Stockholm

Q: What are the best things to do in Stockholm?

Top picks include the Vasa Museum, Gamla Stan, the view from City Hall tower, the Djurgarden museums like Skansen and ABBA, and a boat tour into the archipelago.

Q: How many days do you need in Stockholm?

Three to four days covers central Stockholm and Gamla Stan, the Djurgarden museums and a day out into the archipelago.

Q: When is the best time to visit Stockholm?

Late spring through summer brings long daylight and the archipelago in full swing; shoulder seasons are quieter and better value.

Fourteen islands of old-town lanes, Scandinavian design and archipelago

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Sweden’s capital spreads across 14 islands where a great lake meets the Baltic, pairing a beautifully preserved medieval old town with sleek Scandinavian design, world-class museums and an archipelago. Our local picks below cover the best things to do, eat and book – filter by category and budget to explore.

Stockholm at a glance

Ideal stay: 3 to 4 days
Best time to visit: late spring to summer
Highlights: the Vasa Museum, Gamla Stan and Djurgarden
Where to stay: Norrmalm, Gamla Stan or Sodermalm
Local picks: a growing set of hand-chosen tips
Getting around: a walkable centre, metro and ferries

Where to stay in Stockholm

Compare live hotel prices on the map, then browse our hand-picked hotels by budget below. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Luxury

Grand Hotel Stockholm

Stockholm's grande dame on the waterfront opposite the Royal Palace, with fine dining, a spa and classic five-star service.

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At Six

Stockholm's leading contemporary design hotel, an art-forward stay in a modernist tower with a destination restaurant and rooftop bar.

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Hotel Diplomat

An elegant waterfront hotel on Strandvagen in Ostermalm, a refined and highly rated luxury choice.

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Mid-range

Hotel Rival

Part-owned by ABBA's Benny Andersson, a characterful Art Deco hotel in a restored 1937 cinema on Sodermalm.

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Hotel Ett

A boutique Ostermalm hotel with individually styled Scandinavian rooms and a peaceful garden courtyard.

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Miss Clara

A design hotel in a converted 19th-century school, blending ornate architecture with high-ceilinged modern rooms.

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Budget

Generator Stockholm

A stylish, design-led budget hotel and hostel near the centre, popular for good value and sociable spaces.

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Hotel C Stockholm

A large, practical hotel right by the Central Station, handy for trains, the airport express and the old town.

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Prefer a self-catering flat or house? Browse Stockholm rentals on Vrbo →

ABBA The Museum

An interactive museum on Djurgarden dedicated to Sweden’s most famous pop group, with costumes, memorabilia and hands-on, sing-along exhibits. Book timed tickets ahead.

Babette

A buzzy, wine-led neighbourhood restaurant popular with Stockholm’s food-and-drink crowd, known for wood-fired plates and a carefully chosen natural wine list.

★ 4.3

Djurgarden

A green island just east of the centre, home to many of Stockholm’s top museums plus parkland, walking trails and waterside cafes. Easy to reach by tram or ferry.

Gaia

A chef-run restaurant in Midsommarkransen with a devoted local following, serving a personal, seasonal menu built on mostly organic Swedish ingredients.

★ 4.6

Gamla Stan (Old Town)

Stockholm’s medieval old town, founded in 1252, is a maze of cobbled lanes, ochre buildings, the Royal Palace and cafe-lined squares. Free to wander and the historic heart of the city.

Gamla Stan Old Town Walking Tour

A guided walk through Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s medieval old town founded in 1252, taking in the Royal Palace, narrow cobbled lanes and the main square, Stortorget.

Hornstulls Marknad

A weekend flea and food market on Sodermalm’s waterfront, mixing vintage and second-hand stalls with street-food trucks and a lively local crowd.

Monteliusvagen

A scenic walking path along the ridge of Sodermalm with sweeping free views over the water, City Hall and the old town, especially lovely at sunset.

Ostermalms Saluhall

A beautiful late-19th-century food hall in Ostermalm, ranked among the world’s best, with counters of Swedish seafood, game, cheese and bread plus places to sit and eat.

Pet Sounds Bar

The sibling of Södermalm’s iconic Pet Sounds Records, this lovely little bar attracts local music fanatics with its carefully curated sounds, guest DJs and decent selection of drinks.

Restaurant Pelikan

A grand traditional Swedish beer hall on Sodermalm, serving classics like meatballs and herring under high ceilings and candlelight since 1904.

★ 4.3

Skansen

The world’s oldest open-air museum, on Djurgarden, recreating historic Sweden with old buildings, craftspeople in period dress and a Nordic zoo. A long-standing Stockholm family favourite.

Snotty Sounds Bar

Snotty Sounds is a cosy bar that lives and breathes indie rock. It attracts a diverse crowd with its fairly priced drinks and pleasant ambiance, and is a great place to catch…

Stockholm Archipelago Boat Tour

Stockholm sits at the edge of an archipelago of some 30,000 islands. A boat tour, from a couple of hours to a full day, is the classic way to see the islands, lighthouses and red summer houses.

Stockholm City Hall Tower

Climb the tower of Stockholm City Hall, home of the Nobel Prize banquet, for one of the best panoramic views over the old town and water. Tower access is by timed ticket in the warmer months.

Stockholm Metro Art Tour

Stockholm’s metro is billed as the world’s longest art gallery, with around 90 of its 100 stations decorated by artists. A guided ride reveals the best stations and the stories behind them.

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Book your trip to Stockholm

Find the best hotels and book tours and experiences, all in one place.

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Stockholm travel FAQ

What are the best things to do in Stockholm?

Top picks include the Vasa Museum, wandering Gamla Stan (the old town), the view from City Hall tower, the Djurgarden island museums like Skansen and ABBA, and a boat tour into the archipelago.

How many days do you need in Stockholm?

Three to four days lets you cover central Stockholm and Gamla Stan, the Djurgarden museums and a day out into the archipelago at a comfortable pace.

What food is Stockholm known for?

Swedish classics like meatballs, herring and the fika coffee break, alongside a strong New Nordic and seafood scene and historic food halls such as Ostermalms Saluhall.

When is the best time to visit Stockholm?

Late spring through summer brings long daylight hours and the archipelago in full swing; the shoulder seasons are quieter and better value.