Swedish Self-Drive Adventure: Vikings, Islands, Nature & Culture - 14 Days

Highlights

• Visit Viking ruins in the old settlements of Sigtuna and Uppsala
• Taste saffron pancakes on the island of Gotland
• Kayak through the rugged islands of the Gothenburg archipelago
• Swim in the sea baths near Malmö

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Stockholm, Tour Djurgården Island & the Viking Museum

Welcome to Sweden! Once you arrive at the Stockholm Arlanda Airport, hop aboard the Arlanda Airport Express for a short trip to the idyllic capital, Stockholm. The Stockholm archipelago is known as the "Venice of the North," making up fourteen islands in the Baltic Sea. The innovative city is famous for its art-installation metro stations, tolerant society, and rich cultural heritage.

From the ancient Viking era to the modern day, Stockholm has a fascinating history reflected in its art, architecture, traditions, and distinct districts. Östermalm is the picture of refined elegance, while the island of Södermalm has artsy and laid-back vibes. The busy downtown of Norrmalm is near the charming Gamla Stan (Old Town) with its skinny alleys and old buildings. After you settle in, take a scenic walk along Strandvägen from the Royal Dramatic Theatre to the beautiful island of Djurgårdsbron, where you can stop at the Viking Museum for an immersive experience that will transport you back in time.

In the evening, get a taste of Swedish cuisine at restaurants like Den Gyldene Freden, a classic restaurant in the Old Town's medieval basement, and Meatballs for the People, which focuses on famous Swedish meatballs. Try Swedish home fare in the rustic beer hall, Pelikan, or try bite-size samples of traditional dishes like gravlax and pickled herring at Sillkaféet.

Day 2: Stockholm Grand Tour

Today, you'll embark on a comprehensive guided tour of Stockholm to discover its top attractions in just one day. You'll get picked up at your hotel and begin with a visit to the Royal Palace of Stockholm to learn about the Swedish monarchy and its role in the country's history. Marvel at the palace's architecture, including the church and Royal Armory, home to the Swedish crown jewels. Next, head to the Vasa Museum, where you'll find a 17th-century warship salvaged from the seabed in the 1960s.

After a lunch break, continue your tour with a visit to Gamla Stan, Stockholm's charming Old Town. Stroll through its narrow, cobbled streets, admire its colorful buildings, and visit its many shops, cafés, and restaurants. You'll also see the Stockholm Cathedral and the Nobel Museum, dedicated to the Nobel Prize and its recipients. End the day with a visit to the Skansen Open Air Museum, the oldest of its kind in the world, where you can learn about traditional Swedish life and culture and see examples of rural and urban architecture from different parts of the country.

Day 3: Viking History Day Tour: Sigtuna & Gamla Uppsala

Spend today immersed in the history and culture of the Swedish Vikings with a full-day guided tour that takes you out of the city to the nearby towns of Sigtuna and Uppsala. Sigtuna, considered Sweden's first town, is home to the Sigtuna Museum, built on the site of the first Swedish king, Eric the Victorious. There are also more runestones, or Viking runes, in Sigtuna than anywhere else in the world.

You'll also tour the Old Town of Gamla Uppsala and visit Jarlabanke's Bridge, built by an influential Viking leader, and hear about Viking burial customs and the Old Norse language. See the ruins of a Viking parliament and more Viking runestones, giving you a further glimpse into the lives of these legendary warriors before returning to Stockholm in the late afternoon.

Day 4: Guided Hike Through the Nacka Nature Reserve

Just a short, 20-minute drive from the bustling streets of Stockholm lies the vast Nacka Nature Reserve, a world of natural splendor waiting to be explored. Today's guided hiking tour begins in the morning and will take you along the pristine trails of this Swedish forest. Several hours into the hike, stop for lunch at a scenic lake. Learn how to start a fire with nothing but flint, then enjoy a classic Swedish lunch made right on the campfire before jumping into the lake to cool off (if the weather permits).

Once you arrive back in Stockholm, you'll have an afternoon dedicated to shopping the hip streets of the capital. Explore the charming specialty stores of Gamla Stan or visit the Mall of Scandinavia for modern goods. Sweden is known for its original designs, and the trendy area of Stureplan is a hotspot for the city's top fashion and accessory stores.

Day 5: Drive to Gotland via Nynäshamn, Explore Visby, Sauna at Surflogiet

Pick up your rental car this morning and drive south from Stockholm to Nynäshamn, where you'll board the 3.5-hour car ferry for the gorgeous Gotland. This Swedish island in the Baltic Sea is an idyllic vacation spot full of medieval history, beautiful landscapes, local wildlife, fresh cuisine, and many activities.

