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Does this Stockholm Itinerary work?

I'm heading to Sweden in 2 weeks and I have a rough itinerary put together. I have roughly 9 days in Stockholm. I'm actually staying with a friend who is about 45 mins outside of the city in Bro, so I will be commuting in each day. For all intents and purposes, this is a solo trip (despite staying with a friend). Does this look do-able? My plan is to hit one island each day and really take my time. What am I missing?

Day 1 - Arrival Day - Plane lands around 6:15 AM. I plan to just take this day easy and maybe wander around Bro a little bit.

Day 2 - Djurgarden - Visit the Vasa Museum, Skansen, and Nordiska if there is time.

Day 3 - Gamla Stan - I have a free walking tour booked in the morning, which hits all the main sites. Considering the Stromma - Under the Bridges tour in the afternoon.

Day 4 - Sodermalm - Considering the Stromma Royal Canal Tour in the morning. I have a free walking tour booked for the afternoon.

Day 5 - Nothing planned yet.

Day 6 - Drottingholm - Plan to spend the day wandering the palace and gardens.

Day 7 - Ostermalm - I have a free walking tour booked for the afternoon, but no other plans.

Day 8 - I have an Airbnb experience booked - a photographer - to walk around Gamla Stan and take photos. In the afternoon, I'd like to visit the Ice Bar (I know I need to book in advance).

Day 9 - Nothing planned yet.

Day 10 - Flight home.

The two canal tours I was looking at visit different areas, but do I need both? I have the time to do them, but if only one is recommended, which one? Also, I was considering a day trip to Uppsala or Sigtuna on one (or both) of the days I do not have anything planned.
Thanks for your advice!

Posted by
6178 posts

I've seen many examples of rushed itineraries that makes me faint just by looking at them, but this looks like a very well balanced plan with room for extra activities. When you are in Gamla stan, you could also stop by the changing of the guards at the Royal palace. Or if you don't want to see the whole ceremony, at least look at the parade as it arrives at the castle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHmyeWVX2b8), in that case the front of the castle or outside the parliament are good spots. And if you are able to see the parade when it is mounted, it is a bit more impressive in my opinion. If you tell which dates you are in Stockholm I can check the schedule and see if it is mounted during your stay.

Uppsala and Sigtuna are both great places to see, but you should not do it on the same day in my opinion. That will be rushed. Sigtuna can be seen in half a day, but Uppsala deserves more time than that. Regarding the boat tours, I would not suggest doing both. If you have done the Under the bridges, the trip around Djurgården will mostly be the same. If you still feel like you want some more boat travel, you can take a trip on one of the regular ferries. Either SL's own ferries within Stockholm or the one to the archipelago.

Posted by
4 posts

Badger-
Thanks for your reply! I will be there May 10-20. I would be interested in seeing the Changing of the Guard (because despite being to London twice, I've never seen it there!)

As for Uppsala and Sigtuna, I would not do them both on the same day. I have 2 days with no plans yet so if I did both, I would do one on each day. Uppsala sounds like it might be the better option as there is more to see, so I may do that and skip Sigtuna? Is there something else you would recommend for that 2nd free day?
Thanks!

Posted by
6178 posts

Then you are lucky! On the 13th, 14th and 15th the parade is mounted (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo1ARCpvebA) so you should in my opinion try to catch the changing of the guards on one of those days. And especially the parade, as it is more impressive in my opinion.

If there is a choice between Uppsala and Sigtuna, the winner is Uppsala without a doubt in my opinion. A much larger city with a lot more to see, plenty of things to fill a day with. As for other things to see, what are you interested in? It can be nice to have the last day free to do what you feel like. If you are staying in Bro, one suggestion is to make the short trip to Bålsta and visit Åbergs museum, https://abergsmuseum.se/en/abergs-museum/ Lasse Åberg is probably unknown outside the Nordic countries, but here is a well known artist, art collector, film maker, comedian etc. Could be worth half a day.

Posted by
4 posts

Wonderful! I watched the video and I definitely want to watch it. What time does it begin and do you recommend getting there early to find a good spot to see?

I want to video as much as possible for my youtube channel and instagram. I want to really get to know Sweden and its people. I like museums, sitting down at a good cafe or restaurant and trying local food, things that are unique to the region, taking photos to capture the landscape and even seeing some touristy things just to say I did it.

The Åbergs museum looks very fun and might be something I could do the day I arrive as it's close to Bro.

Posted by
2635 posts

I hope you’ll consider writing a trip report when you return. I have 3 weeks in Sweden in mind for a future trip.

Have a great time!!!

Posted by
6178 posts

Wonderful! I watched the video and I definitely want to watch it. What
time does it begin and do you recommend getting there early to find a
good spot to see?

When the parade is mounted, it starts 11:35 at Lidingövägen 28, the former cavalry barracks, and rides via Lidingövägen, Sturegatan, Stureplan, Birger Jarlsgatan, Nybroplan, Hamngatan, Kungsträdgårdsgatan, Strömgatan, Gustav Adolfs torg, Norrbro, Slottskajen, Skeppsbron, Slottsbacken to the outer courtyard where the ceremony starts 12:15. Except on Sunday, when it is an hour later, so the parade starts 12:35 and the ceremony starts 13:15. When the parade is on foot they start at the army museum and take a slightly different route. Also note that the changing of the guard varies a bit depending on what regiment are responsible for guarding the palace and which band plays. Although horses aren't used that much today, so for the mounted parade it will always be the Life Guards and the Life Guards' Dragoon Music Corps.

Due to the pandemic, the mounted parade might be a bit shorter than usual. It has been a bit tricky to train new horses. But the army has promised that it will never be less than 42 horses in the parade, compared to the usual 52. To see the parade, somewhere between Kungsträdgården and the Palace is probably a good idea, but to see the ceremony you might want to be at the castle in advance. So maybe watch the parade one day and the ceremony another day?

I want to really get to know Sweden and its people. I like museums,
sitting down at a good cafe or restaurant and trying local food,
things that are unique to the region, taking photos to capture the
landscape and even seeing some touristy things just to say I did it.

For cafés, the ones in Uppsala are in my opinion far better than the ones in Stockholm. For local food, Slingerbulten in Gamla Stan (Stora Nygatan) is a good place for lunch. But to be honest, if you really want to get to know Sweden, just visiting Stockholm and the surrounding area is not enough.

The Åbergs museum looks very fun and might be something I could do the
day I arrive as it's close to Bro.

Bro to Bålsta takes 5 minutes on the commuter train, so it is a very easy trip.

I hope you’ll consider writing a trip report when you return. I have 3
weeks in Sweden in mind for a future trip.

You can get some pretty good answers on this forum as well… (But a second opinion is always a good idea.)