Last summer, my husband and I spent ten days in Europe, visiting Stockholm, Tallinn, and Helsinki. In each city, we found time to work out and run, so I thought I’d share a few of our favourite routes. I know I’m super late in posting these, but better late than never, right? As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I’m really lucky because my husband does much of the route planning for us. If you’re looking for easy routes to follow and don’t want to plan your own, you can use Strava to find local running routes or check out greatruns.com which always has several recommendations.

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, offers a stunning backdrop for runners, blending historical charm with breathtaking natural beauty, and we were so excited to explore! The city is spread across 14 islands, connected by bridges, making it a unique and picturesque destination for running enthusiasts. You can run across many of the bridges and don’t need to rely on boats, making it easy to get around. When we were looking at different routes to run, we felt spoiled for choice!

Our hotel in Stockholm was right in the center near the train station, which made heading out to run very convenient. The first run I went on in Stockholm took me down to the waterfront and along a trail past the beautiful town hall.

The paved trail continued along the water, past houses, businesses, moored boats, and lots of gardens with pretty coffee and ice cream stalls. There were also a few waterside cafes where people were enjoying lunch and catching up.

As I got further from the city center, the path turned into a trail that ran through parks and alongside the popular city beaches. I ran under the Västerbron Bridge and past the Smedsuddsbadet beach, where people were sunbathing and jumping into the water, and then up a huge hill that provided panoramic views over the water and the Essinge Boat Club.

Since this was my first run in Stockholm, I picked a simple out-and-back route. Once I reached the highest point, which was a residential area with pretty apartments and incredible views, I turned around and headed home.

Sometimes I think out-and-backs can be a bit boring, but when I’m on holiday sightseeing, I find them relaxing. It’s easier to find my way back to the hotel when I don’t have a cellphone for Google Maps, and I also find that on the return journey, you notice things you didn’t see on the way out, often from a different perspective. One thing I really appreciated about this run was the clearly marked paths and trails for cyclists and pedestrians. Both were separated from each other, and well signposted, which made it feel safe and easy to navigate.

My second run in Stockholm was even prettier than the first! Starting at the hotel again, I ran through Norrmalm, down to, and around the harbor where all the tour boats depart. Even early in the morning, it was a bustling place, especially as I passed the Grand Hôtel. As I made my way to the island of Skeppsholmen, I crossed the iron Skeppsholmsbron bridge, built in the 1800s. I was stunned to see a sparkling gilded crown built into one of the side railings, offering amazing views of Gamla Stan (Old Town).

Skeppsholmen is a small, peaceful island where I passed only a few dog walkers, runners, and fishermen. The island is home to the Moderna Museet, which exhibits works by Picasso, and the Asian art museum Östasiatiska Museet. In the past, the island had a significant military presence due to its strategic position at the Baltic Sea entrance to the city. While the buildings have been repurposed, they still retain a military feel.

The island is encircled by boardwalks and a walking path, and as I ran along it, I passed hundreds of fishing boats moored up, being tended to by their owners and prepared for sailing. I ran around the island twice and then crossed a tiny bridge to the even smaller island of Kastellholmen, which has a turreted 19th-century castle at its peak.

If we’d had more time, I could’ve run around Stockholm for weeks! There are so many islands, paths, and amazing places to see, and the historic scenery is beautiful.

If you find yourself in the city, know that you’ll find a vibrant running community, with safe, easily accessible places to explore. Whether you’re a casual jogger or a seasoned marathoner, Stockholm’s diverse running routes cater to all levels. The city’s well-maintained paths, clean air, and beautiful scenery make every run a memorable experience. Don’t forget to reward yourself with a traditional Swedish fika after your run – a perfect and very tasty way to blend fitness with local culture!