What’s on in Stockholm?

What makes Stockholm so unique is the ability to experience big-city life, culture, history and nature in a short time. Famous attractions include the Royal Palace, the Old Town and Gröna Lund. On Stockholm.com you can find guides to events, sights and activities, hotels and restaurants, along with ideas to help you plan your visit.

Attractions and Sights

Stockholm has a wide variety of exciting sights and attractions. Many visitors start with the Old Town and the Royal Palace. The palace stands on historic grounds where the medieval Tre Kronor castle once stood. Just west of the city is Drottningholm Palace. Stockholm also has several historic churches, including Riddarholmen Church and Stockholm Cathedral, with roots in the Middle Ages.

In the middle of town is Kungsträdgården or "Stockholm's living room" - an oasis where people come to hang out, eat well and relax. A little further away, out on Djurgården island is the city's popular amusement park Gröna Lund, with exciting attractions and concerts. In the same area you will find Junibacken - a fairy tale world inspired by Astrid Lindgren's famous children's books. There is also Skansen with its museum and zoo, where you can see wolves and other wildlife.

The city is surrounded by water, and many places offer wonderful views. Walking along the waterfront is a lovely way to see how Stockholm’s islands fit together. Use our map to find activities and attractions nearby.

Museums

With its long history, Stockholm has a lot to tell and therefore there are many interesting museums for you to visit. In the vicinity of the Royal Palace you will find the Royal Armoury and Gustav III's Museum of Antiquities. The warship Vasa sank during its maiden voyage in 1628, but the ship has been salvaged and is on display at the Vasa Museum on Djurgården island. We recommend you visit the ABBA the Museum while on the island.

The city also houses the Museum of Natural History - Cosmonova, Nordic Museum, the City Museum and the Technical Museum, which presents technology and development from a historical perspective. Hallwyl is a former private residence, which has been preserved in its entirety. This 19th-century palace was ahead of its time and is decorated with technical innovations and beautiful art.

In Stockholm there are several interesting art museums. Besides Carl Eldhs Studio Museum there is also the National Museum, which shows old paintings by great artists such as Carl Larsson and Anders Zorn. Moderna Museet shows the current art and art installations. There is also the Museum of Photography.

Hotels

Stockholm offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxury hotels with elegant rooms and suites to budget hotels and hostels. Some hotels overlook the water, while others are close to shopping, attractions or Stockholm Central Station. Some budget hotels offer compact cabin-style rooms without windows. Read previous guests’ reviews and think about the parts of the city you want to explore. Staying near Stockholm Central Station can also be convenient for onward travel.

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Shopping

Right in the center you will find popular shopping areas with boutiques, shops and malls, such as NK or Nordiska Kompaniet and Åhléns. In addition to these you may want to visit Hötorget and the Hötorgshallen food hall. Easy to reach, it is a few blocks away from the Central Station and there are good connections to the subway and bus. A little further away is also Östermalm and Stureplan and many other exclusive shops.

The Old Town is a popular shopping area, the streets are lined with unique little shops and in recent years Södermalm has also become a very popular shopping area. Many come here for the unique blend of craftsmanship, design and vintage items. Stockholm has several large malls and one of them is Liljeholmstorget, just a few subway stops away.

Transport

Many visitors arrive at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, north of the city. Trains and buses connect the airport with central Stockholm. Check current services and tickets before travelling. If you choose a taxi, ask about the price before starting your journey.

Once in the city, there is a well-developed transportation system consisting of buses and metro, which has lines that extend both inside and outside the city. Stockholm Central Station is located right in the city center, close to Arlanda Express and the City Terminal. Many Swedes prefer to travel to Stockholm by train instead of by car, because the latter is often associated with traffic jams. Moreover, it is difficult and expensive to find parking in central city.

Some visitors arrive by cruise ship or ferry. Check which terminal your service uses. Boats connect Stockholm’s islands, and ferries and other services reach the archipelago. Routes and timetables vary by season.

Sightseeing

There are many ways to get around and experience the city. Stockholm is a nice city to walk in, and offers both private and public guided hiking tours and photo walks. Hop-on hop-off tour buses are a popular choice, where you yourself choose what to see and how long you want to stay in each place.

To see buildings and neighbourhoods from a different perspective, take to the water. Sightseeing cruises offer views of the waterfront, bridges and islands. You can also plan your own archipelago trip using the boat services. Kayaking, sailing and guided experiences offer other ways to explore the surroundings.

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Events

Stockholm offers concerts, theatre, sport and many other events. The city’s arenas host major artists, matches and shows, while smaller stages offer everything from live music to comedy. Stockholm Stadium and Hovet are two of its well-known venues.

The city is also a setting for sporting events, cultural celebrations and festivals. Use our event calendar to choose your dates and find out what is happening during your visit.

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Popular neighborhoods

Södermalm

Södermalm offers an interesting and picturesque urban environment. Here you can find a variety of cozy cafés and boutiques - many with a focus on design, art, crafts and vintage. Tourists often come here to visit the Fotografiska or to enjoy theater performances at venues such as the Södra Teatern or the Göta Lejon. On the western end of the island, near Hornstull you will find Tantolunden, a popular nature area with plantation cottages and lidos.

