21 Best Sights in Side Trips from Stockholm, Sweden

It takes a five-minute ferry crossing to reach tiny, secluded Fårö from Gotland, to the south. A popular summer retreat for Scandinavians, the island has just 600 year-round residents. Legendary Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman once called this island home; every June, film fanatics head over to celebrate Bergman Week. And in September, the island celebrates Fårönatta—a night when its shops, restaurants, and attractions stay open all night and the church holds a midnight mass. Head to the Digerhuvud area to find some impressive natural "sea stacks," weather rock formations that are known as raukar. They often take on human profiles, fueling local myths and legends. Note that basic services, including police, medical services, and banks, are virtually nonexistent on Fårö itself. If you really want to retreat from the world, Fårö is it.

Visby's cathedral, also known as S:t Maria Kyrka (the Church of St. Mary), is the only one of the town's 13 medieval churches that is still intact and in use. Built between 1190 and 1225 as a place of worship for the town's German parishioners, the church has few of its original fittings because of the extensive and sometimes clumsy restoration work done over the years. That said, the sandstone font and the unusually ugly angels decorating the pulpit are both original features worth a look.

In the archipelago, 12 miles east of Stockholm, stands this art and cultural venue, a 110,000-square-foot, primarily glass structure in which you can check out art exhibits, marvel at Swedish design, dig into local organic cuisine, or listen to world-class music. You might also just want to come to soak up the fresh breeze along the waterfront here.

If you'd prefer to stay on board a boat and simply cruise around the islands, seek out the Blidösund. A coal-fired steamboat built in 1911 that has remained in almost continuous service, the Blidösund is now run by a small group of enthusiasts who take parties of around 250 on evening music-and-dinner cruises. The cruises depart from a berth close to the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

In the 19th century these four secluded islands were the last chance for archipelago residents to take a break before rowing into Stockholm to sell their produce. After more than 60 years as a military zone, the islands were opened to the public in the early 1980s. Today they are crammed with arts-and-crafts studios, shops, several restaurants and cafés, a traditional boat exhibit, an ingenious "shipwreck" playground, and a smoked-fish shop. It takes a 25-minute ferry ride to get here from Stockholm; boats depart from Slussen and Strandvägen, May to early September.

Ideally you should start your visit to the area with a trip to Old Uppsala, 5 km (3 miles) north of the town. Here under three huge mounds lie the graves of the first Swedish kings—Aun, Egil, and Adils—of the 6th-century Ynglinga dynasty. Close by in pagan times was a sacred grove containing a legendary oak from whose branches animal and human sacrifices were hanged. By the 10th century Christianity had eliminated such practices. A small church, which was the seat of Sweden's first archbishop, was built on the site of a former pagan temple.

The Gamla Uppsala Museum contains exhibits and archaeological findings from the Viking burial mounds that dominate the local area. The museum distinguishes between the myth and legends about the area and what is actually known about its history.

The Länsmuseet på Gotland, Gotland's county museum, contains examples of medieval artwork, prehistoric gravestones and skeletons, and silver hoards from Viking times. Be sure to also check out the ornate "picture stones" from AD 400–600, which depict ships, people, houses, and animals.

The island of Grinda has been popular with Stockholmers for a long time. Walking paths cut through the woods and open fields, making exploring easy. It takes just 15 minutes to walk from one end of the island to the other. If you want to stay longer, there’s an inn, Grinda Wärdshus, that dates from the turn of the 20th century and also has a noted restaurant, as well as kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and Jet Skis for rent. The trip from Stockholm to Grinda takes about two hours.

Completed in 1625, the Gustavianum, which served as the university's main building for two centuries, is easy to spot by its remarkable copper cupola, now green with age. The building houses the ancient anatomical theater—one of only seven in the world to function on natural light—where human anatomy lectures and public dissections took place. The Victoria Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is in the same building.

This resort with a water park and amusement park brings droves of families in summer; there are over 600 rooms, cabins, apartments, and camping sites. Locations from the Pippi Longstocking TV show, including her house, Villa Villekulla, are here.

One of Uppsala's most famous sons, Carl von Linné, also known as Linnaeus, was a professor of botany at the university during the 1740s. He created the Latin nomenclature system for plants and animals. The botanical treasures of Linnaeus's old garden have been re-created and are now on view in Linnéträdgården. The garden's orangery houses a pleasant cafeteria and is used for concerts and cultural events.

The 4 km (2½ mi) of stalactite caves at Lummelunda, about 18 km (11 mi) north of Visby on the coastal road, are unique in this part of the world and well worth a visit.

One of the most popular excursions is to Sandhamn, the main town on the island of Sandön, which is home to about 100 permanent residents. The journey takes about three hours by steamship, but there are faster boats available. The Royal Swedish Yacht Club was founded here at the turn of the 20th century, and sailing continues to be a popular sport. Its fine-sand beaches also make it an ideal spot for swimming. Another option is to try scuba diving—introductory lessons are available. Explore the village of Sandhamn and its narrow alleys and wooden houses, or stroll out to the graveyard outside the village, where tombstones bear the names of sailors from around the world.

These two bird sanctuaries are off the coast south of Visby. The bird population consists mainly of guillemots, which look like penguins. Visits to these sanctuaries are permitted only in the company of a recognized guide. Contact each sanctuary for its tour times.

At the far southern tip of Stockholm's archipelago lies Trosa, a town full of wooden houses that's right on the Baltic Sea. The tiny river that runs through the middle of the town is flanked by beautiful villas painted white, red, yellow, and mint green—a reflection of Trosa's heritage as a seaside retreat for stressed but wealthy Stockholmers. Around the small, cobbled town square are arts-and-crafts shops and market stalls selling fish, fruit, and vegetables.

The 390-foot twin towers of Uppsala Domkyrka —whose height equals the length of the nave—dominate the city skyline. Work on the cathedral began in the early 13th century; it was consecrated in 1435 and restored between 1885 and 1893. Still the seat of Sweden's archbishop, the cathedral is also the site of the tomb of Gustav Vasa, the king who established Sweden's independence in the 16th century. Inside is a silver casket containing the relics of St. Erik, who died in 1160.

Gustav Vasa began work on Uppsala Slott in the 1540s. He intended the building to symbolize the dominance of the monarchy over the church. It was completed under Queen Christina nearly a century later. Students gather here every April 30 to celebrate the Feast of Valborg and optimistically greet the arrival of spring. Call the tourist center for more information.

Founded in 1477, Uppsala's university is known for the Carolina Rediviva university library, which contains a copy of every book published in Sweden, in addition to a large collection of foreign works. Two of its most interesting exhibits are the Codex Argentus, a Bible written in the 6th century, and Mozart's original manuscript for his 1791 opera The Magic Flute.

Be a Viking for a day at this 10th-century village re-creation. Kids and adults can try their hands at baking Viking bread, axe throwing, archery, and other activities. There are also performances along with guided tours and lectures.