Stockholm County is a world built on water where the pulse of a global city fades into a maze of thirty thousand islands. You stand at the gateway to an archipelago that stretches from the historic cobblestones of Sigtuna to the wind-swept rocks of the outer Baltic reefs. Coastal roads wind past hidden sandy coves and vibrant harbor towns where red wooden boat houses line the shore.
History is everywhere here. You find ancient rune stones standing in quiet forest clearings and grand royal estates like Drottningholm looking out over Lake Mälaren. The region was a Viking powerhouse long before the first stone was laid in the capital city. Every turn reveals a new piece of the story from Bronze Age mounds to the maritime glory of the 17th century.
Traveling here feels like an endless discovery of land and sea. One moment you are exploring the fortress walls on Vaxholm and the next you are walking through the peaceful oak groves of a noble estate. The landscape is a perfect mix of wild nature and refined culture. It provides a unique freedom to hop between islands or get lost on scenic backroads that follow the curve of the coast.
Stockholm (County) highlights
- Artipelag Visit this stunning art gallery built into the rocky cliffs of the archipelago where modern design meets the wild pine forest. The wooden boardwalks along the water offer a perfect blend of nature and culture just a short drive from the city.
- Vaxholm Fortress Take the small ferry to this massive stone island fort that once guarded the shipping lanes into the capital. It is a great spot to explore dark tunnels and enjoy the view of passing boats from the high walls.
- Sigtuna Town Walk through the oldest town in Sweden to see colorful wooden houses and ancient ruins of stone churches from the Viking age. The main street is packed with tiny cafes and shops that feel like a trip back to the medieval era.
- Tyresta National Park Explore a primeval forest with massive trees and clear lakes located surprisingly close to the urban center. The well marked trails take you through a landscape that has remained untouched for hundreds of years.
- Drottningholm Palace Go to this royal residence on the shores of Lake Mälaren to see grand gardens and a perfectly preserved court theater. It is a UNESCO site that offers a royal atmosphere with beautiful walking paths along the water.
- Sandhamn Island Leave your car at the coast and take a boat to this legendary sailing hub on the edge of the open sea. The island is famous for its white sand beaches and the historic pilot station tucked among the weather beaten pines.
- Nynäshamn Coastal Road Drive the Strandvägen route for a scenic drive where the road sits right between the steep cliffs and the crashing waves. It offers some of the best sea views in the county with plenty of spots for a cliffside picnic.
- Anundshög Burial Mounds Discover one of the largest ancient sites in the region featuring massive earth mounds and stone ships from the Iron Age. It is a quiet place where you can walk among the graves of forgotten kings and tribal leaders.
- Norrtälje Canal Visit this cozy northern town where the river flows through the center lined with historic ships and flower filled parks. It is the gateway to the northern archipelago and a perfect place for a summer walk and ice cream.
- Wira Bruk Step into a fairy tale village that once forged the swords for the Swedish royal armies in the 1600s. The red workshops and the rushing stream create a peaceful atmosphere where you can still see traditional smithing.
The local Four
History of Stockholm (County)
The story of Stockholm County began in the Viking trade hub of Birka on the island of Björkö. In the 700s, this was the most important merchant port in the North, where silver from the East was swapped for iron and furs. By the 1100s, the focus shifted to Sigtuna, Sweden’s first true city, which still holds the ruins of seven stone churches and hundreds of rune stones. These ancient sites mark the transition from the old Norse gods to the arrival of Christianity.
In 1523, a massive turning point occurred when Gustav Vasa entered Stockholm as King, ending the bloody Kalmar Union and making the county the permanent heart of a sovereign Sweden. During the 1600s, the region transformed into a global maritime powerhouse. To protect the capital, the Crown built the massive Vaxholm Fortress in the archipelago to stop Danish and Russian fleets. This era also saw the construction of Drottningholm Palace in 1662, modeled after Versailles to showcase Sweden’s status as a Great Power.
A road trip here follows the old "King's Road" that connected the royal estates. You find the 17th-century ironworks at Wira Bruk, which held the exclusive royal monopoly on forging swords for the Swedish army for nearly two hundred years. From the Viking hill forts on the coast to the grand Baroque manors by Lake Mälaren, Stockholm County is a map of Sweden's rise from a sea-faring tribe to a modern empire.