Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Stockholm
Morning Arrivée à Stockholm-Arlanda
Land at Arlanda Airport. Take the Arlanda Express (20 min) to Stockholm Central Station. Check into your hotel in Norrmalm or Södermalm.
Afternoon Gamla Stan — Vieille Ville
Wander the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan, Stockholm's medieval old town. Admire Stortorget square with its colorful facades, visit Storkyrkan cathedral (13th century), and find Mårten Trotzigs Gränd, Stockholm's narrowest alley (90 cm).
Evening Dîner suédois à Södermalm
Dinner in trendy Södermalm. Try classic Swedish meatballs (köttbullar) with mashed potatoes, lingonberries, and pickled cucumbers at a traditional restaurant.
Day 2 Stockholm Museums & Culture
Morning Musée Vasa
Visit the Vasa Museum, home to the 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was salvaged in 1961. It's the world's only nearly intact 17th-century ship, with 98% original parts and hundreds of carvings.
Afternoon Skansen — Musée en plein air
Explore Skansen, the world's oldest open-air museum (1891). Over 150 historic buildings from across Sweden recreate past life. A Nordic zoo houses moose, brown bears, lynx, and reindeer. In summer, costumed craftsmen bring history alive.
Evening Balade sur les quais de Strandvägen
Stroll along Strandvägen, Stockholm's most elegant boulevard, lined with lime trees and Belle Époque buildings. Waterfront café terraces overlook the harbor and sailboats. Dinner with a water view.
Day 3 Island Stockholm
Morning Hôtel de Ville & vue panoramique
Visit Stadshuset (City Hall), where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each December. The Golden Hall features 18 million gold mosaic tiles. Climb the tower (106 m) for 360° views over Stockholm.
Afternoon Fotografiska — Musée de la photographie
Visit Fotografiska, one of the world's largest contemporary photography museums. The temporary exhibitions are always spectacular. The Art Nouveau building on the Södermalm waterfront offers a stunning setting, and the top-floor café has panoramic views.
Evening Coucher de soleil à Monteliusvägen
Walk up to Monteliusvägen, a pedestrian path perched on Södermalm's cliffs offering Stockholm's best view: Gamla Stan, City Hall, Lake Mälaren, and the city skyline. The perfect spot for a summer sunset.
Day 4 Stockholm Archipelago — Vaxholm Island
Morning Ferry vers Vaxholm
Board a Waxholmsbolaget ferry from Strömkajen to Vaxholm (1h), the 'capital of the archipelago'. The crossing offers stunning views of wooded islets, red wooden houses, and sailboats. The Stockholm archipelago has 30,000 islands.
Afternoon Vaxholm — Village & forteresse
Explore charming Vaxholm village: picturesque alleys, pastel wooden houses, and lively marina. Visit Vaxholm Fortress (16th century), accessible by a short shuttle boat. The fortress houses a military museum and offers splendid archipelago views.
Evening Dîner de poisson frais à Vaxholm
Enjoy a seafood dinner at one of Vaxholm's harbor restaurants before catching the evening ferry back to Stockholm. Archipelago shrimp, pickled herring, and grilled catch of the day are local specialties.
Day 5 Archipelago — Grinda Island
Morning Ferry vers Grinda
Take the morning ferry from Strömkajen to Grinda (2h), a preserved natural island in the heart of the archipelago. Grinda is ideal for swimming, kayaking, and walking through pine forests. The atmosphere is peaceful and authentically Swedish.
Afternoon Kayak & baignade à Grinda
Rent a kayak and explore the hidden coves around Grinda. The water is clear and warm enough for swimming in August (18-20°C). Flat rocks along the coast are perfect for sunbathing and a refreshing dip.
Evening Dîner à Grinda Värdshus & retour
Dinner at Grinda Värdshus, the island's historic inn, renowned for its archipelago cuisine: smoked fish, new potatoes, and wild herbs. Then catch the evening ferry back to Stockholm, lulled by the sunset over the water.
Day 6 Road to Dalarna
Morning Train vers Mora (Dalécarlie)
Take the SJ train from Stockholm Central to Mora in Dalarna (~4h). The journey crosses the Swedish countryside: birch forests, shimmering lakes, and villages with Falun red houses. Dalarna is the folkloric heart of Sweden.
