Following a fun summer in Central Europe we came to Stockholm overwhelmed, but full of excitement! We only had 2 days visiting Stockholm so when we officially landed we were ready to hit the ground running. After arriving, we breezed through our list of what to do in Stockholm and headed out to explore. Stretching out wildly over many islands, this capital city was like nothing we’d ever seen before. Our time in Stockholm was filled with amazing museums, art, and all the delicious food we could get our hands on. This Stockholm travel guide will take you through beautiful old town, to the best restaurants, attractions, and everything we loved about the city!

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What to do in Stockholm Travel Guide

1. Fika

First things first! Every morning visiting Stockholm isn’t complete without the Fika experience. Fika is a coffee and pastry combo enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Essentially it’s a time to slow down from your day, enjoy the company of others, and take a moment for a delicious breakfast. The sweet treat you should order with your coffee is called a Kanelbullar, which is a braided sticky bun. It’s easily the tastiest cinnamon bun we’ve ever had!

2. Gamla Stan

Otherwise known as Stockholm old town, Gamla Stan is one of the most beautiful of its kind in Europe. We actually booked our hotel here without even realizing we were in this vast section of the city! After hours of exploring we can honestly say this is the place to be on your visit. Just walking through the colorful streets and shops are a fun activity in itself.

If the medieval architecture of Stockholm old town isn’t enough to impress you, there’s always plenty of other things to keep you entertained. With its many museums, beautiful churches, restaurants, and endless bars, you shouldn’t have a problem finding what to do in Stockholm old town! Make sure to check out our hotel recommendations at the bottom of this post.

3. Stortorget

When visiting Stockholm old town the very first place you should go is Stortorget! Not only is this oldest square in all of Sweden, but you won’t be able to take your eyes off the stunning buildings. For years this area in Gamla Stan has been the scene of performances, great commerce, and even the occasional political uprising. It also features the Old Stock Exchange building, Nobel Museum, and a one of a kind medieval water well that’s still in operation!

Stockholm Travel Tip: The top photo of this post was taken at 6:30am while the one below was in the middle of the afternoon. We highly recommend waking up early and walking the streets of Stockholm old town before the tourists are out in full force. You can even stop in for Fika as the morning shops start to open up!

Stortorget Location

4. Nobel Museum

You may be surprised to know that the man behind the famed Nobel Prize was actually from Sweden. Yes, that’s right! Alfred Nobel was a Swedish businessman, engineer, chemist, and inventor born in the city. When looking for what to do in Stockholm, the Nobel Museum was one thing that really stuck out to us. Interestingly enough, the main exhibit during our visit was about Martin Luther King Jr. from our home country! Out of all the amazing Stockholm museums we went to this was definitely a favorite.

Nobel Museum Location

5. The Royal Palace

It should come as no surprise that one of the best things in our Stockholm travel guide is a visit to the famous palace! The Royal Palace of Stockholm has a staggering 600 rooms, making it one of the largest in all of Europe.

Since it was rebuilt in the 18th century after a fire, the palace has been home to dozens of famous Kings and Queens over the years. Take your time to explore each of the glamorous rooms and history on display. Today the massive house of royalty plays host to several Stockholm museums, and is still home to the King and Queen of Sweden!

The Royal Palace Location

6. ABBA Takeover

When visiting Stockholm it will be impossible to avoid the biggest pop band to ever come out of the country. Responsible for hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia,” you’ll quickly see why the members of ABBA are treated like national heroes in Stockholm. As you can imagine, there’s plenty of ways to experience ABBA in the city if you’re interested. The options range from city tours to theatre, and even an entire Stockholm museum dedicated to ABBA’s musical journey!

7. Vasa Museum

We warned you that there’s an absurd amount of museums to see when visiting Stockholm! The Vasa is a ship that actually capsized and sank in the year 1628. The boat would then lay at the bottom of the Stockholm Harbor for the next 333 years! When it was finally raised from the sea in 1959 it became a spectacle for everyone to see.

These days it serves as one of the best examples of the Great Power Period in Sweden when they were dominating the waters of Scandinavia. I guess it makes sense that exploring this old battle ship is one of the most popular things to do in Stockholm!

Vasa Museum Location

8. Swedish Food

The food in Stockholm is an exciting combination of flavors that will blow you away with each bite. Mostly centered around fresh seafood, sweets, and tender plates of meat, every meal we had almost topped the last!

From your morning Fika to Swedish meatballs, this is clearly not a city you’ll go hungry in. If you have time don’t skip out on getting a fried herring burger in Stockholm old town. Honestly, we could go on and on about the delicious food of Stockholm. Well, we actually did (haha!)

An Affordable Food Lovers Day in Stockholm.

