Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [51]
Southern Suburbs
One of Stockholm’s more unusual attractions, Skogskyrkogården (Map; Söckenvagen; admission free) is an arrestingly beautiful cemetery set in soothing pine woodland. Designed by the great Erik Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz, it’s on the Unesco World Heritage list and famed for its functionalist buildings. Famous residents include Stockholm screen goddess Greta Garbo. To get there, take the metro to T-Skogskyrkogården.
Fjäderholmarna
Located on the eastern side of Djurgården, these tiny, delightful islands, known as Feather Islands, offer an easy escape from the city. They’re just 25 minutes away by boat and a favourite swimming spot for locals. Boats (adult/child return Skr95/45) to the islands depart hourly from either Nybroplan or Slussen between May and early September. There are a couple of craft shops and restaurants here, though the main activity is low-key chilling. The last boats leave the islands at around midnight, making them a perfect spot to soak up the long daylight hours.
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ACTIVITIES
A number of activities are available in and around Stockholm, many of them water-based. Popular outdoor destinations include the archipelago islands (packed with good swimming spots) and the plethora of picnic-friendly parks and gardens. Summer sees punters embrace the long daylight hours to swim, sail, hike, walk or cycle. In winter, snowy days bring out the cross-country skiers. Hit the tourist office for details.
Swimming
If you insist on both indoor and outdoor pools (with all the trimmings), try sprawling Eriksdalsbadet (Map; 50 84 02 58; Hammarby Slussväg 8; adult/4-19yr Skr75/35) in Södermalm’s south. For more atmospheric splashing about there’s art nouveau Centralbadet (Map; 54 52 13 15; www.centralbadet.se; Drottninggatan 88; adult Skr120, after 3pm Fri & Sat Skr170; 6am-9pm Mon-Fri, 8am-9pm Sat, 8am-6pm Sun), where entry includes pool, sauna and gym access. Treatments, including massage, facials and body wraps, are available for an additional fee; these are best booked two weeks ahead. You can also hire bathers (Skr35), towels (Skr30) and robes (Skr50).
Swimming is also permitted just about anywhere people can scramble their way to the water. Popular spots include the rocks around Riddarfjärden and the leafy island of Långholmen, the latter also sporting a popular gay beach.
Sailing & Boating
From Sjöcafé (Map; 660 57 57; canoes per 1st hr/next hr/day Skr75/65/300; 9am-9pm Apr-Sep), by the bridge leading to Djurgården, you can rent bikes, in-line skates, kayaks, canoes, row boats and pedal boats. Opposite, floating resto-bar Strandbryggan (Map; 660 37 14; www.strandbryggan.se, in Swedish; Strandvägskajen 27, Strandvägen) rents out sailing and motor boats in various sizes from April to September. Sailing boats cost around Skr495 per hour, and all boats can be rented for a day, weekend or week.
Cycling
Cycling is best in the parks and away from the busy central streets and arterial roads, but some streets have special cycle lanes (often shared with pedestrians). Stockholm City Bikes (077-444 24 24; www.stockholmcitybikes.se) has 67 self-service bicycle hire stands across the city. To use, you’ll need to purchase a bike card (three-day/season card Skr125/250) from the tourist office (Click here) or Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL) centres. Rechargeable season cards are valid from April to the end of October. Bicycles can also be rented from Sjöcafé (Map; 660 57 57; bicycles per hr/day Skr65/250). Tourist offices can supply maps of cycle routes; Click here for further information.
Hiking & Climbing
Serious hiking trips in town are limited, but the parks offer some good walks, especially on Djurgården. Climbers have better options, with around 150 cliffs within