Mälaren is a large lake in Sweden, lying west of Stockholm. It is one of the country's most important waterways, and for many visitors it is the setting for a day or more on the water close to the capital.
The lake links Stockholm with Viking-age settlements and royal palaces spread around its many bays and islands. Its shores carry a long record of Swedish history, so a visit can combine open-water scenery with places that tell the story of the region.
What to do on the water
- Boating: the lake's bays and channels suit boats of many kinds, and exploring the islands by water is the most rewarding way to see it.
- Swimming: the shorelines offer places to swim in summer.
- Island hopping: with more than 1,200 islands, there is no shortage of new shorelines to discover.
Heritage along the shore
Viking settlements and royal palaces sit among the bays and islands, linking the lake to Sweden's early and royal past. Walking or cycling the shorelines makes it easy to move between these sites at an unhurried pace.
Because the lake is so close to Stockholm, it works well as a day trip from the city or as an addition to a longer stay. Plan your route around the parts of the shoreline that interest you most, and allow time to simply enjoy the landscape.