Major city · Sweden
Ekerö
Go as a day trip from Stockholm for Drottningholm and Birka; sleep here only if you want lake quiet and a car-free slow day.
Ekerö is a freshwater archipelago in Lake Mälaren, 20–40 minutes west of central Stockholm by bus. It holds two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Drottningholm Palace, where Sweden's royal family lives, and the Viking-age town of Birka on Björkö. Farms, forest and shoreline still dominate, so most visitors come for one focused day rather than a base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SEK
- Best months
- May–Sep for boats and outdoor sites; Dec for a snowy palace walk
- avoid Nov–Mar for Birka (boat and museum shut); check ice and dark afternoons
- Airports
- ARN · BMA
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Sweden ↗Sweden is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Sweden ↗Many shops, cafés, buses and even toilets do not accept cash: bring a card that works with PIN and contactless.
- Sweden ↗The right of public access (allemansrätten) lets you walk and camp for a night on most land; keep away from homes and leave no trace.
- Sweden ↗Drinks stronger than light beer are sold only at the state Systembolaget shops, which close in the evenings and on Sundays.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ekerö112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ekerö, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Swedish krona (SEK, kr); the euro is not used.Sweden-wide
- SIM or eSIMEU roaming applies for EU/EEA SIMs.Sweden-wide
- Tap waterTap water is excellent; ask for 'kranvatten', often free.Sweden-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Included; add 5–10% on the card terminal for good service.Sweden-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Sweden-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are clean but often card-paid (SEK 5–10 (≈ US$1–2)); cafés reserve them for customers.Sweden-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, fire, ambulance · 114 14 police non-emergency · 1177 Health advice (1177) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums often close on Mondays outside summer; Systembolaget closes around 19:00 weekdays, 15:00 Saturdays and all Sunday.Museums often close on Mondays outside summer; Systembolaget closes around 7:00 PM weekdays, 3:00 PM Saturdays and all Sunday.Sweden-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportARN Stockholm Arlanda (About 45–60 min to central Stockholm by Arlanda Express or commuter rail, then bus onward to Ekerö.).
- Getting aroundSL buses run from Brommaplan metro station (green line) across the islands; bus 176/177 and 301–336 serve Drottningholm…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a bunkr 60–110
- Street or quick mealPalace café sandwich or saladkr 90–160
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxikr 150–220
- Metro or bus rideSL single bus or metro ridekr 43–50
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekkr 100–250
- Museum or sight ticketLunch buffet at Ekebyhov Palace (weekdays)kr 120–180
- Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per personSEK 300 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomSEK 1,400 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomSEK 2,600 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SEK 450 (≈ US$50) · Mid SEK 800 (≈ US$85) · High SEK 1,500 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ARN Stockholm Arlanda (About 45–60 min to central Stockholm by Arlanda Express or commuter rail, then bus onward to Ekerö.) · BMA Stockholm Bromma (Closest airport to Ekerö; bus from Brommaplan, about 20–30 min. Few routes, so check your airline.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Apr
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Nov
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Care
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: May–Sep. Mixed: Dec. Avoid: Jan–Mar, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Nov (10 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ekerö: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
7 rd
Mar
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Apr
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Oct
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
SL buses run from Brommaplan metro station (green line) across the islands; bus 176/177 and 301–336 serve Drottningholm, and 312 runs to Adelsö via a free ferry. Boats from Stockholm City Hall go to Drottningholm and Birka in summer. The land is flat, so a bike works when the weather does; Björkö has no road bridge and is reached by boat only.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40–55 min
SL bus to Brommaplan, then metro green line to the centre
Ekerö works as a Stockholm day trip in both directions.
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h
Bus and commuter rail via Stockholm or Bålsta
Small lakeside town with runestones; easier as its own half-day from the city.
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h
Bus and commuter rail via Stockholm
No direct link; not worth the transfer time from Ekerö.
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h
Bus to Brommaplan, metro, then SJ or commuter train
Cathedral and mounds need a full day; sleep there rather than return late.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ekerö town (centrum)
Bus hub, shops and pharmacy; Hotel Stjärnan is here. Best if you have no car.
Drottningholm and Lovön
Walk to the palace at opening; quiet, few beds, book ahead.
Rastaholm and Adelsö side
Marina, hostel and restaurant near the Birka boat jetty; car or bus 312 needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- kr 350–600 excl. bed
- Mid
- kr 600–1,100 excl. bed
- High
- kr 1,100+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × SEK 1,400 | SEK 1,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × SEK 800 | SEK 1,600 |
| SL 24-hour travel card, zone A–B2 × SEK 175 | SEK 350 |
| Strömma boat, City Hall to Drottningholm, return2 × SEK 260 | SEK 520 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × SEK 150 | SEK 300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SEK 417 |
| Trip total≈ SEK 2,294 per person per day, bed included | SEK 4,587≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in kronor; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a bun | kr 60–110 |
| Lunch buffet at Ekebyhov Palace (weekdays) | kr 120–180 |
| Palace café sandwich or salad | kr 90–160 |
| SL single bus or metro ride | kr 43–50 |
| 5 km taxi | kr 150–220 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | kr 100–250 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Birka's boat and museum run in the summer season only: check dates before you plan the day.
- Drottningholm Palace rooms close on the royal family's schedule; the grounds stay open.
- Bus 312 to Adelsö uses a free car ferry: check the timetable, gaps are long.
- Card and Swish are normal; some small farm stalls and cafés take cash only.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 112
- Police non-emergency
- 114 14
- Health advice (1177)
- 1177
Pocket card
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EkeröEkerö
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Till den här adressen, tackTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance112
- Police non-emergency114 14
- Health advice1177
Embassy
Most embassies are in central Stockholm; the US embassy is on Dag Hammarskjölds väg. Check your own country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Brommaplan → Drottningholm: about 20 min, SL ticket
- Boat City Hall → Drottningholm, return: about kr 260
- Bus 312 to Adelsö: free ferry crossing, check timetable
Say or show
- Hej — Hello (hey)
- Tack — Thank you (tack)
- Hur mycket kostar det? — How much is it? (hoor MICK-eh KOSS-tar deh)
- Kan jag betala med kort? — Can I pay by card? (kan yag beh-TAH-la med kort)
- Var är toaletten? — Where is the toilet? (var air too-ah-LETT-en)
- En biljett, tack — One ticket, please (en bil-YETT tack)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ekerö. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep for boats and outdoor sites; Dec for a snowy palace walk · avoid Nov–Mar for Birka (boat and museum shut); check ice and dark afternoons · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Boat-season fixtures for Birka and Drottningholm: first and last departures, weather cancellations, ticket cutoffs.
- Bus 176/177/312 timetable checks with ferry gaps for Adelsö.
- Palace opening-hours page with royal-calendar closures and guided-tour times.
- Winter page: ice safety on Mälaren, ski slope at Ekebyhov, dark-afternoon plans.