Things to do in Stockholm
Gamla Stan, Djurgården, the archipelago and fika on every corner. Sweden's capital is built on 14 islands and deserves several days.
Stockholm: a travel guide to Sweden's capital
Stockholm surprises you the first time and confirms the impression every time after that. Built on 14 islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea, it is a city where water is never far away, history lies in the cobblestones and the food sets the tone for the whole of Scandinavia.
Here you don't have to choose between city and nature. In Stockholm you get both, and the archipelago starts right outside the door.
Stockholm from the air
Stockholm is built on 14 islands, and the water is always just around the corner.
The best things to do in Stockholm
Few European cities are as beautiful as Stockholm, and fewer have as much to offer. The water around the islands reflects the colourful facades, and there is something to enjoy in every season, whether you are looking for historic museums, Nordic gastronomy, football with European passion or a run along the water.
Stockholm for everyone
Stockholm is one of Europe's most accessible cities, with good facilities for wheelchair users at most attractions and on public transport.
The Stockholm archipelago and island hopping
Just 20 minutes by ferry from the centre, a whole new world opens up. The Stockholm archipelago is one of Scandinavia's largest, with around 30,000 islands and skerries stretching east towards the Baltic. Some can be reached in 20 minutes, others need an overnight stay to enjoy them properly.
Fjäderholmarna and Vaxholm are natural first stops, with good restaurants and colourful wooden houses along the quays. Further out, head for Sandhamn or Utö for a more relaxed archipelago experience, where Swedish summer life is at its best.
Island hopping in the Stockholm archipelago
Hop on board in the city centre and let Stockholm reveal itself, one island at a time.
Gamla Stan: the heart of historic Stockholm
Gamla Stan is Stockholm's medieval heart, founded in the 13th century, with cobbled streets and colourful 17th and 18th-century facades that have survived almost untouched. Here you will find the Royal Palace, the Nobel Prize Museum and plenty of cafés and antique shops.
Put the map away and explore on your own. Around the next corner there is often a hidden courtyard, an old church door or a little shop selling things you didn't know you needed.
Stockholm at sunset, looking towards Gamla Stan
Stockholm reflected in Riddarfjärden as the sun sets over Gamla Stan.
Djurgården: culture and nature side by side
Djurgården is both Stockholm's green lung and its cultural heart. The island is surrounded by water, with the idyllic Djurgårdsbrunn canal on one side, and is home to some of the city's very best attractions.
The Djurgårdsbrunn canal, Stockholm
The Djurgårdsbrunn canal winds through the green parkland of Djurgården in the heart of Stockholm.
The Vasa Museum
The 69-metre warship from 1628 sank on its maiden voyage and lay on the seabed for 333 years. Today, the Vasa is the world's best-preserved 17th-century ship, with more than 98 per cent original parts and hundreds of carved sculptures. The museum was built around the ship, and the result is one of the most unique museum experiences in the world. It is Scandinavia's most visited museum, so come and see why for yourself.
The Vasa Museum, Stockholm
The Vasa Museum on Djurgården, built directly around the world's best-preserved 17th-century ship.
Skansen
The world's oldest open-air museum takes you on a journey through old Sweden, with historic buildings from all over the country, craft demonstrations and Nordic animals such as elk, wolves and bears.
Skansen, Stockholm
Skansen lies in the middle of Djurgården's green parkland and is the world's oldest open-air museum.
Fotografiska
One of the world's leading photography museums, with changing exhibitions from top international photographers. Don't leave without visiting the restaurant at the top of the building, with a Michelin Green Star and panoramic views over Stockholm's harbour.
ABBA The Museum and Avicii Experience
The world has Stockholm to thank for both ABBA and Avicii, and both have their own interactive museums in the city.
ABBA The Museum on Djurgården takes you into the band's world, with original stage costumes, a recording studio and holograms of the band. Sing karaoke, step on stage as the fifth member or see yourself in Agnetha's iconic outfits in a digital mirror. Walk in, dance out, as the museum puts it.
Avicii Experience at Sergels Torg is just as powerful in a completely different genre, taking you through Tim Bergling's life and career, from his childhood bedroom in Stockholm to the world's biggest stages. For live music or sport, Avicii Arena, Sweden's national ice hockey arena, hosts major artists, so check the programme and book tickets early.
