Cosy Christmas Markets in Stockholm & Beyond
Detailed itinerary
Photo credit: Yanan Li/mediabank.visitstockholm.com
Day 1: Friday
Our Christmas tour starts in Stockholm - a city that loves to celebrate Christmas and is the perfect setting to put you in a Christmas mood. Cosy Christmas lights and lingering scents of mulled wine and gingerbread biscuits follow you around as you explore this winter wonderland.
Today we recommend a visit to the historic old town of Stockholm - Gamla Stan, which takes you back to the 13th century. You cannot help but feel its medieval atmosphere as you wander through its cobblestone streets past narrow, colourful houses of yesteryear. At Christmas time the Gamla Stan Christmas market sets up its stands and you can sample a whole range of traditional Swedish delicacies including Christmas sweets, smoked sausages, reindeer and moose meat, spicy mulled wine (glögg) and a range of high-quality handicrafts.
This evening, you visit the extraordinary Absolut Ice Bar - built entirely of ice from Lapland! Enjoy an Absolut Vodka cocktail in these unusual surroundings!
Activities: Ice Bar
Accommodation: Stockholm, Hotel
Meals: None
Day 2: Saturday
Today you can further soak in the atmosphere by making a visit to Stockholm's open air museum, Skansen, famous for its Nordic Zoo and living history exhibition; about 150 historical buildings have been moved here from all over Sweden. Skansen also puts on a respected traditional Christmas market where you can wander the cosy streets and admire the Christmas foods and handicrafts on offer.
Today you experience a typical Swedish Christmas custom - the Julbord. A Christmas dinner enjoyed at Christmas time and includes a full smörgåsbord of delicious Christmas food including, fresh and smoked salmons, herring, a variety of seafood, cooked and cold meats, roasted pork and much more! The venue for the Julbord is under the cosy bricked vaults at Vaxholms Kastell, a setting packed with atmosphere and Christmas cheer!
Accommodation: Stockholm, Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Christmas buffet
Activities: Boat trip to/from Vaxholm Kastell, Skansen Christmas Market, Skansen Christmas Market
Transport: underground/tram ticket to Skansen
Day 3: Sunday
In contrast to Stockholm's busy streets today you make use of the public transport and enjoy a full day excursion to Sigtuna, Sweden's first town, full of charm and history. It's small, narrow streets lined with colourful wooden houses make the perfect Christmas backdrop. Visit its local Christmas market in a setting steeped in Swedish history, and enjoy the calm lakeside location of this picturesque town. A visit to the village's Stadshotell for a cup of tea is well worth it just to enjoy its cosy atmosphere, so perfect on a winter's day.
Accommodation: Stockholm, Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Transport: return bus/train ticket to Sigtuna (approx. 1 hr each way)
Day 4: Monday
Today is your last day in Stockholm. Visit the impressive Vasa Museum to admire the mighty Vasa Ship or why not hit the trendy Stockholm shopping streets to find the perfect Christmas gift.
Accommodation: Stockholm, Hotel
Meals: Breakfast