Old cobbled streets, royal palaces, and thousands of islands. Modern art, a sparkling waterfront, and world-class museums. There is far more to see in Stockholm than you could pack into a short visit, so where do you start? This is just a brief introduction to some of the best things to do in Stockholm.
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Why Visit Stockholm?
But first, why visit Stockholm? I have to confess that the Swedish capital wasn’t really on my radar until I visited for a conference. I hadn’t been to Sweden before (unless you count a quick day trip by train from Copenhagen to Malmo), and I didn’t know much about the country beyond Abba, Ikea and the Vikings… But it wasn’t long before I realised how much I had been missing.
I barely scratched the surface of the city, but what surprised me most was the sheer variety that Stockholm has to offer. Some things I had been expecting, like the old town of Gamla Stan and the multi-coloured buildings that line the waterfront. And the natural environment: the city is built on fourteen islands, part of an archipelago of more than 30,000 islands stretching into the Baltic Sea, and it is surrounded by forests.
What I hadn’t anticipated was the wealth of culture in Stockholm. Everywhere you go you see the Swedish love of art and design. From cutting edge hotel design to art in the subway and open air sculpture. And then there is the food…
What To See And Do In Stockholm
As with any new place, a great way to start your exploration is on foot, walking the streets and soaking up the rich history and ambiance of the city. Most visitors begin with the old town of Gamla Stan.
Gamla Stan
This is the heart of Stockholm. Its narrow cobblestone streets and historic buildings are medieval, but today it is the city’s main tourist area, full of cafés and street musicians. Walk to the main square and you’ll find crowds spilling out of the restaurants and souvenir shops, but the side streets are much quieter.
It is easy enough to get off the beaten track and to imagine the city as it might have been in the Middle Ages. Grab a drink or a snack, wander around the artisan shops, and take some time to visit the area’s landmarks, including the Nobel Museum and the Royal Palace.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace, located in Gamla Stan, is the official residence of the King of Sweden. Built in the 18th century, this is one of the largest palaces in Europe, with over 600 rooms. It is regarded as a baroque masterpiece, and includes the royal apartments, a chapel, and three museums.
Visitors can take a tour of the building and its museums, which cover the history of the palace, its regalia, and Swedish art and sculptures. King Gustav III’s Museum of Antiquities is one of the oldest museums in the country.
You can also watch the Changing of the Guard. Allow plenty of time to explore the palace, and consider visiting at the beginning or end of the day to avoid the crowds.
Stockholm’s Museums
These are some of the most important museums. However, if time permits you might also enjoy the Nordiska Museet, Fotografiska and the Nobel Prize Museum.
Vasamuseet
The Vasamuseet (Vasa Museum) is the most visited museum in Scandinavia, telling the story of a 17th century warship that sank on its maiden voyage. The Vasa ship itself is the main exhibit, its intricately carved wood having been extensively restored. But this family friendly museum is not just about the Vasa: it is also an exploration of Sweden’s maritime history, shipbuilding and warfare.
Abba: The Museum
You can’t go to Stockholm and not see the Abba Museum! Here you will find memorabilia of Sweden’s most famous pop group, vintage dresses and a karaoke stage. Interactive exhibits allow you to try on the outfits and sing along with the band, and you can even have a go at remixing their tunes in the reconstructed recording studio.
Skansen Open Air Museum
Located on the island of Djurgården, Skansen is the oldest open air museum in the world. It holds around 150 buildings collected from around the country, and features everything from a manor house to farmhouses to artisan dwellings. The site is also home to Stockholm Zoo and to an aquarium and Sea Life Centre.
Art Of The Stockholm Metro
You are likely to make use of the underground trains to move around the city. As you do so, take a good look at the metro stations: more than 100 of them feature original artworks, some of them quite startling. This has led to the Stockholm metro being described as the world’s longest art exhibition!
Islands Of The Archipelago
It is very easy to reach the Stockholm Archipelago. You could take a guided boat tour around the island landscape, or stop for a while at one of the individual islands. Vaxholm, with its narrow streets and wooden fishermen’s houses, is a popular destination, as is Fjäderholmarna, a tiny island very close to the city centre.
