Stockholm Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Stockholm, Sweden's capital, is a city where innovative design meets rich history, spread across 14 islands connected by over 50 bridges.
With 445+ hand-picked places to explore, Stockholm rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Below is our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for, with every place linked to its full profile.
Must-See Attractions in Stockholm
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with City Hall — an iconic building known for hosting the Nobel Prize banquet each year. Just as worthwhile is Monteliusvägen: offers a panoramic view of Stockholm's skyline along a quaint walking path on Södermalm. Stockholm Palace completes the picture: a grand baroque palace serving as the Swedish royal family's official residence.
City Hall
Stockholm • Famous Landmarks
An iconic building known for hosting the Nobel Prize banquet each year.
Monteliusvägen
Stockholm • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
Offers a panoramic view of Stockholm's skyline along a quaint walking path on Södermalm.
Stockholm Palace
Stockholm • Famous Landmarks
A grand baroque palace serving as the Swedish royal family's official residence.
The Royal Palace (Slottsbacken)
Stockholm • Monuments & Statues
One of the largest palaces in Europe, home to Swedish monarchy's rich history.
Museums & Culture in Stockholm
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Dramaten (Royal Dramatic Theatre): sweden's national stage for spoken drama, showcasing both classic and contemporary works. Locals will also point you to Vasa Museum — home to the world's only preserved 17th-century ship, showcasing Sweden's maritime heritage. And for something different, there's Birka Viking Village: birka offers an immersive experience into Viking life, showcasing archaeological finds and reconstructed buildings.
Dramaten (Royal Dramatic Theatre)
Stockholm • Theaters
Sweden's national stage for spoken drama, showcasing both classic and contemporary works.
Vasa Museum
Stockholm • Museums
Home to the world's only preserved 17th-century ship, showcasing Sweden's maritime heritage.
Birka Viking Village
Stockholm • Historical Sites
Birka offers an immersive experience into Viking life, showcasing archaeological finds and reconstructed buildings.
Fotografiska
Stockholm • Museums
Celebrated for rotating exhibitions of international contemporary photography.
Best Things to Do in Stockholm
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Hagaparken — a historical park featuring royal pavilions and sprawling natural landscapes. Djurgården earns its reputation too — a picturesque island offering historic attractions, museums, and lush green spaces for relaxation and exploration. Round out the shortlist with Friends Arena — multi-purpose stadium known for hosting major football matches and large-scale concerts.
Hagaparken
Stockholm • Outdoor
A historical park featuring royal pavilions and sprawling natural landscapes.
Djurgården
Stockholm • Outdoor
A picturesque island offering historic attractions, museums, and lush green spaces for relaxation and exploration.
Friends Arena
Stockholm • Sports
Multi-purpose stadium known for hosting major football matches and large-scale concerts.
Stockholm Concert Hall
Stockholm • Indoor
Home to the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, offering a rich program of performances.
Where to Eat in Stockholm
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Gastrologik — this venue redefines simplicity with its ingredient-driven, ever-evolving menu. Just as worthwhile is Shibumi: shibumi presents a sophisticated take on Japanese cuisine, offering an intimate and elegant dining experience. Ekstedt completes the picture: renowned for its open-fire cooking, this restaurant offers a unique take on Nordic cuisine.
Gastrologik
Stockholm • Fine Dining
This venue redefines simplicity with its ingredient-driven, ever-evolving menu.
Shibumi
Stockholm • Asian Cuisine
Shibumi presents a sophisticated take on Japanese cuisine, offering an intimate and elegant dining experience.
Ekstedt
Stockholm • Fine Dining
Renowned for its open-fire cooking, this restaurant offers a unique take on Nordic cuisine.
Minh Mat
Stockholm • Asian Cuisine
Minh Mat serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine with a focus on fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors.
Stockholm After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Mikkeller Stockholm: a hub for craft beer lovers, featuring a rotating selection of innovative brews. Locals will also point you to Svartengrens — combines Nordic culinary excellence with a sophisticated cocktail menu in a warm setting. And for something different, there's Akkurat: a renowned haven for beer enthusiasts, offering an exceptional selection of brews in a relaxed atmosphere.
Mikkeller Stockholm
Stockholm • Pubs & Bars
A hub for craft beer lovers, featuring a rotating selection of innovative brews.
Svartengrens
Stockholm • Cocktail Bars
Combines Nordic culinary excellence with a sophisticated cocktail menu in a warm setting.
