Posted: Summer time has finally arrived and with it long Scandinavian days. Northern Europe has plenty of beautiful cities to while away your time, but one that will always have you coming back for more is Stockholm. Indeed, if the city had existed in Viking times it’s doubtful these feared pillagers would ever have left their own shores. If you want to take advantage of a city built on their spoils, here are five outdoor activities that will ensure treasured memories.
Park life
Stockholm wasn’t crowned the Green Capital of Europe 2010 for nothing. A third of the city is made up of parks. The best of the bunch is Rosendals, created in on the grounds of King Oscar’s 19th Century palace on the island of Djurgården. To get there just hop aboard one of the many ferries.
Viking biking
Stockholm has 760 kilometers of cycling lanes, and a congestion charge that deters inner city driving. This not only diminishes pollution from gas-guzzlers, but also makes exploring the city easy and fun. For 12 euros, you can hire one of the 1000+ city bikes for 3 days.
Walk this way
Stockholm is great for walking. Made up of 14 islands, there are loads of car free paths that will give you a unique view of the city. If you don’t love to go a wandering, but would rather have your journey preplanned, check out mapmywalk.com, which has 77 routes to choose from.
Strip for a dip
If the heat is getting to you, why not venture into Stockholm’s clear blue water. Warmer than you might think, there are plenty of place where you can take a dip, but one of the best is on the old prison island of Långholmen. Popular with Stockholmers and visitors alike, you ‘ll find beaches, open-air stages, beautiful architecture and a dazzling array of allotment gardens.
Garden statues
Millesgården Sculpture Park Museum is the work of sculptor Carl Milles. An obsession that caused his wife to complain “we have no money for forks or linen, but Carl can always afford columns.” Today we reap the benefit of his passion, with sculptures from antiquity to the 19th century scattered in the grounds of his cliff top home.
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