Hotels
Where to stay in Stockholm: the best areas and hotels
Stockholm is spread across 14 islands, and where you stay decides how much you walk, how quiet it is at night and how far you are from the train. Here are the neighbourhoods, who they suit, and the hotels we would choose in each.
In short
On a first visit to Stockholm, choose Norrmalm, Blasieholmen or Gamla Stan. You can walk to most things and are close to Central Station and the Arlanda Express. Östermalm is quieter and more upmarket, Södermalm is for cafés and nightlife, and Djurgården suits you if you want the museums and the park right outside the door.
Our first choice: Clarion Hotel Sign on Norra Bantorget, a few minutes' walk from Central Station and the Arlanda Express, with a pool on the roof. You can get everywhere, and you have the shortest possible journey home.
Book your stay: See available rooms at Clarion Hotel Sign
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The neighbourhoods at a glance
Norrmalm by Central Station: for arriving by train or Arlanda Express and being close to everything.
Kungsträdgården and Brunkebergstorg: the heart of the centre, with hotel bars, restaurants and the metro around the corner.
Blasieholmen and Skeppsholmen: the classic waterfront hotels, looking across to the Royal Palace.
Gamla Stan: for staying in the medieval town and walking quiet lanes in the evening.
Östermalm: elegant and calm, with the food hall and the shops on Biblioteksgatan.
Södermalm: cafés, vintage shops and nightlife, a little away from the biggest crowds.
Kungsholmen: quiet and local, within walking distance of the City Hall and Central Station.
Djurgården: the museums and the park, but quiet at night.
Norrmalm by Central Station
The area around Central Station is the most practical place to stay in Stockholm. The Arlanda Express reaches the airport in 18 minutes, trains to Oslo and Gothenburg leave from here, and all three metro lines meet at T-Centralen. It is not the prettiest part of town, but Gamla Stan is a fifteen-minute walk.
Clarion Hotel Sign
Clarion Hotel Sign stands on Norra Bantorget, designed by the architect Gert Wingårdh, with an outdoor rooftop pool looking out over the city. It is a big hotel with several restaurants and bars, and works as well for a weekend as for business.
Book your stay: See available rooms at Clarion Hotel Sign
Hotel C Stockholm
Hotel C Stockholm is on Vasaplan, across the road from Central Station and the Arlanda Express. It is also home to Icebar, where everything is made of ice from the Torne River. A simple, central choice for a short trip.
Book your stay: See available rooms at Hotel C Stockholm
Kungsträdgården and Brunkebergstorg
Between Kungsträdgården, Hamngatan and Brunkebergstorg are several of the city's most popular hotels. You have NK and the shops of Biblioteksgatan in one direction, Gamla Stan and Strömmen in the other, and metro stations at Kungsträdgården and T-Centralen.
At Six and Hobo
At Six and Hobo stand side by side on Brunkebergstorg. At Six is polished and full of contemporary art; Hobo is younger and more relaxed, with the TAK rooftop at the top. Both have bars that fill up with locals in the evening.
Book your stay: See available rooms at At Six or at Hobo
Bank Hotel
Bank Hotel occupies a former bank building a few minutes from Kungsträdgården, with a restaurant in the old banking hall and a roof terrace looking out over the water. A good choice for a weekend of food and drinks.
Book your stay: See available rooms at Bank Hotel
Downtown Camper by Scandic
Downtown Camper is also on Brunkebergstorg and is made for active travellers, with a pool and sauna on the roof. The rooms are simple and the shared spaces are generous.
Book your stay: See available rooms at Downtown Camper
The bar at At Six
The hotel bars around Brunkebergstorg are among the busiest in town on a Friday night.
Blasieholmen and Skeppsholmen
Blasieholmen and Skeppsholmen sit directly across from the Royal Palace, with the quays, Nationalmuseum and Moderna Museet. You stay by the water, but in the middle of the city, and the archipelago boats leave from Strömkajen outside.
Grand Hôtel
The Grand Hôtel has stood on the quay since 1874 and is the classic Stockholm choice, with views of the palace from the rooms facing the water and Cadier Bar on the ground floor.
Book your stay: See available rooms at the Grand Hôtel Stockholm
Lydmar Hotel
Lydmar Hotel is a few doors along, next to Nationalmuseum, with art on the walls, few rooms and a lobby that feels like a living room. A quieter alternative to its neighbour.
