A full Stockholm City Guide – best things to do
With a total of 14 islands, the capital of Sweden is located in the beautiful archipelago which is connected by over 50 bridges. A fact which already makes the city quite extraordinary. Stockholm is the heart of Sweden, the home of the royal family and many attractions for travellers. Despite Sweden not being known for its city life but rather for the stunning nature, Stockholm is worth a visit and can be added to any trip through the country. It is the perfect location if you want to get to know the Swedish history a little better, are interested in multiple museums or just desire some city mania after a quiet time out in the Swedish countryside. This is a full guide to Stockholm including the best things to do and some useful tips to help you prepare your trip in the best way possible. Ready?
Visit the Gamla Stan (Old Town)
First things first: the absolute heart of Stockholm is the Old Town, known as Gamla Stan. The lively part of Stockholm is mainly characterized by old buildings and cobblestones. Gamla Stan is located on the island Stadsholmen, which is connected by a huge bridge to the center of Stockholm.
Gamla Stan is not only the most famous area of the city, but as well the busiest. One tourist shop follows the other and you can spend your time strolling around the picturesque streets. Next to souvenir shops, you will find cute little cafés and shops or restaurants where you can sit down and watch the hassle.
One of the best things to do when exploring Gamla Stan is to take a picture of the oldest square in the whole city: Stortorget. With its colorful and eye-catching houses it is one of the most popular motives for pictures and postcards.
You could spend your whole day only wandering around Gamla Stan. Therefore, bring some time and get to know the “old” part of the Swedish capital.
Visit the Royal palace and watch the change of guards
Change of guards? Wasn’t that London? Yes, correct. With the change of guards every traveller who has already been to London will think of the Buckingham Palace. But as Sweden is a monarchy and home to a royal family, therefore a change of guards is on the list for Stockholm as well.
The Royal Palace itself is located in the Old Town on the Stadsholmen Island and can be visited by booking one of the tours at the entrance. If you are interested to see the building from the inside and passionate about the royals, this is a good thing to do in Stockholm. If this doesn’t really resonate with you, watching the change of the guards is enough as an experience. The process usually takes up to 45 minutes with speeches and music.
Note, that the change of guards is ONLY held from April 23 to August 31 at 12:15 pm (except for Sundays when it takes place at 13:15 pm).
Visit the Vasa Museum
Stockholm is home to maaaanyy museums. This makes the city the perfect location for travellers who love to stroll through different museums and dive deeper into multiple aspects of culture. One of the most famous museums and also one of the best things to do in Stockholm is the Vasa Museum. The maritime museum is all about the Vasa ship which has sunken on its very first trip after only 1300 meters. Today, the ship can be visited in the museum on the Djurgården Island in Stockholm, which is indeed quite impressive.
The entry fee to the museum is between 15 and 17 euros, depending on the season. Young travellers until age of 18 can enter for free.
Dance and sing at the ABBA Museum
Let´s continue our little journey through Stockholm´s world of museums. Next on the list is the famous ABBA Museum. Who would not directly relate the famous pop band to Sweden? Everyone knows the songs and can sing at least a few lines, right? If you love the spirit of their music and want to get some dancing and singing during your trip to Stockholm, the ABBA Museum is an absolute must-do. It is located right next to the Vasa Museum. As it is an interactive museum, the visit is quite fun. You can dance with ABBA on the stage, try some singing and sit in their famous helicopter. They also have a section which is completely dedicated to the Mamma Mia movie.
The entry fee to the museum is around 20 euros.
Take the SL boats as transportation
Stockholm has a quite extraordinary mean of transportation: SL boats. They operate between the main islands and can be used as “water taxis” from one place to the other. There are different routes which you can choose from and depending on where you go, there are different tickets available. An option could be to take the boat from Stockholm Slussen Kajen to the Allmänna Gränd, which is the station next to the ABBA Museum.
This is a great way to see the city from the water and get another experience for quite cheap. If you want to see even more of the Stockholm Archipealago, you can also take the SL boat to other islands. This is a great thing to do in Stockholm if you have some more time and not just one or two days in the city.
Watch the sunset over Stockholm
This will always be on the list of the best things to do not only in Stockholm, but in any city. There is simply this magical atmosphere which will make you fall in love with the place even more. Stockholm also has a few great sunset spots, where you can watch the golden light over the roofs. A budget-friendly version is the Skinnarviksparken. The hill is mainly known as a popular picnic spot among the locals and gives you an outstanding view over the river and the whole city.
It can easily be reached by foot from Gamla Stan or you take the tram to the Zinkensdamm Station, which is the closest located to the spot.
Skinnarviksparken is a hill with rocks and has many spots for many locals and travellers. During the warmer months, it is one of the best things to do to bring some drinks and snacks and sit here for a while. Enjoy a beer and watch the sun slowly set on the horizon.
Is there any better way to end a day in Stockholm? I doubt it.
Go out for dinner in a traditional restaurant
A trip to Stockholm is the perfect opportunity to get to know the Swedish cuisine a little better. Because surprise… it actually is a little more than cinnamon rolls and köttbullar. Stockholm has quite a few traditional Swedish or Scandinavian restaurants. The cuisine is especially famous for fish and meat, but there are also some vegetarian options. If you prefer the meatless side, Nomad is a good address.
Because after all, eating remains one of the best things to do to get to know a country better. Especially when you´re in a big city with that many options.
Stroll around the Strandvägen
The Strandvägen is one of the most beautiful streets to walk on when visiting Stockholm. The perfect opportunity to do so is after visiting the Vasa or the ABBA museum as you will cross Strandvägen on your way back to the city.
Strandvägen is located in the quartier Östermalm and known as a boulevard. It leads directly along the riverside and is full of stunning bars and restaurants, as well as boats. It also offers a great view over the water and some benches to sit and enjoy the atmosphere. While this is really one of the more expensive areas, you should still stroll here for a while.
Have a drink on a boat bar
Want to end the day like a local with a great view? How about a drink on a boat bar on the river overlooking the city? If that sounds like something you love, the Seaside Bar is your address to save. The boat is located on the Söder Mälarstrand in Södermalm and a hot choice for the evenings. They do not only serve drinks but as well delicious pizza and other food. But be a bit earlier, as it usually gets quite busy and the seats are limited.
Have a fika
And last but not least is always the best thing to do whenever you are in Sweden: have a fika. Fika is the coffee break of the day (or rather ONE OF the many coffee break the Swedes prefer to have). Fika is translated in “taking time for a break” and usually involves a coffee or a tea and of course a cinnamon roll. Stockholm is rich in cute cafés which can basically be found in any corner. Just keep an eye for a cute place and sit down for a while and enjoy the Swedish lifestyle. It really is something which will make your trip richer and more in “a Swedish way”. But you´ll find out on your own.
Hej Stockholm!
With this full guide and the long list of best things to do in Stockholm, you´re really ready to go. Stockholm is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or a great stop if you are travelling Sweden. Make sure to let go of any strict plan you have for your trip and take it easy, because in Sweden time runs a bit slower.
Click here to fall more in love with Swedish cities.
Or next on the list: a trip to Copenhagen?