Akkurat
Stockholm • Pubs & Bars
A renowned haven for beer enthusiasts, offering an exceptional selection of brews in a relaxed atmosphere.
Fasching
Stockholm • Live Jazz Venues
This renowned club is a cornerstone of Stockholm's jazz community, offering diverse performances and an engaging atmosphere.
Where to Stay in Stockholm
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Hotel Diplomat — elegant hotel with a rich history, offering luxurious spa treatments by Stockholm's waterfront. Yasuragi earns its reputation too — japanese-inspired spa hotel offering a unique fusion of cultures in a serene environment near Stockholm. Round out the shortlist with Bank Hotel — boutique hotel experience in a former bank building with luxurious interiors.
Hotel Diplomat
Stockholm • Spa Hotels
Elegant hotel with a rich history, offering luxurious spa treatments by Stockholm's waterfront.
Yasuragi
Stockholm • Spa Hotels
Japanese-inspired spa hotel offering a unique fusion of cultures in a serene environment near Stockholm.
Bank Hotel
Stockholm • Luxury Hotels
Boutique hotel experience in a former bank building with luxurious interiors.
Elite Hotel Marina Tower
Stockholm • Spa Hotels
Housed in a historical mill, this hotel offers a unique blend of heritage and modern spa amenities.
Shopping in Stockholm
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Judits Second Hand — a stylish boutique offering high-quality second-hand fashion in a chic setting. Just as worthwhile is Nordiska Kompaniet (NK): a legendary department store offering Swedish and international luxury brands across multiple floors. Birger Jarlsgatan completes the picture: an elegant avenue lined with luxury boutiques and flagship stores.
Judits Second Hand
Stockholm • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A stylish boutique offering high-quality second-hand fashion in a chic setting.
Nordiska Kompaniet (NK)
Stockholm • Luxury Shopping
A legendary department store offering Swedish and international luxury brands across multiple floors.
Birger Jarlsgatan
Stockholm • Luxury Shopping
An elegant avenue lined with luxury boutiques and flagship stores.
Bondens Egen Marknad
Stockholm • Markets
Seasonal farmers' market featuring local, organic, and sustainable produce directly from farmers.
Parks & Green Spaces in Stockholm
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Rålambshovsparken Playground: one of Stockholm's largest parks with a playground offering extensive play options. Locals will also point you to Drottningholm Palace Park — a UNESCO World Heritage site, this park features a harmonious blend of formal gardens and natural landscapes. And for something different, there's Rosendals trädgård: a biodynamic garden offering seasonal produce and a café set amidst lush greenery.
Rålambshovsparken Playground
Stockholm • Playgrounds
One of Stockholm's largest parks with a playground offering extensive play options.
Drottningholm Palace Park
Stockholm • Botanical Gardens
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this park features a harmonious blend of formal gardens and natural landscapes.
Rosendals trädgård
Stockholm • Botanical Gardens
A biodynamic garden offering seasonal produce and a café set amidst lush greenery.
Sörmlandsleden Trail
Stockholm • Hiking Trails
Extensive trail network offering diverse landscapes and varying difficulty levels.
Stockholm Like a Local
The spots most visitors walk straight past.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Lilla Ego — innovative Nordic cuisine served in a relaxed, unpretentious environment renowned for its creative menu. Södra Teatern Terrace earns its reputation too — a historic cultural venue with an outdoor terrace offering panoramic sights of the city. Round out the shortlist with Fåfängan — a hilltop vantage point offering panoramic views over Stockholm's archipelago and urban landscape.
Lilla Ego
Stockholm • Secret Foodie Spots
Innovative Nordic cuisine served in a relaxed, unpretentious environment renowned for its creative menu.
Södra Teatern Terrace
Stockholm • Secret Viewpoints
A historic cultural venue with an outdoor terrace offering panoramic sights of the city.
Fåfängan
Stockholm • Secret Viewpoints
A hilltop vantage point offering panoramic views over Stockholm's archipelago and urban landscape.
Bar Agrikultur
Stockholm • Secret Foodie Spots
A cozy spot known for its seasonal small plates focusing on local produce and flavors.
70 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Stockholm that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Stockholm list:
- Nobel Prize Award Ceremony· Cultural Events
- Ett Hem· Luxury Hotels
- Drottningholm Palace· Famous Landmarks
- Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair· Exhibitions
- Grand Hôtel Stockholm· Spa Hotels
Planning where to stay in Stockholm?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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