Stockholm Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Things to Do & Local Tips

Stockholm has quickly become one of my favorite cities in Europe, and that’s saying a lot considering I’ve now visited twice.

No matter how many European cities I visit, I always find myself wanting to come back to Stockholm. Between the beautiful waterfront views, colorful old town, world-class museums, incredible public transportation, and of course the delicious Swedish pastries (seriously… I still dream about the cardamom buns!), it’s a city that completely stole my heart.

Whether you’re planning your very first trip or heading back for another visit, this guide covers everything you need to know, from where to stay and the best things to do to where to eat, the best bakeries, travel tips, and even the best day trips from Stockholm.

Quick Stockholm Travel Guide

• Best time to visit
• Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)
• Language: Swedish (almost everyone speaks English)
• Recommended trip length: 3–4 days
• Is Stockholm expensive?
• How to get around

Where to Stay in Stockholm

Gamla Stan

If it’s your first time visiting Stockholm, I highly recommend staying in Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s charming Old Town. Dating back to the 13th century, it’s one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval centers, filled with colorful buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, cozy cafés, restaurants, and many of the city’s top attractions. It’s the perfect base if you want to walk almost everywhere.

Recommended Hotels:

Budget

• Castanea Old Town Hostel: A warmly reviewed, eco-friendly hostel tucked away on a quiet cobbled lane. Ideal for travelers wanting clean, simple dorms or private rooms right in the center of history.
• Castle House Inn: A charming budget inn offering basic, cozy private rooms with classic brick walls and hardwood floors, just a short walk from the waterfront.

Mid-Range

• Scandic Gamla Stan: Set in a preserved 17th-century building, this boutique hotel features traditional Scandinavian decor, exposed wood beams, and a cozy rooftop terrace overlooking Old Town’s spires.
• Lord Nelson Hotel: A unique maritime-themed boutique hotel filled with marine antiques and ships’ models, offering cozy cabin-style rooms.

Luxury

• Hôtel Reisen (The Unbound Collection by Hyatt): Waterfront luxury along the Skeppsbron quay. Features lavish rooms, a historic underground spa set in 17th-century vaults, and stunning sea views.
• Victory Hotel: A top-tier historic luxury property filled with rare antiques, offering opulent suites, a private sauna, and the acclaimed DJURET restaurant.

Södermalm

During my second trip, Södermalm quickly became one of my favorite neighborhoods. It has a much more local, trendy atmosphere with boutique shops, coffee houses, viewpoints overlooking the city, vintage stores, and some fantastic restaurants. If you love exploring neighborhoods beyond the tourist hotspots, you’ll absolutely enjoy staying here.

Recommended Hotels:

Budget

• Skanstulls Hostel: A modern, boutique-style hostel in the heart of SoFo (South of Folkungagatan) with colourful dorms, private rooms, and a well-equipped communal kitchen.
• Långholmen Hotel & Hostel: A unique budget stay located in a converted 19th-century prison on the green island of Långholmen (adjacent to Södermalm), offering compact cell-styled rooms.

Mid-Range

• Scandic Malmen: A lively, classic hotel located right at Medborgarplatsen square. Known for its energetic ground-floor bar, live music events, and instant subway access.
• Clarion Hotel Stockholm: A sleek, contemporary hotel in Skanstull featuring spacious rooms, an impressive gym, and Elements Spa with an indoor/outdoor pool.

Luxury

• Hotel Rival: Owned by ABBA’s Benny Andersson, this Art Deco luxury boutique hotel sits on Mariatorget square, featuring custom design, an iconic cocktail bar, and an incredible breakfast spread.
• NOFO Hotel & Wine Bar: An upscale boutique hotel set in a heritage 1780s building with individually styled global suites, an inner courtyard, and a popular natural wine bar.

Norrmalm

Norrmalm is Stockholm’s modern city center and a great choice if you want easy access to shopping, restaurants, nightlife, and public transportation. It’s centrally located and makes exploring the city incredibly convenient.

