Stockholm, the biggest city of Sweden is quite a charming place and pretty much on the list of globe trotters. It’s deemed as the shopping capital of the North. Stockholm offers a variety of entertainment and aesthetics to the visitors which includes the captivating modern Scandinavian designs. There are a lot of things to do in Stockholm. The city has everything from islands, monuments to museums which pretty much fills up visitors’ time exploring around the city. This land of natural beauty and attractive islands still holds the old world culture and charm intact along with offering modern comfort and facilities. The Scandinavian city is home to must-see attractions, cafes, restaurants, museums, boutique shops, which are a must-visit.
14 Best Things To Do In Stockholm
With a well-connected bus service and self drive scooters, traveling and exploring the city becomes a lot more fun and easier. The locals also refer to the city as “levande stad,” which means “living city.” Traveling along the city is like living a dream. Take a look at the top 15 things to do when you are in Stockholm.
1. Vasa Museum – Take A Tour
If stories of sunken ships send jitters down your spine, then a visit to the Vasa Museum is a must. The museum is named after the magnificent seventeenth century Vasa warship, which sank on its maiden trip. In the year 1961, Vasa sank in the middle of Stockholm. The museum has been built just yards away from where the ship was recovered. As you enter the museum, you will be awestruck with the stunning colossal recreation of the real Vasa warship. You can experience the immense beauty and have an insight into the life of the people who got sunk with the ship.
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2. Gamla Stan – Walk Around Old Town
One of the largest and well preserved medieval city centers in Europe, Gamla Stan is famous for its narrow medieval lanes, which lead to roadside café and bars. With pedestrian friendly sights and views, you will be amazed as you stroll down the streets of Gamla Stan, which means The Old Town. As you walk down the streets, you will find hundreds of local cafes, ice cream shops and other shops selling souvenirs and handicrafts. If you want to take a token of remembrance from Stockholm, then do not miss buying souvenirs from here. To add to your excitement, you must visit the Royal Place, one of the largest palaces in the world with over 600 rooms and Nobel Museum in Gamla Stan.
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3. Boating
With numerous water bodies, Stockholm offers several ways to explore the rivers. You can choose to take a hop-on hop-off boat ride to explore the canals and overhead bridges or hire a rowing boat to enjoy the tour at your speed. But if you want your journey to be overwhelming and memorable, then take a trip to the Archipelago just a few minutes away from the city of Stockholm. A cluster of 30,000 islands, islets and rocks, the place is a beauty on its own where each island has its own character.
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4. Royal Palace – Submerge In Its Charm
A massive built during the 18 century, the Royal Palace in Stockholm is home to five large museums and a royal armory. With over 600 rooms, it is also the official residence of the King of Sweden. The Royal Palace and Drottningholm Palace serve as huge royal offices and museums. To make the most out of your visit, try to be present during the changing of the guard ceremony at the museum entrance to witness a colorful display of Swedish pomp and ceremony.
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5. Östermalms Saluhall – Relish Swedish Food
If you want to experience authentic food bites and historic old vibes, then you must visit Saluhall market which still retains its old charm of the 1880’s food halls. Featuring dark wood carvings on each food stall and offering Swedish delicacies like bread, pastries, chocolates, seafood, and moose meat, the beauty and liveliness of this place is totally beyond expression. It is truly a breathtaking experience to visit the Ostermalms Saluhall and relish absolutely fantastic Swedish produce.
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6. Skansen – Travel Back In Time
Image Credit: Mariamichelle for Pixabay
Skansen is the world’s first open air museum that depicts the life of Scandinavians during the early decades. The museum is home to 150 buildings, of which the oldest dates back to the 14th century. Besides the elderly, the place is also loved by children as they get to see the lifestyle of people belonging to the early days when there was no mode of entertainment like today. What adds to the excitement are the actors who are dressed in historical costumes and enact the day to day living of the people belonging to the place. You can spot farmlands and houses of people who are involved in the trade like shoemaking, pottery, glassworks, etc. The open air museum also hosts the Stockholm zoo, comprising animals native to Scandinavia and thus the place is perfect for a family outing.
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7. City Hall – Climb the towers for views
For adventure lovers, the City Hall Tower is a must-visit. The 106-meter long tower offers a breathtaking bird view of Stockholm. While you opt for a guided tour to the red brick building along with the tower, you can experience fantastic architecture, which includes the Blue Hall, which is home to the Nobel Banquet, and the Golden Hall, which is a beauty where you can spot 18 million gold mosaic tiles. As once being the Swedish national coat of arms, the City Hall tower is a remarkable monument in the city of Stockholm. While you plan to take a tour to the City Hall, book your guided tour beforehand to get an entry permit.
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8. Shopping
Shop from a plethora of Swedish brands selling high street fashion and interior design shops while you are in Stockholm. Besides one of a kind fashion outlets, Stockholm also has artsy corners selling unique gifts and homeware. Those who are simply looking for antiques and souvenirs can head to the famous flagship store, Hantverkargatan Arton located in Kungsholmen, Stockholm. Here you can collect beautiful, everyday art pieces to beautify your homes. Gamla Stan is another famous place to buy unique gifts and souvenirs in Sweden.
