Sweden's History & Culture - 7 Days

Highlights

• Take a ferry to the island of Gotland and tour the medieval town of Visby
• Get to know Scandinavia's seafaring Vikings at the immersive Viking Village 
• Drive across the sea bridge to Öland and enjoy a seafood supper
• Explore the 13th-century castle of Kalmar and tour the city's Art Museum

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Stockholm, Visit the Viking Museum

Welcome to Stockholm! Cutting-edge design meets elegant architectural heritage in Sweden's cool capital city. Built across a 14-island archipelago, where Lake Malaren meets the Baltic Sea, the city's nickname is "Venice of the North." Style runs through Stockholm's veins, from its minimalist interiors to the fashion-forward locals. A multitude of tech startups has also earned it a reputation as Europe's rival to Silicon Valley.

The day is at your leisure to explore—but a great place to start is at the Viking Museum on the island of Djurgården. From rare jewelry to fearsome weapons and tools, the museum's collection provides a glimpse into the daily lives of these legendary warriors. Each month brings a different theme, with June focusing on mythology and magic, July on trade routes, August on summer-warm feelings, and September on power and politics. 

Day 2: Ferry to Gotland, Visby Town Tour

Pick up your rental car this morning and say goodbye to Stockholm. You won't be traveling by road, however, rather, aboard the ferry to Gotland—a journey of around 3.5 hours from Nynäshamn port. Welcome to Sweden's largest island, home to some 60,000 people year-round. Gotland is known for its locally sourced produce, booming craft beer scene, and eclectic flea markets lining the roads.

You'll land in the main town of Visby, on the east coast. With its cobbled streets and charming cottages, you'll feel as though you've been transported back to medieval times. In fact, Visby is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved townscape, including the 2-mile (3.5 km) long town wall—the best-preserved of its kind in Scandinavia.

Check into your hotel and join a guide for a history-rich walking tour of the city. You'll start at Almedalen, a former harbor that's been redeveloped into parkland around a serene pond. Your guide will then take you to the Saint Maria Cathedral, which has the look of a fairy-tale palace with its whimsical Baroque spires. You'll end the day by being driven to the limestone cliff of Högklint for views over Visby and the Baltic Sea.

Day 3: Guided Archaeology Tour, Explore the Viking Village

You'll link back up with a guide this morning for a look at Gotland's archaeological remains. While Gotland is part of Sweden today, during the Viking Age (around 800 to 1150 CE), it was independently ruled. That means a long and, literally, rich history—more than 700 silver hoards have been found on the island. Gotland is still home to well-preserved Viking graves and ruins, such as the Sankta Karin Church, founded by the Franciscan order in 1233.

The immersive Viking Village museum helps bring this renowned stretch of history to life. A guide will lead you around a reconstructed Viking longhouse and village, giving you an in-depth understanding of the Scandi seafarers' way of life. Before you go, test your axe-throwing and bow-and-arrow shooting skills to see if you'd cut it as a Viking warrior.

Day 4: Ferry to Kalmar, Kalmar Castle Tour & Art Museum

Board the ferry from Visby for the journey to Oskarshamn on the mainland, then drive south for an hour to Kalmar, tracing the Baltic coast. Kalmar is a city in the idyllic county of Småland—and while you'll find a sleepy atmosphere in its medieval center, this was a stronghold of power during the Middle Ages due to its proximity to the former Swedish/Danish border.

An emblem of this era is the moat-wrapped Kalmar Castle, dating back to the 13th century. On a 90-minute small group tour, you'll discover the castle's rich past, from its role in the country's political and military battles to the lavish life of its noble residents. Marvel at the castle's impressive architecture and ornate interiors, and immerse yourself in its tales of love, power, and betrayal.

After, jump back into the present day on a group tour of the Kalmar Art Museum, one of Sweden's most renowned contemporary art institutions. Its roster of exhibitions from Swedish and international artists is displayed over four levels in a striking building dubbed the "Black Cube." After getting your fill of history and culture, refuel at Krusenstiernska Gården with the afternoon ritual of fika—coffee and homemade cakes.

Day 5: Day Trip to Öland

Head off on a self-guided day trip to Öland, the long, thin island you can see facing Kalmar. A road bridge links the two, and your journey will only take about 20 minutes. Start by exploring the Eketorp Fortress, one of the best-preserved fortresses in Sweden. Built during the Iron Age, the fortress provides a glimpse into the lives of ancient settlers, and signboards tell the stories of battles that took place here.

Day 6: Drive to Söderköping, Private City Tour

Drive north for 2.5 hours through a setting of forests and lakes and passing villages of russet-colored Swedish summer homes. Your destination is Söderköping, a harbor town on the east coast, at the edge of miles of nature. In the warmer months, it's a hive of culture, with street performers and festivals regularly popping up. You could also drive another half an hour outside the city to see the enchanting Sankt Anna Archipelago, comprised of over 6,000 tiny and uninhabited islands. 

Back in the town, hike up the Ramunderberget hill's 318 steps for sweeping views of houses and verdant countryside beyond. Then, meet a guide for a two-hour private tour of Soderkoping medieval heart, the lively Drothemsquarter. Dip into the whitewashed Drothem Church, which dates from the 13th century, and stroll along the Göta Canal as you hear stories from the town's glory era as Sweden's most important port.

Day 7: Drive to Stockholm, Depart Sweden

Enjoy a last look at the idyllic Swedish countryside on the 2.5-hour drive back to Stockholm. Perhaps stop off for one last fika along the way, then drop your hire car at the airport and catch your flight home. Goodbye, Sweden, but probably not for long! 

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