A Frequent Visitor’s 21 Top Photo Spots in Stockholm, Sweden

I credit Stockholm with being one of the cities where I first truly fell in love with photography. And to be honest, it’s not hard to see why. Sweden’s capital is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and since my first visit with the trusty iPhone, I’ve returned with four different cameras. 

Each time I’m in Stockholm, I always find something new to photograph. It might be a completely different spot from where I’ve been in the past, or seeing a new perspective for a part of town I’ve visited frequently. 

Over that time, I’ve kept note of my absolute favorite photography locations in Stockholm. And in this complete guide, I’ll share those with you so that you can also take amazing pictures while you’re in Sweden’s capital city. 

Besides sharing my top photo spots, I will also give you some extra tips to get the most out of your photography experience here.

​​1. Monteliusvägen

I’ve said in many of my other guides that Monteliusvägen is a must-visit while you’re in Stockholm, and if you’re into photography, this is particularly true. This pathway goes along part of Södermalm, and you will get amazing views of the city skyline from here. 

From Monteliusvägen, you can see Stockholm’s City Hall across the water. Moreover, you’ll get a view of Gamla Stan and its various churches—including Storkyrkan. It’s one of the best places in Stockholm to see the small island of Riddarholm and its beautiful church, too. 

Monteliusvägen is accessible year-round, and pretty much any camera will take good photos here. If you’re bringing a DSLR, mirrorless, or full-frame camera, I suggest using a versatile lens—such as a 35mm focal length. 

The main photo spot on the pathway is at the Mariaberget observation deck. While you can take some cool pictures here, I recommend walking to the other side. Here, you can get a cool composition of Stockholm’s City Hall, the cobblestone path, and the houses on either side. 

How to Get to Monteliusvägen

To get to this photo spot, take the Metro to Slussen or Mariatorget. Note that the walk from Slussen is very steep, but on the flip side, it’s also incredibly photogenic.

While slightly easier, the walk from Mariatorget isn’t as picturesque. So, if you go to this station instead, you can walk back toward Slussen after and stop for photos along the way. 

When to Visit Monteliusvägen

Visiting Monteliusvägen is one of my favorite things to do in Stockholm, but I’m not alone in my thinking. It’s very popular with tourists and locals, and as a result, it gets incredibly crowded. 

As a result, I suggest visiting early in the morning before the crowds arrive. At peak times, it’s not as packed as other tourist attractions elsewhere in Europe—but I’d still rather go earlier in the day. 

2. Gamla Stan From Skeppsholmen

You should allocate some time to see Gamla Stan, also known as Stockholm’s Old Town, on your trip. But for photography purposes, you can get some cool pictures if you’re a little further away. Skeppsholmen, which is one of my favorite islands in Stockholm, is one of the best places to do this. 

From the shores of Skeppsholmen, you’ll see St. Gertrude’s Church rising above some of the buildings in Gamla Stan. Besides being ideal for architectural photography, you can include people in your shots to add another dimension. In my opinion, this is one of Stockholm’s best spots for portrait photography. 

From Skeppsholmen, you can get some nice views of the Royal Palace, too. One popular shot is from the footbridge, which includes a crown with the Old Town and Royal Palace as a backdrop. 

How to Get to Skeppsholmen

You can take the ferry from Slussen or Djurgården, which in and of itself presents countless photo opportunities. Alternatively, get the Metro to Kungsträdgården and walk from there. 

When to Visit Skeppsholmen for Photography

Any time of the day is good. The island isn’t ever really packed, even during the peak tourist season. 

3. Gröna Lund From the Djurgården Ferry

Gröna Lund is one of Stockholm’s main attractions and one of the country’s most famous amusement parks. Its rollercoasters and other rides are a dominant part of Stockholm’s cityscape, and they look pretty cool. They actually remind me a lot of Tivoli in Copenhagen, where I live. 

When taking the ferry to Djurgården and Skeppsholmen, you can get some great shots of Gröna Lund as the boat departs. Try to include the trail of water behind you as you get closer to Skeppsholmen, and experiment between zooming in on the rides and including the whole theme park in your images. 

While you’re waiting for the ferry, the carousel looks quite interesting—especially at sunset. I like to use a versatile lens and then zoom in by cropping my picture later if needed. To board the ferry, all you need is a public transport pass. 

The amusement park is worth photographing at all times of the day. 

4. Beckholmen

Djurgården gets a lot of attention when looking for things to do in Stockholm, and personally, I think this is well-deserved. Besides being home to some of the city’s main museums, such as the Skansen Open Air Museum and ABBA Museum, it’s also very picturesque. However, many people don’t know much about Beckholmen—a tiny islet you can walk to via a footbridge. 