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9. Stockholm’s Metro – Witness The Artwork
Stockholm’s metro presents one of the world’s largest art exhibits. People who are fascinated by graffiti and wall paintings are sure to enjoy the Stockholm’s metro ride. The metro stations in Stockholm are illustrated by paintings, graffiti and carved into art exhibit. The suspended dodecahedron in Tekniska Högskolan and rainbow in Stadion is a treat to watch. You can board the metro from any station across Stockholm and enjoy the artistic beauty. The travel card for one day costs about 115 SEK.
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10. Hornstulls Strand – Bask Under The Sun
When winters in Sweden get extremely harsh and you want to soak in some sun, visit Hornstulls Strand for the best sunbathing experience. Located on the western tip of Södermalm, Hornstulls Strand is an ultimate gathering place during the summers. Featuring a small stretch of sand along with many restaurants, bars and shops, several ice cream and hot dog stands, the place offers unmatched panoramic views across the water towards the new Liljeholmen development. It’s the best place to enjoy a drink in the evening sun and chill out with friends till late at night. Also groove to some live music at restaurants and bars and get ready for one big and unforgettable night out.
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11. Fotografiska Gallery – Enjoy Contemporary Photography
The famous Fotografiska is a well-curated museum for contemporary photography. You can get your hands on preserved contact sheets, photos from the past, burned rolls and cameras. To further enlighten the experience, there’s a drink tasting session usually at late nights for Cava and Rose. You can also dance along with other travelers who hold a similar passion for photography as you.
Timing: Mon-Fri:9am-11 pm, open till 1 am on weekends.
Ticket cost: SEK 130 (£11.50) for adults, free for children under 12.
Location: Stadsgårdshamnen 22, 116 45 Stockholm
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12. Midsummer’s Eve – Be A Part Of The Celebrations
If you are in Stockholm in June, then celebrate Midsummer. It is celebrated on the longest day of the year, usually on Friday towards June end. During this festival, people design and create their own floral crowns from the wildflowers and dance around the Maypole while singing in Swedish. People wear these crowns throughout the day. Large groups gather to celebrate with their families and friends. However, for the best experience, the open-air museum, Skansen, is considered the best site for Midsummer celebration in Sweden.
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13. Djurgården – Have A Picnic
Having a picnic on a tranquil island can be a lifelong experience. Djurgården island in Stockholm is considered the best spot for picnics since you’ll have all the other famous sites to visit nearby. You can reach ABBA the museum which is around this place. Ferries often make trips to this Island from every other island. The best thing would be to take a boat from Gamla stan to reach Djurgården. To enhance your picnic experience, visit Rosendals Trädgård, a public garden located on this island and witness a variety of organic gardens and greenhouse cafes.
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14. ABBA The Museum – Take A Tour
Image Credit: I99pema for Wikipedia
Stockholm tour may not seem complete without a visit to ABBA The Museum. Look how you transform into a dancing queen as you enter the Museum. Experience how it feels when you can sing as the fifth member of the 70s band along with the holograms of the group. With modern facilities, you can see yourself digitally transform as a dancing queen with digital costumes. See yourself on the screen wearing exciting platform heels dated back to the 70s’ along with the style of the decade-Jumpsuits. Despite its name, the museum has no collections rather it offers an interactive experience to recreate the feel of the pop band ABBA that opened in Stockholm in 2013.
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Stockholm is a perfect combination of the new and the old. It graciously holds the the old town charm along with enough modernization to amaze. While you plan a trip to Stockholm, do check the weather to make your tour even more fruitful. Book a trip to Europe with TravelTriangle, and have an amazing time exploring!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Stockholm
Is Stockholm worth visiting?
Often called the “Venice of the North,” Stockholm is blessed with great tourist attractions and beautiful islands that are very much worth visiting. An amalgamation of old-world charm and modern facilities as well as both land and water, Stockholm is a beautiful city to absorb on foot.
What can you do in Stockholm for a day?
Although one day is not really sufficient to soak in the charm of this beautiful city, but if that’s all what you have, then you should not miss visiting the beautiful palaces and magnificent churches in Stockholm. Stockholm Cathedral, Gustav Vasa church, Oscar’s church and the Philadelphia church are a few that must be visited to witness a unique style of architecture. During the evening hours head to Gamla Stan.
What should I not miss in Stockholm?
Some of the places to not miss in Stockholm are:
1. Vasa Museum.
2. Gamla Stan.
3. Royal Palace
4. Stockholm Cathedral
5. Stockholm Cathedral.
6. Fotografiska
7. Skansen
8. Djurgården
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Gaurav is an entrepreneur by profession and an avid Yoga enthusiast. He loves to explore and know about Varied traditions, arts and colourful cultures of people at different places around the world. He loves to spend time in nature and to read books.
