Stockholm is built over several islands so you are never far from picturesque waterfront views.
From diving into forest lakes under the midnight sun to enjoying breathtaking panoramas on mountain hikes, Scandinavia is renowned for its outdoor experiences. Yet as with the rest of the region, it’s the cities where the vast majority of Swedes live and work.
As such, they are packed with cultural highlights, family attractions, fine dining restaurants and fascinating historical sites.
However, opting for a city break in Sweden doesn't mean you'll miss out on the Scandinavian love of nature. All Swedish cities are within easy reach of splendid lakes, waterside strolls, or serene islands, with the sprawling archipelagos of the two biggest cities Stockholm and Gothenburg especially notable.
Whether you prefer to wander along historic cobblestone streets heading nowhere in particular or enjoy fika in a modern sidewalk cafe, these five suggestions for Swedish city breaks should offer something for everyone.
Stockholm
A trip to the Swedish capital city provides travelers with the perfect introduction to modern Scandinavia. Its combination of rich history and modern culture is perfectly balanced with its access to nature.
Despite its bustling downtown streets, Stockholm is built over 14 islands so you’re never far from water. Just a short ferry ride away, thousands more islands of the Stockholm archipelago provide a glimpse into a different side of Swedish culture.
Back in the city, leading attractions include the spectacular architecture, narrow lanes and cobbled streets of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town. The Vasa Museum hosts an almost fully intact 17th-century ship that is famous for sinking just minutes into its maiden voyage. For pop music fans, booking a ticket for the ABBA Museum in advance is an absolute must.
In many cities, public transit is just a method of getting around. Not so in Stockholm, where the city’s entire metro network doubles as an art gallery. Almost all stations are decorated with sculptures, mosaics, paintings and other art installations by more than 150 contributing artists.
Given the international transport links, Sweden’s capital city is naturally the first place to consider for a city break. Stockholm Arlanda airport is connected to many European capitals and North American cities including Chicago, Miami, Newark and Toronto. Stockholm is also well connected to Europe by train.
Gothenburg
Sweden’s second largest city Gothenburg is a delightful alternative to the capital, offering a similar mix of history, culture, and nature, but with fewer crowds.
Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Ideal for families, Liseberg is a historic amusement park with rollercoasters, arcades and other traditional attractions. The Universeum is a popular science center, much of which is aimed at kids, while the Gothenburg Museum of Art holds a significant collection of Nordic art.
As with Stockholm, Gothenburg is home to a vast archipelago full of charm. Packed with nature walks, vacation cottages and relaxing harbors, the islands are easily accessible by car or ferry, although the southern islands are entirely car-free.
Gothenburg is well-known in Sweden as the home of Volvo. Since the first car rolled off the production line in 1927, Volvo Cars went on to become a global leader in people-first and safety-first design. Although Volvo Cars was sold to Ford in 1999, Gothenburg remains the headquarters of the Volvo Group, which continues to manufacture trucks and buses.
The city’s Volvo Visitor Center and Volvo Museum tell the story and are a must-visit for anyone interested in cars or engineering.
Malmö
Sweden’s third biggest city is the perfect choice for a day trip for anyone visiting the Danish capital city, Copenhagen. In fact, with Copenhagen Airport offering direct flights from all over Europe and beyond, Copenhagen and Malmö make an ideal double city break.
The reason is the iconic Öresund Bridge, opened in 2000, that finally linked Denmark and Sweden after decades of planning. Although long an icon within Scandinavia, the Öresund Bridge achieved global fame thanks to its starring role in Nordic noir drama The Bridge.
In Malmö itself, the neo-futurist residential tower block Turning Torso is an eye-catching modern variation in the skyline, but it’s the city’s historic buildings that draw the crowds. Malmöhus Castle is the oldest preserved Renaissance castle in Scandinavia.
Surrounded by a moat and neat gardens, the castle has a history dating back to the 15th century. Originally built as a protective fortress, the castle has served as a prison, a mint, and even a royal residence during Danish rule. Today, Malmöhus Castle serves as a museum.
Malmöhus Castle is a landmark historical building in Malmö, Sweden.
Elsewhere in the city, other historical highlights include the merchant houses surrounding the two main squares Stortorget and Lilla Torg, and the 14th century Gothic-style St. Peter’s Church.
Uppsala
This university city is within easy reach of Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport and makes a great day trip or an alternative base to explore the Swedish countryside and coastline.
Scandinavia's oldest university dominates the city and visitors can find out more at Gustavianum, the institute’s oldest building that’s now the University Museum. In addition to the university’s history, the museum’s exhibits include archaeological discoveries from the Viking Age but also from as far afield as the Mediterranean.
Elsewhere in the city, the impressive cathedral, city castle, riverside walks and the natural history museum known as the Museum of Evolution are all worth including into your itinerary.
Visby
Visby is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Swedish island of Gotland. Although its old merchant houses and cobbled streets inside the medieval walls evoke a sense of medieval history, this is no museum. Visby is every bit a modern city.
Gotland Museum is the place to discover more about the town. Although it features artwork and cultural history exhibitions, the museum’s highlight is the collection of archaeological discoveries that tell the history of this fascinating town and island. 7,000-year-old stone axes, Viking Age finds and Medieval seals are among the collection.
Given its island location, getting to Visby is a bit more of a challenge than the other Swedish cities. There are daily flights to the small Visby airport from Stockholm and less frequent services from other Scandinavian destinations. Ferries also serve Visby from the Swedish mainland.
