extra day in Stockholm

It is very much a worthwhile city to visit. But what does the itinerary look like?

Here's my recent trip report of my time in Stockholm and Gotland, you might get some ideas - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-stockholm-gotland-sweden-aug-2024

Personally I'm the kind of guy who likes to wander around the lesser touristy parts of a city to get a real feel of the city soul and locals going about their day. I found that the Katarina-Sofia district was perfect for this.

Thanks for the quick responses ! Carlos, you provide some great suggestions. Badger, I'm not sure I understand your question about our itinerary. I thought I covered it in my post. Please clarify. Thanks!

Extend your trip. You won't regret it. The city is described very accurately by Mr Steves in the guide book. I know it intimately and do not disagree on anything so far (I am reading it out of curiosity). Only you can decide if it is worth it, but if you are inclined to try Drottningholm (it has a nice park) you should be able to go there by ferry, if the waterway is what makes or brakes it. Or day trip to the archipelago islands of Grinda or Svartsö, as recommended in the guide book. (I only ever went to Utö, and decided I prefer the achipelago of Gothenburg).

Except... now that I think about it, I did disagree on one thing. The Royal Castle apartments (Gamla Stan) are definitely not skippable. I would make sure they are on the day 1 tour. No building in Scandinavia has ever surprised me more, as I used to take for granted that it was nothing much.

Denizens special: Take extra time to enjoy the Stadshuset park with it's wide venetian steps and the vista across the water. Linger there and dip your feet in. I always do when I visit.

Hi there, Agreed, Stockholm is a wonderful city, extend your stay if you can! I dislike large cities as well, but not Stockholm. It has so much water surrounding the 14 islands, it feels much more open. If you do decide to leave town, you could easily hop a ferry for a tour out into the archipelago. IMO, I would prefer the latter rather than Drottingholm, but in case you did decide to do the castle tour....

$200 to go to Drottingholm for 2 people sounds a bit steep - Sweden is a very easy place to navigate, you can make these reservations on-line yourself, pack a picnic or eat at the castle cafe. Using Kr10 to USD - You can go for the day via ferry, here https://www.stromma.com/en-se/stockholm/excursions/day-trips/drottningholm-palace/ that's $65. Entrance to just the castle is K200, or around $20 x 2 = $40, that's $105 for 2 people, half what you were quoted. (It looks like castle tours are free, in which case they will be excellent, but they might not be free, have a closer look here.) https://www.kungligaslotten.se/english/royal-palaces-and-sites/admission-charges.html.

And now that I see the cost above, wondering how much you're being charged to see the Vasa & tour Djurgarden island?! HA. EASY to hop a bus or better yet the tram, book the Vasa ahead yourselves online. Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!

Do not pay $200. to tour Drottingholm Palace! That is overpriced! We did not pay anything near that amount.