Recommended Hotels

Budget

• Generator Stockholm: A trendy, design-focused hostel near Central Station with social lounge spaces, lively bars, and sleek private or shared room options.
• Comfort Hotel Xpress Stockholm Central: A minimalist, budget-friendly hotel located directly by Stockholm Central Station, focusing on smart, modern rooms without unnecessary overhead costs.

Mid-Range

• Hobo Hotel: An ultra-hip lifestyle hotel on Brunkebergstorg featuring plant-filled industrial design, a vibrant rooftop bar, and local artisan pop-ups.
• Downtown Camper by Scandic: An urban activity-focused hotel offering a rooftop wellness pool overlooking the skyline, along with free rentals for bicycles and kayaks.

Luxury

• Grand Hôtel Stockholm: The gold standard of Nordic luxury since 1874. Positioned right on the harbor facing the Royal Palace, featuring Michelin-starred dining and a world-class Nordic spa.
• Nobis Hotel: A 5-star luxury design hotel housed in two magnificent 19th-century neoclassical buildings on Norrmalmstorg square.

Best Things to Do in Stockholm

• Wander through Gamla Stan – Stroll through Stockholm’s colorful and historic Old Town.
• Visit the Royal Palace – Explore the official residence of the Swedish royal family.
• Tour the Vasa Museum – See the world’s best-preserved 17th-century warship.
• Explore Skansen – Discover Swedish history at the world’s oldest open-air museum.
• Visit the Viking Museum – Learn about Sweden’s fascinating Viking heritage.

Some other favorites:

• Fotografiska Museum – Admire world-class contemporary photography exhibitions.
• Take a Canal Boat Cruise – See Stockholm from the water on a scenic boat tour.
• Visit the ABBA Museum – Experience the story of Sweden’s iconic pop group.
• Experience the Avicii Experience – Discover the life and music of Swedish DJ Avicii.
• Explore the Hallwyl Museum – Step inside a beautifully preserved historic mansion.

Save Money with the Go City Stockholm Pass

If you’re planning on visiting several attractions in a short amount of time, I highly recommend purchasing the Go City Stockholm Pass.

It includes many of Stockholm’s top attractions, making sightseeing incredibly easy while helping you save money. Everything is organized in one app, so you don’t have to purchase individual tickets for each attraction.

I used it during my recent trip to Stockholm and found it to be one of the easiest ways to explore Stockholm.

Explore Södermalm with a Local

One of my favorite experiences during my second visit was taking a private walking tour of Södermalm with local guide Lars.

It was such a fun way to discover the neighborhood beyond the main tourist attractions. Lars shared fascinating stories about Stockholm, introduced me to hidden corners I would have never found on my own, and took me to some of the city’s best viewpoints overlooking Stockholm.

If you’d like to experience Stockholm through the eyes of a local, I highly recommend booking a tour with Lars.

Use my code FANCYNANCISTA for a discount.

Where to Eat Traditional Swedish Food

Stockholms Gästabud

A cozy, intimate restaurant tucked away in Gamla Stan serving classic Swedish dishes. I visited during my most recent trip and absolutely loved it.

+ Tradition: One of Stockholm’s most popular restaurants for authentic Swedish comfort food.

+ Pelikan: A historic Stockholm restaurant serving traditional Swedish cuisine in a beautiful setting.

+ Bakfickan: A casual yet iconic restaurant that’s perfect for trying classic Swedish dishes.

Best Bakeries in Stockholm

One thing you absolutely cannot leave Stockholm without trying is a Swedish cardamom bun.

Some of my favorite bakeries include:

• Stora Bageriet
• Säsong Bageri
• Lillebrors Bageri
• Systrarna Andersson
• Café Pascal (Södermalm)
• Svedjan Bageri

Essential Swedish Foods to Try

• Cardamom Bun
• Cinnamon Bun (Kanelbulle)
• Princess Cake
• Swedish Meatballs
• Toast Skagen
• Gravlax
• Västerbotten Pie
• Semla (seasonal)

How to Get from Stockholm Airport to the City Centre

Getting from Stockholm Arlanda Airport to the city is incredibly easy, and you have several transportation options depending on your budget.

