Stockholm rewards walkers. The city is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, and the route along the waterfront from Gamla Stan east to Djurgården puts that geography on full display — water on both sides, the Old Town behind you, and one of Europe's most unusual island parks ahead.
Starting point: Gamla Stan and the waterfront edge
Begin in Gamla Stan, Stockholm's medieval Old Town. Before heading east, take a few minutes to walk through Stortorget, the city's oldest square, surrounded by colourful 17th-century merchant houses. It gives you a sense of what Stockholm looked like before the modern city grew up around it.
From Gamla Stan, cross to the waterfront on the northern side and walk east along the water toward Östermalm. The boulevard Strandvågen lines the edge of Östermalm with a wide promenade, grand buildings, and views across the water toward Djurgården. It is one of Stockholm's most handsome stretches of pavement, and on a clear day the island ahead is visible the whole way.
Crossing to Djurgården
At the end of Strandvågen, you have two options for reaching Djurgården: walk across one of the bridges on foot, or take the Djurgårdslinjen ferry, which connects central Stockholm to the island and runs frequently during summer. The crossing takes only a few minutes and gives you a different angle on the waterfront you just walked — worth doing at least one way.
Djurgården itself is largely green parkland. The paths through the island are quiet even when the museums are busy, and walking between the attractions is part of the appeal rather than a chore.
What to see on Djurgården
The island holds several of Stockholm's major attractions, and you can reasonably visit two or three on a full day out. Key stops include:
- The Vasa Museum — houses the 17th-century warship Vasa, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was salvaged intact in 1961. The ship is 69 metres long and the scale of it inside the museum is genuinely surprising.
- Skansen — the world's first open-air museum, opened in 1891. It covers a large area of the island with historic buildings, a zoo with Nordic animals, and regular cultural events.
- Gröna Lund — an amusement park that has been on the island since 1883, making it the oldest in Sweden.
- ABBA The Museum — an interactive exhibition dedicated to Sweden's most internationally recognised band.
All four are within walking distance of each other. Card payment is standard everywhere on the island — Stockholm is almost entirely cashless, so there is no need to carry Swedish kronor in notes.
Practical notes for the walk
The full route from Gamla Stan to the far end of Djurgården is manageable for most walkers, but comfortable shoes matter on the cobblestones of Gamla Stan. The walk is largely flat once you leave the Old Town. English is widely spoken at every attraction and along the route, so navigation and tickets are straightforward for international visitors.
The Djurgårdslinjen ferry runs as part of Stockholm's public transport network under SL, and an SL travel card may cover the journey depending on the ticket type — confirm before boarding. In quieter seasons, ferry frequency drops, so the bridges become the more reliable crossing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I do this walk without a car or organised tour?A: Yes. The entire route from Gamla Stan to Djurgården is walkable and well-signed, and public transport fills in any gaps. No guide or advance booking is needed for the walk itself, though individual museum tickets are worth checking in advance during peak summer months.
Q: How long does the walk take?A: The walk from Gamla Stan to Djurgården takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes at a relaxed pace without stops. Add however long you plan to spend inside the museums — a full day is not excessive if you want to visit more than one.