Top Things to do in Stockholm

Sweden is one of our favorite destinations, but Stockholm was the city that truly captured our hearts. Often described as the #OpenCity, Stockholm embraces the idea that everyone should feel welcome and included. As a lesbian couple, we genuinely experienced that sense of acceptance during our visit. Inclusivity is so deeply woven into the city's culture that there is little need for separate LGBTQ+ spaces. In Stockholm, everyone is welcome everywhere.

The city's welcoming atmosphere wasn't the only thing that made us fall for Stockholm. We also loved how easy it was to explore on foot, how friendly the locals were, how simple the metro system was to use, and, of course, how beautiful the city looked. We spent several days exploring Stockholm and felt that we managed to experience a large portion of it. Keep reading for our essential guide to visiting the city.

Where to Stay in Stockholm

We stayed at Hotel Hellsten during our time in Stockholm. This charming boutique property has a wonderfully eclectic character and is situated in an extremely convenient location.

We could walk to nearly all of the places we wanted to visit, while the nearest metro station was only about one block away whenever we didn't feel like walking. There were also plenty of restaurants and bars in the surrounding area, with many more just a short stroll from the hotel.

Other neighborhoods worth considering for your stay include Gamla Stan, Sodermalm, and Bibliotekstan.

How to Get Around Stockholm

Walking is easily one of the best ways to explore Stockholm. The city is extremely pedestrian-friendly, which was another major reason we enjoyed our visit so much. We were able to reach almost all of the attractions and neighborhoods on our itinerary without needing transportation.

If you're not someone who enjoys walking long distances, or you're like us and prefer having an easier option sometimes, Stockholm's excellent metro system is a great alternative. Known as the T-Bana, the metro was the transportation method we used several times during our trip, and it consistently took us exactly where we needed to go.

The T-Bana is straightforward to navigate and was also very clean when we visited. Uber is another option if you'd rather travel by car.

Best Things to Do in Stockholm

Explore Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan means “old town,” and this historic part of Stockholm is full of character. The area is packed with shops, restaurants, bars, and markets, while its cobblestone streets wind between colorful buildings and narrow alleyways.

Although Gamla Stan is one of the city's most popular areas with visitors, it never felt overwhelmingly crowded with tourists during our time there.

Visit the ABBA Museum

If you're as enthusiastic about ABBA as we are, the ABBA Museum is an attraction you won't want to miss. The museum explores the group's history, career, and incredible success.

There are also plenty of interactive exhibits that make the experience more engaging, along with costumes worn by the band for some of their special performances. It's a particularly fun stop for anyone who loves the legendary Swedish group.

Tour the Royal Palace of Sweden

The Royal Palace is an important landmark in Stockholm, although it isn't the residence where Sweden's King and Queen actually live. Instead, the palace is used for significant meetings and official events.

Visitors can join a guided tour and discover more about the history of Sweden's royal family and monarchy. We were even lucky enough to have the King present on the premises during our tour, which made the experience especially memorable.

Visit the Vasa Museum

The Vasa is a historic ship that sank in Stockholm during the 1600s and remained underwater for more than 300 years before being recovered.

Remarkably, the ship is still largely intact and is now preserved inside the Vasa Museum. Seeing the vessel in person is an impressive experience, and the museum also provides plenty of fascinating information about the ship and Sweden during the period when it was built and sailed.

Enjoy a Fika

Fika is a beloved Swedish tradition centered around coffee, pastries, and spending time relaxing with others. During your time in Stockholm, you'll notice plenty of places advertising fika throughout the city.

Our favorite spots for enjoying this Swedish tradition were Sara's Art & Coffee, Kaffekoppen, and Chokladkoppen. Each provided a great opportunity to slow down, grab something to eat and drink, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Go Shopping in Bibliotekstan

Bibliotekstan is one of Stockholm's main shopping areas and offers a mixture of luxury fashion labels, more affordable brands, and independent local stores.

Stockholm residents have a reputation for being particularly fashionable, and we definitely noticed that stylish atmosphere while exploring the city. Bibliotekstan is a great place to browse the local fashion scene and pick up something during your visit.

See Stockholm's Narrowest Street

For a quick and unusual photo opportunity, make your way to Mårten Trotszigs Gränd. At only 35 inches across, it is the narrowest street in Stockholm.

The extremely tight passageway is a fun place to stop for a photograph while exploring the historic streets of the city.

Admire the Art at Millesgården

Millesgården is a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden featuring the work of Swedish artist and sculptor Carl Milles.

The combination of sculpture, open-air surroundings, and artistic atmosphere makes it an enjoyable place to explore. It is a particularly good choice for visitors who want to experience some of Stockholm's art and culture outside of the city's traditional museums.