Our Wandering Chapter

Stockholm is surrounded by places that make rewarding escapes from the city. Over time, our explorations have taken us to small towns by the water, centuries-old castles, quiet stretches of nature and places where the journey can be just as enjoyable as the destination. Some began with a free weekend and a look at the map; others became places we wanted to revisit in another season. Together, they have shown us just how much there is to discover within easy reach of Stockholm.

This is a collection of our day trips from Stockholm so far, and one we hope will continue to grow as we discover more of the region around us.

Sigtuna

Sigtuna feels wonderfully removed from Stockholm without requiring a long journey to get there. We take the commuter train from Stockholm to Märsta and continue by bus to one of Sweden’s oldest towns, where medieval ruins, colourful wooden buildings and the waterfront are all within an easy walk of one another.

One of our first stops is usually the towering ruin of St Olof’s Church. From there, we walk past the cemetery towards Mariakyrkan before continuing into the heart of Sigtuna

Around the little town centre are Sigtuna Rådhus, pretty streets lined with colourful wooden houses, small shops and inviting cafés.

Eventually, the streets lead towards the water. Strandparken and the promenade along Lake Mälaren make a peaceful end to the walk, with wooden decks, jetties and benches that invite you to linger for a while before heading back.

We also enjoy Sigtuna in winter especially in the weeks before Christmas when market stalls, festive treats and seasonal traditions add to the charm of the historic surroundings.

For a closer look at the town, read our day trip to Sigtuna from Stockholm, with more on its historic ruins, old streets and lakeside walks.

Vaxholm

Vaxholm is an easy choice whenever we want a taste of the Stockholm archipelago. We usually take the bus from Danderyds sjukhus, but sometimes choose the boat from Strömkajen, passing small islands, rocky shores and colourful cottages along the way. We often combine the two, taking the boat to Vaxholm and returning by bus.

On some visits, we cross over to Vaxholms Kastell, the fortress on a little island just off Vaxholm. We wander around the old fortifications and courtyards before climbing higher for beautiful views across the surrounding water and islands.

On other visits, we stay on the Vaxholm side and follow the waterfront towards Batteriparken. Perched slightly above the shoreline, it is one of our favourite places to take in the archipelago, with boats passing below and little islands scattered across the water.

We often bring lunch and find a bench overlooking the water, or on warmer days, follow the narrow steps down to tiny Norrhamnsbadet. Another favourite summer stop is Vaxholms Hembygdsgårds Café, with its waterfront garden and tempting display of cakes for an unhurried fika.

Trosa

Our day in Trosa began with a train from Stockholm to Södertälje Centrum, followed by a bus to Trosa Hamn. From there, we set off on foot, using the town’s heritage trail as a loose guide. Instead of heading straight towards the centre, we first walked towards Världens Ände and Smörbyttan before turning back and following the river into town. Boats glided towards the guest harbour, while colourful roses climbed around pretty waterside villas, making the walk particularly lovely on a summer day.

Near the harbour, we stopped at Trosa Gelato on Hamnplan before continuing past Villabron towards Trosa Centrum and Trosa stadskyrka, with little bridges, boats and flower-lined houses appearing along the way.

Trosa is not a place that needs a packed itinerary. Much of its charm lies in simply following the water from the harbour into town, noticing the little details along the way and letting a summer afternoon unfold at its own pace.