Enjoy a concert at the iconic, wavelike Elbphilharmonie. The programme is diverse, covering covers a wide range of music genres, and the venue is worth a visit for the contemporary architecture and city views alone.

Head to Stockholm's historic centre, Gamla Stan, and discover medieval churches and the baroque Palace.

Stockholm's underground transit – the tunnelbanna – is widely regarded as one of the world's longest art galleries. With over 100 stations and nearly 90 artworks across them all, it's well worth getting off at every stop. The most iconic include: Kungsträdgården, with a multicoloured patchwork ceiling; Central Station. with a striking blue and white graphic design, and; Rådhuset, painted entirely in a devilish red.

Explore Stockholm's art scene at the red-brick Fotografiska. Despite being a relative newcomer (it opened its doors in 2010), Fotografiska has been quick to establish itself as one of the leading museums of photography in the world.

Hop onto the tram to head to Westerpark, one of the city’s largest green spaces. It’s home to many lively brewery pubs and cafés, two floating restaurants and a charming 17th-century windmill.

Vondelpark is Amsterdam's largest city park, complete with sculptures, a nature area for wildlife spotting, free open-air theatre in the summer and plenty of paths to explore among the trees and grassy areas.

Hop on the free ferry from behind Central Station with your bike and cycle along the Ijsselmeer coast to Durgerdam. You can also head on out into the countryside to visit the villages of Nieuwendam, Ransdorp and Zunderdorp. Noord is leafy and scenic and home to the Noorderpark.