Visit Stockholm in the Summer, a must for travel bucket lists

Stockholm in Sweden is a destination you should have on your bucket list, and the best time to visit is from May to August. Stockholm was founded in 1252 and sits next to an archipelago with 24,000 islands and islets. Here are my gems after living 15 years in the city and visiting multiple times per year throughout life. 

A one-day visit is too short but takes you to a few gems. 1. Gamla Stan is the oldest part of town, known for its walkable cobble streets, three and four-centuries-old buildings, and ice cream in cones. 2. Wasa is a stunning museum of a wooden battleship from 1632 in mint condition. 3. A 30-minute boat trip to Fjäderholmarna, a sneak preview of an island in the archipelago. 4. A Swedish Fika is the last must-do. ☕️ 🍪 and a conversation, indulge yourself with a Princess cake. 

☀️ Stockholm is further north than most Americans expect. Three hours north by plane from the US/Canadian eastern border makes summer days very long and temperatures in the 70-85F (20-30C) range, making outdoors the place to be. 

🛳 A bus system of boats makes a trip into the archipelago very easy from the city. 🥇For a whole day trip, go to Sandhamn and enjoy the scenery. 🥈A trip to Vaxholm is half as long and takes you to a small town and an ancient defense castle. 🥉The trip to Gustavsberg takes you to an excellent fika place, Tornhuset, Chrystal, and ceramic goods outlets. Even better is a stop at Artipelag, a unique exhibition space/restaurant/nature trails in stunning modern architecture. 

🧆 Swedish meatballs, with potatoes and lingonberries, are famous, but the culinary scene has much more to offer to Foodies. Numerous Foodie Tours take you to six to eight restaurants in four hours for food samples, with short walks in between. All in authentic restaurants. 

Stadshuskällaren (Serving the Nobel Price dinner in the basement of the real deal) 📷Fotografiska (A five-course menu at the top of a great photography museum) and 🥘 Prinsen (best for classic Swedish dishes) and 🍧 Den Gyldene Freden (unique atmosphere since 1722) are restaurants to bring back memories from. 

A few tourist attractions to consider are 1. The city hall, especially at the top of the 300ft/100m tower, for a birds-eye view of the city. 2. Skansen, an outdoor museum/zoo, with buildings and animals from all parts of Sweden. 3. Södermalm for bar hopping in the hipster part of the city. 4. Skeppsholmen and Kastelholmen for a stroll, watching classic boats, and a stop at the Modern Museum of Art. 5. Shopping at NK or Ahlens, two big department stores downtown. Many great Swedish designers like J Lindeberg, Tiger of Sweden, Eton, and Stenströms. 

🛶 Canoe renting at multiple places downtown or a trip to Kayakeriet on Ingarö for open sea kayaking. 🏃♀️🏃Runners come for the Marathon in early June, a half Marathon in September, or the classic 30km Lidingöloppet late September. ⛳ Easy to access golf courses, most clubs open to the public 

🚆 The subway system and walking are the best way to get around. There is no need for a rental car, and the rapid train from the airport to the city is excellent. 🚕 Be careful with Taxis from the airport, and always check the advertised prices in advance. Unfortunately, it is legal to rip you off if they inform you beforehand. 

Feel free to reach out for further color on what a trip to Stockholm can bring you if you want to enjoy it like a local.