There's Stockholm and Gothenburg, which provide a cosmopolitan atmosphere, perfect for world-class cuisine and shopping, or Karlskrona and Visby, which have enough history to last days of exploration. Read on to find out which Swedish ports will be on your next cruise holiday wish list.
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Gothenburg
Sweden's second largest city may be a cosmopolitan centre but look closer and it will surprise you with its myriad of green spaces and some of the best food and drink in the country. Located by the gateway to the Baltic sea, a trip to the namesake Museum is a must for history fans to understand the heritage of the area. Only founded in the seventeenth century, the city quickly turned from fishing village to a shipbuilding hub and much later, home of Volvo cars. Evidence of this meteoric rise is evident throughout the small city with its world-famous sea food and fascinating architecture. Families must visit the 100-year-old Liseberg theme park or Slottsskogen zoo, where a chance to glimpse exotic animals is combined with a walk in the stunning parklands. There’s also a wonderful Botanical garden, an archipelago which can be easily accessed by boat and amazing restaurants for all budgets, where amazing fresh produce is combined with world flavours.
Karlskrona
The city of Karlskrona was established as a Swedish naval base over 300 years ago and the military feel still dominates today. It’s a unique place, on its very own set of islands 6km from the mainland. There’s an interesting naval museum on the water with a wide collection of vessels and weapons or the local Blekinge Museum, which tells the story of the fascinating archipelago with a gorgeous suntrap garden to explore at the end. For those looking to explore further on foot, a walk across the bridge to Stakholmen is highly recommended. This unique island is striking in its appearance, appearing to be one large rock, surrounded by grass mounds and dotted with WWII pill boxes waiting to tell their stories.
Nynashamn
Lying 60 km south of Stockholm, Nyashamn is a great port for those wishing to visit the capital and its many attractions. There’s an easy train service taking you to the centre in under an hour. Nynashamn itself is a sailing paradise and acted as a muse for many of Sweden’s famous authors. It’s a great contrast to the big city, with plenty of attractions for a day’s excursion. They have a world-famous microbrewery and some of the best smoked fish in the country. Enjoy traditional Fikå with coffee and the region’s Sorunda Tårta - a layered cake made with apple or prune. It’s easy to spend a day exploring Nynashamn, with its small harbour and craft shops and endless walking opportunities, or many head to Knappelskär beach which is a wonderful place for a day by the sea.
Stockholm
There’s so much to see and do in Stockholm. As many Baltic cruises begin from the capital, it’s highly recommended to arrive a few days early to have lots of exploring time. Set over fourteen islands and within a much larger archipelago, Stockholm is blessed with natural beauty and its architecture compliments this perfectly. In Gamla Stan, the old town, you’ll find the beautiful Opera House, Royal Palace and Nobel Museum among historic squares and colourful timber houses. Modern additions to the city add to the feeling of wonderment, with a highlight being the geometric Victoria Tower. Heading out of the city centre, a sightseeing boat trip around some of the gorgeous islands offers a different perspective of the capital. The largest place to stop is Öland, which boasts the magnificent Borgholm Castle, windmills and plenty of beaches. You’ll also find a wealth of museums and galleries in Stockholm dedicated to everything from naval history to ABBA, plus delicious restaurants combining traditional Swedish ingredients, such as moose and pickled herring, with modern cooking methods.
Visby
Visby lies on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea between the mainlands of Sweden and Latvia. It’s the sunniest place in Sweden and a cultural gem. Settled by the Vikings and a historic place of importance for the following centuries, it is surrounded by a 3.5km wall, laden with towers and views of the moat below, and is the best preserved of its kind in Northern Europe. Within, traditional cottages and churches line the winding streets. The Gotland Museum is a great place to discover more about the town’s fascinating past, or take a short excursion to Tofta Viking Village, which will bring it alive before your eyes. Whilst in Visby, a trip to the botanical gardens is highly recommended and also make sure to take time to sample the local delicacy, saffranspannkaka - a saffron-flavoured pancake served with cream and berries.
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