Park areas around Brunnsviken are part of Nationalstadsparken, Sweden’s National City Park. Visitors use them for picnics, swimming and recreation. The area has rolling parkland, a botanical garden, cafes, palaces and buildings of historic interest. Around the lake, a visit can include time outdoors and stops at the parks and sights on its shores.

Haga Park occupies the western shore. Gustav III initiated its layout between 1771 and 1793. Promenade streets run along the shores, and the park has avenues. Historic buildings there include Gustav III’s pavilion, the Copper Tents and Haga Castle. The Butterfly House Haga Ocean is also in Haga Park, which is one of Sweden’s leading examples of an English park.

On the southern shore, Bellevueparken sits above the parks and lake, with views over them. The sculptor Carl Eldh’s studio and museum are there. On the eastern shore, visitors can find the Bergius Botanic Garden, boat clubs and the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Visit Stockholm describes picnics, swimming and recreation in the park areas, but gives no specific visit duration or prices.