10 Things to Do in Stockholm in October

With the arrival of October, Stockholm's autumn scenery comes into its own. The leaves of the trees are slowly beginning to fall, turning ochre and reddish, while the sunset covers the city with its warmth, creating a magical natural setting.

In October you'll find the best things to do in Stockholm, with boat trips on the Baltic Sea and walks in the natural parks being some of the favourite activities. You can also explore the city by bike, connect with nature on a night safari and even sample seasonal cuisine.

If you plan to spend two or more days in Stockholm in October, you must try the traditional dessert of this land, the kanelbullensdag or cinnamon roll. This month (4 October) is the national day for this gastronomic delicacy.

There are many places in the city where you can enjoy a delicious kanelbullensdag. For example, some of the most popular among locals and tourists are the Vallhallabageriet bakery, the Bageri Petrus bakery , the Vete-Katten coffee shop, and others.

After you've had your fill of this dessert made from rye sourdough, fruit, nuts, cinnamon, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, you can continue to discover the culture and history of the Swedish capital. Perhaps join a private tour of Stockholm, visit one of the city's more than 60 museums, have fun at the Gröna Lund amusement park, etc.

Take advantage of **Stockholm'**s pleasant weather in October, with maximum temperatures of 10°C and a UV index of just 1, to take a walk through the city's natural parks. You'll enjoy beautiful scenery dotted with the warm colours of the autumn period.

The main city parks to visit in Stockholm include the following:

• Nobel Parken; this is a waterfront park with a view of the marina and lush greenery. In October you'll see red, yellow and orange leaves in the treetops.
• The Royal Urban National Park, which stretches some 9.6 kilometres. This natural lung runs through the city and has large alleys where you can take a walk.
• The Haga Parken, which is notable for its tall trees, the ruins of an ancient castle and the Brunnsviken Lake on its shore.

Once you have finished your walk through the city's parks, you can continue with your itinerary. Perhaps take a boat ride under Stockholm's bridges, walk at your own pace through the streets of Gamla Stan, or even take a sightseeing bus tour of Stockholm.

A boat trip on the Baltic Sea at sunset is another activity not to be missed in October. You'll see the city's skyline from a different perspective as the last rays of the autumn sun colour the landscape with its warm tones of red, orange and yellow.

Along this boat trip, you'll be able to see the city's old town and some of the city ' s historical monuments. Such is the case of the following places:

• The Royal Palace, which stands out for its baroque architectural style.
• The Town Hall, built on the island of Kungsholmen. This building is bordered by water and is well known for the three golden crowns on its tower. You will be able to identify them quickly from the boat.
• The Parliament Palace, built between 1897 and 1905, with a particular neoclassical style and a façade belonging to the baroque renaissance architecture.

This scenic cruise around the Stockholm archipelago will also take you to several islands, where you can enjoy the lush natural scenery. For example, one of the places that will immediately catch your attention is the island of Djurgården, where the Royal Garden is a highlight.

Despite the passage of time, the sauna culture is still very much alive and well in Stockholm. It's a traditional practice that will not only help you release tension, but will also allow you to warm up on October days when the temperature drops to around 7ºC. During your stay, go to a Swedish sauna and feel like a local.

Attending a bastu or Swedish sauna is not a difficult task, as the city is dotted with such places. For example, you can go to Hellasgården; this is a very popular sauna that is located in front of a natural lake, providing you with a pleasant panorama.

After relaxing and recharging your batteries in a bastu, you can continue exploring the city at your leisure. And what better way to do this than by joining a Segway tour of Stockholm. It's an unusual, but fun way to travel further distances in the city and get to the places that cars can't.

October is the ideal time to discover Stockholm on two wheels, due to the weather conditions. The wind is only 4°C and the speed is around 19km/h, so you'll enjoy a very cool atmosphere during the tour. Hop on a bike and have a different time cycling through the city.

This unusual tour will take you through the streets of Gamla Stan. You can take this adventure alone or with a guide, and you can save time and money with the latter option. You won't run the risk of getting lost in the streets, and you won't have to rent a bike on your own.

In any case, when you go on a bike tour of Stockholm, you'll pass in front of the city's most emblematic sights. For example, the City Hall, Riddarholmen Church, the Royal Palace, St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Parliament, among others.

The Swedish capital in October offers its diners plenty of fresh seasonal produce: oysters, lobsters, mussels, crayfish, cranberries, raspberries and mushrooms. Take a gastronomic tour of the local markets and restaurants to satisfy your palate.

