Stockholm
Sweden’s beautiful capital is a place I know better than most others. Besides previously living here, I have visited multiple times.
From delicious cinnamon buns to beautiful architecture and globally-renowned design, Stockholm is a rewarding Scandinavian city break.
Start With These Guides 👇🏾:
Must-Visit Places in Stockholm
Södermalm
Cool cafés, independent stores, and great food.
Skeppsholmen
A small but scenic island with pretty views of the city.
Djurgården
Home to the world’s first urban national park and Stockholm’s best museums.
All My Stockholm Travel Tips
Browse all my Stockholm travel guides, from itineraries to more niche tips, below.
A Complete Guide to Visiting Stockholm in Winter: Tips From a Former Local
Enjoying Great Views of Stockholm at Monteliusvägen and Mariaberget
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Stockholm in the Summer
Traveling to Stockholm
Built across 14 islands, Stockholm is known as the Venice of the North. It’s the largest metropolitan area in Scandinavia and also one of its most beautiful cities. Stockholm is a place of innovation with the likes of Spotify and Klarna originating from here.
Sweden’s capital has more than a whiff of creativity, too. The city has given us some of the world’s greatest music, including ABBA—“arguably” (read: definitely IMO) the greatest pop group of all time. It’s a global hub for design and fashion, too, and the locals unsurprisingly dress well and have well-designed homes.
Most travelers will arrive in Arlanda Airport, the second-busiest airport in Scandinavia behind Copenhagen. It takes around two-and-a-half hours to fly here from London, nine hours from New York City, and an hour from Helsinki, Oslo, and Copenhagen. You can take Flygbussarna, commuter train, or Arlanda Express into the city; the former two are cheaper but take longer.
A City Close to Nature
Sweden is one of Europe’s great destinations for outdoor lovers, and this is evident without needing to venture far from Stockholm. I remember one morning while living close to the city when I saw a deer casually grazing in my garden… quite a lot for a London mind, that’s for sure.
The large Stockholm Archipelago, featuring thousands of islands, islets, and skerries, is surprisingly easy to reach from the city center. Here, you can go kayaking, have picnics, and take things very easy.
Stockholm also has several national parks and nature reserves in close proximity. One of these is Kungliga Djurgården, the world’s first urban national park. Nearby, you can visit the likes of Tyresta National Park and Tornbergets Naturresorvat.
Even in the city itself, you’ll find numerous parks. It’s impossible to ignore the water, either; it’s very easy to go swimming in designated bathing zones or even kayak throughout Stockholm.
Stockholm Has Something for Everyone
Stockholm isn’t the biggest city, but it caters to all interests. Sweden in general is a family-friendly country, and this is evident in its capital. You’ll find amusement parks, the world’s first major open-air museum, and much more.
If you’re into food, Stockholm also has you covered. You’ll find cuisines from all over the world here, along with comfort local dishes like Swedish meatballs. Casual restaurants and more fancy ones exist side-by-side.
The Swedish capital is a paradise for culture lovers, too. You’ll find countless excellent museums, such as Nordiska Museet and the Vasa Museum. Many are close to each other, too, making it easy to visit multiple places in a single trip.
Useful Information for Your Trip
Here are some more quick tips to help you plan your Stockholm trip more effectively:
- Money: Stockholm and Sweden use the Swedish Krona (SEK). Card payments are universally accepted, and some stores do not accept physical cash.
- Weather: Stockholm has four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and dark, often with snow. Summers are relatively warm and sunny, with long daylight hours.
- Visas and Entry Requirements: Sweden is in the EU. If you have an EU, EEA, or Swiss passport, you can visit without any special restrictions. Citizens of many other countries, including the UK and the US, can visit for up to 90 days visa-free. Some nationalities need a Visa; read the full list here.
- Safety: Stockholm is generally a safe city for tourists. Any neighborhoods you’d need to be careful in are far away from the center and impossible to randomly stumble into. Even then, most crime is gang-related and doesn’t target tourists. Your biggest concern will be pickpocketing, but normal precautions should be enough.
- Accommodation: Stockholm has accommodation for all budgets, from fancy hotels to affordable hostels. Stay in one of the central districts to make getting around easier.
