10 Things to Do in Stockholm in April

In April, the Swedish capital celebrates the arrival of spring in a very special way after the bitter cold of winter. That's why some of the best things to see and do in Stockholm during this month include enjoying the cherry blossom in the King's Garden or celebrating Walpurgis Night with the locals, when huge bonfires are lit to welcome the long-awaited warm season.

April is also the month of Easter and is when a number of much-anticipated festivals take place, including Kultunatt and Art Week. If you're planning to visit the city this month, here are the highlights and the most interesting activities you can do to make the most of your stay in Stockholm in April.

When Easter is celebrated in April, it's ideal for you to take a stroll through the streets and enjoy the special decorations the city will have. Trees are decorated with colourful feathers and houses are decorated with painted eggs and vases of birch branches, creating a colourful and charming atmosphere. In addition, there are activities, events and shows for adults and children in the museums, the Royal Palace and other emblematic buildings.

One of the most traditional places to go at Easter is the Royal Palace, where children can play an egg hunt, an activity they love. Another typical site is the Skansen Open Air Museum, where children go dressed as witches, as is the custom at this time of year. There you can see some 150 typical Swedish buildings, which will take you back to ancient times, and learn how various products were handcrafted. It is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Stockholm with children.

The tradition of decorating vases has been going on since the 17th century in Stockholm. The city's major museums usually hold special events at Easter for the whole family, so check the updated schedules to make sure you don't miss out. On the other hand, please note that opening and closing times for many attractions may vary at Easter.

Hornstull Market is considered the most important market on the island of Sodermalm, which is located just a few minutes from the city centre. Hornstull is an open-air market with a wide range of art, handicrafts, jewellery and antiques on offer. Here you will also find excellent traditional food stalls.

Hornstull opens in April and is only open on Saturdays and Sundays until 1 October. During this month the weather is more pleasant for walking, as the cold starts to recede. However, the days are still cool, so don't forget to pack a warm coat.

Hornstull market is a favourite place for locals and visitors alike, who choose to sit on the steps and relax and admire the scenery, while tasting their favourite dishes. Hornstull offers a wide variety of local and international food, so it is ideal if you want to get to know the cuisine of Stockholm and other parts of the world.

Interesting facts

• Location: 6, Hornstulls strand 4, 117 39 Stockholm, Sweden.
• Days and hours: from April to September, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm.
• Admission: free of charge.

Stockholm ArtWeek takes place during the first half of April every year. During this event there are performances, events, art exhibitions and many interesting activities. In addition, events are organised in iconic buildings such as the Waldemarsudde Museum, the Bonniers art gallery and the Thiel Gallery, among others.

During ArtWeek, you can see the most relevant Nordic art in different museums and institutions. The activities take place in April and also in May in Stockholm. This month is less crowded, so you can take a more relaxed approach to the artworks and exhibitions.

One of the highlights is the Waldemarsudde Museum, which used to be Prince Eugen's home. There you will learn how royalty lived, and you will be able to see the antique objects and floral decorations. In addition, the museum house offers beautiful views and a lovely garden. You can also take the opportunity to visit the Nobel Prize Museum, one of Stockholm's most iconic museums, where you can learn about the legacy of prominent personalities such as Albert Einstein and Martin Luther King.

Culture Night, Kultunatt, is an event that takes place at the end of April and lasts for one night only. This event starts during the day, with various activities and public performances that are free of charge. The different historical monuments of the city open their doors in order to showcase Swedish culture.

During this event you can listen to live music, see art and design exhibitions and enjoy dance performances. The Kultunatt is one of the best things to do in Stockholm at night in April. Among the most incredible places to visit is the Royal Opera House, where you can take the opportunity to see works that are unique in the world. It's the perfect time to take a night tour of the city, and walk along the paths that are set up especially for the night.

Another great place to visit is the Dansmuseet Museum, where you can see dance exhibitions, dance and enjoy ingenious activities such as testing robotic devices.

The Walpurgis celebration, also known as Valborg, is an evening gathering in late April in Sweden and Finland. During this event, large bonfires are lit and concerts of 19th century music and choral singing are performed to celebrate the arrival of spring and the end of winter.

This huge traditional Swedish celebration brings together families, friends and visitors to spend a cosy evening enjoying a picnic in the open air. The typical food that accompanies the celebration is a juice called sima, a kind of lemonade, and tippaleipa, a bread cake.

In the old days bonfires were lit to ward off spirits and demons, but today it is a celebration to welcome spring. The largest bonfire is lit at the Skansen Open Air Museum and is accompanied by choral singing and/or live music.

Another place to go is Riddarholmen, an islet in the centre of Stockholm. There, a torchlight procession takes place and choral songs are sung. In the evening, the celebrations continue, as the younger people tend to flock to the city's nightclubs and bars after the bonfire is lit.

Interesting facts

• Location: Skansen Open Air Museum, Djurgårdsslätten 49-51, 115 21 Stockholm.
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.