Beckholmen has a handful of red wooden houses, along with some nice views of Djurgården and toward Skeppsholmen. You can see many Stockholm landmarks from here, including Kastellholmen, Gröna Lund, and St. Gertrude’s Church. 

On the other side, the views from Beckholmen look more like rural Sweden than somewhere in its capital. It’s also a good place to photograph parts of Nacka. 

5. Gröna Lund From Östra Varvsgatan

You can find multiple excellent viewpoints of Gröna Lund in Stockholm, including from some of its nearby streets. Close to the amusement park, you’ll find a small, hidden street called Östra Varvsgatan. 

The street features a handful of red wooden houses that you’ll find throughout much of Sweden, and you’ll suddenly feel like you’re no longer in Stockholm. You can see some of Gröna Lund’s main rides rising up in the background, making for a nice contrast in architectural styles. 

Visiting early in the morning is a good idea. I liked how the sun made the shadows better in my photos here, but to be honest, it’s worth visiting on a cloudy day, too. 

From this photo spot, you won’t be too far away from the ferry to Djurgården. 

6. Stockholm City Hall Tower

Sadly, you can only visit the tower at Stockholm’s City Hall in the summer. But if you do happen to be in Stockholm around this time, and you’re into photography, you should definitely visit. 

From the Stockholm City Hall tower, you’ll get excellent views of Riddarholmen and Gamla Stan. For even better photos, I recommend including the star in your images—in my opinion, it adds a nice extra element compared to the usual. 

You can also take nice photos of the Kungsholmen and Södermalm neighborhoods from this viewpoint. Try to capture the life around you at ground level, too, such as the boats and kayaks passing along the water. 

You’ll need to buy tickets before visiting the tower. While there isn’t an elevator to the top, the climb is only moderately challenging compared to some of the other old towers in Europe. Learn more about visiting the tower here.

To get to the City Hall, take the Metro to Rådhuset. 

7. Stadion Metro Station

Stockholm’s Metro system is not only one of the world’s most efficient; it’s also one of the most beautiful. Many of the stations are worth photographing, and in particular, I recommend taking your camera to Stadion. 

The station features a blue sky and rainbow, and it’s a great spot for photography when trains are pulling in and out, in particular. While the station is busy, it’s not the most challenging place to take photos. 

Since you’ll be indoors, I recommend bumping up the ISO on your camera. Don’t be afraid to widen your aperture, either. You can visit the Metro station with a single public transport pass; it’s on the 14 line that goes to Mörby Centrum and in the neighborhood of Östermalm. 

8. Storkyrkan From Its Nearby Streets

Storkyrkan is one of the most recognizable churches in Stockholm. The pink church is in Gamla Stan and, in my opinion, feels like something you’d find in Rome with a Scandinavian twist. 

Exploring Gamla Stan is a must when you visit Stockholm in general, and if you’re into photography, I recommend taking pictures of Storkyrkan from some of its surrounding streets. For example, I like the view toward the church from the street known as Storkyrkobrinken. The church rises above both sides of the street, making for ideal composition. 

You can also include other elements in your pictures when photographing Storkyrkan. For example, some of the streets nearby have Swedish flags outside the buildings; add these to your shots for something extra.

9. Svartmangatan

Svartmangatan is one of the most picturesque streets in Gamla Stan. It’s also one of the longer ones in this part of the city, and the street is lined with some of Stockholm’s most beautiful architecture. 

Try to include the cobblestones in your picture for an air of old-world charm. The shadows can be quite dark in this part of the city, so you may need to bring those up in post-production. 

Svartmangatan is one of the streets feeding into Stortorget, which is the main square in Gamla Stan. 

10. Vasa Museum From Skeppsholmen

Visiting the Vasa Museum is a must, and from a photography perspective, you can get some nice pictures of the museum from afar. One of the best is from the small island of Skeppsholmen, part of which looks toward the island of Djurgården. 

From the shores of Skeppsholmen, you can see the mast of the reconstructed Vasa ship. In your photos, you can also include the nearby Nordiska Museet—which, as a side note, is worth visiting when you’re in Stockholm. 

Any time of day is good for this location, and you can take similar images of the Vasa Museum when taking the ferry from Djurgården to Skeppsholmen. 

