This is an update of a post originally published in June 2014.
Stockholm provided me with the perfect day: nice weather on a late May weekend, a rental bike, and the time to take myself around town for about six hours gave me the chance to stop often to look around and take photos. Sites included the historic Royal Dramatic Theatre, the fashionable apartments and hotels on The Strand, various shopping streets, and multi-purpose parks.
Most of my time was spent enjoying the the park-like, semi-rural feel of Djurgården, the huge island park that was once a royal hunting ground. Instead of stopping at the popular museums there (saved for another day), I enjoyed rolling past the amusement park, the Vasa Warship Museum, the Aquarium, and the Spirit Museum, which was well worth a follow-up visit. Wending through the back alley neighborhoods eventually led to open parkland. It was so uplifting to see families playing, people out for a horseback ride, preparations for the Stockholm marathon, bridges, views, and outdoor art.
The City Bikes program I used in Stockholm has undergone some changes and has basically been replaced by app-based bike rentals from Bolt and Voi, which offer electric bikes. Alternatively, there are bike rental shops, such as Rent-a-bike, Gamla Stans Cykel, and Stockholm Adventures.
Touring on a bike makes for more sightseeing possibilities. At one point, after parking the bike, I walked around the Raoul Wallenberg memorial, the tony auction houses, the Synagogue, and finally into a food festival in Kungsträgården.
Note: be careful to lock up your bike if you leave it anywhere. Bike theft in Stockholm is not uncommon.
Replenished, I hopped back on the bike and circled another island, Skeppsholmen, which features the Modern Art Museum and the moored AF Chapman, an historic vessel now serving as a hostel.
Although I didn't listen to the City Bikes Sightseeing audio as I went, I did use their stops as reference points, and tuned in later. That app is no longer available, but Get Your Guide has a self guided GPS bike tour of Stockholm available for about $40. There are also several small group tours available.
Where to stay in Stockholm
When we're looking for a place to stay in Stockholm, or anyplace, for that matter, we always check Booking.com. Click this link for a list of recommended Stockholm hotels. If you book a hotel in Stockholm using this link, Travel Past 50 will receive a small commission.
Some other sights you'll want to see in Stockholm: The Fotografiska photography gallery, the Drottningholm Palace, and the only cemetery in the world that is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
How to get to Stockholm
You can certainly fly into Stockholm from any number of US airports, although there will usually be a connection in cities such as Amsterdam. The only direct flights to Stockholm are from the New York area on Scandinavian Airlines (from Newark) and on Delta (from JFK.)
Stockholm, of course, is also a stop on many all-inclusive European cruises.
Frequently Asked Questions: Self-Guided Bike Tour of Stockholm
Is a self-guided bike tour a good way to see Stockholm?
Yes. Stockholm is spread across islands connected by bridges, and biking lets you cover a lot of ground while still stopping often for photos, parks, and museums. A loop through Djurgården and Skeppsholmen alone can fill most of a day.
How much does it cost to rent a bike in Stockholm?
Prices and providers change over time, so check current rates before your trip.
Are there bike lanes in Stockholm?
Stockholm has bike lanes, sidewalks, and paths, though the network isn't as extensive or heavily used as in cycling-first cities like Copenhagen. Riders should stay alert, especially in busy pedestrian areas downtown.
What should I see on a bike tour of Djurgården?
Djurgården is a former royal hunting ground turned island park, home to the Vasa Museum, an aquarium, an amusement park, and open parkland good for people-watching, horseback riders, and outdoor art.
Do I need to be in great shape to bike around Stockholm?
No — the terrain is mostly flat to gently rolling, though rental bikes can be heavy on hills. Riders can go at their own pace and stop as often as they like, which makes it manageable for most fitness levels.
What else is worth visiting near the bike route?
Beyond Djurgården and Skeppsholmen, nearby highlights include the Fotografiska photography gallery, Drottningholm Palace, and Skogskyrkogården, the UNESCO-listed cemetery.
Kristin, We have only rented bikes once and that was in the States, but it does seem like a very appealing activity to switch things up a bit. I love Tinguely art…all those metal moving things…I find them fascinating!
Were there bike lanes like in Copenhagen?
Sort of, mostly. They aren’t as reliable as those in Copenhagen, but not has highly used, either. My biking was partly on sidewalks, partly on roads, and partly on paths. As a pedestrian, I’d say you must be more alert in Copenhagen than in Stockholm! The bike traffic in Copenhagen moves a lot faster.
Yaaaay! You’ll be hooked in no time and soon riding between your next destinations!
I think I want one of those fold-up bikes–easy to take on trains and subways. Can you make me one of those?
cool!
We really enjoyed our visit to Stockholm. It would have been lovely to have seen it on a bike though. Even though l would love to go back, I doubt if it will happen because we found it very expensive. Loved the ABBA museum though. Thanks for this, brings back good memories.
haha, and I missed the ABBA museum. As to prices, it is, at least, quite a bit more affordable than Norway!