Even without a concert ticket, SkyView is worth a visit, a gondola ride 85 metres up the outside of the iconic spherical arena, with views over the whole of Stockholm.
Avicii Arena and SkyView
SkyView takes you 85 metres up the side of Avicii Arena's iconic sphere.
Gröna Lund
Sweden's oldest amusement park sits right next to ABBA The Museum on Djurgården. With more than 30 rides, concerts and a wonderful waterfront location, it is one of the best places to visit in Stockholm with children, and for adults who want a little extra excitement.
Gröna Lund, Stockholm
Gröna Lund lights up the Djurgården shoreline as evening falls over Stockholm.
Football in Stockholm
Football fans should check the fixtures of AIK, Djurgården or Hammarby. A derby between the Stockholm rivals is an extraordinary experience, with tens of thousands of fans creating an atmosphere unlike anything else in the Nordic region. We have been to a match with the AIK supporters and know what we are talking about.
An AIK football match at the national stadium in Stockholm
A match at Stockholm's national stadium is an extraordinary experience. We know what we are talking about.
Explore Stockholm on a run
To discover Stockholm in a different way, try sightrunning. Combine exercise with sightseeing and see more of the city in a morning than many manage in a whole day. We went running with hotelier Petter Stordalen, who shares his favourite Stockholm route.
Sightrunning in Stockholm
Petter Stordalen shares his favourite Stockholm running route from Brunkebergstorg.
Food and fika in Stockholm
Stockholm has become one of Europe's most exciting food cities, with restaurants on international lists and a café and street food scene of a high standard. From classic Swedish home cooking to modern Nordic cuisine, there is something for every taste and budget.
Make time for fika. It is not just a cup of coffee, it is an institution, and a cinnamon bun from a bakery in Gamla Stan or Södermalm is an experience in itself.
Frida Ronge is one of the chefs who has put Stockholm on the international food map. She is the award-winning chef behind TAK Stockholm, one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, with a rooftop terrace and Nordic-Japanese cuisine.
TAK Stockholm
Chef Frida Ronge runs one of Stockholm's coolest restaurants and rooftop terraces, TAK Stockholm.
Best time to visit Stockholm
June to August is high season, and with good reason. The days are long, the temperatures pleasant and city life moves outdoors, and the archipelago is at its absolute best. Winter, from November to February, has its own charm for those who don't mind cold and darkness, with lower prices and Christmas markets in December.
The Stockholm archipelago
Stockholm's long summer evenings are made for the archipelago.
How to get to Stockholm
There are direct flights to Stockholm Arlanda from London and many other UK and European cities, with a flight time of around two and a half hours from London. Arlanda Express takes you from the airport to the central station in about 18 minutes.
Public transport in Stockholm
Stockholm has an excellent public transport network. The metro, buses and ferries cover most of the city, and an SL travel card gives you unlimited travel during your stay. The metro is famous for its decorated stations, more than 90 of them adorned with art, and is often called the world's longest art gallery. SL cards are also valid on some ferries in the archipelago.
Odenplan metro station, Stockholm
Stockholm's metro is often called the world's longest art gallery.
Budget and prices in Stockholm
Stockholm is one of Scandinavia's more expensive cities, so it pays to plan ahead. Hotels and restaurant dinners with drinks can be pricey, but many of the best experiences, such as wandering through Gamla Stan and the city's parks, are free.
Stockholm is expensive, but never boring. Gamla Stan is free to explore, the parks are free and the archipelago is within reach of anyone with a travel card. Välkommen till Stockholm.
Stockholm: frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Stockholm?
Three days is enough to see Gamla Stan, Djurgården with the Vasa Museum and Skansen, and eat well. With four or five days you can also take a day trip into the archipelago, for example to Vaxholm or Sandhamn.
What are the best sights in Stockholm?
The Vasa Museum, Skansen, Gamla Stan with the Royal Palace, ABBA The Museum, Fotografiska and City Hall are among the most popular. The view from Monteliusvägen on Södermalm and a boat trip into the archipelago are also must-dos.
Is Stockholm expensive?
Stockholm is pricey compared with much of Europe, especially for hotels, alcohol and dinner out. Save money with lunch deals, the free sights in Gamla Stan and the parks, and a travel card that covers the metro, buses and some ferries.