7-Day Road Trip from Stockholm: Exploring Central Sweden
Evelina Hjortskog
19.03.2024
∼ 10 min. read
Day 1: Arrive in and explore Stockholm
You’ve arrived in Stockholm, and when you’re ready, you can pick up your campervan from our Stockholm office. The easiest way to do this is to make your way into the central station from the airport and then take the subway (Tunnelbana). See directions here: (link to page).
Once you’ve picked up the campervan, it is time to explore this stunning city. Its colourful buildings, amazing architecture, and proximity to water are all aspects that make Stockholm such a popular destination to visit. There are a few things you shouldn’t miss during your day in Stockholm:
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Most areas in Stockholm are beautiful but there is one part of the city where the colourful buildings and narrow cobblestones will make you feel in awe. Gamla Stan (Old Town) will transport you back in time, and a stroll along these streets is a must-do. In Gamla Stan, you will also find the Royal Palace and Stockholm Cathedral, which are definitely worth a visit.
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Stockholm is home to many interesting museums, but the top ones worth visiting are the Vasa Museum, which houses a fully preserved 17th-century warship, and the ABBA Museum, dedicated to the iconic Swedish pop group.
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Stockholm is known for its many islands, and the archipelago is in a class of its own. Many of the islands are easily accessible by boat so if you have time, take a boat tour of the Stockholm archipelago.
Spend the night in Stockholm. Make sure you consider that cities don’t allow you to sleep in the car in the urban centre, so a campground is advised. There are many beautiful ones to choose from.
Image by Raphael Andres / unsplash
Day 2: Stockholm to Örebro
Wake up happy in Stockholm and jump into the driver's seat – it’s time to start the road trip! On the first leg of this circuit road trip, we are heading west to the historical city of Örebro. The distance between Stockholm and Örebro is filled with castles and manor houses that are worth a stop. Once you get to Örebro, make sure you explore the medieval Örebro Castle and take a stroll along the Svartån River or in nearby nature reserves like Tysslingen or Bergslagen. Another noteworthy visit is the Wadköping Museum, which has buildings from the 17th century onwards. For shops, restaurants and cafes, you can take a stroll along Storgatan (Main Street).
Spend the night in one of the many campsites in or near Örebro or free camp a bit outside of the city.
Distance: Approximately 200 km (124 miles)
Approximate driving duration (without stops): 2h 30 min
Possible stops along the way:
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Birka Viking Museum & Shop: an island with ancient remains from the Viking Age with a museum and tours
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Gripsholm Castle: a beautiful lakeside castle from the 16th century
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Rademachersmedjorna: an open-air museum about Swedish history.
Credits: Roine Magnusson/Johnér/imagebank.sweden.se
Day 3: Örebro to Karlstad
After spending the night in Örebro, it is time to continue west with the end destination, Karlstad, located on the shores of Lake Vänern. Lake Värnen is 150km long and 81km wide, which makes it Sweden’s largest lake and Europe's third-largest lake.
In Karlstad, you will find quality restaurants with food from all over the world, and the city also has a rich art and culture scene with venues such as Wermland Opera and the Sandgrund Lars Lerin art gallery, a contemporary Swedish watercolour artist. While you’re in Karlstad you should also take a stroll by and wind down by the Vänern lake and take a dip in its clear waters. If you want to embrace the Nordic spirit, you can brave the cold waters even if you’re visiting in the winter. Karlstad is also home to Mariebergsskogen, a large park with a zoo and outdoor museum.
Credits: Anders Tedeholm/imagebank.sweden.se
Spend the night in one of the two campsites in Karlstad or free camp a bit outside of the city.
Distance: Approximately 110 km (68 miles)
Approximate driving duration (without stops): 1h 20 min
Possible stops along the way:
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Alfred Nobels Björkborn: a museum and previous home for the creator of the Nobel Peace Prize – Alfred Nobel
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Kummelön (naturreservat): a nature reserve located on the edge of Lake Vänern.
Day 4: Karlstad to Mora
On Day 4, it's time to get ready for the longest driving distance on this road trip. Don’t worry; you will be driving through beautiful Swedish forests, so the trip will not feel long at all. When you arrive in Mora, you will have arrived in a town closely connected to Swedish folk culture, and one of the remnants of this is the famous Dalahäst (Dala Horse) that originates from and is still produced in Mora. You can visit the manufacturers at Grannas A Olsson Hemslöjd or Nils Olsson Hemslöjd. The town is also known for hosting the finish line of the world’s biggest cross-country ski race known as Vasaloppet.
