Ekoparken is the world’s first national city park, a huge set of green lungs, that stretch out in a 12km (7-mile) long arch from Djurgården (where the Vasa Museum, Gröna Lund and Skansen are situated) in the south, up to Ulriksdals Slot (castle) in the north. The royal parks and gardens in Stockholm should be on your bucket list.
This green swathe is so large you’ll need a full day of serious hiking to explore it, by foot during the warmer months or on skis or long-distance skates in winter. Bus tours to the northerly Haga Royal Park, run by Strömma Turism, include a free boat tour on Brunnsviken Lake.
The Ekopark includes three royal parks, Djurgården, Haga and Ulriksdal, with palaces to tour (Ulriksdals Slot, Gustav II’s Paviljonh and Rosendals Slot). Visit the tropical Fjärilshus (Butterfly House) where hundreds of colorful species land lightly upon your shoulder, the Bergianska (Bergianska Botanical Gardens) which contains the world’s largest water lily, and Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet (Museum of Natural history) where you’ll also find Sweden’s only IMAX cinema.
Related: King’s Garden in Stockholm
Swedish Museum of Natural History
The Swedish Museum of Natural History is a government agency that reports to the Ministry of Culture. Its task is to promote interest in, and knowledge and research on, the origins and development of the universe and Earth, on the plant and animal worlds and on the biology and natural environment of human beings.
For a pleasant retreat on northern Djurgården, you’ll find Rosendals trädgård (Rosendals Garden) with orchards, flowers and vegetables, garden shops and a café. For many Stockholmers this has become the ideal retreat after a day in Djurgården. For more information, read here.
Related: The Island of Skeppsholmen in Stockholm
Rosendals’ Gardens
For more than thirty years Rosendals’ Garden Foundation has cultivated and spread biodynamic farming practices. Rosendals Garden is a driver of the farm to fork concept and the harvest of vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruits are used in the garden café and woodfired bakery.
As a visitor you can enjoy the garden as well as enjoy a meal, sandwich or something sweet from the artisanal bakery in the greenhouse café. There’s also a farmshop on site as well as a plantshop. Throughout the year organized events, private functions as well as exhibitions are being organized.
Royal Parks and Gardens in Stockholm, compiled by Tor Kjolberg