Visit Sweden

There are certainly many wonderful things about Sweden and I can give you a lot of recommendations. But it would be helpful if you told us a bit more about when you plan to visit, how many days you plan to spend in Sweden, and roughly what price range you're looking at. And if you have any particular interests or things you're looking for.

If you're interested in Vikings, there are stone inscriptions further
up in Tanum.

Those statements have nothing to do with each other. Yes, there are stone carvings in Tanum, but they have nothing to do with the Vikings. The carvings in Tanum are from the Bronze age, i.e. they were made around 1300-2500 years before the Vikings.

Yes of course. I will assume that you will spend at the most 7 days in Sweden. Spend a minimum of 3 in the capital.

SIGHTS
Enjoy the History Museum gold hoard, the City Hall with its very scenic park, venetian steps and excellent views of the bay, Nordiska Muséet and Skansen in the Swedish capital. Walk the medieval alleys of Gamla Stan and see the worth-wile world-class grandeur of the interiors of the royal castle apartments, which are truly opulent and surprisingly varied (1740-). You could mount a bed in those colossal Parisian chandeliers. Take bus 403 to the terminal stop Östervägen (19 min), alt. bus 401 to Hellasgården, for the Källtorpssjön nature reserve trails by the jetty, and swim in the lake. Take Saltsjöbanan to the seaside beach at Erstaviken. Look up Årsta Havsbad to see if you would like to swim at this seaside Lord of the Rings panorama.

ACCOMMODATION
Have a look at Best Western Hotel Esplanade, which is close to both the castle and the water and in the middle of things, and is very thoroughly investigated here; https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/sweden/stockholm-lodging-anyone-stayed-in-hotel-esplande. Clarion Wellington (dinner included), a 1930's hotel which is recommended in the RS guide, could be a good option. They have a lovely annexe close by (1909) where I once stayed. Try Sven Vintappare or Hellstens Malmgård for that 1780 treat that won't be forgotten in a hurry, and Hotell Hornsgatan or Castle House Inn if you prefer more affordable old-world options.

DAYTRIP
Day trip to Uppsala for the large cathedral, the splendidly situated castle, several botanical gardens that range from quaint to magnificent, and the viking heartland of Gamla Uppsala, where the giant burial mounds will move you back to a time before Christianity. They are Scandinavias frosty reply to the pyramids at Gizeh.

DINE
The bread and the pastries are the best and most varied in the world, and you should go to great lengths to sample all the varieties. Purchase kavring, rågkaka and tunnbröd at a good bakery (or even at a supermarket) and get to know a few of the hidden wonders of the northern cuisine. Have fika with cinnamon buns, cardamom buns, sticky chocolate cake, 3 varieties of sponge cake, and a minimum of 5 kinds of biscuit at a confectionery; Güntherska in Uppsala, Vetekatten, Rosendals Trädgårdar or Grillska Huset in the capital, Taxinge Slottscafé (with a giant-size pastry selection) in Mariefred. Pastries and bread are one of the few things that are a cultural constant, and the bread you choose would easily have been recognized by people, in one region or another, who lived 100 years ago. SPECIAL RECOMMENDATION: The singular Skansen heritage (1870) bakery! All you want is all they've got!!!