Gotland's main town, Visby, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved medieval city walls, charming cobblestone streets, and picturesque ruins. On the island's northeastern coast, the town of Fårö is known for its rugged beaches dotted with iconic lighthouses and picturesque fishing villages. The small, relaxing city of Ljugarn is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the island, and Slite is a charming coastal town that offers plenty of opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating.

Wander the windswept cliffs of the north to the sandy beaches and rolling hills of the south, keeping an eye out for local wildlife like birds, seals, and orchids. As you travel through the island, you'll come across many loppis (flea markets) along the roads, where you can hunt for pre-loved furniture, clothing, and trinkets. If you're a Viking enthusiast, you won't want to miss the island's numerous burial grounds, such as Stenkyrka, and Stavgard Vikingagård. In this reconstructed village, you can experience a day in the life of a Viking.

Once you settle into your accommodations in Visby, you'll head to the coast to experience a traditional sauna at the Sauna at Surflogiet. The sauna offers expansive views of the Baltic Sea from its wide windows and plenty of opportunity to sweat out toxins and jump into the sea if you wish (don't forget your swimsuit!).

Day 6: Explore Visby, See the Lummelunda Caves

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Set out to explore the fairy-tale town of Visby today, one of Sweden's national treasures. This well-preserved medieval Hanseatic town dates back to the 12th century, which includes the 2-mile-long (3.5 km) Visby City Wall. Begin the day on these walls to gain an overview of the town and its history before heading to this 12th-century Sankta Maria Cathedral. After visiting the cathedral, take a stroll through the charming, cobblestone streets of Visby's Old Town, where you'll find a variety of shops, cafés, and restaurants. 

In the afternoon, take an exhilarating boat ride to see the Lummelunda Caves. Traverse the underground caverns' waterways before disembarking to explore on foot. Crawl through narrow passageways and wade through shallow water as you venture deep within the caves to view incredible displays of stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones. Don't forget your layers—the temperature inside the caves is steady at 46 °F (8 °C). Afterward, head back to Visby to experience one of the famous sunsets from the Norderport (Northern Gate), which overlooks the town's red rooftops and the Baltic Sea.

Day 7: Food Tour of Visby, Gotland Museum & Limeworks Museum

This morning, indulge in the flavors of Visby on a food tour through the charming Old Town. Visit bakeries like the classic Själsö Bageri to try artisan bread and pastries or the island's signature saffron pancake with berries and cream. The fertile soil and mild climate of Gotland also produce an abundance of fresh, local produce, including asparagus in the spring and truffles in the late autumn, and the island is home to a thriving fishing industry—be sure to try the smoked salmon, flounder, and herring. Sip one of the local brews from Gotlands Bryggeri, such as Wisby Pils or Sleepy Bulldog, to wash it all down.

After your food tour, visit The Gotland Museum Fornsalen (Hall of Antiquities) for exhibits on the history of the island, beginning with its geological formation (from coral reefs) to the first inhabitants, the Viking Age, and the present day. Artifacts include Viking silver hoards, church sculptures, medieval armor from the Danish invasion in 1361, Bronze Age jewelry, and much more.

Then, drive to Bläse Kalkbruk (Limeworks Museum), a historical limestone quarry located on the island's rugged cliffs. Operating from 1876 until 1966, it's one of the best-preserved examples of this type of industrial heritage on Gotland. Visitors can take guided tours of the quarry to learn about the history of how it was mined, the geology of the area, and the techniques used to extract limestone. For a different perspective of the quarry, ride on the "stone train" that departs daily.

Day 8: Drive to Jönköping via Skullaryd Moose Park

Today, you'll head back to the mainland, with three hours on a car ferry from Visby and another two-hour drive to the bustling southern Swedish city of Jönköping. To break up the trip, stop along the way to visit the Skullaryd Moose Park. Take a thrilling tractor ride through the park to see the moose and other wildlife, like deer, in their natural habitat. On your way out, stop at the Grds Café and Shop, located at the entrance of the moose park, for a classic Swedish fika (coffee break) with homemade buns, coffee, and ice cream.

Day 9: Drive to Gothenburg, City Bike Tour

Say farewell to Jönköping and make the scenic two-hour drive to Gothenburg, which lies on an idyllic archipelago on Sweden's west coast. Encircled by rocky shorelines, lakes, forests, and sea, it's known for world-class seafood, as the home of Volvo, and cobblestone-lined canals. With a rich history from the 17th century, Gothenburg offers a mix of historic and modern attractions.