Afternoon Lac Siljan & village de Mora
Arrive in Mora on the shores of Lake Siljan — Sweden's most beautiful lake according to Swedes. Settle in then explore: the Zorn Museum dedicated to painter Anders Zorn, and the starting point of Vasaloppet (world's longest cross-country ski race, 90 km).
Evening Dîner dalécarlien au bord du lac
Taste Dalarna cuisine: smörgåsbord (Swedish buffet), knäckebröd (crispbread) with butter and local cheese, and renskav (reindeer stew). Restaurants by Lake Siljan offer a peaceful atmosphere at twilight.
Day 7 Dalarna Traditions
Morning Nusnäs — Atelier des chevaux de Dalécarlie
Visit the Nils Olsson and Grannas A. Olsson workshops in Nusnäs, where the famous Dalarna horse (Dalahäst) has been carved and hand-painted for generations. Watch craftsmen at work and learn the history of this Swedish national symbol.
Afternoon Rättvik & plongeoir du lac Siljan
Head to Rättvik (30 min), a charming village with its iconic 628-meter wooden pier stretching into Lake Siljan. Perfect for swimming and relaxation. Also visit the ancient wooden church stables (kyrkstall) where parishioners tied their horses on Sundays.
Evening Fika suédois & soirée au bord du lac
Experience the Swedish fika ritual: a coffee break with kanelbullar (cinnamon buns), chokladbollar (chocolate balls), and kardemummabullar (cardamom buns). Enjoy the tranquility of Lake Siljan at dusk.
Day 8 Road to Gothenburg
Morning Train vers Göteborg
Take the morning train from Mora to Gothenburg (~4h30, via Hallsberg). Cross the great forests of Värmland and the Västergötland countryside. Gothenburg is Sweden's second city, known for its canals, food scene, and laid-back vibe.
Afternoon Haga — Quartier historique de Göteborg
Explore Haga, Gothenburg's most charming neighborhood with 19th-century wooden houses (landshövdingehus), cozy cafés, and vintage shops. Haga Nygata is the main street, lined with independent shops and artisan bakeries.
Evening Dîner fruits de mer à Feskekôrka
Dinner near Feskekôrka ('the fish church'), Gothenburg's iconic fish market built in 1874 in neo-Gothic style. Surrounding restaurants serve the best west coast seafood: oysters, langoustines, and smoked herring.
Day 9 Gothenburg Archipelago
Morning Ferry vers Styrsö
Take the ferry from Saltholmen to Styrsö island (~30 min) in Gothenburg's southern archipelago. This archipelago is less known than Stockholm's but equally beautiful, with granite islands, fishing villages, and no cars allowed.
Afternoon Baignade & exploration de Styrsö
Explore Styrsö on foot: coastal trails between pink granite rocks, secluded coves for swimming, and a fishing village with white and blue wooden houses. Flat rocks are perfect for sunbathing after a dip in the North Sea's salt water.
Evening Retour & dîner dans le quartier de Linné
Ferry back then dinner in Linnéstaden, Gothenburg's trendy neighborhood. Hip bars and restaurants line the Långgatorna (long streets). Laid-back atmosphere typical of Gothenburg.
Day 10 Last Day & Departure
Morning Jardin botanique de Göteborg
Visit Botaniska Trädgården, one of Europe's largest botanical gardens (175 hectares). The rose garden and rhododendron valley are splendid in August. Tropical greenhouses house orchids and exotic plants. A serene place to end the trip.
Afternoon Saluhallen & derniers achats
Make a final stop at Stora Saluhallen, Gothenburg's covered market (1889). Cheeses, charcuterie, artisan breads, chocolates, and Swedish specialties for gourmet souvenirs. Light lunch at one of the market stalls.
Evening Transfert vers l'aéroport de Göteborg-Landvetter
Transfer to Gothenburg Landvetter Airport by Flygbussarna shuttle (30 min from city center). End of your journey through summer Sweden — from Stockholm to Gothenburg via the archipelago and Dalarna.