Östermalm

The fine neighborhoods around Östermalm are adorned with many beautiful buildings with handsome facades. Östermalm and Norrmalm are also among Stockholm's hottest neighborhoods along with Stureplan square and boast exclusive nightspots, restaurants and shops. You will also find Östermalmshallen and Stureplan mall here.

Gamla stan

Old Town wins many hearts with its narrow, cobblestone streets and quaint houses. You will find the Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral and the beautiful Skeppsbrokajen, which invites strolling by the water. The area has many small shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes. Other attractions here include the Treasury, the Nobel Prize Museum and the Royal Armoury. On Helgeandsholmen which is adjacent to Old Town you will find the Swedish Parliament building.

City

In the heart of the city, a few blocks from Stockholm Central Station and the Arlanda Express there are several popular shopping areas, both major centers and smaller shops. Here you can also visit Sergelstorg square or the ”plate" and the city's cultural center, which is run by the Culture City Theatre.

Kungsholmen

Kungsholmen is known for its parks and waterfront walks. It is home to Stockholm City Hall, one of the country’s most famous buildings. Check visiting arrangements before planning a tour. In summer, many people swim at Smeduddsbadet or stroll along Norr Mälarstrand.

Haga

Close to central Stockholm lies leafy Hagaparken. This English-style park contains Haga Palace and walking paths beside Brunnsviken. It is also home to the Butterfly House Haga Ocean.

Vasastan

This central district is very picturesque and bears many traces of another time. One of the most famous local profiles in the area was the famous author Astrid Lindgren, who for 70 years lived in an apartment in Dalagatan, overlooking Vasa Park.

Djurgården

Scenic Djurgården is popular with visitors and Stockholm locals alike. Here you will find Rosendal Palace and, nearby, Rosendals Trädgård. The island also has the Vasa Museum, Skansen, Junibacken, Gröna Lund and ABBA The Museum.

The Archipelago

Stockholm archipelago consists of 30 000 islands and there are inexhaustible opportunities for adventure. You do not need your own boat to get out because there is a wide selection of ferry routes, tourist boats and various boat trips Many tourists go on a day trip to one of the larger islands, Utö or Fjäderholmarna where there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and small shops.

Birka

On the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren lie the remains of the Viking town of Birka. A trip here can combine history, guided tours and a museum visit. Check current boat services and activities before travelling.

Vinterviken

Vinterviken is a scenic park area in a bay in East Lake Mälaren. For many years Alfred Nobel engaged in business here and many of the buildings related to his enterprises are preserved as historic. The former dynamite factory now houses a café and function rooms and in the surrounding garden there are plenty of picnic areas.

Långholmen

Långholmen is a long narrow island between Kungsholmen and Södermalm. This was formerly a famous prison and a part of the prison now serves as a youth hostel. The area is popular for its beautiful nature and both locals and tourists enjoy this recreational area.

Entertainment and Nightlife

Stockholm has a rich nightlife, with pubs, bars and nightclubs. Around Stureplan, on Södermalm and elsewhere in the city there are many options for an evening out. Dinner shows can combine food and entertainment, while other nights might call for theatre, concerts, opera, ballet or a musical.

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Food and Drink

Stockholm’s restaurants combine Swedish food traditions with new influences. The city offers everything from traditional dining rooms to neighbourhood restaurants and cuisines from around the world. There is also a wide choice of cafés and bakeries.

There are plenty of pubs and nice bars - some with live music and entertainment. The city offers an immense range of pleasant cafes and patisseries, with good handmade pastries. Many gourmet restaurants offer unique menus, prepared with the best seasonal ingredients. In different parts of the city organized private courses in cooking can be found. If you are interested in special culinary experiences it is a good idea to find information on your interests even before you begin your journey.

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Facts and travel tips

Stockholm has a northern location and variations in weather can be extreme from time to time. The summer is usually warm and sunny, while the winter months are generally cold, with snow and ice. In the summertime it can be worthwhile to look for hotels with air conditioning - especially if you visit the city during July and August, which are the hottest months.

Stockholm is a relatively expensive city to stay in and it can cost a lot to snack and eat out. In the center and in the most attractive areas there are many really fine, award winning restaurants, but there are also plenty of affordable options. It may be worthwhile to seek a bit away from the most popular tourist areas.

At events like the Stockholm Marathon and Stockholm Pride the hotels in town may book up quickly and at certain times it may be difficult to find a good hotel room. Therefore it is always a good idea to reserve well in advance - make a request to the desired hotel before you book the trip.

During some especially busy weekends and holidays, such as Christmas and Easter there may be limited open hours in museums and stores. At those times there may also be some changes in local transport timetables.

Packages and Deals

If you want to combine different parts of your visit, look for packages that include a hotel and activities, or dinner and a show. Always check which dates, tickets and extras are included. Browse our activities and experiences for ideas.

Visitor passes and admission tickets

If you plan to visit several museums and attractions, compare individual admission tickets with any visitor passes available for your travel dates. Check which attractions are included, how long the pass is valid, whether advance booking is needed and what arrangements apply to public transport.