As well as traditional city sightseeing and exploring the city’s historic landmarks, get ready for the following activities in Stockholm.

The 10 best hotels in Stockholm

Sights and history

Stockholm’s ‘must-see’ is, of course, its historic centre, which is concentrated within a very small area around the Gamla Stan district.

Stockholm may not have a large number of world-famous sights, but it exudes a pleasant Scandinavian atmosphere, which is emphasised by the distinctive architecture typical of the Nordic region.

Whilst strolling through the centre of Stockholm, you shouldn’t miss these sights. Click on the name for more detailed information:

• The Royal Palace
• German Church
• Storkyrkan Cathedral
• Riddarholm Church
• The Parliament Building

You can explore the Old Town in half a day. If you have time to spare and the weather is fine, don’t miss a visit to the so-called ‘Versailles of the North’ – head 10 km out of town to Drottningholm Palace.

Museum tour

Whilst Stockholm may lag behind other major cities in terms of the number of famous landmarks, it more than makes up for this with its wealth of excellent museums.

We describe the most famous museums in more detail on separate subpages:

• The ABBA Museum
• The Nordic Museum
• The Vasa Museum
• Skansen
• Nobel Prize Museum
• Fotografiska

However, there are other museums in Stockholm that we haven’t described in detail yet, so we’re simply providing a link to their official websites.

• The National Museum (nationalmuseum.se) – Sweden’s largest art collections
• The Viking Museum (thevikingmuseum.com) – a small museum of Viking ships
• The Swedish History Museum (historiska.se) – archaeological finds and a museum of Sweden’s earliest history

Experience the ‘Venice of the North’

You only need to look at a map to see that the nickname ‘Venice of the North’ is certainly apt in Stockholm’s case.

The city is spread across 14 large islands and numerous smaller uninhabited ones, and is literally criss-crossed by water. Part of it consists of sea fjords, which merge seamlessly into the vast and highly indented Lake Mälaren, extending up to 65 km inland.

Stockholm’s islands are much larger than those of Venice itself and look a little different. On most of them, you’ll find ordinary residential neighbourhoods, areas of detached houses, as well as blocks of flats. Everything is very well maintained and dotted with hundreds of small parks.

Take a stroll along the water’s edge, whether in the city or in the countryside

The setting in which Stockholm is situated is perfect for short walks – or even long, all-day strolls – along the water’s edge.

Whilst in the city centre around Gamla Stan you can stroll along lively urban promenades, most of which have been converted into pedestrian zones, on the outskirts of the city you can enjoy the great outdoors, with walks through parks and woodland.

In our opinion, Stockholm is the most beautiful city in Europe – and perhaps even in the world – for walks along the waterfront.

But it’s not just on foot that you can enjoy this city criss-crossed by water...

Hop on the ferry

Enjoy Stockholm from the water and hop on one of the many ferries that form part of the public transport network; standard tickets are valid on these services.

These ferries operate all year round, serving both the city centre and the outskirts of Stockholm.

During the summer season, from May to September, there are also many commercial tourist boat services operating alongside them.

You can find detailed information, including a map of the ferry routes, in the Transport section.

Discover the incredible underground stations

There aren’t many destinations in the world where something as ordinary and utilitarian as a metro station is one of the main tourist attractions.

Stockholm is certainly one such city.

Since 1957, artists have played an important role in the construction of the metro system. As a result, nearly 20 metro stations serve as unique works of art linked to Swedish culture or history.

Where can you find Stockholm’s most beautiful metro stations featuring art? We describe this in a separate chapter : The Stockholm Metro.

Trips to the surrounding islands

To the east of Stockholm, where the mainland meets the open sea, you’ll find dozens of islands that make up the Stockholm archipelago.

Set off on a day trip and experience the pleasant atmosphere of the Swedish countryside, take a stroll along the coast and, weather permitting, enjoy a swim in the Baltic Sea.