Flygbussarna Airport Bus (My Recommendation 💚)

If you’re looking for the cheapest and easiest option, I highly recommend taking the Flygbussarna Airport Bus.

You can purchase your ticket directly from the bus driver, but you’ll usually save a little money by booking your ticket online in advance. The buses are comfortable, reliable, and stop at several convenient locations throughout central Stockholm.

Arlanda Express

If you’re looking to get into the city as quickly as possible, the Arlanda Express is another excellent option. It’s significantly faster than the airport bus but also more expensive.

Depending on where you’re staying, it may or may not save you much time, so I recommend checking Google Maps before deciding which option makes the most sense for your accommodations.

Taxi & Uber

Uber and taxis are also widely available if you prefer a more direct journey, especially if you’re traveling with luggage or arriving late at night.

Best Day Trips from Stockholm

If you have extra time, Stockholm also makes an excellent base for exploring more of Sweden.

+Vaxholm

A charming island town known as the gateway to the Stockholm Archipelago, featuring colorful wooden houses, waterfront cafés, and beautiful scenery.

+Drottningholm Palace

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the official residence of the Swedish royal family.

+Stockholm Archipelago

With thousands of islands to explore, this is one of the most beautiful experiences near Stockholm. Boat tours and island-hopping excursions are available throughout the summer.

+Uppsala

A historic university city filled with Viking history, beautiful architecture, and one of Scandinavia’s oldest universities.

Many of these tours can also be booked through the Go City Stockholm Pass, making it even easier to organize your itinerary.

What to Pack for Stockholm

No matter what time of year you visit, I’d recommend packing:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A light rain jacket or umbrella (summer showers are common)
• Layers (temperatures can change throughout the day)
• Portable charger
• Reusable water bottle (the tap water is excellent!)
• A small day backpack for sightseeing

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many days do you need in Stockholm?

I recommend spending 3–4 days in Stockholm. That gives you enough time to visit the city’s top museums, explore the neighborhoods, enjoy a canal cruise, and experience Swedish culture without feeling rushed.

If you’re planning to visit several attractions, I highly recommend purchasing the Go City Stockholm Pass, as it saves both time and money by bundling many of the city’s top experiences into one pass.

2. Is Stockholm expensive?

Yes, Stockholm can definitely be one of the more expensive cities in Europe, especially when it comes to hotels, dining, and alcohol.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Sweden uses the Swedish Krona (SEK), not the Euro.
• Most places are cashless, so using a credit or debit card is the easiest way to pay.
• Booking accommodations in advance can help you find better prices.

3. What’s the best month to visit Stockholm?

Personally, I love visiting Stockholm during the summer, and it’s the only season I’ve experienced there so far.

While you shouldn’t expect hot weather every day, the long daylight hours make it the perfect time to explore the city, relax by the waterfront, and enjoy outdoor cafés.

Just be prepared for occasional rain showers. I definitely recommend packing a light umbrella or rain jacket.

4. Is Stockholm walkable?

Absolutely!

One of my favorite things about Stockholm is how walkable it is. Many of the city’s top attractions are within easy walking distance, especially around Gamla Stan, Norrmalm, and Södermalm.

For longer distances, Stockholm also has an excellent public transportation system. I recommend downloading the SL app, which makes it easy to purchase metro, tram, bus, and ferry tickets directly from your phone.

5. Can you drink tap water in Stockholm?

Yes! Stockholm has some of the cleanest tap water in the world, so it’s perfectly safe to drink.

Bring a reusable water bottle, you’ll save money and reduce plastic waste during your trip.

6. Is Stockholm safe?

As a solo female traveler, I felt incredibly safe exploring Stockholm, both during the day and at night.

Of course, like any destination, it’s always important to stay aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings. But overall, I found Stockholm to be one of the safest and most comfortable European capitals I’ve visited.