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From Drottningholm Palace to Viking ruins at Birka, here are 12 unmissable day trips from Stockholm, all under 2 hours away.
I may be a bit biased as my sister-in-law lives in Stockholm, but it is an incredible city. I been a fair few times now, and each time I always discover somewhere new and exciting. Spread across 14 islands with clean, colourful streets, cosy cafés on every corner, and water seemingly everywhere you look, it’s hard not to fall in love with the place.
But what really makes Stockholm special is what lies just beyond it. Within an hour or two, you can be exploring fairytale palaces, wandering Viking ruins, swimming in the archipelago, or pottering around a town so old it makes Stockholm feel young. I love that I can base myself in one city and still tick off so many completely different experiences without ever needing to pack a bag.
In this post, I’m going to share my favourite day trips from Stockholm. Every single one of these is doable within two hours by public transport or by car, so you really can fit them around a city break without losing precious time on the road. And don’t feel like you have to tick them all off at once! Hopefully you’ll find the perfect day trip for you though.
If you’re planning a trip to Stockholm, make sure you read all the best things to do in the city.
Are you planning an amazing weekend in Stockholm? If so, you may want to book your hotels and tours asap to ensure availability. Here are some links to quickly help plan your trip!
Best hotels and apartments in Stockholm:
- Bank Hotel (best rated 5* hotel)
- Hotel Hasselbacken (best rated 4* hotel)
- Mälardrottningen Yacht Hotel (stay on a boat!)
Best activities and tours in Stockholm:
- Stockholm Winter Tour by Boat (top rated tour!)
- ABBA The Museum Entrance Ticket (great indoor activity)
- Winter Kayaking, Swedish Fika, and Hot Sauna
Contents:
How many days do you need in Stockholm?
I get asked this a lot, so here’s my honest take: three days is the perfect amount of time to explore Stockholm itself and fit in one or two of these day trips without feeling rushed. That gives you enough time to wander the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan, explore the city’s incredible museums, discover the different islands that make up the archipelago and still have time to enjoy the cafés and restaurants.
If you’ve only got a couple of days, I’d stick to the easier options like Drottningholm Palace, Vaxholm or Sigtuna. They’re all straightforward to reach from the city and give you a taste of Sweden beyond the capital without taking up your whole day. If you’ve got four or five days, you can venture further afield to places like Uppsala, Sandhamn or Mariefred and experience a completely different side of the country.
Either way, I wouldn’t try to cram too much into one trip. Stockholm is a city that rewards slow exploration, and part of the magic is simply wandering along the waterfront, hopping between islands and taking in the relaxed pace of Swedish life. The best day trips aren’t just about ticking off another place – they’re about seeing why this part of Sweden is so special.
Quick overview
| Destination | Journey time | Best mode of transport | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drottningholm Palace | 20–25 min by car / 45 min–1 hour by metro and bus or boat | Boat (summer) or public transport | History – royal palaces, gardens and a peaceful escape from the city |
| Uppsala | 45–60 min by car / 40–60 min by direct train | Train | Culture – Sweden’s oldest university, cathedral and Viking history |
| Vaxholm | 30–40 min by car / around 1 hour by boat or 45 min by bus | Boat (it’s part of the experience) | Archipelago life – colourful houses, island views and seafood by the water |
| Sigtuna | 45–50 min by car / around 1 hour by train and bus | Public transport | History – Sweden’s oldest town, Viking heritage and charming streets |
| Mariefred & Gripsholm Castle | Around 1 hour by car / 1h15–1h30 by train and bus | Train and bus | Fairytale scenery – castles, lakeside views and a historic old town |
| Fjäderholmarna Islands | 25–30 min by boat | Boat (it’s part of the experience) | Island escape – swimming, walking trails and a taste of the archipelago |
| Birka | Around 2 hours by boat | Boat (it’s part of the experience) | Viking history – ancient ruins, museums and island scenery |
| Skokloster Castle | 1h15–1h30 by car / around 2 hours by public transport | Car | History – one of Sweden’s most impressive baroque castles |
| Nynäshamn | 50–60 min by car / around 1 hour by train | Train | Coastal charm – harbour walks, seafood and island adventures |
| Tyresta National Park | 35–45 min by car / around 1 hour by bus | Public transport | Nature – ancient forests, hiking trails and Swedish wilderness |
| Västerås | Around 1 hour by car / 55–60 min by train | Train | City break – lakeside views, history and a relaxed Swedish atmosphere |
| Trosa | Around 1 hour by car / 1h15–1h30 by public transport | Car | Small-town charm – wooden houses, canals and a slower pace of life |
Map of the best day trips from Stockholm
To make planning a bit easier, I’ve put together this interactive map with all of the best day trips from Stockholm featured in this article. Every destination is marked out, so you can see exactly where each one sits in relation to the city and work out which ones you could realistically pair together on the same day. Just click on any pin for a quick overview of what makes it worth the trip.
