 AD · 3,000 burial mounds · Birka Museum with original finds · Viking reenactors and demonstrations · Beautiful Lake Mälaren setting
Gripsholm Castle (Mariefred)
One of Sweden's most magnificent royal castles on the shores of Lake Mälaren in the medieval town of Mariefred. Gripsholm houses Sweden's extraordinary State Portrait Collection with over 4,000 portraits of Swedish royalty, nobles and scholars over five centuries.
Highlights: Gripsholm Castle with state portrait collection · Historic steam-powered roundabout theatre inside castle · Charming medieval town of Mariefred · Lake Mälaren views · Steamboat journey from Stockholm (summer)
Grinda Island
One of the most accessible and beautiful islands in Stockholm's inner archipelago, with walking trails through mature forests, rocky coastline, smooth swimming rocks and an excellent inn (Grinda Wärdshus). Perfect for a relaxed archipelago day.
Highlights: Rocky swimming and sunbathing · Forest walking trails · Grinda Wärdshus inn and restaurant · Archipelago birdlife · Unspoilt natural island
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organised day tours to Birka and Drottningholm from 395 SEK including transport and entry — book at Visit Stockholm or Strömma
- Private
- Rental car from 600 SEK/day for exploring Lake Mälaren shores and inland castles
- Public
- SL trains, SL buses and Waxholmsbolaget ferries serve all major day trip destinations. SL cards valid for most routes in Stockholm County.
- Rental
- Kayak hire from 350 SEK/half day for self-guided archipelago exploration; bike hire from 200 SEK/day
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Book ferry tickets for popular archipelago routes (especially Sandhamn) in advance during summer
The S/S Mariefred historic steamboat to Gripsholm Castle is a wonderful experience — operates June-August only
Uppsala can easily be combined with Sigtuna in a single day — train to Uppsala then bus to Sigtuna, bus back to Stockholm
Birka boat tours depart at a fixed time daily (May-September) — check the schedule at Strömma
Bring food and water for archipelago islands — facilities on smaller islands are limited
Summer weekends see heavy ferry traffic — book early departures to avoid queues