Join our community

Select...
Stockholm

Visit Stockholm

Stockholm is a city of granite islands and cold water where the urban sprawl is divided by fourteen separate landmasses connected by fifty seven bridges. It provides a sleek and highly designed hub for a Stockholm road trip through the deep forests and archipelagos of the north. You should explore the Gamla Stan to see the narrowest street in the city, Mårten Trotzigs Gränd, which is only ninety centimeters wide. The local culture is defined by fika, the ritual coffee break that takes place in wood paneled bakeries across the Södermalm district. For a unique detail, visit the Stockholm Subway. It is often called the world’s longest art gallery because nearly every station is carved into raw bedrock and painted with massive murals.

The city geography is anchored by the Royal Palace and the Riddarholmen Church where the cast iron spire has dominated the horizon since the nineteenth century. You should visit the Vasa Museum on Djurgården island to see the perfectly preserved seventeenth century warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was raised from the mud three hundred years later. For a specific local experience, drive to the Skogskyrkogården, a forest cemetery that blends modernist architecture with the natural pine woods. You can find the history of Swedish pop culture at the Abba Museum or see the site of the 1973 Norrmalmstorg robbery which gave birth to the term Stockholm Syndrome.

Leaving the city involves navigating the Essingeleden, the busiest motorway in Scandinavia, which carries the E4 highway north toward Uppsala or south toward the Baltic coast. The road system is dominated by clean tunnels and bridges that offer glimpses of the thousands of islands that make up the surrounding archipelago. You will notice the landscape transition from the glass and steel of the city center to a horizon of red wooden cottages and dark water almost immediately. Stockholm is the cultural and economic capital of Sweden and a place where the sea is a permanent part of the streetscape.

Top sights to visit

  • Vasa Museum Ship Step inside to see the massive warship that sank in 1628 and was perfectly preserved in the mud for over three hundred years. Admire the thousands of intricate wood carvings that decorate the hull and the masts that reach the ceiling. This is a one of a kind sight that is the most popular museum in Scandinavia.
  • Gamla Stan Alleys Wander through the narrowest cobblestone streets of the Old Town to find an alleyway that is only ninety centimeters wide. Stop at a cozy basement cafe for a traditional coffee and a cinnamon bun. This island is a living museum of colorful merchant houses and royal history from the seventeenth century.
  • The Royal Palace Watch the daily changing of the guard in the massive outer courtyard of one of the largest palaces in Europe. Explore the cellar to see the crown jewels and the silver font used for royal christenings. This stone landmark is the official residence of the King and a powerful symbol of the Swedish monarchy.
  • Stockholm Subway Art Take a ride on the subway to see the longest art gallery in the world, where nearly every station is carved into the rock and painted by artists. Do not miss the main central stations for their dramatic murals that look like caves. It is a unique and creative way to see the hidden side of the city.
  • Skansen Open Air Walk through this massive park to see over one hundred historic buildings brought from all over Sweden, including traditional farms. Watch the craftsmen work using methods from the nineteenth century. This is the oldest open air museum in the world and a wonderful place to see the rural past of the country.
  • City Hall Tower Climb the brick tower for a stunning view of the many islands and bridges that make up the city. Take a guided tour to see the Golden Hall, which is covered in eighteen million gold mosaic tiles. This building is a masterpiece of national romanticism and the most famous silhouette of the city.
  • Södermalm Viewpoints Walk the cliffside path for a panoramic view of the harbor and the Old Town. Explore the many independent boutiques and vintage shops for a taste of the trendy, creative side of Stockholm. This island is the heart of the modern culture of the city and has the best sunset views.
  • The ABBA Museum Put on your dancing shoes and visit this interactive museum dedicated to the most famous pop group in the world. Record your own song in the studio or dance on stage with life sized digital versions of the band. It is a high energy, joyful experience that is a must for any music lover.
  • Djurgården Park Drive Drive onto this lush, green island to walk the many paths along the water and through the ancient oak forests. Visit the organic garden for a lunch in a glass greenhouse. This island is the favorite playground of the city because it offers a perfect mix of nature and world class museums.
  • Stortorget Square Stand in the heart of the Old Town to see the iconic red and yellow merchant houses that appear on every postcard. Visit the Nobel Prize Museum in the former Stock Exchange building to learn about the winners and their ideas. This square is the historic center of Stockholm and a great place for people watching.
  • Monteliusvägen Path Walk this narrow wooden path along the edge of the hill for the most romantic view of the City Hall and the lake. Time your visit for sunrise or sunset to see the light reflecting off the water and the historic buildings. It is a peaceful hidden gem that is a favorite for local photographers.
  • Rosendals Garden Cafe Wander through the organic orchards and flower beds of this beautiful urban farm. Sit under the apple trees for a homemade soup or cake made with ingredients grown on the site. This is a quiet, sustainable sanctuary that feels like a hidden country estate in the middle of the city.

Hotel deals

Weather forecast

Top Local Experiences

Explore with a Local Expert

Like to plan a trip to Stockholm?

Enter your location and we’ll help you plan your adventure

History of Stockholm

Stockholm is a city of fourteen islands, built where the freshwater of Lake Mälaren meets the salty Baltic Sea. Founded in the 13th century as a defensive fortress against pirates, it grew into the center of the Swedish Empire, which dominated the Baltic for over a hundred years. The city’s wealth from the iron and copper trade funded the construction of the grand Royal Palace and the colorful merchant houses of Gamla Stan, the Old Town, which remains one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Europe.

Sweden’s history of neutrality for over two hundred years allowed Stockholm to escape the destruction of the World Wars, preserving its architectural heritage. In the mid-20th century, the city became the model for the Swedish Way, a social democratic experiment that combined capitalism with a high level of social welfare. This period saw the construction of the futuristic subway system, known as the world’s longest art gallery, and a focus on minimalist, functional design that made Sweden a global leader in style.

Today, Stockholm is a global hub for technology and innovation, the birthplace of companies like Spotify and IKEA. It is a city that feels both incredibly old and cutting-edge modern. People here specifically value Lagom: the concept of having just the right amount. The city is defined by its connection to the water with ferries and sailboats constantly moving between the islands. Driving through Stockholm, you see a capital that is the undisputed cultural and economic heart of Scandinavia.