Book your stay: See available rooms at Lydmar Hotel
Hotel Skeppsholmen
Hotel Skeppsholmen occupies a long, low 17th-century building on the small island of Skeppsholmen, with parkland around it and water on every side. The Djurgården ferry stops nearby.
Book your stay: See available rooms at Hotel Skeppsholmen
Gamla Stan
In Gamla Stan you stay in the medieval town itself, with the palace and Stortorget a few minutes away. The hotels are small and often in old buildings, and rooms can be compact, but in the morning and evening you have the lanes almost to yourself. Read more in our Gamla Stan guide.
Book your stay: Lord Nelson Hotel on Västerlånggatan, or Hotel Sven Vintappare on one of the quiet side streets.
Östermalm
Östermalm is Stockholm's most elegant district, with wide streets, Strandvägen along the water, Östermalms Saluhall and the shops around Stureplan. It is quiet at night, but Kungsträdgården is ten minutes away on foot and Djurgården fifteen.
Hotel Diplomat
Hotel Diplomat occupies an Art Nouveau building on Strandvägen, overlooking the boats in Nybroviken. Östermalm is on one side and Djurgården on the other.
Book your stay: See available rooms at Hotel Diplomat
Ett Hem
Ett Hem is a private townhouse from 1910 in Lärkstaden, with a handful of rooms designed by Ilse Crawford, a library, a garden and a kitchen where guests eat together. It feels more like staying with someone than staying in a hotel.
Book your stay: See available rooms at Ett Hem
Södermalm
Södermalm, or Söder, is the island south of Gamla Stan, with cafés, vintage shops and nightlife around Mariatorget, Nytorget and SoFo. You stay where Stockholmers go out, with the view from Monteliusvägen and Fotografiska within walking distance.
Hotel Rival
Hotel Rival is on Mariatorget and is owned by Benny Andersson of ABBA, with its own 1930s cinema and a bar full of locals in the evening.
Book your stay: See available rooms at Hotel Rival
Clarion Hotel Stockholm
Clarion Hotel Stockholm is at Skanstull, with the metro outside the door and the cafés of Söder a few minutes away. A large, practical hotel if you want to stay on Söder and get into the centre quickly.
Book your stay: See available rooms at Clarion Hotel Stockholm
The bar at Hotel Rival
On Södermalm, the hotel bar is as much the neighbourhood's bar as the guests'.
Kungsholmen
Kungsholmen is the island west of the centre, with the City Hall on Riddarfjärden, long waterfront promenades and a more local feel. It is quiet at night, but Central Station is a fifteen-minute walk.
Book your stay: Clarion Hotel Amaranten is on Kungsholmen, a few minutes from Rådhuset metro station and within walking distance of the City Hall.
Djurgården and Solna
On Djurgården you have the Vasa Museum, Skansen and Gröna Lund on your doorstep, but it is quiet at night and further from the restaurants in the centre. Hotel Hasselbacken is in the middle of the island, and Villa Källhagen by the water at Djurgårdsbrunnsviken. Read more in our Djurgården guide.
If you are going to a concert or a match at Strawberry Arena, it is easiest to stay in Solna. Quality Hotel Strawberry Arena is connected to the arena. Read more in our Strawberry Arena guide.
Where to stay in Stockholm: frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Stockholm for first-time visitors?
Norrmalm, Blasieholmen and Gamla Stan. You can walk to most things and are close to Central Station and the Arlanda Express.
Where should you stay in Stockholm with children?
Djurgården or Östermalm, close to Skansen, Junibacken and Gröna Lund. Hotel Hasselbacken on Djurgården and Hotel Diplomat on Strandvägen are good choices.
Where should you stay in Stockholm for nightlife?
Södermalm, around Mariatorget and Nytorget, or around Stureplan in Östermalm. Hotel Rival on Söder and the hotels on Brunkebergstorg are right in the middle of it.
Where should you stay for a quick trip from Arlanda?
Near Central Station, where the Arlanda Express arrives. Clarion Hotel Sign and Hotel C Stockholm are a few minutes away.
Is Gamla Stan a good place to stay?
Yes, if you want to experience the old town in the morning and evening. Rooms can be smaller than elsewhere in the city, and there are cobbles and steps everywhere.