Stockholm is an incredibly beautiful city that stands out among others. It is located on a vast group of islands in the Baltic Sea and serves as the capital of Sweden. The city consists of 14 different islands that are all connected by 50 bridges. Its charming cobblestone streets and captivating old town are particularly famous.
Interestingly, one-third of the city is covered by water, while another third is filled with parks and forests. This unique combination of elements makes Stockholm one of Europe’s healthiest cities and a truly wonderful destination to visit.
23. Drottningholm Palace
The royal family of Sweden lives in Drottningholm Palace, which is situated on Lovon island. The palace, built in the late 16th century, was named after its location, meaning “queen’s islet.” Unfortunately, the original palace was destroyed by a fire in 1661, but it was reconstructed.
Initially, the palace served as a summer retreat for a few hundred years. However, in the 19th century, it fell into disuse and began to deteriorate. Fortunately, efforts were made to update and restore the palace, bringing it back to its former glory.
The palace grounds feature a church from 1736, which the locals visit on the last Sunday of each month, as well as enchanting gardens dating back to the 17th century. These gardens are the primary attraction for tourists visiting Drottningholm Palace.
22. ABBA The Museum
If you’re a fan of ABBA, you should definitely visit their museum. It’s located near Gröna Lund and opened in Djurgården in 2013. The museum is modern and interactive, showcasing the group’s music, memorabilia, and other cool stuff. One of the highlights is Benny’s Piano, which is connected to the piano he has at home.
When he plays a tune at home, the one in the museum plays the same tune automatically. The museum also has a recreation of The Polar Studio, where they recorded much of their music, and a collection of items related to their 1974 performance of Waterloo at Eurovision.
21. Vasa Museum
The Vasa was a war ship from the early 17th century that sank during its first voyage, similar to the Titanic. After resting on the ocean floor for 300 years, the ship was recovered and is now the only almost-intact sailing ship from that time period. It is displayed at the Vasa Museum, which is the most popular museum in Scandinavia.
The museum itself is unique and was chosen from 384 different designs. It has a copper roof with stylized masts that are the same height as the Vasa. Visitors can explore the ship from six different levels, and the museum also features exhibits about Sweden’s maritime history, including four other ships.
20. Skansen Open-Air Museum
Skansen, which was established in 1891, is the world’s oldest open air museum in Sweden. It offers a great opportunity to learn about the country. The museum includes Stockholm’s only zoo, which showcases animals that are native to Sweden. In addition to the zoo, there is also a section that represents a traditional pre-industrial Sweden.
This area consists of 150 farms and buildings from different regions of the country. Visitors can observe staff members dressed in traditional costumes as they demonstrate crafts and various aspects of 19th century life.
Skansen is located on the beautiful Djurgarden island and serves as the venue for many traditional Swedish festivals like Lucia and Midsummer. Lastly, the museum offers stunning views of Stockholm for visitors to enjoy.
19. Nordic Museum
If you’re interested in learning about life in Scandinavia over the past 500 years, a visit to the Nordic Museum is a must. The museum showcases the history and culture of Sweden, giving you a glimpse into how the region has evolved over time.
From the 16th century to the present, you’ll see traditions, artifacts, furniture, and homes that were part of the lives of Nordic people. The museum also displays clothing, jewelry, and textiles, providing insight into the fashion of the time.
One of the major exhibitions at the museum, called ‘While the Ice is Melting,’ even introduces you to the people who lived in some of the coldest places on Earth.
18. Stadshuset
City Hall in Stockholm is not just a government office, but also a popular tourist destination. It has a fancy restaurant called Stadshuskällaren and hosts the Nobel Prize banquet. Despite being built in the late 20th century, it is still considered a historic building.
The City Hall has different halls, such as the Blue Hall, which houses the largest organ in Scandinavia with 10,270 pipes, and the Golden Hall adorned with 18 million mosaic tiles depicting Swedish history. To visit the halls, tourists must join a guided tour.
17. Monteliusvagen
If you want to see how beautiful the city is, one of the best things you can do is walk along the Monteliusvägen. It’s a nice path on Södermalm island that’s 500 meters long. From there, you can get a great view of Lake Mälaren, Riddarholmen, and Stockholm City Hall, especially at sunrise or sunset.
As you walk, you’ll see cute houses in different colors along the path, and there are benches where you can sit and enjoy the view. The path starts at Bastugatan 16, on the east side of the city, and goes all the way to Kattgränd. If you visit in winter, make sure to wear good walking shoes because the path can be slippery from ice. And if you happen to be in Stockholm on New Year’s Eve, this is a great spot to see the fireworks.
16. Fotografiska Stockholm
If you love art and gourmet food, Fotografiska is a must-visit place. Located in Stadsgårdshamnen, this former customs house offers an incredible combination of cultural and culinary experiences. Unlike traditional museums or galleries, Fotografiska focuses on temporary and modern photography exhibitions rather than permanent artwork for sale.
