Things to do on Stockholm's Islands

All roads (or should that be bridges) lead to Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s medieval old town, and as good a place to start your archipelago adventure as any. Set largely on the central island of Stadsholmen, Gamla Stan is a photographer's dream ticket, all candy-colored 17th-century townhouses, bakery windows crammed with still-warm cinnamon buns, and more baroque and gothic architecture than you can shake a stick at.

Start on Stortorget, the old town’s almost supernaturally scenic main square, then meander atmospheric cobbled lanes in search of Stockholm Cathedral’s picture-perfect copper-green bell tower, the baroque Royal Palace, and – over the bridge on Riddarholmen – this tiny islet’s namesake church with its skyline-piercing spire.

Be sure not to miss Stadsholmen (and indeed Stockholm)’s narrowest alley: Mårten Trotzigs Gränd tapers to a mere 90cm at its tightest point, so perhaps don’t attempt to squeeze down it straight after lunch…

Pro-tip: admission to many top Stockholm attractions is included with the Stockholm pass from Go City. The pass includes 70+ tours activities and attractions and could save you up to 50% on your Stockholm sightseeing. Find out more about the Stockholm pass and get yours here.

Södermalm (or just plain Söder to locals) is a rather more substantial affair, and an altogether more modern, bohemian and creative district than Gamla Stan, despite being just a short hop over the bridge. There’s stacks to do here too. Take in panoramic views of the old town skyline on a stroll along the Monteliusvägen cliff path’s wooden walkway and make for the Södermalm waterfront, where Fotografiska showcases bleeding-edge contemporary art and photography in the former customs house.

Hit up the achingly hip SoFo (south of Folkungagatan) neighborhood for your pick of the island’s finest indie fashion boutiques, vintage book and record stores, and laidback cafés. Or, for something a little more old-school, head to picturesque Tantolunden for Insta-perfect snaps of its colorful wooden cottages and tiny allotments.

Stockholm’s soaring City Hall plays host to the opulent Nobel Prize Banquet every December. Mere mortals can visit this Kungsholmen icon on a guided tour, or climb its 365 steps for panoramic city views from the tower during the summer months. 

Along with its tiny neighbor of Långholmen, Kungsholmen transforms in summer, both becoming popular spots for sunbathers and swimmers, thanks to their sandy beaches, picturesque wooden piers and all-important ice-cream vendors. The calm waters are also great for kayaking and paddleboarding, and those who prefer to stay on dry land will find much to enjoy along waterside trails and woodland paths.

Djurgården is Stockholm’s great green playground, a former royal game park that’s home to Stockholm’s largest concentration of museums, monuments and other recreational pursuits. Indeed, there’s so much to do here on this lush island that it’s hard to know where to start. Try the ABBA Museum, where the opportunity to bust a move with Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anna-Frid (in holographic form, that is) is simply too much fun to reist. 

Or head to the waterfront Gröna Lund theme park with its cute 19th-century carousel and ultra-modern nerve-shredding thrill rides. Then there’s Skansen, an open-air living history museum that hosts regular seasonal events including harvest festivals, Christmas markets, and Sweden’s national New Year celebrations.

The Vasa Museum boasts the world’s best-preserved 17th-century warship. There’s also an excellent, immersive Viking Museum, while treasures on display at the Nationalmuseum include pieces by Degas, Dalí and Duchamp; Rubens, Rembrandt and Renoir.

Djurgården’s verdant hills also make it a popular spot for long picnic lunches overlooking the bay and nature walks that meander through fairytale woods and past mirror-like lakes.

Look out too for Rosendals Garden, where orchards, vineyards and a rose garden are perfect for moments of peaceful meditation.

Tip: entry to many of Djurgården’s bucket-list museums is included with the Stockholm pass.

This fairytale royal summer residence on the island of Lovön is well worth the hour-long boat ride from Gamla Stan. Indeed, the journey is a highlight in itself, cruising past many of Lake Mälaren most picturesque islets en route to the main event: the pristine baroque confection that is 17th-century Drottningholm Palace. The perfectly manicured gardens here were modeled on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, which might give you some idea what to expect. Think beautiful baroque and formal English gardens crammed full of ornate fountains, stately statues and box hedges that are never anything short of immaculate. Take time to pause and reflect at the elaborate Chinese Pavilion and to explore the palace’s opulent interiors, all sweeping staircases, gilded salons and epic wall murals.

Find out more in our guide to day trips from Stockholm.

You don’t have to voyage very far from central Stockholm before you stumble upon several major Viking settlements. Join a boat tour out to Lake Mälaren where the island of Björkö is home to one of the region's largest archaeological Viking discoveries, an 8th-century center of commerce on the Baltic Sea trading route. You can take guided tours of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in the town of Birka, where there’s also a museum, reconstructed Viking village and thousands of ancient Viking burial mounds to explore.

You can also stop off at Hovgården on the neighboring island of Adelsö, from where the Swedish king is thought to have held court at the time.

The tiny islet of Vaxholmen’s imposing fortress (and the welcoming waterside cafés on the main island of Vaxön opposite) make it a popular choice for Stockholm day-trippers. The islet’s fortifications were built in the 16th Century to fend off seaborne threats from the east. And this well-preserved landmark (which covers the entire island) is well worth a visit, thanks to its fascinating museum and picturesque ramparts with views back across to Vaxholm town.

Note that, as with many of the islands in the Stockholm archipelago, you’ll find that boat trips are readily available when outlying island attractions are open in spring and summer, but far less reliable (and often non-existent) out of season.

Looking for more things to do on Stockholm’s islands? The Stockholm pass has you covered, with more than 70+ top attractions, tours and activities to choose from. Hit the buttons below to find out more and choose your pass.