Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and its largest and most populous city. Located on a total of 14 islands in Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is a modern and cosmopolitan city. Nature and traditional and avant-garde architecture are absolute protagonists there. Touring the islands of Sweden’s capital is a real treat, with its colorful streets, stunning parks, snowy winters and interesting museums. Read on to discover all there is to see in Stockholm.
To make the most of your trip to Stockholm, we at Passporter recommend the best places to visit in the city, as well as what to see in the surrounding area, where to eat and sleep. And we will give you the best tips for traveling to Sweden and its capital city.
Things to visit in Stockholm
1. Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan is the Swedish name for Stockholm’s historic centre, the “Old Town”. It is the classic postcard of Stockholm, with its narrow cobblestone streets and colorful buildings. In this area you will find some of the most emblematic spots of the city, such as the Royal Palace, St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Parliament. Although undoubtedly the protagonist of the old town is the Stortorget square. It is the oldest square in Stockholm, reminiscent of the Grand Place in Brussels with its beautiful Flemish-style buildings.
Also, it is the most popular and lively area where you will find many bars, restaurants and entertainment options for your trip to Stockholm.
2. Vasa Museum
This museum is one of the most important ones in Stockholm and one of the most unique in the world. It is the only one that houses a 17th century galleon in perfect condition, with 98% original parts. It is the galleon Vasa, which gives its name to the museum, a warship that was wrecked in 1628 in the waters off Stockholm and remained 333 years under the sea.
Opening Hours: June to August from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. September to May from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Wednesdays until 8:00 pm.
Price: from May to September, 190 kronor (17.73€), from October to April 170 kronor (15.86€). The entrance for kids of 8 years old and under is free.
3. Metro stations
After traveling by subway in other cities, it’s easy to be amazed by the beauty of most of Stockholm’s stations. Sweden’s capital has a total of 100 metro stations, 90 of which have been decorated in recent years with sculptures, paintings, mosaics and other works of art. So if you travel by metro to move around the city you will discover that one of the most beautiful things to see in Stockholm is buried under the ground. The most famous are:
- T-Centralen Station
- Solna Centrum Station
- Ondenplan Station
- Stadion Station
There are guided tours that take you through the most beautiful and interesting ones and tell you all their secrets. But, of course, you can also walk through them by yourself.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Stockholm
1. Birka, an authentic Viking village
Located about 30 kilometers from Stockholm and on the island of Björkö, lies Birka. It was the first Scandinavian city and an important commercial and business center from 750 AD, the year it was founded, until 975 AD when it was abandoned.
Although little remains today of what was once the important Birka, it’s well worth a day or morning trip to see the ruins, museum and reconstructions of the old Viking houses. In addition, you can eat at the sustainable restaurant Särimner, with local products, visit the harbor and the bathing area, as well as attend some celebrations, such as Midsummer.
To go to Birka you can book an excursion for €32. It includes boat rides, entry to the museum and a guided tour of the ruins.
2. Sigtuma, a beautiful city near Stockholm
Curiously, almost simultaneously to the abandonment of Birka, around the year 980 A.D. the city of Sigtuma was founded. Sigtuma, unlike the previous one, is still a very lively city with a lot to discover near Stockholm. The small streets of low, colorful houses, the ruins of old churches from the Middle Ages, the beautiful town hall built in 1744… These are just some of the attractions that make Sigtuma the perfect getaway from Stockholm.
Where and what to eat in Stockholm
Although Sweden is not a popular country for its gastronomy, there are some typical dishes that you cannot miss on your trip to Stockholm. Examples of these are the famous Swedish meatballs (Köttbulllar) accompanied by mashed potatoes and Räksmörgås, a toast made with shrimp and other ingredients such as cucumber, tomato and dill.
- Frantzén: One of Stockholm’s best restaurants is a 3-Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant that brings the best Japanese recipes to Sweden’s capital. Haute cuisine dishes with luxurious and delicate ingredients turn the experience into a real journey for the senses. The menu is priced at 4200 kroner, or 391,86€ per person.
- Stockholms Gastabud: Much cheaper is the Stockholms Gastabud restaurant, with a price range of €12 to €29 per person. This cozy restaurant is one of Stockholm’s best places to sample the country’s traditional cuisine prepared with care and attention to detail.
Where to sleep in Stockholm
- STF Zinkensdamm Hostel: A very good hostel in Södermalm, Stockholm’s trendy district. For a much more economical price than the average in Stockholm, this hostel offers clean and comfortable rooms at a 6-minute walk from the beach and in the middle of Tantolunden Park. Average price per night: €66 with shared bathroom, €81 with private bathroom.
- Best Western Kom Hotel Stockholm: A modern 3-star hotel in the Norrmalm neighborhood, close to the city center and 3 minutes from the Rådmansgatan subway station. Buffet breakfast included. Average price: 150€ per night.
What to do in Stockholm on a 2-day trip
What should I consider before traveling to Stockholm Sweden?
- The official currency of Sweden is the Swedish Krona (SEK)
- The best time to travel to Stockholm is from May to September, winters in Sweden are very cold and the days are very short.
- If you are traveling to Stockholm in winter, don’t forget to bring thermal clothing and waterproof footwear.
- Even if you are traveling in summer, don’t forget to bring some warm clothes and an umbrella or raincoat.
- Brace yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
- Sweden is one of the safest countries in Europe. However, it is always advisable to keep an eye on your belongings, especially in the most touristy and crowded places.
- You won’t have any trouble communicating in English in Stockholm.
- Many establishments do not accept cash.
- Download the Passporter app to organize your travel itinerary.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Stockholm
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers what to see in Stockholm Sweden.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Stockholm
The type of the climate in Stockholm is Baltic. This means very high humidity, cold winters with lows of -6°C and highs of 2°C and mild summers with lows of 10°C and highs of 25°C. Rainfall is not abundant, with July being the wettest month, and snow is persistent from November to April.
Without a doubt, the best time to travel to Stockholm is during the months of May to September, when the weather is milder and more pleasant. Although in winter, the low season, you will find better prices for travel. There are very few daylight hours and the low temperatures are not at all pleasant for walking around the city.
The best way to get around Stockholm is by bicycle and public transport. There is a good metro (T-bana), streetcar and bus network connecting the whole city. You can buy single tickets or a travelcard, designed for tourists, which are the tickets of different duration (24h, 72h and 1 week).
It is very easy to get to central Stockholm from Arlanda Airport. There is a direct train line, the Arlanda Express, which connects the airport with Stockholm Central Station, with a frequency of 15 min. The journey takes 18 minutes and costs 27,90€ one way and 54,02€ round trip. Discounts are available depending on the number of travelers.
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