Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is one of the world’s most beautiful places and it truly deserves such a reputation. Spread across 14 islands on Lake Mälaren, the “Venice of the North’s” environment will encourage you to wander and see where you’ll end up.
In the center alone, there are around 50 bridges plus there are ferries to help you get about. There are world-class museums, including the world’s first-air museum Skansen, parklands, galleries, and theaters you can visit.
Stockholm’s underground railway system called the T-bana (Tunnelbana) can also take you almost anywhere in the city. And to fill any gaps between destinations, they have a highly efficient bust network. Alternatively, you can take the time to walk or travel by bicycle.
So, if you’re planning to visit, live, or work in Stockholm, we’re excited to share with you some of the best things you can do in this vibrant city.
Begin your journey by going back to the city’s roots - the Gamla Stanm also called the Old Town.
The place itself is like a living, pedestrian-friendly museum that hosts all manner of restaurants, museums, bars, cafes, bijou boutiques, and studios. Many of these places have even gained international recognition and awards.
The Den gyldene freden (The Golden Peace), for instance, is the second oldest restaurant in the world to have the same surroundings and interiors since the place opened in 1722. Its setting remained unaltered even up to now, according to the Guinness Book of Records.
Aside from making you feel as if you have been transported back into medieval times, you can also buy gifts and souvenirs in Gamla Stan. And on the eastern part, you’ll see a long sequence of cobblestone lanes that lead to buildings in different colors. Along the way, you’ll see ancient frescoes and mysterious vaults in picturesque facades.
All these give the Old Town a character so unique compared to other tourist attractions in Stockholm. No wonder why it’s one of the best-preserved and largest medieval city centers in Europe.
Visiting Tallinn from Stockholm would be a great city break. It’s a city that bursts with charm.
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is exceptionally photogenic, especially the architecture and midnight sunsets in summer. Not only is it romantic, but it is inspiring and Instagram-able too. Tallinn’s Old Town is also worth visiting as it managed to preserve its medieval heritage throughout the centuries, rightfully earning a designation as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Ferries from Stockholm to Tallinn are provided up to 13 times a week by two different ferry operators. Passengers are allowed to carry luggage with them on board these ferries and the duration typically takes about 15 to 20 hours.
The warm period of the year from May to September is an ideal time to visit Estonia. During such times, white nights will give you a perfect reason to stay up late or party. Summer is also a wonderful occasion to see the beautiful Estonian bogs (considered places of mystery and peace) and wildflowers in forests.
Book your Stockholm to Tallinn ferry tickets online with Laevapiletid.ee.
If you’re visiting Stockholm in the winter, don’t miss to immerse yourself in Swedish Christmas tradition as you head to the marvelous Julmarknad or Christmas market. This place is also located in Gamla Stan, but the holiday spirit here is different.
From flower arrangements and wreaths to homemade pickles and preserves, a warm cup of Glögg (mulled wine) to a range of Swedish handicrafts, Julmarknader has so much more to offer than just an ordinary Christmas market.
And if you’re lucky enough, get a ticket to see the Lucia concert and other Christmas evening events. The annual candlelit Lucia procession is one of the most exotic-looking Swedish customs with boys and girls clad in white full-length gowns singing together. Experience it once and you’ll likely get smitten with it.
On the northern shore of Södermalm, you will find Monteliusvagen, which is a narrow footpath on steep cliffs. The place brings an incredible view of Stockholm from across the river.
Built of wooden planks, cobblestone paths, and lined with charming houses, this 1,365 ft boardwalk exudes serenity. It’s a great place for a view of Stockholm’s skyline. You can see the Old Town and other areas around it from here.
Monteliusvägen is not always listed on maps since it’s only a small walking lane, but it’s worth adding to your itinerary. The views here are rewarding. Just a reminder, this hidden gem in Stockholm can be steep at points. It’s not plowed in winter so make sure to wear comfortable footwear.
The Vasa Museum is the most visited in the country, and rightfully so. More than one million people visit this place every year to enjoy different exhibitions and learn about the ship’s history.
In it, you’ll see an awesome relic of a 64-gun warship that went down on its maiden voyage in 1628 and it remained in the deep for 333 years. The reasons behind its instability remained a point of debate for centuries.
The ship was salvaged in 1961 with a largely intact hull, but the complex and dramatic technical effort was something. It took them several years to accomplish it to a point that people called Sweden’s Apollo Program.
Vasa is now the world’s best-preserved 17-century ship and what a joy it would be to marvel at such a glorious time capsule. Its size is about 220 feet in length and 172 feet in height. And with the Vasa came a payload of artifacts that tell the visitors what it was like to sail on the Vasa during the 17-century reign of King Gustavus Adolphus.
The three masts on the roof were reconstructed to the exact specifications and height of the original masts but about 95% of the ship you’ll see in the museum is entirely original. Entry is free if you are below 18 years old.
At Stadshuskällaren, in the basement of the City Hall, diners can eat like Nobel Prize winners. That’s because every meal served here is the same as those served during the Nobel Banquet since 1922.
