Popular Tourist Places to Visit and Things to Do in Stockholm

October 3, 2020 Mustafa Natalwala 7331 Views

Stockholm is the national capital city of Sweden. Stockholm has very unique geography which makes it very appealing as a tourist destination. The city is built on the delta of a lake as it flows into the baltic sea. There are about fourteen islands among places to visit in Stockholm. A tour of the things to see in Stockholm would take you from island to island. It makes an interesting view especially if you are coming to the city by flight. You can colorful canvas of land, lake, and ocean as you approach the city. It is a marvelous sight. One of the best things to do in Stockholm, Sweden is the boat tour of the lake which takes you from one island to another. The tour covers several Stockholm tourist attractions in a day. You can enjoy your lunch and dinner as you cruise about the city. There are also short cruises lasting about 2-3 hours among the top things to do in Stockholm. These do not stop at various attractions but are good for Stockholm sightseeing.

There are a couple of UNESCO world heritage sites among places to visit in Stockholm. Drottningholm Palace, which is the residence of the royal family, is the most popular among them. The palace is quite huge and takes several hours to explore. There are several things to see in Stockholm located within the palace including the Museum of Antiquities, Museum of Armoury, and Museum of Three Crowns. The palace is also home to Queen Kristina’s Silver Throne, which is a major Stockholm tourist attraction within itself. You can imagine the size of a palace with over 600 rooms. So keep at least half a day aside if you wish to visit Drottningholm Palace.

Another great place to begin Stockholm sightseeing is the city’s old town area known as Gamla Stan. The area is a museum within itself. It is a great place for a variety of chargeable and free things to do in Stockholm, Sweden. You can come here for shopping, dining, drinking, and sightseeing. Some of the Stockholm attractions to explore in Gamla Stan include Nobel Museum, Royal Palace, and Stockholm Cathedral. Aside from the tourist attractions, the very architecture and colors of the buildings in Gamla Stan are an appealing sight to enjoy during Stockholm travel.

Getting closer to the ocean, there are several Stockholm sights you can enjoy. There are two particular museums you should visit in Stockholm if you are interested in ships and sailing, namely Vasa Museum and the Maritime Museum. Vasa is a legendary ship that sank in 1628. The ship was retrieved from the ocean in 1961 and restored, though the majority of the parts are still original. There are also several beaches in Stockholm, some along the lakes and some along the ocean. If you wish to visit an island and enjoy a beach together, you can get to Fjaderholmarna Island. Other than that you can enjoy Brunnsvikens Strandbad Beach, Smedsuddsbadet Beach, Langholmes Beach, and a few others.

Among other places to see in Stockholm are art galleries, churches, museums, palaces, and more. As you explore this article you will get to know numerous tourist attractions and activities in Stockholm. The city is a very lively place to explore on foot. Stockholm also has a great nightlife and clubbing scene.

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Table of Contents

Explore the Top Tourist Attractions in Stockholm in 5 Days (5 Days Travel Itinerary)

Day 1

1. Swedish Museum of Photography (Fotografiska)

The museum of photography has an impressive collection of clicks which gained the attention of several people. You will need an hour and a half for this Stockholm attraction.

I suggest you should get your Entrance Ticket to the Swedish Museum of Photography in advance.

2. Riddarholm Church

This 13th-century abbey is a fine example of architecture and the last remaining medieval structure of its kind in Sweden. You will need one hour for this church.

3. Royal Palace of Stockholm (Stockholms slott or Kungliga slottet)

This magnificent palace is home to the king and queen of the nation. There are several exhibits in the palace that can take up to 2 hours to explore.

4. Stockholm Old Town (Gamla stan)

Also known as Gamla Stan, the old town area is one the best places for taking a stroll while enjoying Stockholm sightseeing. You will need at least an hour to walk and explore this area.

I suggest you should go for a Walking Tour of Stockholm Old Town.

5. Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan)

This medieval cathedral is the oldest church in the city. You will come across this Stockholm tourist attraction while strolling through the old town. It will take 30 to 45 minutes for this church.

6. Stortorget

This major square of Stockholm is also located in the old town and is also known as the Big Square. Take about 30 minutes to explore the places to visit in Stockholm in and around Stortorget.

Day 2

1. Nordic Museum (Nordiska museet)

This wonderful museum has more than 500 thousand exhibits. It is the largest museum of cultural history in the nation. You will need about 2 hours for this museum.

2. Vasa Museum (Vasamuseet)

Vasa Museum is among the most popular places to visit in Stockholm, especially for the historic boats and ships. You will need approximately an hour and a half for this museum.

I suggest you should book a Guided Tour with Admission Ticket to Vasa Museum in advance.

3. ABBA Museum

This museum is dedicated to the internationally recognized pop group from Sweden. You will need about an hour to explore the musical journey of ABBA.

I suggest you should get a Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket of the ABBA Museum.

4. Museum of Modern Art (Moderna Museet)

This museum exhibits works of art from the 20th century onward. The museum is large enough to warrant 2 hours of your time.