The venue is housed in a stunning waterside building and showcases works by esteemed Swedish and international photographers. Additionally, the dining experience at Fotografiska is top-notch, with a team of chefs awarded a Michelin green star serving visually appealing dishes that match the artistry of the photography on display.
15. Rosendals Garden
If you love the idea of getting food straight from the farm to your plate, you should definitely check out Rosendals Garden. It’s located on Djurgården island and has been promoting sustainable and biodynamic farming for more than four decades.
Here, they grow a wonderful variety of herbs, fruits, vegetables, and flowers, all of which you can see in their farm shop, cafe/restaurant, and bakery that uses a stone oven fueled by wood.
Locally known as Rosendals Trädgård, this place also boasts an orchard with more than 50 different types of apples, as well as separate gardens for vegetables, flowers, roses, a vineyard, a garden center, and greenhouses. Everything is grown following organic practices.
In the cafe, you can enjoy a delicious menu featuring sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries. The easiest way to reach Rosendals Garden is by taking a leisurely walk along the canal from the Djurgårdsbron bridge.
14. Royal Palace
The Stockholm Palace, also known as Kungliga Slottet, is a popular tourist spot in the city. It is a must-see for anyone visiting Stockholm. The palace was completed in 1754 and is built using sandstone, brick, and dimension stone in a baroque style. It is located in the Gamla Stan district of the city, specifically within Stadsholmen.
The Stockholm Palace is undoubtedly one of the largest, most ornate, and vibrant palaces in Europe. It serves as the official residence of the Swedish royal family. Unbelievably, the palace has a total of 600 rooms. While most of the rooms are not accessible to the public, visitors can enjoy a guided tour of certain parts of the palace.
Some of the main attractions that visitors can see during the tour include three impressive museums and a grand library.
13. Stockholm Boat Tour
To explore Stockholm, a city comprised of 14 islands, taking a sightseeing boat tour is highly recommended. There are two reliable boat tour providers – Red Sightseeing and Strömma – that offer brunch or dinner cruises across the city.
These tours are a great way to familiarize yourself with the capital of Sweden as they cover most of the main attractions.
If you’re interested in exploring other islands in the archipelago, these tours can also take you there.Red Sightseeing, in particular, offers a convenient hop-on, hop-off tour, allowing tourists to use the service as they like.
On the other hand, if you prefer to directly visit the Stockholm archipelago, you have the option of using the regular ferry service or joining a guided tour provided by Blidösundsbolaget and Waxholmsbolaget.
12. Museum of Medieval
The Museum of Medieval is an important place in Stockholm that showcases ancient artifacts discovered in the 1970s. It is located near Stockholm Palace and includes a part of the 16th-century city wall. Visitors can learn about life in medieval Stockholm through exhibits like booths, houses, a harbour, gallows, and workshops.
The museum covers the city’s history from the 1250s to the 1520s. Besides exhibits, the museum also hosts symposia, lectures, and interactive programs. Visitors can also purchase books and souvenirs about the Middle Ages from the museum’s shop.
11. Storkyrkan
Located in the heart of medieval Stockholm, between Stortorget and the Royal Palace, you will find a stunning cathedral known as the Old Town Cathedral. Also referred to as Storkyrkan, Sankt Nikolai kyrka, or Stockholms domkyrka, this is the oldest church in the city dating back to the 1300s.
It follows the Lutheran faith and serves as the main church for the Sweden Diocese of Stockholm. The cathedral has witnessed and hosted many significant historical events, such as royal weddings and the opening ceremony of parliament held every autumn.
Open to visitors of all religions, you can explore this impressive cathedral through an audio tour and discover famous artifacts like the Parhelion painting and the iconic sculpture of St George and the Dragon, made of wood.
10. Moderna Museet
If you’re interested in art and culture, you should definitely visit the Moderna Museet. It is located on Skeppsholmen, a beautiful island in the central district of Stockholm. The museum was opened in 1958 and is owned by the government. It is famous for its impressive collection of contemporary and modern art from around the world.
You can see artworks by well-known artists like Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Meret Oppenheim, Wassily Kandinsky, and Henri Matisse. The museum has a total of 6,000 paintings, 25,000 graphic prints, 400 art videos, and 100,000 photographs from 1840 until now.
The best part is that you can enter the museum for free and explore their permanent collection. Don’t forget to visit its restaurant which offers a wide variety of delicious meals.
9. Millesgarden
Millesgården, located on the beautiful island of Lidingö, is often seen as the Swedish equivalent to Barcelona’s Park Güell. It is a combination of a sculpture garden and an art museum, situated on the grounds of the former home of renowned sculptor Carl Milles and his wife, Olga.
Completed in 1908, Millesgården is conveniently located just 20 minutes away from downtown Stockholm. The museum offers a glimpse into the artist’s life through his home and antique collection. Visitors can also admire his stunning sculptures spread throughout the gardens.
Additionally, there is a delightful restaurant and a charming museum shop available for visitors to enjoy.
8. Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan, also known as Stockholm’s old town, is a charming and beautiful place that you should definitely visit. It is officially called Staden mellan broama, which means “the town between the bridges,” and it is located on the island called Stadsholmen.
