Hi,
I'm taking advantage of some sale airfare and time off to take my teenage daughter to Stockholm the 1st week in June. We will only have 6 full days to explore.
For those who've been before:
1) What would you recommend as 'must sees'?
2) would you recommend staying the whole time in Stockholm or trying to get out of town (we'd like to get a taste of the countryside as well, if we can).
3) is it worth it to rent a car?
4) Finally, any hotel or B&B recommendations?
Thanks so much!
Karen
1). In Stockholm - Gamla Stan, the Vasa Museum, Skansen, and the tour of Stadshuset (City Hall) are my absolute must sees. There are many other museums and sights that are worthwhile. Some of my favorites are Millesgården and the Nordic Museum.
2). You could easily spend the whole time in Stockholm. If you want to add an additional excursion, you might consider taking the overnight ferry to either Helsinki or Tallinn. You would spend two nights on the ferry and spend the day in the city of your choice. You'd get to see the archipelago. The Stockhom archipelago is quite beautiful and this is what I would choose to visit in lieu of a drive in the countryside.
3) No need to rent a car as public transit is outstanding. I lived in Stockholm for 2 years without a car. You might consider an SL card (7 day ticket) which covers transit in Stockholm county.
Laura's advice is spot on. I love Stockholm and just absorbing the glorious cityscape puts a smile on my face. A couple of additions might include the amusement park Gröna Lund and the Abba The Museum (openly admit I like their music even though never been). Don't forget to report back once your trip is over.
Be sure to get Rick Steves Snapshot Stockholm. He not only has answers to your questions, but some great money-saving tips. There are probably hotel promotions for that time (definitely on the weekend parts of your trip, and probably the weekdays too since you're going in June). And there are lunch specials in restaurants, so lunch is much cheaper than dinner. Again, details are in the book.
As for sights, the one the "exceeded expectations" for me was Millesgården. But don't worry about specific sights; Stockholm is just a very nice city to walk around and be in.
As for accommodations, we booked a hotel in a neighborhood of choice via Hotwire. Saved a bundle and very satisfied.
Karen:
This a great thing to do with your daughter. Have you visited Stockholm previously? If so, you are aware it is a pricey destination (but Oslo and Norway are even pricier). Lodging in Stockholm can be expensive by most US city standards. If you spend all 6 days in Stockholm uou might want to check on AirBnB to see if you could get a place for a week, just make certain it is a short walk to the Metro (the T).
While Stockholm is a unique and picturesque city, I'm not certain you need 6 full days there. This may a bit off-the-wall, but what about 2 full days and a third partial-day in Stockholm, the afternoon of the third day take an overnight ferry to Helsinki or Tallinn, on the 4th day and that evening and most of the fifth day visit in Helsinki or Tallinn. On the afternoon of the fifth day take the overnight ferry back to Stockholm, on the sixth day fly back home. This itinerary would have to be modified depending on when your flight arrives and departs Stockholm, but it’s a thought. If you would opt for such a journey, you might want to stay at a hotel in Stockholm (rather than the BnB noted earlier) to avoid travel on the T with luggage (to/from the ferry).
My wife and I took the overnight ferry from Oslo to Copenhagen and it was very pleasant. From a base in Stockholm you would experience n the archipelago in the evening and the morning on the return trip. You would see Tallinn or Helsinki from the water as well as walking (and, in Helsinki, using the Tram) experience the city for a partial day, one night and most of the next day.