The banquet itself is found inside the Blue Hall and with a reservation, you can feast on the same multi-course menu that’s reserved for geniuses, Swedish nobility, and humanitarians.
For a unique historical experience, you can pick a menu from a Nobel year that commemorates a certain cultural hero. Marie Curie devotees, for instance, can toast her 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry by dining poularde fermière and fonds d´artichauts duchesse while fans of Gabriel García Márquez can have the Nobel ice cream and Arctic char in drill cream.
What’s more, is that the Nobel menu is served in the same porcelain used during the Nobel Banquet. How cool is that? To end your magnificent dinner, drink a glass of Punsch and it will surely be a night to remember.
And while there, don’t miss the chance to visit the Golden Hall where you can see 18 million mosaic tiles that represent Swedish history.
Unfortunately, this place may set back those without the Nobel prize money. That’s because the prize of the banquet is 1865 SEK ($200) per person and may change every year. The good news is that you can stop by during lunch instead. In the neighborhood, you’ll also find Mälarpaviljongen, Café Newt, and Stadshuset.
The Nobel Museum is one of the most famous attractions in Stockholm. Housed in this impressive 18th-century building are fascinating stories of Nobel Prize Laureates.
You can expect that exhibitions in this museum will be highly educational and focus on both culture and natural sciences. It aims to spread knowledge to visitors in interactive ways. You can even take a guided tour to learn more about the life and story of Alfred Nobel and other Nobel Laureates.
A visit to Kungliga Slottet or Stockholm’s Royal Palace may require a ticket, but the delightful floor show performed by the palace’s guards won’t cost you a krona. You’ll find the place in Gamla Stan and just walk up to the big place in front of the palace or the easy way would be to follow the people. Of course, it’s not crowded every day but be early to get a good spot.
The changing of the guard ceremony in the capital takes place every day from the end of April to the end of August and the whole ceremony lasts about 40 minutes. The schedule is different in autumn and winter.
Helsinki is an underrated city in Europe but is a great Nordic neighbor of Stockholm. The city itself is small enough to explore on foot and there are a myriad of museums, churches, and parks around it.
The easiest way to get to the city is by plane, but traveling by ferry would be more exciting as you get to enjoy a nautical tour of the Baltic Sea. The Stockholm to Helsinki trip via ferry usually takes 17 hours.
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is home to a giant maritime fortress called the Suomenlinna. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List to preserve it for future generations. Other sites worth visiting while you're in Helsinki are the Temppeliaukio Church, Esplanadi, Helsinki Cathedral, and the Seurasaari Island, among others.
Truly, both Stockholm and Helsinki are green destinations that appear in the World Happiness Report so you can expect that your city break to Helsinki would put a smile on your face.
When the snow falls in the winter, Stockholm turns into a winter wonderland. This means it’s time to go skiing!
And the great thing about this city is that you’ll find several ski slopes and skiing tracks in the Stockholm area. One of which is the Ekholmsnäsbacken. It’s not very big, which is great for nervous adults or young kids who want to test their skills on the slopes.
The place is situated on the island of Lidingö, just a 25-minute drive east of the center. It’s a laid-back ski area and is very family-friendly. Even the snowboarding lessons are at reasonable prices.
At the Royal National City Park, there’s an abundance of things to see: amusement park, entertainment and theaters, hotels and inns, castles, numerous residences from different Swedish history periods, streams, lakes, hills with centuries-old oak trees, and museums.
Moderna Museet is not just your ordinary art museum in Stockholm as it has one of the foremost collections of modern and contemporary art from Meret Oppenheim, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso, among others.
Since it’s impossible to show all the 140 artworks in The Collection at once, the Museum regularly changes the art in their exhibition rooms. This works great for the visitors too since they will see something different on each visit. You can even take a walk outdoors to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
If you love contemporary photography, then we suggest you visit Fotografiska Fotografiska. It's a destination to discover the world's best photography.
Every spring in Stockholm, the cherry blossoms of Kungsträdgården bloom in a beautiful display of color that many mark as the definite arrival of spring. Kungsträdgården is translated to “King’s Garden” and is located just behind the Royal Palace.
But don’t just drop by in Kungsträdgården. You can even have a cup of coffee, enjoy the spring weather, or celebrate it with a tasty Fika.
The Stockholm Public Library, about a kilometer away from the city center, is a great example of Swedish Grace. In fact, it has been listed as one of the most beautiful libraries by the Conde Nast Traveler because its facade is truly gorgeous.
This Swedish architectural icon has a circular design with three terraced levels with open shelves. The library also offers many activities for kids, usually in separate children’s book sections.
The Swedish history museum is one of the top sights to see while in Stockholm. Some exhibitions here are Swedish treasures. But what draws foreign visitors to this museum is the Vikings section. Major themes in the museum are the Viking society and the role of the aristocracy. Admission to the museum is free but charges may apply to some events, tours, and concerts.
Stockholm truly is a fantastic place to visit with a special kind of Scandinavian charm. Whether you join a guided group tour or go on a vacation by yourself, you’ll surely have the most amazing and rejuvenating trip in this city. It’s a place for you.