With its proximity to water and abundance of leafy green spaces, Stockholm is the perfect summer city, both for locals and tourists. Whether you're staying in town for the whole summer or just passing through, there are masses of great ways to spend days off and sunny days in the capital. Kayak through the heart of the city, discover a hidden oasis, eat lunch in the inner archipelago or head out into the countryside just quarter of an hour away - follow our tips for fantastic activities in Stockholm for anyone spending the summer in the city.
Summer activities in Stockholm
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Stockholm's best summer activities
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1Långholmen kajak Hire a kayak
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2Stockholm SUP Paddleboard in the city centre
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3Boulebar Play boules in the park
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4Golfbaren Fun minigolf
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5Hellasgården Everything from mountain biking to swimming
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6Takpark by Urban Deli Holiday vibes in the city centre
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7Fjäderholmarna The archipelago 20 minutes from the city
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8Skydive Stockholm Freefall
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9Gröna Lund Sweden's oldest tivoli
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10Musikflotten A trip through the city's waterways
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11Parkteatern Open-air theatre
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12Skansen Cultural histsory
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13O'Learys Plenty of indoor activities
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- See also
Jump to
Stockholm's best summer activities
Hire a kayak
Paddling around Stockholm is a wonderful way to explore the city in the summer. Långholmen kajak by Hornstull on Långholmen island both sells and hires out kayaks. From there, it's easy to navigate the waters around Södermalm, whether you've kayaked before or are a total rookie.
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Alstaviksvägen 3, Södermalm/Hornstull
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Website
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Långholmen kajak
076-069 38 52 - Read more on Thatsup
Paddleboard in the city centre
Stockholm isn't usually a city you associate with surfing, but in the city centre you can paddle standing up on a surfboard - or SUP (stand up paddle). You can rent and buy SUP boards, and even take part in SUP yoga in the summer, at Stockholm SUP near Rålambshovsparken in Kungsholmen.
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Smedsuddsvägen 23, Kungsholmen
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Website
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Stockholm SUP
070-771 72 73 - Read more on Thatsup
Play boules in the park
In the summer months, Boulebar opens up its French-inspired boules lanes close to the water in Rålambshovsparken and Tantolunden. Play a game of boules and have an al fresco drink or bite to eat in leafy surroundings. A sociable, summery activity that's fun for all ages.
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Annerovägen 4, Solna
- Website
- Read more on Thatsup
Fun minigolf
Golfbaren's ambitious minigolf courses in leafy Aspudden and Kristineberg are perfect summery hangouts. Combine a round of minigolf with bistro food such as pizza, along with thirst-quenching drinks and cooling ice cream.
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Hövdingagatan 14, Hägersten-Liljeholmen Hjalmar Söderbergs Väg 10B, Kungsholmen Augustendalsvägen 53, NackaGolfbaren Aspudden
Hövdingagatan 14, Hägersten-LiljeholmenGolfbaren Kristineberg
Hjalmar Söderbergs Väg 10B, KungsholmenGolfbaren Nacka strand
Augustendalsvägen 53, Nacka -
golfbaren.se/aspuddenGolfbaren Kristineberg
golfbaren.se/kristinebergGolfbaren Nacka strand
golfbaren.se/nacka-strandGolfbaren Aspudden
08-618 61 05Golfbaren Kristineberg
08-618 61 05Golfbaren Nacka strand
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Golfbaren Aspudden Golfbaren Kristineberg Golfbaren Nacka strand
Everything from mountain biking to swimming
This enormous recreation area is just 15 minutes by car from the city centre and offers a plethora of outdoor activities for anyone keen to spend time, and get some exercise, in natural surroundings. Lots of fitness fans come here to ride mountain bikes along the numerous forest trails and paths. Cool off with a dip in Lake Källtorp - there's a sandy beach, jetty to swim from and a sauna.
