Side trips from Stockholm
 

My sister and I plan to visit Stockholm in late May for week. We are making our own arrangements but need some expert advise from fellow travelers for suggested side-trips from Stockholm. Since our grandmother was born in Darlana we would love to take the train to that region for a couple of days. The town of Visby has also been suggested as another side trip. We want to spend our limited time in Sweden only. Thanks for any help!

What are your interests? Are you seeking day trips or overnights or multiple nights? Public transportation?

With only a week and a couple of days of it in the Dalarna region, you really don't have that much time left. Stockholm can easily fill up your remaining days with only a boat ride to an archipelago island or two.

Good day trips from Stockholm include Sigtuna, Uppsala, Vaxholm, Birka, and the myriad of islands in the archipelago.

Visby, on the island of Gotland, is a glorious spot in the Baltic. Great if you like old, historic cities. It is about a half-day ferry ride or a short plane ride from Stockholm. Probably need at least an overnight here due to the distance.

Our trip report from 3 weeks outside Stockholm, including a weekend in Visby, is http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34657438

Sprin2---I just read your entire trip report and what entertaining reading.
You have a wonderful narrative flair---you should publish!
Answering your questions: our interests are more toward nature or historical sites. We would probably do an overnight at another location. We were hoping to take trains or ferries but we are not completely opposed to the idea of renting a car.

I love Uppsala as well! Just beautiful. A favorite of mine is Rattvik but can't recall just how far from Stockholm it is and something tells me the train does not go through it. Only been there by car.
I'm so jealous! I love Sweden. Sounds like a great trip- you and your sister. Again - so jealous. Have fun!
Annika

There is a train that stops in Rattvik -- I took it last May. It's the Stockholm-to-Mora train. Dalarna was lovely in May, so I think you'll enjoy it.

I agree with Sprin2 that there won't be time for much more than Stockholm and Dalarna, unless you've been to Stockholm before. There's quite a bit to see and do in Stockholm itself.

I would look into Dalarna, since that is where your family is from and spend 1 or 2 nights there. That leaves about 5 nights in Stockholm, right? A good site for starting to plan is www.stockholmtown.com.

By late May the boats should be running and it will be easy to take a day trip to one of the islands in the archipelago. There are many that combine nature with a little history, maybe Sandhamn, Finnhamn, or Grinda. I think Stockholm will easily take up the rest of your time (it is just such a nice place for leisurely strolling and soaking up the atmosphere) but you could take another day trip to Birka, Uppsala, or Sigtuna. I would save Visby for another visit when you have more time.