The Ultimate Stockholm Travel Guide

A European beauty unlike any other, Stockholm is the largest city in Scandinavia. Called by locals’ beauty on the water, Stockholm is located on an archipelago of 14 islands which gives the city unmatched natural beauty; paired with the one-of-a-kind colourful buildings and cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan and the incredible history and culture of the capital, you get one the world’s best and most beautiful destinations tourist destinations. 

Because Stockholm is so stunning, planning a trip there could be challenging, especially if it’s your first visit. This is precisely where our Stockholm travel guide comes in handy. 

Getting to Stockholm

Stockholm is easily accessible from most parts of the world. Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) is the leading international gateway, about 40 kilometres north of the city centre. Arlanda is well-connected to major cities worldwide, and you can quickly get into Stockholm by Arlanda Express (a fast train service), Flygbussarna (airport buses), or taxis. The Arlanda Express takes just 20 minutes to reach the central station, making it the quickest option.

Other airport options include Bromma Airport, which mainly serves domestic flights, and Skavsta Airport, which is popular with budget airlines but is further away (about 100 kilometres southwest of Stockholm).

If you’re travelling from other parts of Sweden or Europe, Stockholm Central Station is a major hub for trains and buses. Viking Line and Tallink Silja operate ferries to and from neighbouring countries like Finland, Estonia, and Latvia.

When is the best time to go to Stockholm? 

Since Stockholm tends to be more chilly, the summer months, between May and September, are considered the city’s peak season since the days are longer, the weather is warmer, and the country’s biggest national festival, Midsummer, kicks off.  

However, to experience Stockholm with fewer crowds, try to go between September and early November. This is when the cosy fall season begins, and the weather becomes milder, making the streets of the Swedish capital perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling.  

Top Attractions in Stockholm

Stockholm is brimming with things to see and do. Whether you’re interested in royal history, museums, architecture, or simply enjoying nature, there is something for every type of traveller.

1. Gamla Stan (Old Town)

As one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved medieval city centres, Gamla Stan is a must-see for anyone visiting Stockholm. Wander through its labyrinth of narrow streets, admire the iconic colourful buildings, and visit historical sites like the Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral, and Stortorget.

2. The Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum is Stockholm’s most visited museum, and for good reason. It houses the almost fully intact 17th-century warship Vasa, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. The ship was salvaged in the 1960s, and the museum presents a fascinating insight into maritime history.

3. Skansen

Located on Djurgården Island, Skansen is the world’s oldest open-air museum, established in 1891. It showcases Sweden’s rural history, with over 150 traditional houses and buildings relocated from various parts of the country. Skansen also includes a zoo featuring Scandinavian animals such as wolves, bears, and lynx.

4. ABBA The Museum

This interactive museum is a delight for fans of the legendary Swedish pop group ABBA. Located in Djurgården, the ABBA Museum offers an immersive experience, including stage costumes, memorabilia, and even karaoke opportunities where you can sing alongside virtual versions of the band.

5. The Royal Palace

Kungliga Slottet, or The Royal Palace, is one of the largest palaces in Europe. While the Swedish royal family no longer resides here, parts of the palace are open to the public, including the Royal Apartments, the Royal Armoury, and the Tre Kronor Museum. Don’t miss the Changing of the Guard, which takes place daily.

6. Fotografiska

Photography lovers will want to visit Fotografiska, one of the world’s largest photography museums. With rotating exhibitions showcasing works from renowned photographers and up-and-coming talent, Fotografiska offers a thought-provoking journey through contemporary photography.

7. Djurgården Island

This lush, green island is home to several of Stockholm’s major attractions, including Skansen, the Vasa Museum, and ABBA The Museum. It’s also a beautiful place for a stroll or bike ride, with sprawling parks, cafes, and waterfront views.

Where to stay in Stockholm?

As a world-class destination, Stockholm is not short of impressive, mind-blowingly luxurious hotels. Here are some of the best Stockholm hotels:

• Grand Hôtel

Grand Hotel Stockholm oozes luxury with its exclusive restaurants, popular piano bar, and room styles that vary from royal Gustavian to contemporary chic. This waterfront hub also offers guests a wonderful Nordic spa and a Fitness Club. 

• The Rival

Located in the sunny neighbourhood of Sodermalm, the Rival is a hip and luxurious boutique hotel that offers designer rooms, gathering spots for eating and drinking, and an impressive theatre where some of the world’s finest talent has been showcased. 

