Sunsets, fika and swimming in Stockholm and its stunning archipelago

If you’ve been following the latest travel trends and are seeking a “coolcation” in 2026, then you can’t get much cooler than Stockholm.

Not only is Sweden’s capital city cool(er) in temperature, but it’s also a very cool place to hang out for a weekend or short city break.

Surrounded by 30,000 islands, Stockholm is an ideal destination for outdoor adventures this summer.

From exploring on foot and two wheels to boarding a ferry and heading further afield, Stockholm’s stunning archipelago offers endless opportunities for walking, hiking, kayaking, and wild swimming, all within easy reach of the city.

Chasing sunsets and summer city walks in Stockholm

Sweden – the land of ABBA, IKEA, the Nobel prize, and Pippi Longstocking – is not short on attractions and places to go. Even during winter, which is the time of year that I had previously visited, there’s plenty to see and do.

But what is Sweden, and Stockholm, like in the summer? In a few words: it’s one of Europe’s bright spots, as it never really gets that dark.

Visiting this time at the end of June, the sunrise was at around 3.30 am and the sunset at around 10 pm. The long summer days mean you’ll get even more time to discover this city and its islands.

Landing at Stockholm Arlanda Airport at just after 2 pm and arriving in our hotel before 4 pm, we had a good six hours before sunset on the first day of our 48-hour city break.

So, with that in mind, we put on our comfy walking shoes and headed out on foot.

Staying in the central Norrmalm district, we ventured to the iconic Gamla Stan old town before heading to the trendy neighbourhood of Södermalm. Here you can find a scenic waterside path that’s perfect for walking and cycling.

Crossing over to the island of Långholmen, its park offers an elevated vantage point for sunset with great views of the city and water. We were able to take a seat on the rocks and enjoy watching the sun start to set.

With dusk setting in – well, I say dusk, but as previously mentioned it never really gets that dark here – we continued our walk over the Västerbron Bridge and back through the park at Rålambshovsparken. Even after 10 pm, it felt like an afternoon with people having picnics and kids running around.

From Rålambshovsparken, we followed the waterside before going back through the city to complete the loop back to our hotel. The walk was around nine kilometres in total.

Forget cabs, metro or even bikes, if you really want to see Stockholm city then do it on foot.

Wild swimming on a day trip to Vaxholm

One of the main reasons for choosing a summer city break in Stockholm was to head out to one of the islands.

We decided on Vaxholm, which is regarded as “the capital of the archipelago” and one of the most popular options for a day trip from the city.

Taking a ferry from the central Strömkajen dock, it’s an easy journey of around an hour onboard a Waxholmsbolaget service. Single-journey tickets for adults start from SEK 61 (€5.50).

On the island of Vaxholm you can visit the historic fortress, browse the waterfront cafés and shops, or hire a bike and go on a two-wheeled adventure. But with temperatures on the day more akin to the Med than Scandinavia, a refreshing dip in the water was the perfect activity to cool off.

Recommended by the team at Vaxholm’s tourist information office, we headed to Norrhamnsbadet, a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing just a few minutes from the ferry port.

Here you’ll find a small beach, rocks and grass to lie on and a jetty which has steps into the refreshingly-cool water.

Did I expect to be cold water swimming in Sweden? No. Will it turn out to be the most memorable part of the trip? Definitely.

Fika and meatballs: Where to eat and drink in Stockholm

Stockholm’s cafe culture is as good as anywhere in Europe and the Swedes even have their own word – “fika” – which means “to have a coffee break”. Alongside your chosen brew, you’ll also have something sweet to eat. Traditional fika treats include cinnamon buns and cardamom pastries.

Wander the streets of Stockholm and you’ll find hundreds, maybe thousands, of places that offer fika. We opted for Skeppsbro Bageri in Gamla Stan, which had a nice outdoor seating area by the waterside. A word of warning though, don’t be surprised to be joined at your table by some ducks – they also really enjoy a sweet pastry.

Beyond fika, Sweden is perhaps best known for its iconic meatballs. Internationally, you may have enjoyed them at IKEA while taking a break from buying the latest in flat-pack furniture.

A quick search for “best meatballs in Stockholm” brings up countless recommendations. On the menu for us was a table for two at Bakfickan, the “back pocket” restaurant at the Royal Swedish Opera. Served with creamy mashed potatoes, gravy, lingonberries and pickles, the Bakfickan meatballs were delicious – and well worth their online praise.

For an evening aperitivo, or a sunset drink, head to Stockholm Under Stjärnorna (SUS). Located at Hotel At Six, a design-led boutique hotel, SUS is a rooftop park which boasts 360-degree panoramic views over the city.

Hotel and places to stay in Stockholm

Like any modern capital city, you’ll find a wide range of accommodation options in Stockholm.

With just 48 hours to explore we wanted to stay somewhere very central, so we checked in at the Haymarket by Scandic.

Located directly across Hötorget Square from the Stockholm Concert Hall, this art deco-style hotel is just 10 minutes’ walk from central station and the lively area is full of shopping streets, restaurants and bars. For two nights in a double room we paid around €357.

How to get from the airport to Stockholm city centre

Arlanda Airport, Sweden’s largest, is 40 kilometres north of Stockholm and there are a few ways visitors can get to the city after landing.

While not the cheapest option, the Arlanda Express train is certainly the quickest. The non-stop journey from the airport to Stockholm Central takes just 18 minutes. A round trip ticket for two adults cost us SEK 920 (€83) and was valid for 90 days.

Other transport options include the Flygbussarna airport coaches, which depart every 15 to 30 minutes for Stockholm City Terminal next to central station, with a journey time of around 35 to 45 minutes.

Alternatively, SL commuter trains depart twice an hour from Arlanda Central Station in SkyCity, reaching Stockholm Central in around 43 minutes. Coach operators such as FlixBus and Nettbuss also serve the airport.

The Stockholm checklist for first-time visitors

While you can achieve quite a lot on a short city break in Sweden’s capital, you’ll never really get to see everything.

To help first-time visitors, here’s our checklist of things to see and do in Stockholm…

• Gamla Stan: Explore Stockholm’s Old Town, with its colourful buildings, medieval streets and historic squares. Traveller tip: if you’re in the south-east corner of Stortorget square, don’t forget to look up and spot the cannonball above the Stortorgskällaren sign…
• Stockholm Archipelago: Take a ferry through the islands and visit charming destinations such as Vaxholm.
• Djurgården: Known as the “true lung” of the Swedish capital, the island of Djurgården has so much to offer that you could also spend a whole weekend here exploring its museums, parks, walking trails and waterfront.
• Vasa Museum, Djurgården: The 17th-century warship is one of Sweden’s most visited attractions.
• Skansen, Djurgården: The world’s oldest open-air museum features historic buildings, Nordic wildlife and traditional crafts.
• ABBA The Museum, Djurgården: Take a chance on this entertaining museum which is dedicated to Sweden’s most famous pop group.
• Stockholm City Hall, Kungsholmen: This iconic landmark is home of the Nobel Prize banquet and its magnificent Blue and Golden Halls.
• Södermalm: One of Stockholm’s trendiest neighbourhoods that’s known for its independent boutiques, cafés, galleries and dining scene.
• Monteliusvägen: Walk this scenic viewpoint in Södermalm for some of the city’s best panoramic views over the skyline and waterfront – especially at sunrise and sunset.
• Östermalm Food Hall: Enjoy a traditional Swedish fika or sample local delicacies.