The city area branches out across bridges to the Old Town (Gamla Stan) and Södermalm. The body of water they criss-cross is Lake Mälaren, clean enough for swimming or for catching salmon, pike, perch and other freshwater species. When you cross over to the southern part of town check out Långholmen, where Stockholmers go to spend the lazy, hazy days of the dazzling summers here, languishing under the willow trees that curtain this southern bank of the lake.

Going east, along Strandvägen in the Östermalm part of town is Djurgården, essentially a park featuring forests, beaches, gardens, flower and plant nurseries. There's also a wildly beautiful bird reserve by Djurgårdskanalen where you can spot indigenous and migrating bird species. Look out in particular for the graceful herons which nest in the tree tops here in early summer. Chances are you'll also spot roe deer, hare and fox early morning.

In Kungsholmen in western Stockholm, there is a fabulous waterfront walk and cycle path along 'Norrmälarstrand' that wends its way from Stadshuset (City Hall) to the beaches, forests and meadows of Rålambshovsparken. You are rarely more than 100 metres from the nearest building here, but because of the tree cover and being on the western bank of Lake Mälaren, you wouldn't know it.

Heading to the north of the city, the venerable Hagaparken spreads out across a glorious landscape of old forest, parkland, meadows, lakes and ponds.

Try as you will, you just can't get away from Mother Nature's natural charms in Stockholm. It's just as well to succumb to the city's beguiling natural beauty. When in Stockholm, do as Stockholmers do and get close to the stunning nature of the city.