Stockholm is a city ensconced in nature, spread across 14 islands, as well as thousands of skerries and rocks. So there’s something for everyone in the Swedish capital, whether you’re after a culture fix or an adventure in the great outdoors – or both.

We’ve picked out six of the best Stockholm apartments for rent across the wider archipelago that offer a dose of design inspiration to boot.

Villa Drottningholm by Ralph Erskine

From £1,820 per week via The Modern House
3 Bedrooms

Villa Drottningholm takes its name from the nearby Drottningholm Palace and was designed by Byker Wall architect Ralph Erskine for his family between 1956 and 1963. Its bold, Modernist design is a stark contrast to its historic neighbours, and it was considered pretty radical at the time of its construction. The Stockholm rental property can sleep up to seven people.

Sea Cottage in Saxarfjärden

From £174 per night via Airbnb
1 bedroom

You can’t get much closer to the water than this cosy couples’ cottage in Saxarfjärden, which nestles into a cliff beside the sea. Owned by an architect, the Stockholm archipelago apartment is available to rent via Airbnb and it’s pretty lo-fi, so don’t expect such luxuries as a flushing toilet or hot water on demand… What you do get is peace and quiet, and unrivalled views across the Stockholm archipelago – especially from its dining terrace.

Contemporary Kungsholmen penthouse

From £329 per night via Airbnb
3 bedrooms

If you don’t fancy roughing it, this Stockholm apartment is a contemporary bolthole for exploring the city. It has been recently refurbished, with the traditional Swedish stove ditched in favour of a cool concrete fireplace in the living room. Textures have been sumptuously layered across the three bedroom abode, including marble counters in the kitchen, crisp white walls and a mix of parquet and stone flooring. A bonus is the balcony with views out over the surrounding rooftops.

Nacka industrial loft

From £140 per night via Airbnb
3 bedrooms

For rent in the Nacka area of Stockholm County, this holiday apartment sits within a converted industrial building and offers proximity to the city – a 10 minute train ride away – and the lake for swimming. A simple monochrome colour palette has been used across the loft’s light-drenched interiors, with a few bursts of colour coming courtesy of kilim rugs and wall hangings.

The Heleneborgsgatan Residence in Södermalm

From €200 per night via Kid & Coe
2 bedrooms

The light-filled Victorian townhouse sits in the much sought-after Honstull area of Södermalm. Its ground floor houses an open-plan kitchen and living room, while two bedrooms are tucked on the level above. Interiors combine period features with a cosy Scandi vibe, and the Stockholm home – for rent via Kid & Coe – has views of the Riddarfjärden from every room. It is crowned by roof terrace and has access to a leafy garden.

Casa Barone in Ingarö

From £968 via Airbnb
4 bedrooms

Casa Barone was built in 2007 by Stockholm-based practice Widjedal Racki Bergerhoff, and digs into the side of a steep waterside plot in Ingarö, Stockholm County. Its layout is ‘topsy turvy’ to capitalise on its lakeside views, with the kitchen and living room filling the top level – and branching off to an outdoor terrace – and bedrooms tucked below. Both levels have floor-to-ceiling glass and face onto the water.

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