Summer in the City: Why Our Stockholm Staycation Was Exactly What We Needed
There is something strangely magical about staying in the city when everyone else leaves.
If you’re new around here, welcome! We live in an apartment building in the heart of Stockholm, Sweden. Typically, July means a mass exodus of city dwellers heading off to their country homes or traveling abroad. For us, staying put meant that our usually bustling building turned into a quiet, peaceful sanctuary. It honestly felt like we had the entire place to ourselves!
So I would like to share how our summer in the city: why our Stockholm staycation was exactly what we needed.
Having the courtyard and garden practically on demand was a huge bonus. We spent countless serene mornings and evenings watering the plants and picking sweet, ripe berries straight from the bushes.
Here is a look back at how we spent our cozy, budget-friendly, and surprisingly adventurous July staycation.
Sunny Days, Evening Work, and Life by the Water
Since both Bella and I work for Boom Photo Booth, a company based out of Hawaii, our work schedule is a bit untraditional. Because of the time difference, our team meetings take place in the evening. That meant our days were wide open for pure summer fun!
Living in Stockholm means living right on the water (being an archipelago has its perks!). We took full advantage of the sunshine:
- Endless Swimming: We spent so many hours splashing around and cooling off in the local waters.
- Waterfront Lounging: We loved sitting by the shore, watching canoes and sailboats glide past.
- Wildlife Watching: Seeing all the tiny, fluffy ducklings and baby swans grow up over the month was an absolute highlight.
We also put on our walking shoes and hit new trails, exploring neighborhoods and nature spots right in our backyard that we’d never taken the time to see before.
The Art of the Slow Day: Fika, Baking, and the World Cup
You can’t talk about a Swedish summer without talking about fika.
For my non-Swedish readers: Fika is so much more than a simple coffee break. It’s a cultural ritual—a deliberate pause in the day to slow down, sip coffee or tea, enjoy a pastry, and genuinely connect with the people around you.
We enjoyed a lot of fika this month! On rainy days when we stayed indoors, the cozy vibes continued. We baked delicious treats together, dusted off our favorite board games, watched the World Cup, and caught up on movies.
Exploring on a Budget: Ferries and Train Rides
Sweden makes it amazingly easy to be a local tourist. During the summer, public transit and regional trains offer heavily discounted tickets. We jumped on the opportunity, taking scenic train rides and hopping on local ferries (which are included in transit!). Seeing the city from the deck of a boat never gets old, and doing it without breaking the bank made it even sweeter.
A Mother’s Perspective: Letting Go of the Pressure
I’ll be honest with you: as a single mom of three, I had moments of worry.
Guilt would creep in, and I’d ask myself if I was failing my kids by not taking them on a massive, action-packed getaway or a trip abroad. But my kids quickly put those worries to rest. All three of them told me how much they loved staying home this year. They didn’t miss the crowded airports, train delays, packed tourist spots, or the inevitable stress that comes with traveling.
They just wanted to relax, recharge, and enjoy being together.
This has been our most eco-friendly and budget-friendly summer break since before the pandemic—and honestly? It was one of our favorites. Being a tourist in your own city opens your eyes to the beauty you usually rush past every day.
We are walking into the new season feeling rested, connected, and full of sweet memories. A Stockholm staycation is officially a new family tradition!
Have you ever done a staycation in your hometown? What are your favorite ways to slow down during the summer? Let’s chat in the comments!