• Berns Hotel

Combining historical significance with impeccable style, Berns Hotel offers rooms ranging from 19th-century classical to contemporary sleek. Despite its central location, Berns offers exceptional seclusion from the busy city centre. Aside from its hundreds of gorgeous rooms, Berns is also home to a buzzing nightclub and a stunning ballroom. 

• Stallmästaregården Hotel

Dating back to the 17th century, this charming and cosy hotel offers mesmerizing water views in Royal Haga Park. In addition to the incredible view and the awesome rooms, Stallmästaregården Hotel’s restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy authentic Swedish cuisine. 

• Castanea Hostel

If you are looking for something more budget-friendly, Castanea Hostel is one of the best affordable options you may come across. Located in the middle of Old Town, it is walking from several shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs, galleries, Stockholm’s public transportation system, and some of the city’s best sights and attractions. 

Where to eat in Stockholm?

Like everything else in Stockholm, the dining scene is to die for. The Swedish capital has everything from 5-star restaurants serving gourmet cooked meals to vegan hubs using only organic and eco-friendly ingredients. Here are some of the best restaurants in Stockholm: 

• RICHE

Inspired by traditional, stylish Parisian cafes, Riche cafe and restaurant have served Swedes gourmet delights for over a century. The menu changes seasonally, and it includes classic French dishes as well as traditional Swedish meals. 

• HERMAN’S

Serving an exceptional combination of vegetarian dishes, salads, and hot meals with eco-friendly beers and soft drinks, Herman’s is quite the vegan heaven for Swedes and tourists alike, especially with the stunning garden view it offers diners. 

• Ekstedt

Frequently named among the world’s best restaurants, Ekstedt offers you a complete experience, not just a meal. Serving a four- or six-course set menu built around reindeer and pike-perch, everything in Ekstedt’s menu is cooked in a wood-fired oven, over a fire pit, or smoked in a chimney, so it is safe to say that dining there will taste different than anything you have ever tasted. 

• Hornstulls Marknad

If you happen to be in Stockholm between April and September, pass by Hornstulls Marknad to experience the Swedish street food scene at its best. This street market opens every Saturday and Sunday from April to September and hosts many food trucks serving all types of food, vegetarian and otherwise. 

• NYTORGET 6

In Sodermalm, NYTORGET 6 is one of the most locally popular restaurants. Its exquisite menu features authentic Swedish and Scandinavian cuisine. Visit it if you want to experience the original taste of Sweden. 

What to do in Stockholm?

As the largest Scandinavian city and the capital of one of the world’s most progressive countries and historically significant, Stockholm is rich in all aspects: culturally, historically, architecturally, and naturally. Here are -what we think- are the best attractions and things to do in Stockholm during your first visit: 

Skansen

Skansen is a hilltop open-air museum that houses traditional workshops such as the glassblowers’ hut and the rustic bakery. The museum also has a Nordic zoo where bears, wolves, and moose are seen in their natural habitats and surroundings. Not an ordinary landmark, Skansen is often called ‘Sweden in miniature’ as it offers a fun and unique way to learn about the traditional ways of life throughout Swedish history. 

Stadshuset

The Stadshuset (City Hall) defines the city’s skyline with its blocky silhouette and waterside perch. However, it is not just how it looks that makes it the one-of-a-kind landmark that it is, inside the building is just as impressive as its outside. From its famous Golden Hall to the beautiful frescos by Pins Eugen and the one and only Nobel Prize Banquet room, the Stadshuset is one of the most significant landmarks in Stockholm, if not all of Sweden. 

Vasa Museum 

The fully intact 17th-century warship, the Vasa, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628, is this museum’s most popular draw, as it has been preserved beautifully over the centuries. The museum also gives you a closer look at life aboard and the lives of the victims who went down with the ship. 

GRÖNA LUND

When it comes to entertainment, Stockholm always delivers, the city center amusement park, GRÖNA LUND is the place for you if you are looking to let loose or enjoy some serious adrenaline rush because it is filled with all sorts of rides, including some epic roller coasters. That’s not all; if you visit the GRÖNA LUND during the summer months, you might even catch a live music performance as several rock and pop concerts are held in the park regularly during the summer. 

FOTOGRAFISKA

Since its doors in 2010, Fotografiska has become one of Stockholm’s most significant landmarks and one of the leading photography museums in the world. This magnificent building, which dates back to 1906, contains a massive collection of unique, eclectic photography by local and international photographers around every corner.  

Whether you follow our guide or let the charm and magic of Stockholm carry you through, your time in this Scandinavian beauty is guaranteed to be no less than epic and unforgettable.