11. Stadshusparken

If you’re visiting outside the summer and can’t visit the tower at Stockholm City Hall, don’t worry; you’ll still find some nice photo opportunities here. Stadshusparken is the recreational area outside the building, and it’s one of my favorite places in the Swedish capital. 

You’ll find a number of interesting subjects here; for example, you can take a picture of the city through the arches. On top of that, you can get pleasant views of Riddarholmen and Gamla Stan, in general. 

Stadshusparken is free to visit; note that ceremonies often take place here. The park is accessible year-round.  

12. Hammarby Sjöstad’s Modern Architecture

While Stockholm is synonymous with older architecture, it has some interesting modern districts, too. Hammarby Sjöstad is one of these, and it’s largely frequented by locals. 

The modern apartments in this neighborhood are a contrast to the timeless charm of Gamla Stan. If you’re into architectural photography, this former industrial district is worth your time. 

In addition to seeing the district from the ground, the Stockholm Highlights boat tour passes through this part of town. 

13. Riddarholmen

The small island of Riddarholmen has one of Stockholm’s nicest churches and some beautiful pink buildings to photograph. I’ve taken photos with both my phone and multiple cameras here, and it’s one of the most beginner-friendly places to take pictures in Stockholm. 

Schering Rosenhanes gränd, in particular, offers lovely views toward the church. It’s slightly elevated, so you can use the cobblestones and winding path to make the building more of a focal point. 

Riddarholmen offers nice views of Stockholm City Hall, too. My personal favorite time to visit this part of town is winter. Take the Metro to Gamla Stan; it’s a short walk from there. 

14. Katarina Kyrkobacke

Södermalm is a very picturesque neighborhood in general, and Katarina Kyrka gives the other churches in Stockholm a run for their money in terms of aesthetics. Some of the areas around it are often glossed over, but as a photographer, you definitely should not do this. 

Katarina Kyrkobacke features several cute houses and has an excellent view of the church in the background. The building looks even more imposing when you’re at the lower end of the street. 

Some of the nearby streets, such as Svartensgatan, are also worth photographing. Katarina Krykobacke is a bit hidden, but you can take the Metro to Slussen; from there, it’s around a 20-minute walk. 

15. Skeppsbrokajen

Skeppsbrokajen is the waterfront area that you’ll see as soon as you step off the ferry to Slussen, and it’s a short walk across the bridge from Slussen’s Metro Station. It’s close to Gamla Stan and offers great views of Skeppsholmen, Södermalm, and Djurgården. 

The promenade is also a good opportunity for photographing some of Gamla Stan’s outer buildings. While busy, it’s rarely overwhelming. I really enjoy coming here on a rainy day, in particular, but it’s nice regardless of the weather.

Besides taking pictures of the surroundings, Skeppsbrokajen can be a surprisingly good spot for street photography. 

16. The Fotografiska Bar & Restaurant

This photo spot will require you to buy tickets to the Fotografiska photography museum, but since you’re reading this article, you probably already wanted to do that anyway. Once you’ve finished checking out the exhibitions here, you’ll find a bar and restaurant. 

Here, you’ll see excellent views of Djurgården and Gamla Stan. I like to include people in my photos, and since the lighting isn’t always ideal for taking pictures, I tend to widen my aperture and increase the ISO. 

If you can get a seat next to the window, you’ll be blessed with nice views, in particular. So, if you plan to eat or drink here, try doing that. 

17. Katarina Hissen From the Ground

Many people visit Katarina Hissen for the free view of Riddarholmen, Kungsholmen, and Gamla Stan. While nice, I personally find the structure more interesting to photograph. From the ground, I think that Katarina Hissen looks pretty interesting. 

The observation deck contrasts with some of the modern buildings around here. Sunset is by far the best time to take photos of it. 

To get here, take the Metro to Slussen; it’s a short walk from there. 

18. The Restaurang Slipen Building

I accidentally found this spot on a trip to Stockholm when I was trying to recreate a photo I took in 2019. I’ve become really interested in taking pictures of interesting and alternative architecture, which is maybe because I’ve been to Stockholm so many times. The Restaurang Slipen building falls into that category, I would say. 

Slipen has more of a modern feel than the other architecture around it, and it blends well with the nearby architecture. Plus, it’s impossible not to be captivated by its bright yellow color. 

The best views of this building are from the other side of the footbridge on Beckholmen. Its interior is also quite interesting. To get here, take the ferry to Djurgården and walk from there.  

19. Oskarskyrkan From Skeppsholmen & Djurgården

I’ve often paid little attention to Oskarskyrkan on previous trips, and that’s because I honestly think it looks a bit bland. You can find very similar churches across Sweden. But visiting the same place several times can open your mind to new possibilities, and that’s what happened on one autumn visit. 

