Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Sweden - Stockholm - Tallberg - Filipstad - Fjallbacka - Fiskebackskil - Gothenburg
100% customisable for you
Today’s the day you set off for Sweden, so head to the airport, whizz through security, and relax in the lounge before your two-and-a-half-hour flight to Stockholm. After touching down in the Swedish capital, hop on the Arlanda Express airport train, which see you arrive into the city in around 18 minutes.
You’re staying in Stockholm for the next three nights, so spend some time settling into your hotel before heading out to get your bearings. Tonight we’ve booked you a table at one of the city’s finest restaurants, so you can start your trip as you mean to go on, sampling the delights of the Swedish food scene.
A harmonious blend of tradition and trends, Stockholm is a futuristic city nestled among abundant nature. Spanning an archipelago of 14 islands, each district has its own distinct character, so spend time getting to know a few corners of the capital. Don’t miss elegant Ostermalm, the greenery of Djurgarden and the cobbled lanes of historic Gamla Stan. And don’t forget to pause for a fika pit stop; the traditional Swedish coffee break (complete with a kanelbulle or cinnamon roll) that’s a treasured part of daily life here.
To help you delve deeper into the city’s secrets and stories, take a private tour with a local guide, visiting landmarks like the Royal Palace and the German Church or some of Stockholm’s many museums, including the Museum of National Antiquities, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Viking Ship Museum and the ABBA Museum. End the day with another delicious meal in one of Stockholm’s excellent eateries (if you haven’t over-indulged during fika, that is).
Venture a little further today as you take the ferry to explore the Stockholm archipelago, which encompasses almost 30,000 islands, islets and reefs scattered across the tranquil waters of the Baltic Sea. Where you stop is up to you: Vaxholm, with its imposing fortress; Grinda, where lush nature flourishes around charming red wooden houses; or Sandhamn, shaded by pine trees and bordered by fine sandy beaches. This haven, popular with artists and writers, is also famed as the island refuge of Mikael Blomkvist, the hero of Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy of books. Want to spend more time out on the water? We can also arrange a night kayaking excursion this evening, where you can admire the glow of the city as you paddle.
It’s time to leave the city behind this morning as you pick up your hire car for the drive to Tallberg, a village nestled in the vast natural beauty of the Dalarna region. The drive takes a little over three hours, passing through scenic surroundings as you travel deeper into the Swedish countryside. You’re staying in Tallberg for the next two nights, so once you’ve reached your hotel, spend the rest of today getting settled ahead of a delicious local dinner prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Tallberg is a great base for discovering Dalarna, one of Sweden's most traditional regions. Imagine red wooden houses beside sparkling lakes surrounded by lush forest, and locals dressed in traditional attire dancing around flower-adorned maypoles to celebrate Midsummer. This stereotypically Swedish scene sums up the vibrant customs and cultural heritage of Dalarna.
During your time here, make sure to visit the Solleron peninsula, which rises proudly from Lake Siljan, where the narrow streets are lined with typical red-fronted houses. We also recommend a trip to the village of Mora, home to the renowned Zorn Museum which is dedicated to the work of Anders Zorn, an illustrious painter known for his portraits and depictions of the Swedish countryside.
Pack up your hire car this morning for the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Filipstad, where you’re stopping for one night. After dropping your bags at the hotel, head out to stretch your legs with a hike in the Hogbergsfaltet nature reserve, winding through forests beside lakes and past the old mines that pepper the area. And if you’d like to properly unwind post-hike, we can arrange a private session in a wood-fired sauna and hot tub back in Filipstad (you’re in sauna-loving Scandinavia, after all).
Say farewell to Filipstad this morning and hop back in your hire car to head west towards the Bohuslan coast. This rugged coastline is home to thousands of islands and small fishing villages that have sprung up along the granite shore over the centuries, primarily thanks to the herring-rich waters. En route, stop off to see the Tanum rock carvings, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Arriving among the famous cobbled streets and bright red boathouses of Fjallbacka, check into your hotel for tonight before heading out again, this time for a boat trip around the Bohuslan archipelago. Join a local fisherman for an exploration of the archipelago, setting sail to admire Dannholmen Island and legendary Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman's former holiday home.
Before leaving Fjallbacka this morning, you have the option to enjoy a kayaking tour of the Bohuslan archipelago with two locals, who can provide a fascinating insight into the area’s history and landscapes.
Once you’re ready to depart, you won’t have too far to travel, as the drive to your next stop in Fiskebackskil only takes around an hour. Check into your hotel for a two-night stay in this charming coastal village, where you can expect to enjoy more typically Swedish scenery in the shape of cobbled streets and timber-clad houses. Being right by the sea also means Fiskebackskil is famed for its seafood, so tonight, take your pick of recommended eateries from our Dossier to sample more of Sweden’s delicious flavours and fresh produce.
Nestled at the entrance to the Gullmar Fjord, Fiskebackskil boasts a plethora of artisan shops, cafés and restaurants among its colourful wooden houses. The nature reserves scattered across the island promise delightful discoveries for hikers and birdwatchers, or alternatively, you can take a boat trip to the village of Lysekil on the opposite shore of the fjord. Cradled between red granite rocks, the village has a lovely promenade dotted with coves which are perfect for swimming, as well as a picturesque town centre and a top-notch aquarium. There’s plenty here to fill a day, and we can also arrange an optional tour of Fiskebackskil with a private guide if you’d like to learn more about the village and its heritage.
It’s time to travel to the last stop on your tour of Sweden – the port city of Gothenburg. The drive from Fiskebackskil to Gothenburg takes around an hour and a half, however we recommend stopping along the way in the fishing village of Mollosund, with its red and cream-coloured fishermen's huts, and at Skulptur i Pilane, an open-air art gallery showcasing modern sculptures from world-leading artists.
Arriving in Gothenburg, return your trusty rental car and check in for your final night at a hotel in the city. Sweden’s second city is a real favourite with foodies, so you’ll have no trouble finding somewhere to mark your final night with a suitably special dinner. The seafood is particularly excellent here, as you’d expect from the largest port in Scandinavia.
Depending on your flight time today, spend the morning exploring the trendy cafés of the Haga district, which has been transformed from a somewhat neglected working-class neighbourhood into a loved-by-locals hangout. Savour your last cinnamon bun at the famous Café Husaren, visit the Art Nouveau Hagabadet public baths and stop by the imposing Hagakyrkan church with its impressive bell tower. If you’d prefer, we can arrange a guided tour today.
Last souvenirs secured (and final fika enjoyed), make your way to the airport for your flight home, which lands back in the UK around two hours later.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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