Sarah Sjöström: My 5 Stockholm Favorites
Publish date: 27 March 2026
Since her breakthrough at the age of 14, Sarah Sjöström has been one of the brightest stars in swimming—a status that became even more evident after her successes in the 2020s, with multiple Olympic gold medals and world records. Stockholm has been Sarah’s home base throughout her career, and here are her five must-see tips in the Swedish capital.
Sarah Sjöström has more or less won everything there is to win in her sport and events, and in the process has become one of Sweden’s most beloved athletes, while also earning international acclaim. She also has a strong connection to Stockholm – a city she gladly returns to for socializing, training, and relaxing. It was here she first learned to swim, and to this day she lives in the greater Stockholm area, with close access to both city life and nature.
“I enjoy going into the city center for a stroll, grabbing a coffee, or having dinner, but I prefer having my home in a quieter part of Stockholm. We really enjoy living outside the center of the city,” she says.
The reason Sarah has remained in Stockholm throughout her career is mainly because her coaching team has been based here, and she has had the opportunity to fully commit to the sport, while also enjoying life in her hometown. When she has time off, she appreciates the city’s variety – from peaceful walks to lively cafés and cultural experiences. Here she shares some of her personal favorites in Stockholm.
Sarah Sjöström’s 5 Stockholm Recommendations
Fika: “I love fika and can’t limit myself to just one recommendation – so here are three different cafés that are all worth a visit. Vattenverket is great if you’re traveling by car or don’t mind a longer public transport trip. It offers a nature-close experience near the city. Two other recommendations are Stora Bageriet and Skeppsbro Bageri.”
Skansen: “Definitely worth at least half a day. I find it super nice – both with and without kids.”
Djurgården: “A perfect place for a walk or a run. Beautiful surroundings and often a fresh breeze from the water.”
Monteliusvägen: “Another great walk with stunning views. I think you should finish with a picnic at Skinnarviksberget.”
Millesgården: “Lidingö’s most famous attraction is worth a visit – the beautiful surroundings and impressive statues are a must. They also have a great restaurant if you’re feeling hungry.”
From April 9–12, 2026, Sarah Sjöström will compete in the Malmsten Swim Open at Eriksdalsbadet - an international competition that brings together some of the world’s top swimmers and gives the audience a chance to experience elite-level swimming in Stockholm.
“It’s really fun to have a competition like this that keeps growing every year. It takes place during a period when many athletes are aiming to qualify for championships, and it also provides a great opportunity for Swedish swimmers who may not have the means to travel abroad to test their level against swimmers from other countries,” says Sarah.
“I’ve never needed to use it as a taper meet since I usually meet the qualifying times anyway. But it’s often a good checkpoint halfway through the season to see where I stand. I’ve been close to world records a few times, so it’s still fast,” she says.