Södermalm
Close to Gamla Stan, Södermalm is a bohemian district worth a visit for its shops, restaurants and nightlife. And you can climb up to the Monteliusvägen viewpoint for a panoramic view of the city and its waterfront.
Drottningholm Palace
A short train and bus ride takes you to Drottningholm Palace. This magnificent 17th century palace and garden was inspired by Versailles and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is still one of the official residences of the Swedish royal family.
As you walk through the palace you will see a mixture of European and classical influences. The rooms are full of statues and artworks, and many have painted ceilings. The formal gardens, featuring a maze and a Chinese pavilion, are extensive, and lead into an area of rolling parkland.
Millesgården
Millesgården was the home of the Swedish sculptor Carl Milles. It is now a garden and sculpture park with terraces, fountains and around 100 of Milles’ artworks. Read more about the Sculptures of the Millesgården.
National City Park
The National City Park is a massive urban park based around four historic royal palaces and their grounds. This six mile stretch of forest and parkland winds its way through the city, and is home to a wide variety of animal and bird life, as well as museums, castles and entertainment facilities.
Ideal for walking, exploring or just sitting with a picnic, the urban park stretches all the way from Sörentorp to Djurgården and Fjäderholmarna.
Stockholm Night Safari
I found that a great way to discover the wildlife at the edge of the city was to take a Stockholm Night Safari. Passing forests and lakes, and meadows full of wild flowers, you soon forget how close you are to central Stockholm. And setting off at dusk means you have the best chance of spotting the animals that only emerge under cover of darkness. They are still elusive, but on my trip we managed two moose, the occasional deer and several wild boar.
The tour was billed as a “wildlife safari with midsummer meal”, and we stopped by the edge of Lake Mälaren to enjoy the sunset and a traditional Swedish meal of herring, sausages, crispbreads and a special sort of midsummer cheese.
Travel Beyond Stockholm
What I really learnt on this trip was how much Sweden has to offer as a tourist destination. This is a massive country, about twice the size of the UK, with much more than you could explore in one visit. I was lucky enough to be able to extend my travels to Luleå, on the edge of Swedish Lapland. And on a return trip I visited the island of Gotland.
But you can get a good sense of the country by taking short day trips from Stockholm. Quite apart from the islands of the archipelago I would recommend visiting Sigtuna, Sweden’s oldest town, and the university town of Uppsala where you can explore prehistoric graves, rune stones and an open air museum.
Practicalities For Your Visit To Stockholm
- Most visitors choose to come to Stockholm during the summer months of June to August. This is when the weather is at its best and you can enjoy the long light nights.
- Stockholm Airport is around 40 km north of the city. The easiest way to get into the city centre is via the Arlanda Express shuttle train which runs every 10-15 minutes and takes approximately 18 minutes.
- There is a wide choice of places to stay in Stockholm. I tried the Clarion Hotel Sign and the Radisson Strand, both very comfortable and convenient. The First Hotel Reisen had smaller rooms but a more interesting building and location, near the waterfront in Gamla Stan (however if you are walking with a wheeled suitcase be warned that it is cobblestones most of the way…) Another interesting hotel is the Haymarket, an Art Deco themed hotel housed in a former department store (where a young Greta Garbo once worked in the hat department).
- You can eat extremely well in Stockholm. Ingredients may be limited but the cuisine is innovative, making the most of what is available. Look out for fish (especially herrings), venison and locally gathered berries. Vegetarian food is widely available. Note that alcohol tends to be expensive.
- To make the most of your time in the city you might like to consider a guided tour. There are lots of options to choose from, including a Walking Tour of the Old Town or a City Center Cruise.
- For independent exploration buy a 24 hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Boat ticket. Depending which option you choose, this will give you unlimited travel on buses, boats or both.
- A Stockholm All-Inclusive Pass (from 1-5 days) allows entrance to more than 50 attractions as well as a range of boat tours.
- You can find some of the city’s more unusual sights in the book Secret Stockholm.