Drottningholm Palace
If you only have time for one day trip from Stockholm, make it Drottningholm. It’s the private residence of the Swedish royal family, and it’s honestly one of the most beautiful palaces I’ve visited anywhere in Europe. Think manicured Baroque gardens modelled on Versailles, a beautifully preserved 18th-century theatre, and a Chinese Pavilion that looks like something out of a fairytale.
I’d recommend giving yourself a good half day here, as the gardens alone are worth lingering in. If the weather’s kind, arrive by boat along Lake Mälaren rather than the metro and bus combo. It’s a gorgeous way to approach the palace and makes the whole trip feel a bit more special.
By public transport: Around 45 minutes to an hour by metro and bus, or about an hour by boat from central Stockholm.
By car: Roughly 20-25 minutes from central Stockholm.
Uppsala
Uppsala was one of my favourite surprises just outside Stockholm. It’s home to the oldest university in the Nordics, and that academic energy runs right through the city, from the buzzing cafés to the students cycling everywhere you look. The twin-spired cathedral dominates the skyline, and it’s genuinely one of the most impressive I’ve seen in Scandinavia.
Beyond the cathedral, I really enjoyed pottering around the botanical gardens and the 16th-century castle overlooking the river. If you’ve got a bit more time, Gamla Uppsala, just outside the city centre, has burial mounds dating back over a thousand years and makes for a fascinating add-on to your day. If you’d like to learn more about Uppsala, you can go on a walking tour of the city.
By public transport: Around 40-60 minutes by direct train from Stockholm Central.
By car: About 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
Vaxholm
Vaxholm feels like your first proper taste of the Stockholm Archipelago, and it’s an easy one to fit into a day. The town itself is full of pastel-coloured wooden houses straight out of the 19th century, and the fortress just offshore is genuinely worth the visit, especially if you like a bit of history with your scenery.
My favourite part, though, was simply arriving by boat. There’s something about approaching Vaxholm from the water, weaving between the little islands, that sets the tone for the whole day. Once there, grab a coffee by the harbour, wander the old town, and don’t rush it. This is a spot for slowing down.
By public transport: Around 1 hour by direct boat from central Stockholm, or about 45 minutes by bus.
By car: Approximately 30-40 minutes from central Stockholm.
Sigtuna
Sigtuna is Sweden’s oldest town, and you can genuinely feel that history the moment you start walking down Stora Gatan. Wooden houses, church ruins, and runestones line the streets, yet the whole place feels remarkably calm and unhurried compared to central Stockholm.
I really loved just wandering here without much of a plan. Stop for a fika in one of the many small cafés, walk along the lakeside, and take a look at the ruins of St Olof’s Church. It’s a small town, so you won’t need the whole day here, which makes it easy to pair with somewhere like nearby Skokloster Castle if you fancy making a proper day of it.
By public transport: Around 1 hour by train and bus, or a scenic option by boat in summer.
By car: About 45 minutes from central Stockholm.
Mariefred & Gripsholm Castle
Mariefred is one of those postcard-pretty little towns that makes for a brilliant, relaxed day trip. Sitting on the shores of Lake Mälaren, its main draw is Gripsholm Castle, a striking 16th-century fortress that once served as a royal residence and now houses Sweden’s national portrait collection.
I’d suggest wandering the castle grounds first, then heading into the town itself for lunch by the water. There’s also a wonderful vintage steam railway nearby if you fancy something a little different. It’s a proper slice of quiet, historic Sweden, and a nice contrast to Stockholm’s bigger city energy.
By public transport: Around 1 hour by train to Läggesta, followed by a short bus ride.
By car: About 1 hour from central Stockholm.
Fjäderholmarna Islands
If you’re short on time but still want a taste of the archipelago, Fjäderholmarna is the easiest island escape from Stockholm, and I mean genuinely easy. It’s the closest island group to the city, so you can be sat on a boat with a view of open water within minutes of leaving the harbour.
Once there, it’s all about slowing right down. There are a handful of small restaurants, an old boatyard to explore, and plenty of rocky spots to sit and watch the boats go by. It won’t fill a whole day, so it’s perfect if you want archipelago views without committing to a longer trip elsewhere.