Credits: Amanda Westerbom/imagebank.sweden.se
While in Mora, you can also visit the Zorn Museum, one of Sweden’s most established and well-known art museums. For those travelling with kids or people with their “barnasinne” (translation: childlike mind) still intact, we recommend visiting Tomteland. Tomteland is a fairytale world brought to life by a beautifully decorated park and characters playing their parts.
Credits: Emmie Bolmstedt/imagebank.sweden.se
Spend the night in one of the seven campsites in or near Mora or free camp a bit outside of the city.
Distance: Approximately 250 km (155 miles)
Approximate driving duration (without stops): 3h 20 min
Possible stops along the way:
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Mårbacka: home to Selma Lagerlöf, a Nobel Prize winner in Literature and a famous Swedish author.
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Torsby Skidtunnel & Sportcenter: an indoor skiing tunnel. In Torsby, you can also stop for a traditional Swedish fika at Wienerkonditoriet
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Malung: explore the stunning nature reserves around Malung
Day 5: Mora to Gävle
On the way to Gävle, you will drive through some noteworthy destinations that we have noted below, and the destination of Gävle itself is also something to look forward to. The town is known for its scenic beauty, and a must-visit is Boulognerskogen, a beautiful oasis in the town centre. While visiting Gävle, it’ll be hard to miss the Gävle Goat, a Christmas goat erected annually at Slottstorget (Castle Square). Take a stroll along the Riverfront and enjoy the historic buildings and stunning architecture that the town displays. For some historical immersion, you can also visit the Swedish Prison Museum, a castle prison from the 1730s.
Spend the night in one of the three campsites in or near Gävle or free camp a bit outside of the city.
Distance: Approximately 180 km (112 miles)
Approximate driving duration (without stops): 2h 20 min
Possible stops along the way:
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Rättvik & Styggforsen Nature Reserve: a mesmerising nature reserve with waterfalls, forests and rock formations. The rock walls are said to have been created by a meteorite strike 377 million years ago.
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Falun Old Town: a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cobblestone streets, colourful houses, and well-preserved buildings.
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Falu Copper Mine: a significant pillar in the Swedish economy with impressive underground tunnels. If you have time, stop for a guided tour.
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Högbo Bruk: a well-preserved iron mill that today serves as a popular recreation area.
Image by Martin Ivar Johansson / unsplash
Day 6: Gävle to Uppsala
After exploring the beautiful Gävle, it is time to make our way to Uppsala, where you can visit the largest church in Scandinavia, Uppsala Cathedral. The cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with stained glass windows and an astronomical clock. You can climb the tower to get panoramic views of the city. Uppsala is one of the oldest cities in Sweden and is home to the oldest university in Sweden, Uppsala University.
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Other noteworthy places to visit in Uppsala are the Uppsala Castle, the green and colourful Linnaeus Garden, the colourful botanical gardens and the historic city centre. For nature lovers, Årike Fyri Nature Reserve is a must-visit. At this reserve, you can stroll along lush meadows and rippling streams.
Credits: Samir Hadi/imagebank.sweden.se
Spend the night in one of the four campsites in or near Uppsala or free camp a bit outside of the city.
Distance: Approximately 110 km (68 miles)
Approximate driving duration (without stops): 1h 10 min
Possible stops along the way:
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Dragon Gate: an unfinished business and culture centre where Chinese and Swedish cultures meet.
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Skydive Stockholm: the biggest skydiving club in Sweden. Not for the faint of heart!
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Örbyhus Castle: a stunning castle from 1451 with a beautiful location next to a lake
Day 7: Uppsala to Stockholm
It’s time to make your way back to Stockholm and drop off the campervan. By this point, we hope that you have collected some astonishing experiences along this road trip—everything from historic and traditional cities to scenic lakes and forests.
If you have any more time to spend in Stockholm, we recommend a visit to the amusement park Gröna Lund, exploring any attractions you may have missed earlier in your trip or revisiting your favourite spots.
Distance: Approximately 70 km (43 miles)
Approximate driving duration (without stops): 1h
Before you set off on this stunning road trip, make sure you read our article on Campervan Camping in Sweden: What to Consider.
Buckle up and enjoy the drive!
Credits: Werner Nystrand/Folio/imagebank.sweden.se