When it comes to the Nordic countries, not many of us imagine that they could be excellent city breaks. Perhaps, we imagine cold days (and nights), peppery prices and rye bread.
And yes, whilst some of these are true, there is also an unheard side to the story. The beauty that these cities have to offer to tourists and locals alike is indescribable.
Stockholm, with its picturesque canals, vibrant marina area and terraces filled with tourists, answer very well why Stockholm is called Venice of the North.
In our article below we set our recommendations around this amazing capital and describe our experience during our time there.
- Overview
- Travel to and Around Stockholm
- Where to Stay in Stockholm
- Best Things to do in Stockholm
- 1. Visit the Royal Palace and Watch the Changing of the Guard
- 2. Wander Through Gamla Stan (Stockholm’s Old Town)
- 3. Cross Over to the Swedish Parliament (Riksdagshuset)
- 4. Climb Stockholm City Hall for the Best Views
- 5. Explore the Vasa Museum
- 6. Discover Nordic Culture at the Nordiska Museum
- 7. Relax by the Waterfront at Nybrokajen
- 8. Ride the Roller Coasters at Tivoli Gröna Lund
- 9. Visit Rosendals Trädgård on Djurgården Island
- 10. Enjoy Coffee and Cinnamon Buns in Stortorget
- 11. Other Things to Do in Stockholm
- Free Things to Do in Stockholm
- Best Time to Visit Stockholm
- Food highlights
- Final Remarks
Overview
When people think about Nordic capitals, they often imagine long winters, high prices and dark afternoons.
Stockholm, however, quickly changes that perception.
Spread across 14 islands connected by bridges and ferries, Sweden’s capital feels more like a collection of small cities floating on water. Walk through the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan, watch ferries glide through the harbour or sit by the canals with a coffee and cinnamon bun. It doesn’t take long to understand why Stockholm is often called the “Venice of the North.”
We spent several days exploring the city and quickly realised there are far more experiences here than most city break guides suggest.
In this guide we’ll walk you through:
- The best things to do in Stockholm
- A few unique things to do in Stockholm that many travellers miss
- free things to do in Stockholm
- Practical tips on how to get around the islands
If you’re planning a weekend escape or a longer Nordic itinerary, this guide will help you plan it.
Travel to and Around Stockholm
Some of the questions you might have would be “Where to stay?” or “Which Stockholm airport to fly into?” or even “How many days?“. These are all good questions which we aim to answer.
Stockholm is served by three airports:
- Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) – the main international airport
- Stockholm Bromma Airport (BMA) – mostly domestic flights
- Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) – used mainly by low-cost airlines
Flights from London to Stockholm can vary by price but they can be as low as £35 return per person. Read our tips on how to find cheap flights here.
Getting into the city
The fastest way to reach the centre is via:
- Arlanda Express train (20 minutes) – what we took.
- Commuter train
- Airport bus
Getting around Stockholm
Stockholm’s public transport system is excellent and includes:
- Metro (Tunnelbana)
- Ferries between islands
- Trams
- Buses
One thing we particularly liked was the Stockholm metro, which feels like an underground art gallery thanks to its colourful cave-like stations.
Where to Stay in Stockholm
In terms of accommodation, we would recommend booking your travel through an aggregator such as Booking.com or Agoda to get the best rates. You can use the widget below to quickly get some accommodation options for your dates.
Once arrived at the airport you can take the train to the main train station. You will find a few hotels near the Stockholm train station. Those can also be good options if you want to stay in the city centre, however for perhaps a bit better value for money there are other hotels.
We chose to stay at Scandic Star Sollentuna in the metro area of Sollentuna. When travelling in the Nordic countries we always try to stay in the Scandic hotel chain as we find they offer warm rooms, good food and excellent value for money. The hotel wasn’t in the city centre but it was easy to get to by public transport.
One other reason we stood a bit further from the city centre was that we noticed most of the better value rooms were all without windows. Something very important to look out for if you are booking a room in a Stockholmer hotel.
How long to stay in Stockholm?
We would recommend you stay at least a weekend to allow you to visit all the major points of interest.
Best Things to do in Stockholm
Stockholm is famous for its unique architecture, a reminiscence of the glory days of the Swedish Empire. It hosts multiple museums and provides a good set of activities once there.
Below we would like to cover different touristic locations and what to see in 3 days. If you don’t have enough time, you might consider Hop-on Hop-off Bus & Boat Tour to cover the main attractions.
1. Visit the Royal Palace and Watch the Changing of the Guard
To start with one of the places where to go in Stockholm include the Royal Palace. This is situated in the heart of the city overlooking the marina and in old city centre area called Gamla Stan.
We would recommend you go in time also for the change of the guard parade which happens according to these times. The change of the guard in Stockholm is very similar to the ones we have seen in Oslo and in Monaco.
After the spectacle, do get yourself a ticket and visit the state rooms.
They are as majestic and wonderful as any European Palace and provide an insight into how Swedish Royalty lived and hosted their guests during the height of the their reigns.
2. Wander Through Gamla Stan (Stockholm’s Old Town)
If you’re wondering where to start your visit, Gamla Stan is the heart of Stockholm.
This island forms the historic centre of the city and is filled with:
- colourful medieval buildings
- narrow alleyways
- small cafés and bakeries
Be sure to stop in Stortorget Square, where you’ll find some of Stockholm’s most photographed buildings.
3. Cross Over to the Swedish Parliament (Riksdagshuset)
A short walk from Gamla Stan takes you to Riksdagshuset, Sweden’s Parliament building. It sits on Helgeandsholmen island, which is considered the historical centre of Stockholm.
