Sweden
About My Trip to Sweden
Sweden has a special place in my travel history because it was the first country I visited on my first trip across the Atlantic in March 2016. Before that trip, I had only traveled in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. I began the trip in Stockholm, where I explored Gamla Stan, visited the Vasa Museum, walked around the city center, and took a trip to Drottningholm Palace.
I returned to Sweden more than ten years later in August 2026, after visiting more than 50 countries. This time, I spent several days exploring Stockholm almost entirely on foot and was able to see much more of the city than I had during my first visit. I walked more than 30 miles through areas including Gamla Stan, Djurgården, Södermalm, Riddarholmen, Skeppsholmen, and Kastellholmen, while also returning to some of the places I remembered from 2016.
One of the highlights of my return was visiting the Vasa Museum for a second time, more than ten years after it became the first museum I had visited across the pond. I also explored parts of Stockholm I had missed during my first visit, visited the SkyView at Globen, and spent my final day taking a trip from Arlanda Airport to Sigtuna.
Sweden Pages by Map
Sweden
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Stockholm
Walking around Stockholm was one of the highlights of my 2026 visit, and over four days I covered more than 30 miles on foot. My routes took me through Gamla Stan, Djurgården, Södermalm, Stockholm City Hall, Riddarholmen, Skeppsholmen, Kastellholmen, and finally to SkyView at Avicii Arena. Along the way, I mixed famous landmarks with quieter waterfront paths, scenic viewpoints, museums, historic streets, and plenty of time simply wandering.
This guide shares the routes I actually walked, along with my favorite stops, practical transportation tips, and honest thoughts on which areas I would prioritize if time is limited. I also include advice on cobblestones, public restrooms, changing weather, using Stockholm’s public transportation when your feet need a break, and deciding which attractions are worth going inside. If you enjoy exploring a city on foot, these routes can help you plan your own self-guided walking experience in Stockholm.
During four days in Stockholm, I walked more than 30 miles while exploring some of the city’s most famous neighborhoods, islands, waterfronts, and viewpoints. My five self-guided walking routes cover Gamla Stan, Djurgården, Södermalm, City Hall and Riddarholmen, and Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen. I also visited the Vasa Museum and finished my trip with a bonus ride on SkyView at Avicii Arena.
The complete guide includes maps, photos, practical tips, and the routes I actually followed during my visit.
The Vasa Museum in Stockholm was the first museum I visited on my first trip across the Atlantic in 2016. I returned more than ten years later in 2026, after visiting more than 50 countries, and found the museum almost exactly as I remembered it. The dark atmosphere, distinctive smell of old wood and the sea, and the massive Vasa warship still made an impression.
My updated guide covers whether the Vasa Museum is worth visiting, how long to spend there, tickets, hours, exhibits, photography, and what changed between my two visits.
I visited Drottningholm Palace during my first trip to Stockholm in 2016. The palace itself was closed during my visit, so I explored the exterior, grounds, and waterfront area instead of touring the interior.
My guide covers how I traveled from central Stockholm to Drottningholm Palace, what I was able to see during my visit, and whether I thought the trip was still worthwhile even without going inside the palace.
Sigtuna
Before heading home from Sweden, I took a short bus ride from Stockholm Arlanda Airport to explore Sigtuna, often called Sweden’s oldest town. I walked along historic Stora Gatan, searched for Viking Age runestones, visited the ruins of St. Lars and St. Olof’s churches, and ended my visit along the Lake Mälaren waterfront. This guide explains how to visit Sigtuna from Arlanda Airport, what to see, and whether a guided Viking-history tour is worthwhile.
Sigtuna is one of the easiest historic day trips I found near Arlanda Airport. I spent a few hours walking through the town, seeing Viking runestones, medieval church ruins, historic streets, and the waterfront along Lake Mälaren. It was a relaxed way to spend my final day in Sweden without returning to central Stockholm.
Stockholm Arlanda Airport
I flew SAS Business Class from Chicago O’Hare to Stockholm aboard an Airbus A330. My review covers the lie-flat seat, lounge access, onboard meals, service, entertainment, and what the overall business-class experience was like on the overnight flight to Sweden.
I also share whether I thought SAS Business Class was worth the upgrade and what stood out most during the flight.