Life’s a lot. Between work deadlines, relationship drama, rent increases, and the general emotional cost of simply existing as yourself in a world that doesn’t always make space for difference, it’s no wonder we are all so tense all the time. Even the strongest amongst us can only carry so much before the cracks start to show, which is why it is so important to occasionally take the time out for a little R&R. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to ease the load here in the Open City. In fact, self-care in Stockholm isn’t some elusive ideal reserved for the woo-woo wellness elite; it’s practically built into the culture.
This city offers countless ways to reset if you know where to look, and even better, many of these sanctuaries are proudly LGBTQ+ embracing. We’ve handpicked five of our favourite places to decompress, stretch, sweat, breathe, and just be. Whether you’re feeling burnt out or just in need of a little ‘me-time’, here’s where to start.
Practice the art of forest bathing on Djurgården
Touch grass. No, seriously – we don’t mean that in a shady TikTok comment sort of way. Studies have actually shown that spending as little as two hours a week immersed in nature can lower stress hormones, boost mood and focus, and ease anxiety, which makes the leafy island of Djurgården a ready-made prescription for an overwhelmed mind and a natural starting point for your self-care journey in Stockholm.
Once a royal hunting ground, Djurgården is now one of Stockholm’s most beloved escapes, with tree-lined paths, quiet canals, open meadows and woodland that changes character as you wander. Take a slow walk beneath the trees, find a quiet spot for a picnic with views of the water, or step off the main routes to explore pockets of woodland where the city feels worlds away.
When you’re ready to rejoin civilisation, you’ll find plenty of cafés dotted about that are perfect for a rejuvenating fika break.
Steam away the stress at Hotel J
There’s a reason sauna culture runs deep in Sweden: research shows regular sessions can lower blood pressure, ease anxiety, and even improve sleep quality. So if life’s been feeling a little overcooked, we’ve got just the place to sweat it out.
The newly designed Panorama Sauna at Hotel J in Nacka pairs all of those glorious mental health benefits with front‑row views of the Baltic through floor‑to‑ceiling windows. It can be booked for up to 15 guests and offers tailored sauna rituals, complete with herbal teas, refreshing drinks, and light snacks. Every detail is considered to create a holistic escape where relaxation is the focus.
Step out onto the terrace between rounds for fresh air or plunge into the sea from the hotel jetty, then return to the heat for another cycle. And if you want to keep the calm going, check into one of Hotel J’s gorgeous waterfront rooms.
Play it out on Skeppsholmen’s scenic tennis court
If hitting a ball back and forth sounds more your speed than sitting still, Skeppsholmen island has a fantastic historic tennis court with your name on it. Built in 1882 for King Oscar II, it’s the oldest outdoor tennis court in Sweden, and it still serves up games today against a backdrop of water and greenery.
Set beside Hotel Skeppsholmen, the court feels more like a private garden than a public facility. The combination of movement, focus, and fresh sea air makes it an easy way to burn off stress (and calories) without the tediousness of a gym. You can rally with a friend, play a casual set, or just enjoy the rhythm of the game as the city hums quietly across the water. And when you’ve had your fill, the island’s leafy paths are perfect for a slow stroll back into the real world.
Find your still point at Ett Hem
While some hotels are simply made for sleeping in, Ett Hem is made for living in. This exclusive boutique property, set across three early-20th-century townhouses in the upmarket Lärkstaden neighbourhood, feels more like a beautifully run private home than a regular hotel where guests pass each other in the corridor and never meet eyes. It’s quite simply the perfect spot for a weekend of self-care in Stockholm.
The team here treat you like an old friend staying in their home – rather than a faceless booking – and encourage you to move at your own pace: help yourself to homemade cakes in the open kitchen, curl up by the fireplace and lose yourself in a book in the impeccably designed lounge, or take tea among soft armchairs in the heated conservatory. You could literally spend hours just moving between its Scandi, lived-in spaces. For a deeper reset, Ett Hem offers a tailored blend of wellness options, from a traditional Swedish sauna and hammam to private yoga and Pilates sessions.