You can start your tour by visiting some of the markets. For example:

• Õstermalms Saluhall market, this is a place of tradition dating back to 1880. You will find everything from farm produce stalls to a variety of seafood.
• The underground market Hõtorgshallen, which offers seafood, vegetables, fruit, berries, etc.

You can also include in the route of this gastronomic tour of Stockholm places such as:

• Kungsgatan shopping street, with a large food court where you can relax while tasting some seafood with a glass of wine.
• The P&B Delikatesser health food shop, with homemade blackberry jam, liquorice, truffles and more.

A kayak tour of Stockholm in October is a relaxing experience, as the waters are calm and the environment is cool. You'll be able to paddle safely, feeling only a cooing sound in the canoe as you move along. You will also enjoy the autumn scenery, which is present in the natural areas that accompany the islands of this city.

You will paddle through the central islands of Stockholm, while enjoying the fresh air and the sun's rays, which at this time of the year only reach a UV index of 1, making them harmless to your skin. And as you move away from the docks, your view of the city's skyline expands, offering a privileged view.

Some of the sights you'll see on this kayak tour of Stockholm include the following:

• Gamla Stan, the famous historic centre of the Swedish capital.
• Kungsholmen Island, which houses the seat of the national government, i.e. the City Hall.
• Langholmen Island, which stands out for its beauty and because it is home to the memorial museum of Carl Michael Bellman, a Swedish-born musician.
• Riddarholmen Church, considered one of the oldest buildings in the city, dating back to the 13th century.

A trip to discover Stockholm's wilderness by night is a great option during the month of October. You will enjoy a dreamlike setting: the trails covered with reddish leaves falling from the treetops, the crystal clear water of the small streams and the warmth of the autumn light.

This experience, which is usually guided, will allow you to explore the natural areas less frequented by tourists. You will learn about the history of these lands covered with lush vegetation and amazing wildlife such as lynx, wolves, bears and reindeer.

On this night wildlife safari in Stockholm you will have the opportunity to see the sunset with its melting pot of warm and vibrant colours. Also, visit a camp and fika in front of a campfire.

Another great thing to do during late October and into early November in Stockholm is to visit the Skansen open-air museum. Here you can enjoy special autumn activities and discover the secrets of the neighbourhood that gives the museum its name.

When you arrive at Skansen you will feel like you have travelled back in time, as this place, considered one of Stockholm's best museums, accurately recreates the daily life of the locals before the industrialisation process began in the city.

During this time of the year you will have the opportunity to participate in handicraft workshops. You can also head to the cottages to hear the terrifying stories of the Skansen quarter. This is in connection with the Halloween celebrations.

Also, with tickets to the Skansen open-air museum in Stockholm, you will have access to the zoo, which houses several species of animals: goats, lapphund, geese, reindeer, among others. To finish, you can participate in a fika with a hot drink and some sweet snacks.

If your 3-day visit to Stockholm or longer coincides with the last week of October, you'll have the opportunity to join in the city's Halloween celebrations. You'll enjoy a colourful parade, dress up in costume, visit local nightclubs and more.

You'll head to the outskirts of Kungsträdgården, which is the starting point of the parade, whose route usually runs through the streets of Gamla Stan until it returns to the starting point. Along the route, you'll see a number of colourful floats and dozens of people in terrifying costumes.

After the parade, you can take a ghost tour of Stockholm. And as night falls, enjoy the nightlife at local clubs and pubs, which offer Halloween-themed parties. Popular venues include Café Opera Stockholm, V Wall Stockholm, Trädgården Stockholm, among others.

Temperatures in Stockholm during October tend to range from an average low of 7°C to a high of 10°C. In addition, the recorded rainfall is about 74 millimetres, which corresponds to approximately 4 rainy days. In addition, the precipitation record is about 74 millimetres, which corresponds to approximately 4 rainy days.

Regarding sea water temperature, it generally averages 10.2ºC. Meanwhile, the wind in Stockholm can reach 4°C and a wind speed equivalent to about 19km/h. This is a month with fairly cool weather, ideal for enjoying Stockholm's best outdoor tours.

Because the weather in Stockholm in October is quite cool, you should ideally start by packing clothes made of slightly sturdy fabrics: a coat, trousers, long skirts or dresses, a scarf and gloves. You will need these items especially at night, when temperatures drop.

You should also pack closed-toe shoes, which will be useful when trekking. Also, don't forget to pack a swimming costume in case you want to take a dip in the Baltic Sea or do some water sports.