Day 3

1. Skyview

Skyview is among the top things to do in Stockholm. Also known as the Ericsson globe, it a sightseeing spot as well as a fun ride. You are likely to spend about an hour at Skyview.

2. The Woodland Cemetery (Skogskyrkogården)

This large cemetery will take an hour and a half of your time.

3. Drottningholm Palace

This palace is among UNESCO World Heritage Sites and was designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder. You will need 3 hours to explore this grand palace.

I suggest you should go for a Guided Tour of Drottningholm Palace.

Day 4

1. Stockholm City Hall

This is where the Nobel Prize is awarded. You will need an hour and a half for this place to visit in Stockholm.

2. Nobel Prize Museum

The Nobel Prize Museum outlines the history of the prestigious award. You will get to learn several things you never knew about Nobel Prize at this museum. It takes about an hour and a half to explore this place.

I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket to Nobel Prize Museum in advance.

3. Stockholm National Museum

The museum exhibits several artifacts from different times in the history of Sweden. You will need about an hour for this museum.

4. Museum of Medieval Stockholm

The museum is built upon an archeological site and primarily focuses on the medieval history of Sweden. You will need about 2 hours to explore this place.

5. Haga Park (Hagaparken)

Haga Park is a part of a grander Royal National City Park. If you walk about the entire park, it will take up to 2 hours of your time.

Day 5

1. National Museum of Science & Technology (Tekniska Museet)

There are more than 50 thousand exhibits in the Swedish National Museum of Science & Technology. It will take at least one hour to explore them all.

2. Rosendal Botanical Garden

The botanical garden will require about an hour of your time to explore the various flora exhibited here.

3. Skansen Open Air Museum

This museum is located on the island of Djurgarden. The museum exhibits various cultural aspects of early life in the region. You will need about 2 hours for this place.

I suggest you should book your admission ticket to Skansen Open Air Museum in advance.

4. Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde

The Mansion used to be home of Prince Eugen of Sweden. It will take an hour and a half to explore the exhibits in the complex.

If you are eager to explore more tourist attractions in Stockholm, then read on to discover other places to visit and things to do in the city in this article.

Things to do in Stockholm

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Stockholm

Vasa Museum
Skansen Museum
The Royal Palace
Drottningholm Palace
ABBA The Museum
Nobel Prize Museum
Storkyrkan Church
Moderna Museet Art Museum
Nordiska Museet Museum
Stockholm Medieval Museum
Riddarholmen Church
Millesgarden Museum
Parliament House
Royal Swedish Opera
Skogskykogarden Cemetery
Hallwyl Museum
German Church
Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde Museum
Rosendalts Slott Palace
Urliksdal Palace
Swedish History Museum
Museum of Natural History
The Royal Armoury
Stockholm City Museum
Viking Museum
Museum of Technology
ArkDes Swedish Architecture & Design Museum
Drottningholms Slotts Theatre
Iron Boy Sculpture
Army Museum
Museum of Spirits
House of Nobility
Maritime Museum
Museum Tre Kronor
The Chinese Pavilion
Sven Harry Art Museum
Museum of Ethnography
Church of St. Clare
Strindberg Museum
Medelhavs Museet Museum
Gustav III Museum
Katrina Kirka Church
Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities
Haga Palace
Biological Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Stockholm

Tyresta National Park
Brunnsviken Lake
Sormlandsleden Hike Trail
Riddarfjarden Lake
Lake Malaren

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Stockholm

Grona Lund Amusement Park
Fotografiska Contemporary Photography Museum
Junibacken Children’s Literature Park
Skyview Ride
Royal National City Park
Stockholm Public Library
Rosendals Tradgard
Skansen Aquarium
Stockholm Concert Hall
Thielska Galleriet
Butterfly House
Bergianska Trädgården
Kulturhuset Cultural Hub
Liljevalchs Art Gallery
Stockholm Ghost Walk
Hammarbybacken Ski Resort
Eriksdalsbadet Water Park
Swedish Film Tour
Street Art Walk Tour
IKEA Store

Shopping in Stockholm

Drottninggatan Street
Vasterlanggatan Street
Horntulls Marknad
Hamngaten Street
Birger Jarlsgatan Street
Hornsgatan Street
Hotorget Flea Market
Rorstrandsgatan Street
Biblioteksgaten Street
Gotgatan Street
Stora Nygatan Street
Bondegatan Street
Sturegallerian
Master Samuelgatan Street

Beaches & Islands in Stockholm

Fjaderholmarna Island
Brunnsvikens Strandbad Beach
Nibroviken Bay
Smedsuddsbadet Beach
Lilla Essingebadet Island
Langholmens Strandbad Beach
Flatenbadet Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure Things to do in Stockholm