Oskarskyrkan is a good focal point when you take photos of Östermalm from the bridge to Skeppsholmen. Once you’re on the island, you can similarly take some nice images of the church from the shore. 

When visiting Djurgården, the view of the bridge to Östermalm—with the church in the background—can also work well as a subject in your images. 

20. Engelbrektskyrkan

Another church in Östermalm is Engelbrektskyrkan. I actually randomly found it on a trip in 2021, but at that time, the lighting was so bad that I gave up on trying to take photos. After returning, however, I managed to right that wrong.

Engelbrektskyrkan looks very domineering if you take close-up pictures from its outside. The church is also worth taking photos of from some of its nearby streets. 

While you’re here, the nearby villas are picturesque in their own right. To get here, take the Metro to Tekniska Högskolan. 

21. The af Chapman Ship

One very random thing about Stockholm is that many of its boats are very photogenic. Maybe it’s just that Stockholm itself is photogenic—I don’t know. Either way, the af Chapman ship’s exterior is one of the best places to bring your camera. 

The ship is docked on the shores of Skeppsholmen. During its time in operation, it sailed to several parts of the world. Now, however, it’s a hostel. 

Even if you take pictures of the ship itself, you’ll no doubt end up with something good. However, the view of Katarina Kyrka behind it is also worth considering. When you’re on Skeppsholmen, you can include parts of the ship in your images of Gamla Stan. 

Useful Things to Know About Photography in Stockholm

In addition to giving you a list of my favorite photo spots in Stockholm (I guess I can’t call them Instagram spots anymore since I don’t have Instagram now, lol), I also want to offer some extra tips to help you capture better images. 

1. The Lighting in Stockholm Can Make Photography Difficult

While Stockholm itself is beautiful, the lighting can make photography actually quite challenging. The midday sun during the summer is ridiculously bright, as it is elsewhere in the Nordics, and this can make taking photos quite difficult. 

I also had challenges taking photos toward Katarina Kyrka during the early afternoon, even outside the summer. If you’re visiting Stockholm in the summer, definitely try to take your pictures earlier or later. 

If you’re in Stockholm during the winter, pretty much any time is good to photograph because the sun is so low. 

2. My Favorite Lenses for Photography in Stockholm

I’ve used multiple cameras in Stockholm and several lens focal lengths. Currently, I use the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens from Nikon for my Z6 II. This is very versatile for photography in the city, though it’s not so discreet. I bought my lens from MPB. 

For prime lenses, I really enjoy using 35mm and 50mm when in Stockholm. Again, these are very versatile; they work in the tight streets of Gamla Stan, but also the broader horizons that you’ll see along the waterfront and from the city’s many viewpoints. 

Your phone can also work very well. While I now use a full-frame camera, I’ve also been able to take beautiful pictures of Stockholm with DSLR and mirrorless ones. 

3. A Weather-Sealed Camera in Camera Is a Good Idea

Apart from cold weather aficionados like me, very few people visit Stockholm for the weather. You will, especially in the winter, need a weather-sealed camera. 

Winter in Stockholm is generally cold, with temperatures often below freezing. During the summer, heavy rain is also very possible. I can remember one day when I was living in the city and got caught without a rain jacket… let’s just say that was not my finest hour. 

At the very least, I recommend getting a cover for your camera body. Peak Design has some nice options. 

4. Off-Season Is the Best Time to Visit for Photography

Stockholm is worth visiting year-round, but for photography, I actually don’t like visiting in the summer that much. The off-season is a much better time to come here if your primary aim is to take pictures. 

Firstly, as I mentioned earlier, the lighting is horrible most of the time in the summer. Beyond that, there are too many people for my liking. 

 The colors in Stockholm and its nearby archipelago (which you can join a boat tour to see) are lovely in the fall, and during the winter, the city is often covered in snow. Moreover, golden hour here in the winter is something else. 

Visiting in the off-season has several other advantages, too, such as cheaper accommodation and flights. 

Final Thoughts

Stockholm is one of Northern Europe’s best cities for photography, and even after spending so much time here, I’m always finding something new to take photos of. I love discovering new perspectives, too. 

The Swedish capital is full of contrasts, and all of these make for exciting photography. It’s one of those cities that inspires my creativity the most, and I’m sure that it will do the same for you. 

Now that you’ve read this guide, you’ve got a full list of the best photo spots in Stockholm—along with some helpful additional information.