Enjoying Great Views of Stockholm at Monteliusvägen and Mariaberget

Stockholm is blessed with a number of natural viewpoints, and the Swedish capital looks particularly stunning from above. Monteliusvägen is one of the best. Despite visiting Stockholm over five times and having briefly lived here, I still come back on each trip. 

If you want to capture some memorable photos from your visit to Sweden’s biggest city, Monteliusvägen is well worth a visit. But even if you’re not so interested in that, this viewpoint is great for taking in some of Stockholm’s most famous landmarks from above. Plus, who doesn’t like a bit of fresh air? 

I’ll give you all the information you need to visit Monteliusvägen in this complete guide. You’ll see real-life photos from the viewpoint, along with getting all the practical details you need to add this to your Stockholm itinerary. 

Good to Know in Advance: This Spot Can Get Crowded

Monteliusvägen is hardly a hidden spot in Stockholm. It’s one of the most popular spots for tourists in the city (and one of the best things to do), along with one of the places to get a great view (and photos) of the skyline. You’ll deal with decent-sized crowds around sunset, in particular. 

However, Monteliusvägen is also a popular spot for locals. Besides the stunning views, the pathway is a nice place to walk the dog and go for a stroll. You almost certainly won’t be alone here, is what I’m trying to say—especially if you visit Stockholm in the summer. 

That said, it’s nowhere near as crowded as what you’ll find in other European cities. Compared to some parts of Copenhagen, for example, the crowds are pretty manageable. Still, I recommend coming here early in the morning if you wish to have more of the place to yourself. 

Also Good to Know: This Viewpoint Is Completely Free

Stockholm is a pretty expensive city, but the good news is that you won’t need to pay anything to visit Monteliusvägen. The entire viewpoint is completely free. 

You also don’t need to book any tickets in advance; it’s a public footpath. Moreover, the entire route—including the Mariaberget viewpoint—is open round the clock. In the summer months, when the sun rises before 4 am and doesn’t set until after 10 pm, this is a perfect place to see Stockholm draped in beautiful lighting. 

An Ideal Place to See Stockholm’s Main Highlights

Whether you’re in Stockholm for a three-day trip or shorter (or perhaps even longer), Monteliusvägen is one of the first places I recommend visiting. The main reason is that you can see many of Stockholm’s main landmarks from this point. 

The viewpoint is on the island of Södermalm and adjacent to the city center. From the Mariaberget observation platform (and the rest of Monteliusvägen), Stockholm’s City Hall is directly opposite on the other side of the water.

Many of Stockholm’s most famous churches are visible from here, too. These include Riddarholmskyrkan, St. Gertrude’s Church, and Storkyrkan. The latter two are in Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town. Make sure you see them up close, too, once you’re finished at Monteliusvägen.

From the viewpoint, you can also see Fem Tornen—the five towers close to the main station. You’ll get a nice view of the Kungsholmen neighborhood, too.

Monteliusvägen and Mariaberget Are Open Year-Round

I’ve visited Monteliusvägen in all seasons, and regardless of when you go, you’ll be treated to lovely views. Personally, winter is my favorite time to be here. The lighting is pleasant, since the sun is low for the entire day. Since the sunrise and sunset times are early (as in, the sun goes down before 3 pm in December), you don’t need to get up early or stay out late. 

While the route is open throughout the year, it can get slippery in the winter. So, you should wear appropriate footwear. You don’t need full-on hiking boots, but at the very least, you should have some warm shoes with good grip. 

How to Get to Monteliusvägen

You can reach Monteliusvägen from either of the two entrance points. For most of you reading this, it’s much easier for you to take the Metro to Slussen and walk from there. 

Slussen is Södermalm’s main Metro station and is served by multiple Metro lines. Note that it’s different from the ferry stop, which is actually just outside Gamla Stan and on another island. If you take the ferry to Slussen, you’ll need to walk across the bridge to reach Södermalm and Monteliusvägen. 

From Slussen Metro Station, Monteliusvägen is a 15-minute walk. 

Alternatively, you can enter via the other entrance. This is closer to Skinnarviksberget, another viewpoint that I recommend visiting after you’ve been to Monteliusvägen.

From this side, you can take the Metro to Mariatorget. Monteliusvägen is around a 10-minute walk from there. 

If You’re Coming From Slussen, Prepare for a Steep Walk

While it’s a short walk from Slussen to Monteliusvägen, the walk is very steep and a little challenging. If you’re not wearing appropriate footwear, it’ll be even more difficult. 

It’s not a huge problem if you’ve got decent fitness levels. But if you don’t like steep walks, the walk from Mariatorget to Monteliusvägen is a little less challenging. 

Final Thoughts

Monteliusvägen is one of my favorite places in Stockholm, and even after multiple visits, I still enjoy coming back each time I’m in the city. It’s one of the best places to see the skyline from above, especially in the winter, when the viewpoint at Stockholm’s City Hall is closed. 

The viewpoint being free is another nice bonus, and while it sometimes gets pretty crowded, you can still escape much of the crowds by visiting at smarter times. 

I strongly recommend making Monteliusvägen one of the first places you go to while in Stockholm.