Sweden’s capital Stockholm attracts visitors with its beautiful seaside location and its vibrant culture and nightlife. Gothenburg in the western part of Sweden is the country’s second largest city, and the gateway to the Gothenburg Archipelago. Sweden’s third biggest city Malmö is the entrance point to Sweden for visitors arriving from Copenhagen over the Öresund Bridge, and a starting point for trips to the Skåne region in southern Sweden.
Things to See and Do in Stockholm
Stockholm is made of 14 different islands, and the seaside location makes it a picturesque city to visit in the summer.
Stockholm’s main attractions are the medieval old city (Gamla Stan) with its cobblestone streets, small cafés and historic attractions, and the Djurgården island in the middle of the city, home to several tourist attractions including the Gröna Lund amusement park and the Skansen open air museum and zoo. Stockholm has an efficient public transportation system, and is also a family-friendly holiday destination: children get free bus trips on weekends and discounts in many tourist attractions. Stockholm also has great shopping, good restaurants, a vibrant cultural life and a busy nightlife with trendy bars and clubs.
The Stockholm archipelago is made of over 24 000 islands and islets, only a thousand of which are inhabited, and boat trips to the islands are one of the best attractions in Stockholm. Ferries to neighbouring Finland and to the Åland islands leave from Stockholm.
Gothenburg and the Western Archipelago
Sweden’s second most important city Gothenburg (Göteborg) is most famous for its archipelago, but also has a pretty old town, interesting museums that include the Maritima Centrum with its collections of boats and barges, good nightlife and restaurants, and Scandinavia’s largest amusement park, the Liseberg.
The Kungsportsanenyn (or Avenyn) is Gothenburg’s main shopping street and the centre of its nightlife, bars, clubs and restaurants. Many tourist attractions, museums and historic sights are also located here. Ferries connect the city centre to the gorgeous Western Archipelago with its hundreds of islands and wild, rugged and unique beaches.
Malmö and the Skåne Region
The Öresund Bridge connects Malmö to Copenhagen, and Malmö is the entrance point to Sweden for most visitors coming from Denmark. The city centre itself is small and its sights are seen quickly, but Malmö also has several sandy beaches – the 2.5 kilometre long Ribersborg is the most popular – and is a good starting point for exploring the surrounding Skåne region with its countryside, seaside town and beaches.