9. Kungsträdgården

Kungsträdgården is one of the oldest public parks in Stockholm, and also known as the most beautiful. The history of the “Kings Garden” dates back to the mid 17th century when it was the site of the Royal Makalös Palace. Although the famous palace eventually burnt down, the park built in its place became opened to the public in 1875.

Now if you’re up for more art outside of the Stockholm museums, the cities intricate line of subway systems are full of it! On the blue line in the center of downtown Stockholm you will find Kungsträdgården station. It tells the story of the park above in the coolest way possible, and is worth a visit if you’re heading to this area.

Kungsträdgården Location

10. Fjällgatan Viewpoint

Looking for the best view of Stockholm? Then you’ll have to see it from above! Known by locals as “Stockholm’s Balcony” the Fjällgatan sits high above the water and road below. To get there you’ll have to walk up the hill or catch a ride into the Södermalm District. From the top you’ll be blessed with a panoramic view of Stockholm old town, the islands, and all the famous attractions below! There’s also a cafe with an indoor area if you’re battling the weather.

Fjällgatan Viewpoint Location

11. Fotografiska

If there’s one art museum we can recommend in our Stockholm Travel Guide it’s definitely the Fotografiska! At the Stockholm Museum of Photography you’ll be impressed by the wide array of exhibitions and styles.

One of the best parts is that it’s also located right below the Fjällgatan viewpoint. This makes it easily accessible by the water taxi’s and tour boats so you’ll have no problem getting to this amazing photo display.

Fotografiska Location

12. Stockholm Waterways

Stockholm is located on fourteen different islands where the Baltic Sea meets Lake Mälaren. You can navigate the waterways in two different and fun ways while visiting Stockholm.

The first is by crossing a series of beautiful bridges that take you through the separate areas of the cities. The second (and favorite way for us) was to jump on one of the many boats to get around. In addition, most are fully equipped with bars for snacks and drinks as you float around town!

13. Skeppsholmen

While we’re on the topic of boats… Skeppsholmen is one of the many islands you can adventure to on your trip to Stockholm! What used to be a makeshift military base is now filled with museums, a world class hotel, and many popular summer festivals. You can access this unique island on foot from the Kungsträdgården, or from several locations within the city by boat. On our trip we stopped by for lunch and a swim!

Skeppsholmen Location

14. Drottninggatan

When visiting Stockholm you’ll be spending a lot of time on this major pedestrian street. The colorful Drottninggatan stretches for over 2 kilometers through downtown Stockholm. Although many of buildings are name brand department stores, there are some unique features of Drottninggatan that you should know in our Stockholm travel guide. This includes the famous spa Centralbadet, an outdoor fruit and vegetable market at Hötorget, and the wide open Sunken Square.

Drottninggatan Location

15. Archipelago Tour

Our final recommendation for what to do in Stockholm Sweden was also one of our favorite activities! The Archipelago boat tour takes you through the hundreds of gorgeous islands just outside the city. If you can believe it, the region surrounding Stockholm consists of over 24,000 islands! This popular boat ride will take you on a 2.5 hour tour of some of the best islets, all while explaining the history in a fun and interesting way.

Stockholm Pass

If you’re visiting Stockholm for multiple days you may want to consider getting the Stockholm Pass. This will give you access to all the Stockholm museums, boat tours, and main attractions during your stay. In full disclosure, we partnered with Visit Stockholm for our visit and were provided with these passes. Nevertheless, all opinions and recommendations in this Stockholm travel guide are our own!

Do you have anything you loved about the city or think we should add to our Stockholm travel guide? Let us know in the comments below!

Safe Travels,

Brigitte & Jake

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Where To Stay In Stockholm Sweden

Ultra Luxury (High End) – Grand Hotel Stockholm – Set on the waterfront across from the Royal Palace, this upscale hotel offers a luxury spa and top notch amenities. The large rooms and Swedish decor will make you feel like you’re actually staying in a palace!

Fun Vacation (Mid Range) – Berns Hotel – Gorgeous boutique hotel with roots back to the year 1863. Spacious rooms with unique designs and views of the city. The Berns Hotel also features a rooftop terrace if you’re in the mood for late night drinks.

Travel Couple (Longterm) – Castle House Inn – Located in the heart of old town, each room is individually decorated with retro Hollywood flare. This is the perfect place for couples, and near all the best attractions when you’re searching for what to do in Stockholm Sweden! Just make sure to book in advance to secure a budget room.

Hostel Life (Budget) – Dockside Hostel Old Town – Small rooms with a great location just on the edge of Stockholm old town. Nice common area with kitchen and bag storage for late check out.

For more places to stay while deciding what to do in Stockholm Sweden you can explore the latest prices here!

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