The island is small and lively, with its charming cobbled streets and stunning architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries, which are full of vibrant colors. Some of Stockholm’s top attractions, like the Royal Palace and the Storkyrkan cathedral, can be found here.
Additionally, there are many great restaurants, cafes, and bistros that serve delicious Nordic cuisine. If you’re looking for some evening entertainment after a day of sightseeing, Gamla Stan is the perfect place to be. It offers a vibrant nightlife scene, with some of the best bars, traditional pubs, and clubs all located in this area.
But even during the day, it’s a great spot to relax and observe the locals while sitting and enjoying the atmosphere.
7. Nobel Prize Museum
In the Gamla Stan, there is a museum called the Nobel Prize Museum. It opened in 2001 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the prestigious award. Since then, it has become one of Stockholm’s most beloved landmarks. The museum is located in the former Stock Exchange Building, which is just a three-minute walk from Stockholm Palace.
Inside, you can learn about the history of the Nobel Prize and see exhibits about past winners and the life of Alfred Nobel, who created the prize. The museum has permanent displays of items donated by previous Nobel Laureates and shows their life stories.
Don’t forget to visit the souvenir shop while you’re there, where you can get your own Nobel prize made of delicious fair-trade dark chocolate.
6. Junibacken
If you’re traveling to Stockholm with children, you should definitely visit Junibacken. It’s a great park located on Galärvarvsvägen, just a short walk from the Vasa Museum. This park is dedicated to literature and brings famous characters from Nordic fairytales and children’s books to life.
There’s plenty of space for kids to play, and they can also enjoy a playhouse, exhibitions, and a theater. The park even has a fantastic Story Train that takes you into the world of Astrid Lindgren. And if that’s not enough, it also houses the largest children’s bookstore in the country, with hundreds of books in Swedish and other languages.
The bookstore even has a terrace where you can enjoy beautiful views of the water.
5. Hallwyl Museum
Stockholm has about 50 museums and one of the most captivating ones is the Hallwyl Museum. It is located in the Hallwyl Palace, facing Berzelii Park. The palace used to be the home of the Count and Countess von Hallwyl but was given to the state in the 1920s to be turned into a national museum.
The palace was built from 1893 to 1898 and now displays over 300 ceramic, glass, and metal artworks that showcase various styles of Art Nouveau. The countess collected many of these artworks during her travels.
In addition to the art, the museum also has well-preserved rooms from the late Swedish Victorian period, giving visitors an intriguing glimpse into the lifestyle of the nobility during that time.
4. Nationalmuseum
The Nationalmuseum is the most famous museum in Sweden and it is the country’s national gallery. It is also called the National Museum of Fine Arts and it is located in central Stockholm on the Blasieholmen peninsula. The museum started in 1792 as the ‘Royal Museum’ and it has a great collection of sculptures, drawings, paintings, and graphic art.
Most of these artworks are from the 16th century to the early 1900s, but there are some from more recent times too. Around 5,000 objects are on display and they are arranged in chronological order, guiding visitors through the museum. It’s free to enter and there is an additional section dedicated to art, design, and craft. Each era has its own collection within the main exhibition hall.
3. SkyView at Ericsson Globe
The Stockholm Globe Arena is a well-known building in the city. It is also called the ‘Ericsson Globe’ because of its sponsor. The reason it is famous is because it is the biggest spherical building in the world. People love going there because they can see amazing views of the city. One of the best things to do in Stockholm is ride the SkyView.
This is a glass elevator that goes up the outside of the globe to the very top. From there, you can see the beautiful city of Stockholm from a height of 130 meters above the streets. The elevator goes up every 10 minutes, and the whole visit takes about 30 minutes. It’s even more amazing if you go at sunset.
2. Ostermalm Saluhall
One place that food enthusiasts should definitely visit is the Östermalms Saluhall, an impressive food hall known for its top-rated market in Sweden. This historical food hall, also called Östermalmshallen or Hallen for short, has been serving customers since 1888.
Although the prices may not reflect that time period, the antique stalls have managed to retain their charm. With a wide variety of offerings including seafood, cheeses, gourmet preserves, and meats, it is the ultimate destination in the city for fresh produce.
You can enter the hall through five different gates and enjoy a delightful breakfast, brunch, or lunch in the charming ambiance of this Victorian-style food hall. Apart from the food stalls, there are also several cafes in the marketplace that serve delicious and authentic local delicacies.
1. Grona Lund
Gröna Lund, also known as Grönan, is a popular amusement park in Stockholm that is great for families. It is located by the waterfront on Djurgården Island. Although it may be smaller than other amusement parks, it still offers plenty of thrilling rides, including eight roller coasters and a fun house. It even has a nostalgic Tunnel of Love.
In addition to the rides, Grönan also has five-a-side football pitches and many food stalls to enjoy. Apart from being an amusement park, it is also well-known for hosting pop and rock concerts. In fact, Bob Marley performed here in 1980, drawing a record-breaking crowd of over 32,000.