The city is home to the Gothenburg Museum of Art, which features works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and other masters, as well as the Universeum, a science center and aquarium with a rainforest habitat. Explore the Haga district, with its charming cobbled streets and boutiques, and take a boat on the Göta Canal, a historic waterway that connects Gothenburg to Stockholm.

In the afternoon, take a bicycle tour around the lively city. Discover the city's hidden gems and feel the freedom of the open road as you take in the beautiful scenery. Cruise along the Avenyn, the city's main boulevard, lined with shops and restaurants. Cycle through the Gothenburg Botanical Garden, home to over 16,000 plant species, or through the serene Slottskogen Park.

Day 10: Archipelago Brunch Cruise, Gothenburg Museums

Spend this morning on a brunch cruise through Gothenburg's archipelago with a stop at the famous island of Brännö. The brunch buffet offers summery and classic dishes with a touch of the archipelago, while the views from the restaurant onboard are hard to beat. During the cruise, the captain will point out interesting places such as Asperö, Styrsö, and Köpstadsö. At Brännö, take a short stop to stretch your legs and explore the vibrant island.

Day 11: Gothenburg Archipelago Kayaking, Hagabadet Spa Experience

Get back out on the water today as you discover the beauty of Gothenburg's southern archipelago on a guided kayaking tour. Suitable for all levels, the four-hour-long tour takes you between the colorful and charming islands surrounding Gothenburg, with several coffee breaks and opportunities for a swim (weather permitting). Paddle along the rugged slabs, spot seals in the clear water, and hunt for oysters on the shores. 

Day 12: Drive to Malmö, Stroll Through Malmö's Old Town

Drive three hours along the coast today to reach the diverse city of Malmö, which sits at the southern tip of the country, just across the Öresund Strait from Denmark. With a rich history dating back to the 1200s and residents hailing from over 170 countries, Malmö is a true melting pot of cultures. Check into your hotel and begin to explore this city of contrasts, starting at the Form/Design Center, an exhibition space celebrating modern art, design, and architecture. Stop by the Malmöhus Castle, the oldest preserved Renaissance castle in Scandinavia, and visit the Malmö Museum to learn about the city's history.

Later in the day, take a walking tour through the Old Town of Malmö, known as Gamla Staden, and the historic squares of Lilla Torg and Stortorget. Lilla Torg (Little Square) dates back to 1590, is encircled by quaint shops, cozy restaurants, and bars, and hosts a traditional marketplace. Haggle for fresh produce and handmade goods, and visit a nearby spot for local fare like räksoppa (shrimp soup) or a refreshing glass of locally brewed beer.

Day 13: Soak in Swedish Baths & Visit the Turning Torso, Tour Skåne's Farm Shops

Head to the beach this morning for a relaxing and refreshing sauna experience at Ribersborgs Kallbadhus. This open-air bathhouse on Ribersborg Beach has several outdoor sea pools, wood-fired saunas, dry saunas, and a steam sauna, all with fantastic ocean views. Switch between the sauna and the sea, soak in a hot tub, or indulge in a massage. 

After a few hours of rejuvenation, visit the famous Turning Torso, the tallest residential building in Sweden, inspired by a human figure in motion. Climb to the top for panoramic views, and wander around the Western Harbor, a neighborhood known for its sustainable buildings and eco-conscious living. 

Spend the rest of the day on a guided tour of the surrounding Skåne County, famous for its many farm shops and food experiences. Indulge in seasonally-inspired tastings, such as cider at Kiviks Musteri, or savor fresh produce straight from the source at Mandelmann's Gardens. Try local saffron at the renowned Österlen Spice Farm, harvest mushrooms at Hällestad Mushrooms, and pick fresh berries at Hallongården—and much more.

Day 14: Drive to Copenhagen (Denmark), Free Time to Explore, Depart

On your final day in Scandinavia, you'll drop off your rental car, bid farewell to Sweden, and catch a quick train across the Öresund Bridge to Copenhagen, Denmark's endlessly charming capital. Once you arrive, hit the ground running for some last-minute city exploration. Start the Nyhvan, the historic and colorful waterfront next to the 17th-century canal, and walk down the pedestrian mall, Strøget. Right in the middle of the city lies the gorgeous Botanical Gardens with impressive greenhouses, and nearby the lavish, 16th-century Rosenborg Castle. 

When it's time, hop on the easy metro to reach Copenhagen's Kastrup International Airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels, wherever the road takes you next! 

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