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Ältavägen 101, Nacka
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Website
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Hellasgården
08-716 39 61 - Read more on Thatsup
Holiday vibes in the city centre
Nine floors up, with views over the rooftops, you'll find Urban Deli's leafy roof park, filled with cosmopolitan vibes in the summer months. Transport yourself to an exotic holiday location without leaving the city - count on tropical cocktails with parasols, sun loungers (on warm days), a south-facing orange grove and live musical performances.
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Sveavägen 44, City/Norrmalm
- Website
- Read more on Thatsup
The archipelago 20 minutes from the city
If you want to get a little taste of the Stockholm archipelago without travelling too far, idyllic Fjäderholmarna is just a short ferry ride from the city centre. Stockholmers and tourists alike head over in the summer months to eat at Fjäderholmarnas Krog and enjoy the handcrafts, culture, activities and pretty surroundings.
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Fjäderholmarna
- Read more on Thatsup
Freefall
Skydive Stockholm is Sweden's largest parachute club. Try out skydiving with no previous experience and experience a serious adrenaline kick when you jump out of the plane with an expert instructor. The season runs from May until October.
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Gryttjom 111
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Website
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Skydive Stockholm
08-410 458 67 - Read more on Thatsup
Sweden's oldest tivoli
Old or young, many of us never get tired of Gröna Lund. As well as the amusement park attractions, there's also plenty of good food, drinks, ice cream and other diversions. Another reason to visit "Grönan" is, of course, the line-up of major musical artists who perform each summer.
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Lilla Allmänna Gränd 9, Djurgården
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Website
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Gröna Lund
08-587 501 00 - Read more on Thatsup
A trip through the city's waterways
Take a summery trip through the city with Musikflotten! This floating pontoon takes 50 guests onboard at Klara Strand Café before embarking on its two-hour journey through the waterways of Stockholm. All accompanied by a troubadour playing catchy songs that everyone can sing along to. Guests are also allowed to bring their own food and drinks.
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Klara Mälarstrand 2, City/Norrmalm
- Website
- Read more on Thatsup
Parkteatern
Open-air theatre
Grab a spot in the grass for an al fresco cultural experience. Every summer, Parkteatern puts on a huge range of outdoor theatrical performances, most of them outside the city centre. The performances are completely free and the season ends in August with concerts and dance performances in Vitabergsparken in Södermalm.
Cultural histsory
Meet the animals Skansen, learn about Swedish history and get your steps in, all in one day. A day at Skansen encompasses lots of wonderful experiences, whether it's in the Aquarium, with the bears or the goats in Lill-skansen petting zoo. There are various cafés, shops and market stalls scattered around the large site.
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Djurgårdsslätten 49-51, Djurgården
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Website
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Skansen
08-442 80 00 - Read more on Thatsup
Plenty of indoor activities
As one of Europe's largest sports bars, O'Learys Tolv is open all summer and winter. You can eat, drink and have fun here at the same time, with activities such as shuffleboard, billiards and table tennis, sports matches shown on the big screen and a menu groaning with American favourites.
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Arenavägen 69, Johanneshov
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Website
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O'Learys Event Center Tolv Stockholm
020-10 40 00 - Read more on Thatsup
See also
Enjoy a refreshing cool drink or a cup of coffee at a summery café - one of the best things about summertime in Stockholm is all the leafy park cafés and other green oases where you can spend hot sunny days. Check out the recommendations in our guide.
You can't beat exploring Stockholm by bike. In our guide to the best biking routes you'll find everything you need to know about experiencing the city on two wheels.
Whether you prefer to relax and do as little as possible on your holiday or thrive on engaging in fun activities, Stockholm caters to both tastes, for tourists and locals alike. This guide brings together the best of the best!
The big city slows down during the summer months, which means some restaurants and bars choose to take a break. But don't worry – you hardly notice as there's plenty that's still open. We've put together a guide to restaurants that keep their doors open throughout June, July and August.
Stockholm has masses of fantastic swimming spots both in the city centre and just outside. Pack your bathing togs and a picnic basket - our guide leads you to the city's best bathing places.