This is a fantastic tour which takes your to the islands. On this tour you’ll really get to experience the slower side of Stockholm.
By public transport: Around 25 minutes by boat from central Stockholm.
By car: Not accessible by car, boat only.
Birka
Birka is an absolute must if you’re even remotely interested in Viking history. Founded around 760 AD on the island of Björkö, it was once one of the most important trading centres in the Viking world, and it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The boat journey there is half the experience, gliding across Lake Mälaren with Stockholm slowly disappearing behind you. Once you arrive, you’ll find burial mounds, reconstructed Viking houses, and a small museum bringing the site’s history to life. Do bear in mind this one takes up the best part of a day once you factor in the journey, so it’s worth committing to rather than rushing.
By public transport: Around 2 hours each way by dedicated boat tour from central Stockholm.
By car: Not accessible by car, boat only.
Skokloster Castle
Skokloster Castle isn’t as well known as some of the other palaces near Stockholm, and I think that’s exactly why I loved it. It’s the largest privately owned baroque castle in Sweden, and remarkably, much of its original interior and collections have barely changed since the 17th century.
Wandering through the halls here genuinely feels like stepping back in time, right down to the original furniture and armoury. The castle grounds along Lake Mälaren are lovely for a walk afterwards too. If you’re driving, it pairs really nicely with Sigtuna for a fuller day out exploring this part of Sweden. You can pick up your ticket here.
By public transport: Around 1 hour by train to Bålsta, followed by a short bus ride.
By car: About 50 minutes from central Stockholm.
Nynäshamn
Nynäshamn sits right at the southern edge of the Stockholm Archipelago, and it’s a proper seaside escape without the long journey you might expect. The harbour has a lovely, laid-back atmosphere, and it’s also the departure point for ferries heading further out into the archipelago if you fancy island-hopping.
I made a point of visiting the ChokladHuset while I was here, the very same chocolate house that makes the treats served at the Nobel Prize ceremony each year, which felt like a nice bit of trivia to bring home. Beyond that, it’s all about the harbour views, fresh seafood, and a slower pace than the city.
By public transport: Around 1 hour by direct train from central Stockholm.
By car: About 50 minutes to 1 hour from central Stockholm.
Tyresta National Park
If you need a proper dose of nature, Tyresta National Park is one of the best reasons to leave Stockholm for the day, and it’s remarkably close considering how wild it feels once you’re inside. Ancient forest, quiet lakes, and marked hiking trails make it a brilliant escape from the city streets.
I’d recommend picking one of the longer trails if you’re reasonably fit, as the deeper you go, the more untouched everything feels. There are also shorter, easier loops if you’d rather keep things relaxed. Either way, pack a picnic and make a proper day of it. This is Stockholm’s wilderness, right on its doorstep.
By public transport: Around 1 hour by bus from central Stockholm.
By car: About 30-40 minutes from central Stockholm.
Västerås
Västerås sits on the shores of Lake Mälaren and makes for a really pleasant, low-key day trip. Its cathedral, parts of which date back to the 13th century, dominates the skyline, and the old town around it is lovely for a wander.
What I really enjoyed here was the mix of history and green space, from the cathedral and castle ruins to the lakeside parks perfect for a picnic in summer. If you’re travelling with family, Västerås also has plenty of relaxed spots for kids to burn off some energy by the water. It’s not the flashiest day trip on this list, but it’s a genuinely enjoyable one.
By public transport: Around 1 hour by direct train from Stockholm Central.
By car: About 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes from central Stockholm.
Trosa
Trosa is easily one of the prettiest small towns I’ve visited near Stockholm, and it has a real coastal charm that’s hard not to love. Wooden red houses line the river, and the harbour has a genuinely relaxed, seaside feel that makes it perfect for an unhurried day out.
I really enjoyed walking along the river towards the harbour, and if you’ve got time, a short boat trip from there is a lovely way to see the coastline. It’s a quieter choice than some of the more famous spots on this list, which is exactly why I’d recommend it if you fancy somewhere a little less touristy.
By public transport: Around 1 hour 30 minutes by train to Södertälje and connecting bus.
By car: About 1 hour from central Stockholm.
So there you have it, my pick of the best day trips from Stockholm. Whether you’re after fairytale palaces, Viking history, island escapes or proper Swedish wilderness, all of these are easy enough to fit around a city break without eating into your whole trip.
Which one of these day trips from Stockholm would you like to do first? Let me know in the comments below!
