Autumn is the perfect time to visit Stockholm, especially if want to avoid the high season of tourism and the crowds that come with it. Sure, the weather may turn a bit cooler but there is plenty to do and see, such as visiting museums, hiking through colourful nature and getting mysig or cosy.

Autumn Fair at Skansen

The interactive open-air museum Skansen is the oldest of its kind in the whole world and is a popular attraction among tourists and locals alike. It is beautifully located on Royal Djurgården and guides you through Sweden’s history from the 1720s to the 1960s with picturesque recreated traditional villages that include authentic houses, churches, gardens, farms as well as pharmacies and village halls. Historians and actors in traditional costumes make a visit here even more fascinating, making it a must-see attraction all year round.

However, visiting in autumn promises an even more charming experience. During September, you can learn more about traditional household chores like making jam, gathering mushrooms, preserving berries and much more. Furthermore, the open-air museum hosts the most beautiful outdoor market of Stockholm during this time, the Autumn Fair, inviting you to experience a 18th-century autumn festival. Meet interesting characters in period costumes, indulge in traditional games, music and dances and discover unique foods, candies and crafts on the market.

Stockholm Ghost Walk

Experience Stockholm’s scary and fascinating history with a Ghost Walk! During the 90 minutes long walk you will dive deep into the city’s underground legends and hear tales of unsolved mysteries, myths, murders, executions, diseases and ghosts. Witness history coming to life – you will get the opportunity to touch, smell and taste it while exploring dark streets and alleyways in the oldest parts of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town, making the Ghost Walk the perfect tour for a moody autumn evening!

Looking for an even more intense experience? You can also combine the walk with a wine tasting, go on a private historical ghost tour, explore the extraordinary capabilities of the human mind during a Psychic show or solve a mysterious murder during a 3-course dinner.

Harvest season

An apple a day… Autumn is apple harvest season in Sweden! Swedish apples are renowned to be some of the best in the world and picking apples during your trip guarantees a wholesome day outside. Make sure to taste the famous äppelsmulpaj, a Swedish apple crumble, as well.

Beautifully located just outside of Stockholm in Ekerö, you can pick your own apples at Rosenhill, a traditional and organic family farm that produces vegetables, apples and its own apple juice. You can also bring your handpicked apples here to turn them into your very own äppelmust. Afterwards, you can unwind and enjoy a selection of sandwiches, soup and ice cream as well as cookies at the attached café.

Another popular food to forage for during autumn are mushrooms, one of the most popular staples in Swedish cuisine. While it might be tempting to wander off into the wilderness on your own, we strongly recommend you to go on a tour with an experienced guide who knows which mushrooms are safe to eat. Or explore the forest right next to the city of Stockholm with a hiking trip to see majestic animals living there.

Djurgården

The island of Djurgården is a lush green oasis right in the middle of Stockholm, which in autumn turns golden. It is not only home to some of the city’s most famous museums and attractions like the ABBA museum, the Vasa Museum and the Gröna Lund amusement park but it is also famous for its rich nature and parks.

Whether you come here for the cultural attractions or for hiking, the island is always worth a visit, no matter the weather. In autumn, there are always a lot of new exhibitions and fun activities to be found here, surrounded by beautiful nature.

The area around Rosendal’s Garden and the Djurgården canal are some of the most picturesque areas on the whole island and are even more beautiful than usual with the colourful fall foliage around, making it the perfect spot for a hike or simply to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

Stockholm International Film Festival

The Stockholm International Film Festival has been an autumn staple in Stockholm since 1990. Taking place from November 9 to 20 this year, the festival is presenting 130 different film from all around the world in various cinemas all around the Swedish capital, complemented by film quizzes, workshops and parties.

The festival is well known for promoting young and unestablished filmmakers as well as shedding a light on the newest cinematographic developments and trends. Additionally, it is attended by hundreds of filmmakers, actors and actresses every year. So besides seeing the newest films before everybody else, this festival also might be your chance to meet stars like Martin Scorsese, the Cohen Brothers or Quentin Tarantino.