Vaxholm

Vaxholmen, the most populous island with its charming town and beautiful citadel, is also the closest to the centre of Stockholm.

The island of Vaxholm can also serve as a base for exploring other small islands in the vicinity.

Vaxholm is connected to the mainland by a bridge, so you can get there by regular buses as well as by ferry.

• Bus– 670 from Tekniska Högskolan underground station
  • Standard public transport tickets are valid here
  • Journey time – 60 minutes
  • Frequency – every 15 minutes (every 20 minutes at weekends)
• Ferries 83 and 83X– SL ferries depart from the city centre (Strömkajen)
  • Standard public transport tickets are valid here
  • Journey time – 75 minutes
  • Frequency – 4–6 times a day
• Waxholm Ferry– ferries on routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 26 and 27 depart from the city centre (Strömkajen)
  • Price – 64 sek
  • Journey time – 75 minutes
  • Frequency – 4–10 times a day
  • Information: waxholmsbolaget.se
• Stromma ferry– boats depart directly from the city centre (Strandvägen)
  • Price – 175 sek
  • Journey time – 90 minutes
  • Frequency – 1–2 times a day
  • Information: stromma.com

Sandhamn

This remote island, situated almost in the open sea, attracts visitors with its beautiful wooded surroundings, a coastline featuring several small beaches, and a charming little village with typical Swedish cottages.

The boat trip itself is a real experience, as the boat winds its way from central Stockholm through the other islets.

• Stromma ferry– boats sail directly from the city centre (Strandvägen)
  • Price – 224 sek
  • Journey time – 180 minutes
  • Frequency – 1–2 times a day
  • Information: stromma.com
• Waxholm ferries– boats sail either directly from central Stockholm or from the island of Vaxholm
  • Price – 178 sek
  • Journey time – 180 minutes
  • Frequency – 1–2 times a day
  • Information: waxholmsbolaget.se

Enjoy a moment in the café

Swedes are big fans of café culture, and Stockholm, as the capital, is of course no exception.

Whilst you might have to search quite a while to find a typical local restaurant, you’ll come across typical Swedish cafés serving delicious pastries (we particularly recommend the cardamom or cinnamon buns!) on literally every corner.

Skip the hotel breakfast and head to one of the brilliant cafés in the morning instead.

Stockholm’s cafés and patisseries are usually open from 6.30 am until around 7.00 pm.

Nightlife 

When you head out to enjoy the nightlife, don’t forget your ID – you may be asked to show it when entering a bar or pub. Venues set their own minimum age limits; in some places, this can be as high as 27. Long queues form outside popular clubs, and you’ll pay 50–200 sek s for entry (or more during special events).

In the better venues, beer costs 55–75 sek, whilst a drink costs around 140 sek.

Bear in mind that on Sundays and Mondays, many bars and pubs, including the larger ones, are completely closed.

Where to go for a night out?

Stureplanis the neighbourhood around the square of the same name, known for its upmarket nightclubs, where people wait for hours to get in and pay 300 sek and more.  

For a night out with live alternative music, head to Södermalm, specifically to the bars Debaser, Hornshuset and Trädgården.Götgatan(mainly cheaper pubs) and Bondegatan (more for younger people) are also well-known here.  

In Vasastan, Rörstrandsgatan is the place to be, whilst in the Kungsholmen district, the area around the Rådhuset and Fridhemsplan metro stations is bustling, where you’ll mainly find small, quiet and cheaper venues.

Culture

In Stockholm, you can choose from a wide range of theatres.

A visit to the Royal Swedish Opera (operan.se) or the Royal Dramatic Theatre (dramaten.se), which are among the most renowned in Europe.  

Stand-up comedy is becoming increasingly popular here, including in English. It is hosted, for example, by The Big Ben Pub every Thursday at 8.00 pm.  

You can also spend the evening at the cinema, perhaps watching an American film, as Swedish cinemas show films in their original language with subtitles (except for children’s films). Ticket prices are around 290 sek.