Spring in Stockholm means that the days get noticeably longer, the city starts to feel alive again, and people grab any bit of sunshine they can find.
Early spring can still feel like winter (yes, even snow), but it usually doesn’t last for long. March can swing from -2°C with snow flurries to 8°C and sunny within the same week. A warm April afternoon might be 12°C. Not exactly t-shirt weather, but after winter, Stockholmers will take it. You’ll know spring has arrived when you see Stockholmers sitting at outdoor cafés with blankets draped over their knees, coffee in hand, unwilling to go back inside despite the chill.
Spring weather shifts fast in Stockholm. A sunny morning can turn rainy by afternoon. Have a museum or café in mind as backup to your outdoor plans
Quick spring tips (so you’re not caught off guard)
- Dress in layers. A sunny afternoon can still be cold in the shade.
- Wind matters. Anything on the water (boats, kayaking) feels colder than the temperature suggests.
- Spring weather: Spring temperatures vary from typically -2°C to 5°C (28-41°F) in March to 8°C to 16°C (46-61°F) in May. There can still be snow and ice during March and early April.
- Cherry blossoms vary each year. Usually late April to early May, but can vary by 1-2 weeks. Blooms typically last 7-10 days.
1. See the cherry blossoms at Kungsträdgården
The cherry tree blossom marks the spring arrival after winter. 63 cherry trees were planted in 1998 when Stockholm was the European Capital of Culture. The blossoming of the cherry trees has grown into a popular event and attracts locals and visitors for photo opportunities and for just enjoying the atmosphere. This is a great opportunity for grabbing plenty of photos and selfies.
Want a calmer alternative? Go to Lumaparken in Hammarby Sjöstad. It’s smaller and more local-feeling, and usually much less crowded than Kungsträdgården.
Getting here: Kungsträdgården on Google Maps
2. Take a walk on Djurgården
Djurgården is one of the best places to get that “Stockholm is waking up” feeling. There’s gravel paths following Djurgården’s shoreline, where you’ll spot the first green buds on oak trees and hear warblers returning for the season.
Good for: a slow walk, a light picnic, or pairing with a museum if the weather turns.
3. Have fika at Rosendals Trädgårdskafé
Rosendals Trädgårdskafé is an organic café set in greenhouse gardens where you can take a fika among spring seedlings growing. It’s especially nice when it’s warm enough to sit outside with a coffee and something sweet.
Why spring works well here: it feels green and fresh, but it’s usually not as busy as peak summer.
4. Visit Fjäderholmarna for a relaxed archipelago day
Fjäderholmarna is the closest archipelago outing to central Stockholm: just a 25-30 minute ferry ride from the city. The island offers walking trails with archipelago views, artisan workshops (glassblowing, silversmithing), restaurants serving seafood, and beaches for swimming when weather permits. It offers a complete change of pace but is still very accessible as it’s so close to the city center.
Important note: the island is accessible, but many restaurants and shops are seasonal and mainly open during the summer period (some also do Christmas dining).
So it’s a great spring idea, but check what’s open before you go.
Getting here: Guide to getting to Stockholm Archipelago by ferry
5. Do sightseeing from the water
You can take boat tours in Stockholm even in winter, but many of the more “open-deck” city cruises and seasonal routes usually start up again in late April or May. Spring is a great time to go: fewer crowds than summer, fresh views, and parks along the shoreline turning green.
Tip: choose a calmer day if you can. The wind makes it feel much colder on deck.
6. Rent a kayak (when the weather is calm)
If you want something active, kayaking is one of the most “Stockholm” ways to experience the city. In spring it can be beautiful, but pick a day that isn’t too windy or cold.
Good for: active travelers who don’t mind cool weather.
7. Visit Skansen (open-air museum)
Spring brings newborn animals to Skansen’s farmyard areas. You’ll often see lambs, piglets, and calves in April and May. The historic gardens start blooming with fruit trees, and you can watch traditional craftspeople working outdoors without the peak summer crowds.”
Good for: culture + walking, especially if you want something outdoors that still feels organized and “visitor-friendly.”
8. Go to Millesgården (sculpture park + views)
Millesgården is the former home and studio of sculptor Carl Milles, one of Sweden’s most celebrated artists. The hillside property features dramatic bronze sculptures positioned on terraces with views over Värtan bay, plus an art gallery and the artist’s preserved home. Spring works well here because you can explore the outdoor sculpture terraces without summer crowds, and the soft spring light makes the bronze figures shine.
Getting here: Millesgården on Google Maps
9. Visit Bergianska trädgården (The Bergius Botanic Garden)
This is a strong spring pick because you can mix outdoor walking with greenhouse warmth.
- Outdoor garden areas are open year-round.
- The Edvard Anderson Conservatory is open year-round.
- The Victoria House is open May 1–September 30.
Read more: Bergianska trädgården
10. Bike around the city
Once streets are dry and the air feels a bit softer, biking becomes a really practical way to explore. Spring is nice because it’s usually less crowded than summer.
Good for: covering more ground without spending your whole day on public transport.
11. Visit Gröna Lund (amusement park + concerts)
Gröna Lund is a fun spring marker because it signals that the city is entering its brighter season again. The park usually reopens for the main season in late April, and concerts start ramping up soon after that.
Getting here: Gröna Lund on Google Maps
12. Try an aufguss sauna session at The Sacred Sauna (Slakthusområdet)
Aufguss is a sauna ritual where a sauna master pours water infused with essential oils over hot stones while circulating the heat with rhythmic towel movements. The result is intense heat waves combined with aromatherapy. It’s a more theatrical and guided experience than a traditional Swedish sauna. Spring is an ideal time because it’s cool enough outside to make the heat-to-cold contrast intense without being extreme. After walking in the spring wind or exploring the city, the heat and aromatherapy feel especially restorative.
They specifically offer aufguss-style sessions.
Read more: Guide to the best saunas for visitors to Stockholm
Getting here: Sacred Sauna on Google Maps
13. Explore Stockholm’s parks (simple, but genuinely good in spring)
Spring is when parks go from “gray and sleepy” to “green and social.” Even a short walk becomes nicer once leaves and early flowers start showing up.
Read more: The best parks and green spaces in Stockholm
14. Visit Artipelag (indoor + outdoor)
Artipelag is a contemporary art museum and gallery set on Värmdö island, 25 km east of Stockholm in the archipelago. The 10,000-square-meter (2.5 acres) space features rotating exhibitions in two halls, a coastal promenade, and architecture that blends minimalist Scandinavian design with the surrounding forest and water. Spring works well here because you can split time between indoor galleries and the outdoor coastal promenade depending on weather. If it turns cold or rainy, you’re inside viewing art; when the sun breaks through, you’re walking by the water. The forest approach blooms with early greenery, and you’ll have space to experience it without summer crowds.”
Read more: Artipelag