Skiing
Hiking
Island Biking
Lake Maralen Boat Tour

Sightseeing in Stockholm

Djurgarden Island
Stockholm City Hall
Stortorget
Sodermalm Island
Kungstrad Garden Park
Skeppsholmen Island
Langholmen Island
Sergels Torg
Kanknastornet TV Tower
Hagaparken Park
Strandvagen Boulevard
Katarina Elevator
Stadsholmen Island
Marten Trotzigs Grand Alley
Monteliusvagen Path
Fjallatan Street
Skinnarviksberget View Point
Gustav Adolfs Torg Square
Tantoluden Park
Humlegarden Park
Kastellholmen Island
Vasa Parken
Hotorget Town Square

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Stockholm

Ostermalms Saluhall Food Hall
Hotorgshallen Food Hall
Agrikultur
Punk Royale
Babette
Oaxen Krog & Slip
Lilla Ego
Taverna Brillo
Grus Grus
Rosenals Tradgard
Tenntopet
Meatballs for the People
Hantverket
Haktet
Tyge & Sessil
Falloumi
Ekstedt
Frantzen

Where to Stay in Stockholm?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Stockholm. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Stockholm.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Stockholm

How to Reach Stockholm?

By Air

The best option for Stockholm travel is Arianda International Airport. It’s the largest airport connected to the city located about 40 kms north of the city. You can get direct flights to visit Stockholm from several countries in Europe, America and Asia. You have several options to reach the places to visit in Stockholm from the Arianda airport including bus, train and cab.

You can choose between regular public buses and express buses visit Stockholm sights. You can purchase tickets at the airport counters or book them in advance online. You won’t be able to purchase the tickets on the bus. Even for train running between the airport to visit Stockholm, you have the option of regular and express trains. While buses take a minimum of 40 minutes to reach the city, express train gets you in there in about half the time. The regular trains take multiple stops, so if you are in a hurry to begin Stockholm sightseeing, then better take the express train. You can get cabs as well as rental cars from the airport itself. The cabs can be approached at the airport, booked online, or booked by mobile cab hailing apps. You can also reach out to car sharing companies for transport to various Stockholm tourist attractions.

Bromma airport commonly used for Stockholm travel from Copenhagen, Aarhus, Oslo, Brussels, Skien and Tallinn. Bromma airport is located at a distance of 8 kms from the city. Though it is closer, it is not as large an airport as Arianda. You can also choose Skavsta Airport and Vasteras Airport for Stockholm travel. But, both of these airports are quite far from the city. You will have to travel significantly to reach the places to see in Stockholm from there.

By Road

The second fastest means of transport for Stockholm sightseeing is the train. The Stockholm Central station receives several trains from surrounding countries and beyond. You can get a direct train to visit Stockholm from Copenhagen, Oslo, Narvik and more. The bus network for Stockholm travel is a little more widespread with direct buses available from Prague, Oslo, Banja Luka, Budapest, Copenhagen, Zagreb and more.

If you are traveling to visit Stockholm attractions by road then you can pick route E18, E4 or E20. The road journey to the coastal city is among best things to do in Stockholm, Sweden. You get to enticing views of the ocean and landscapes on your way to the city. There are a few beaches in Stockholm you can hit on your way if you are traveling by road.

By Water

Stockholm is one of the most important ports of Sweden. You can get ferries to visit Stockholm from Helsinki, Turku, Riga, Mariehamn, and Tallinn. There are also several cruise ships which dock at Stockholm port. Such cruise tours include several activities in Stockholm in their itinerary. You are free to explore things to see in Stockholm by yourself as well.

Image Reference

Swedish Museum of Photography (Fotografiska) – Julian Herzog / Wikimedia Commons
Riddarholm Church – Naval S / Flickr
Royal Palace of Stockholm – Christine Franck / Flickr
Stockholm Old Town (Gamla stan) – natatuovila / PixaBay
Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan) – Richard Mortel / Flickr
Stortorget – Peter Lübeck / Flickr
Nordic Museum (Nordiska museet) – Dima Burakov / PixaBay
Vasa Museum (Vasamuseet) – marcelkessler / PixaBay
ABBA Museum – pasja1000 / PixaBay
Museum of Modern Art (Moderna Museet) – helituov / PixaBay
Skyview – kallerna / Wikimedia Commons
The Woodland Cemetery (Skogskyrkogården) – xiquinhosilva / Flickr
Drottningholm Palace – falco / PixaBay
Stockholm City Hall – Jimmie Hjärtström / PixaBay
Nobel Prize Museum – Dave Pinter / Flickr
Stockholm National Museum (Nationalmuseum) – Bahnfrend / Wikimedia Commons
Museum of Medieval Stockholm – Jorge Láscar / Wikimedia Commons
Haga Park (Hagaparken) – Frankie Fouganthin / Wikimedia Commons
National Museum of Science & Technology (Tekniska museet) – Johnny Comstedt / Flickr
Rosendal Botanical Garden – Laura Thompson / Flickr
Skansen Open Air Museum – Otto Jula / Wikimedia Commons
Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde – Arild Vågen / Wikimedia Commons