If you go to Kungstradgarden or the King's Garden during the last week of April, you will be able to see the blossoming of about 60 cherry trees forming pink galleries in the park. This event is celebrated in a special way between 21 and 28 April, when the Japanese Association commemorates Cherry Blossom Day in the park. During this event, picnics, martial arts presentations, art performances, workshops and other activities take place.

Kungstradgarden is a park located in the centre of Stockholm, very popular with tourists and Swedes. The park is different depending on the time of year you visit, for example, during the winter in Stockholm it turns into an ice skating rink and during the spring people sit in the square and enjoy the scent and charm of the cherry trees.

If you are lucky enough to visit in April, especially in the last ten days, you can see the extraordinary cherry blossom landscape, which is definitely one of the best things to do in Stockholm in this month. The total cherry blossom time is 3 weeks, so you can see the blossoms until mid-May.

You can also sit in the bars or restaurants surrounding the square and admire the cherry blossoms while sipping a hot drink, or have a picnic in the park to appreciate their beauty and scent up close. If you're travelling with your partner, you can't miss out on having your photo taken in this privileged romantic setting.

Interesting facts

• Location: Kungstradgarden, Jussi Björlings allé, 111 47 Stockholm.
• Opening hours: Open all day.

April is the beginning of spring and, although the weather is still cool, it's a pleasant time to sail and explore the islands of the archipelago. Boats are alsothe best way to get a glimpse of iconic landmarks such as the Royal Palace, City Hall and Parliament from the water.

Sailing around the islands of Fjaderholmarna is one of the best boat trips in Stockholm. Fjaderholmarna means 'feather islands' and is located about 45 minutes from central Stockholm. You can also see the islands of Djurgarden and Lidingo which are about 40 minutes from the centre.

The islands have been protected by the National Parks since 1995 and have visitor facilities. You can observe them from the cruise ship and then choose one to stay overnight or spend the day. On the islands there are bars, restaurants, theatres, craft markets and the best island food to sample, such as seafood. The main island of the archipelago is Värmdö, the most populated, where you can stroll through the forest or walk along the beaches.

Grona Lund is a Stockholm amusement park located on Djurgarden Island, about 35 to 40 minutes from the city centre. Its gates open in April because the weather is conducive to enjoying outdoor games. It's a place that locals and visitors alike choose to enjoy themselves.

It usually opens at the end of April because the weather is warmer and all the rides can be played. If you are travelling with children, this site is ideal for a fun day out with the family, and also with friends or as a couple. Among the most fun rides is the roller coaster. For the little ones, there are special rides such as Pettson and Findu's world and the carousel. It is important to book your ticket in advance, as it can get quite busy this month.

Around the rides, there are bars and restaurants where you can try lots of traditional food, while the children are having fun on the rides or waiting for their turn. Also, during your stay on Djurgarden Island, you can take the opportunity to visit the old monuments and residences dating back to the 19th century.

Interesting facts

• Location: Lilla Allmänna Gränd 9, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden.
• Opening hours: from 10 a.m. onwards.

Stockholm is an ancient city (dating back to 1252) with a varied cuisine derived from the islands, the Malar River and the Baltic Sea. Typical dishes include raraka, a kind of caviar and potato crepe; kroppkakor, which are stuffed potato dumplings; strommingaslador, which is a herring stew; and meatballs.

There are three main places to eat in the city: the harbour, Drottninggtan Street and Gamla Stan. In the harbour, the speciality is fresh fish, such as salmon and herring, as well as seafood. Drottninggtan Street, which is in the new part of Stockholm, is ideal for typical street food. Finally, Gamla Stan, the old part of the city, has the best restaurants where you can enjoy exquisite traditional Swedish food.

Also, on your gastronomic tour you can't miss Swedish desserts, such as the typical kanelbullar, which consists of cinnamon buns to accompany breakfast or an afternoon snack. Also traditional is the delicious hjortronparfait dessert, which is an iced berry tart made with raspberries, redcurrants or blueberries.

A must-see in April is a glimpse of Stockholm from one of its viewpoints, Skinnarviksberget, which sits on a hill above the river on the shores of Lake Malaren. From here you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and its historic monuments, such as the City Hall and the Royal Palace, as well as the Kungsholmen islands. It is the ideal place to watch the sunrise at the beginning of spring in this month.

The viewpoint is located in the highest part of Stockholm and is a popular spot for locals to enjoy a picnic with a privileged view. This place is often included in the best tours of Stockholm, as it is one of the must-see places in the city. It is a popular venue for outdoor events and parties, both at dusk and in the evening.

At the base of the hill there is a children's playground, and there are also bars where you can have a coffee or a cool drink. To get there, head towards Zinkensdamm underground station. You can also take a guided tour and learn more about Stockholm's culture and history while enjoying the beautiful views.

Interesting facts

• Location: 118 23 Stockholm, Sweden.
• Opening hours: All day.