4. Climb Stockholm City Hall for the Best Views
Stockholm City Hall is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. At first glance the building looks austere. However, the interior tells a different story. The motif overall tries to encapsulate all of Stockholm.
Inside you’ll find:
- The Blue Hall, where the Nobel Prize banquet takes place
- The Golden Hall, decorated with thousands of golden mosaics
Be sure to get your tickets to visit the inside but more importantly the tower. Yes – you can go up there!
When inside, you’ll be met by the Blue Hall. This is where the Nobel prize awards happen and where the festivities conclude with announcing the winners.
Up the stairs from the Blue Hall you’ll be greeted by the Golden Hall. The motif in this room is typical Swedish mythology and beliefs. A sure winner for your social media photos nonetheless!
Climb the tower and you’ll get one of the best panoramic views in Stockholm.
In the tower you’ll also be able to see a few statues and artefacts however, when you’ll climb up you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view. Just watch, breath and watch some more. It’s that immersive.
After you’ve absorbed the view with your eyes you are ready for the next challenge – descending the stairs on the way down.
5. Explore the Vasa Museum
The Vasa Museum houses one of Sweden’s most fascinating historical artefacts.
The Vasa was a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage.
Remarkably, the ship was recovered almost intact centuries later and is now displayed inside the museum.
The evidence depicted King Gustavus Adolphus as the main reason for this failure. However, in 17th ct. Sweden, the King couldn’t be wrong or to be blamed and hence the inquiry at the time concluded that no one is to blame.
6. Discover Nordic Culture at the Nordiska Museum
Right across from the Vasa Museum you’ll find Nordiska Museet.
This museum explores:
- Nordic traditions
- clothing and fashion
- cultural festivals
- Scandinavian design
7. Relax by the Waterfront at Nybrokajen
If you want to experience Stockholm like a local, spend some time at Nybrokajen.
We sat at one of the terraces near the Royal Dramatic Theatre and simply watched boats move through the harbour.
Sometimes the simplest moments end up being the most memorable.
8. Ride the Roller Coasters at Tivoli Gröna Lund
If you’re travelling with family, Tivoli Gröna Lund is one of the most fun places in Stockholm. Don’t mistake this with Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.
The amusement park offers:
- roller coasters
- games
- concerts
Right next door you’ll also find Skansen, an open-air museum that recreates traditional Swedish life.
9. Visit Rosendals Trädgård on Djurgården Island
To finish your afternoon we recommend heading over to Rosendals Trädgård. Which continues along the main road from Skansen museum.
At Rosendals you’ll also be able to serve tea and other refreshments whilst enjoying the warm sun rays and the wonderfully green tea garden.
On the way back to the city centre be sure to take the ferry. It will offer a spectacular evening view full of lights and people on either sides of the canal enjoying their drinks and filling their time with laughter and good joy.
10. Enjoy Coffee and Cinnamon Buns in Stortorget
If you’re wondering where to shop in Stockholm, a good tourist area filled with souvenirs and other such items would be Västerlånggatan street and any of the adjacent streets.
One of our favourite stops was Vete-Katten bakery, where we enjoyed coffee and cinnamon buns topped with Swedish pearl sugar.
11. Other Things to Do in Stockholm
Free Things to Do in Stockholm
If you’re visiting on a budget, there are plenty of free things to do in Stockholm.
- Walk through Gamla Stan
- Explore the waterfront promenades
- Visit Stockholm’s metro art stations
- Take a ferry ride through the archipelago views
- Relax in Djurgården park
Best Time to Visit Stockholm
Stockholm is one of those cities that changes character depending on the season. The long summer days bring lively waterfront terraces and boat trips across the archipelago, while winter transforms the old town into something that feels almost like a Nordic fairy tale.
When we visited, we realised that each season offers a slightly different way to experience the city.
Summer (June–August)
- Long daylight hours
- Festivals and outdoor cafés
- Perfect weather for island hopping
Winter (December–February)
- Christmas markets
- Snow-covered old town
- Cosy Nordic atmosphere
Food highlights
Finally we go to the interesting bit. Where do you go to eat in Stockholm and what to eat?
The Stockholm culinary scenery is diverse and offers many choices from modern Nordic cuisine to steak houses fit for all tastes and pockets.
Vete-Katten
First of all – be sure to try this bakery: Vete-Katten. I discovered it in one of my business trips and then we went there again on our city break. It is a proper elegant café/bakery that has a variety of sandwiches but more importantly pastries and cake comparable to a French pastry shop.
Get yourself a cup of coffee from any of the free to take cups found in the inside of the venue and order a nice warm cinnamon bun with Swedish pearl sugar. Mouth-watering? Yeah – thought so.
Stockholms Gästabud
For a traditional meal head over to Stockholms Gästabud. They offer traditional Swedish cuisine. The food feels fresh, simple and tastes delish.
Word of advice, the venue is more like a bistro and has limited seating. Avoid busy times or perhaps eat a little earlier or a little later your lunch.
You’d be surprised but not many restaurants cook traditional Swedish cuisine in Stockholm. Yes – you heard that right.
Stockholmers are big fans of refined cuisine and one thing you’ll notice as you go trough restaurant recommendations is how difficult it is to find something more casual and traditional venue. So much for those meatballs with mash!
Final Remarks
To conclude our guide, what we can definitely agree regarding Stockholm is the fact that not only it is a veritable city break destination but the architecture, sights and canals answer the question why Stockholm is the best city to visit for any tourist planning their next destination.
Stockholm is perfect for a city break and you can easily visit and see the top attractions in a weekend. It’s an easy city to fly to with hand luggage only and very easy to get around.
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