10 Things to Do in Stockholm in April

In the month of April, the Swedish capital celebrates the arrival of spring in a very special way, after the intense cold of winter. That's why some of the best things to see and do in Stockholm in this month is to enjoy the cherry blossoms in the King's Garden or celebrate 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 various festivals take place, also highly anticipated, such as Kultunatt and Art Week. If you plan to visit the city this month, here are the highlights and the most interesting activities you can do to fully enjoy your stay in Stockholm in April.

When Easter is celebrated in April, it is ideal for you to take a stroll through the streets and enjoy the special decorations that the city will have. Trees are decorated with colorful feathers and houses with painted eggs and vases with birch branches, creating a colorful 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 about 150 typical Swedish constructions, which will transport you to ancient times, and learn how various products were made by hand. Undoubtedly, it is 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. Usually, the main museums in the city hold special events at Easter oriented to the whole family, so I recommend you to check the updated agendas so you don't miss anything. On the other hand, keep in mind that the opening and closing times of 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 center. Hornstull is an open-air market where numerous art objects, handicrafts, jewelry and antiques are offered. Here you will also find excellent traditional food stalls.

Hornstull opens in April and is open only on Saturdays and Sundays until October 1st. 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 bring a warm coat.

Hornstull market is a favorite place for locals and visitors, who choose to sit on the steps and relax admiring the scenery while tasting their favorite dishes. Hornstull offers a wide variety of local and international food, so it is ideal if you want to get to know the gastronomy 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 Art Week or 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 organized in iconic buildings such as the Waldemarsudde Museum, the Bonniers art gallery and the Thiel Gallery, among others.

During ArtWeek, you can appreciate 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 will be able to observe the artworks and art exhibits in a more relaxed way.

One of the most outstanding places to visit is the Waldemarsudde Museum, which used to be Prince Eugen's house. There you will learn how the royals lived, and you can see the antique objects and floral decorations. In addition, the house museum offers beautiful views and a lovely garden. You can also take the opportunity to go to the Nobel Prize Museum, one of the most emblematic museums in Stockholm, 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 is the ideal time to take a night tour of the city, and walk the paths that are specially enabled that night.

Another of the most outstanding places for you to visit is the Dansmuseet Museum, where you can see dance exhibitions, dance and enjoy very ingenious activities, such as testing robotic artifacts.

The Walpurgis celebration, also known as Valborg, is an evening gathering held 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 cozy evening enjoying an outdoor picnic. The typical food that accompanies the celebration is a juice called sima, a kind of lemonade, and tippaleipa, a bread cake.

In the past, 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 songs and/or live music.

Another place to go is Riddarholmen, an islet in the center of Stockholm. There, a torchlight procession takes place and choral songs are sung. At night, the celebrations continue, as the younger people usually go 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.
• 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 appreciate the blossoming of about 60 cherry trees forming pink galleries in the park. This event is celebrated in a special way between April 21 and 28, when the Japanese Association commemorates Cherry Blossom Day in the park. During this event there are picnics, martial arts presentations, art performances, workshops and other activities.

Kungstradgarden is a park located in the center of Stockholm, very popular with tourists and Swedes. This park is different depending on the time of the year you visit it as, 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 landscape of cherry blossoms, which is certainly 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 trees while sipping a hot drink, or have a picnic in the park, to appreciate their beauty and scent up close. If you are traveling with your partner, you cannot miss taking pictures in this privileged romantic atmosphere.

Interesting facts

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

April is the beginning of spring and, although the weather is still cool, it becomes more pleasant for sailing and exploring the islands of the archipelago. In addition, the boats are the best option to take a look at emblematic monuments such as the Royal Palace, the City Hall and the Parliament from the waters.

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 center.

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 one night or spend the day. On the islands there are bars, restaurants, theaters, craft markets and the best food of the islanders to taste, such as fish and seafood. The main island of the archipelago is Värmdö, the most populated, where you can stroll through the forest or walk along the beaches.

The Grona Lund is an amusement park in Stockholm located on Djurgarden Island, about 35 to 40 minutes from the city center. Its gates open in April because the weather is conducive to enjoying outdoor games. It is a place that Holmen choose to have fun, as well as visitors.

Generally, the opening is at the end of April, because the weather is warmer and all the games can be enabled. If you are traveling with children, this site is ideal to spend a fun day 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 games such as Pettson and Findu's world and the carousel. It is important to book your ticket in advance, as it can get quite crowded this month.

Around the rides, there are bars and restaurants where you can try lots of traditional food, while the kids 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 ancient monuments and residences dating back to the 19th century.

Interesting facts

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

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 outstanding places to eat in the city: the harbor, Drottninggtan Street and Gamla Stan. At the harbor, the specialty is fresh fish, such as salmon and herring, as well as seafood. Drottninggtan Street, which is located in the new part of Stockholm, is ideal for you to try 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, in your gastronomic tour you can not miss the Swedish desserts, such as the typical kanelbullar, which consists of cinnamon buns to accompany breakfast or snack. Also traditional is the delicious hjortronparfait dessert, which is an iced berry cake made with raspberries, currants or blueberries.

Something you can not miss in April is a glimpse of the city of Stockholm from one of its viewpoints, the Skinnarviksberget, which is located on a hill above the river, on the shores of Lake Malaren. From there you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and its historical monuments, such as the City Hall and the Royal Palace; and also of the Kungsholmen islands. It is the ideal place to watch the sunrise when spring begins in this month.

The viewpoint is located in the highest area of Stockholm and is a place that locals choose to enjoy a picnic with a privileged view. This place is usually included in the best tours of Stockholm, as it is one of the must-see places in the city. There are often outdoor events and parties, both at dusk and at night.

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

Interesting facts

• Location: 118 23 Stockholm, Sweden.
• Hours: All day.