Skeppsholmen

Stromma has an unrivaled selection of classic, turn-of-the-century boats, perfect for a day spent gliding through Stockholm's archipelago. With close to thirty-four thousands islands—some small scraps of rock, some large, uninhabited, densely forested landmasses, and some like mini cities with hotels and summer homes—there's plenty of visual variety to keep you entertained whether you choose to sail for a few hours, or go on a full-day excursion. Stromma's cruisers (which are also available for private hire should you wish to do a totally custom tour), can fit numbers as low as ninety or as high as three hundred. The boats themselves date from the early 20th century, with each one offering the option for a formal sit-down luncheon or dinner on board.

Sprawled out on tranquil Skeppsholmen Island, this lantern-lit gallery (and the scene of a major '90s art heist that saw the armed robbery of Rembrandt and Renoir masterpieces with the criminals escaping by boat), is Sweden’s preeminent modern art museum. The permanent collection houses notable works from Sweden’s own surrealist movement, alongside masterpieces by Dali, Matisse, and Picasso. The Rafael Moneo-designed building is flooded with natural light, and the museum's fourth-floor restaurant serves up a full Scandinavian lunch buffet (pickled fish, cured ham, and seasonal vegetables), with stellar views of the water. Pop into Restaurant Hjerta for a seafood lunch on the docks after a few hours spent exploring the museum. Note that the architecture museum lives within this museum.

Built in 1699 to house Sweden’s Royal Marines, and sitting right behind the stunning Moderna Museet, this eco-friendly, chic hotel is right on the waterfront, on one of the calmer islands in this busy city. The interior is clean, bright, and truly Scandinavian—think white painted wood ceilings, blond hardwood floors, and blue-and-yellow accents for a touch of color. Thoughtful design details include writing desks in each of the seventy-eight rooms, big windows (many of them overlooking the pretty harbor) and comfy bucket-style chairs.

Museum cafes can be hit or miss, but the Moderna Museet's cozy lunch spot, with a beautiful view overlooking the canal, more than does one of the city's best museums justice. Lunch is straightforward and unfussy, with a salad and sandwich buffet and a blue plate special that rotates daily, but everything from the sandwiches to the home-made cakes tastes fresh. For something lighter, stop by their on-site coffee bar.

The island of Skeppsholmen is one of this island city's smallest, housing several museums (our favorite is the Moderna Museet which has an incredible international collection including a Picasso or two), the lovely Skeppsholmen Hotel, and this little restaurant with a patio that looks out onto the sea. As a result, the vibe here is quiet and relaxed, almost as though it's removed from the city; you'll find lots of kids and dogs hanging out on the patio. The pared-down menu offers a few starters and five excellent mains (we're partial to the mussels and the burger) for dinner, and a two-item menu of daily specials for lunch.