7 Fun Things to Do in Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and the largest urban area in Scandinavia. Here, you’ll find no shortage of beautiful architecture, interesting cultural attractions, and captivating history. This city is a must-see destination if you’re visiting Scandinavia! Read on for some of the top things to do in Stockholm, Sweden.
Table of Contents
Top things to do in Stockholm
1. Explore the Old Town of Gamla Stan
No trip to Stockholm is complete without a trip to the Old Town, known as Gamla Stan. Gamla Stan is one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in all of Europe. You can spend all day here wandering around the cobblestone streets and admiring the traditional architecture.
2. See the Stockholm archipelago on a sightseeing cruise
Stockholm is truly a city on the water. In total, it is made up of 14 separate islands. One unique way to experience the city is by water on a boat tour.
Outside the city itself, the Stockholm archipelago is made up of thousands of small islands and begins just a few minutes away from the city of Stockholm.
If you’re interested in booking a tour, there are quite a few options, but one popular one is this guided archipelago sightseeing cruise.
3. Visit the Nordic Museum
The Nordic Museum (Nordiska museet in Swedish) is Sweden’s largest museum of cultural history and explores the people and cultures of the Nordic region. This museum was even given a special commendation at the European Museum of the Year Awards in 2022.
4. Stop for fika in a cafe
Need a break from seeing the sights of Stockholm? The Swedish tradition of fika is a reminder to stop and savor the moment with a coffee and something sweet. There are plenty of cute cafes all over Stockholm where you can stop for fika. One of my favorites was Vete-Katten, which has several locations and a delicious selection of pastries to choose from.
5. See the Viking ships at the Vasa Museum
The Vasa Museum gives you the opportunity to see the only almost fully intact 17th-century ship that has ever been salvaged. The 64-gun warship Vasa, which was part of the Royal Swedish Navy, sank on her maiden voyage in 1628 and is now preserved within this museum.
If you want to see more, you can buy a two-in-one ticket to the Vasa Museum and the Museum of Wrecks, which is located next door.
6. Learn about the history of Sweden at the Swedish History Museum
The Swedish History Museum covers Swedish archaeology and cultural history from the Mesolithic period to the present day. I particularly enjoyed the prehistoric and Viking exhibitions! There is also a cafe in the museum if you’re looking for somewhere to sit down for a bit.
7. Do some thrifting in Södermalm
Södermalm is a residential district in central Stockholm that boasts plenty of vintage shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s a great place to go if you’re into thrifting or if you just want to see what local life in Stockholm looks like!
…
Where to stay in Stockholm
I stayed at The Generator hostel. This hostel was clean and centrally located and had a lot of opportunities to meet people, including an on-site bar. It also fit my backpacker budget perfectly!
…
I hope this list of things to do in Stockholm, Sweden is useful for your travel planning! Stockholm is such a beautiful city and well worth a visit if you’re traveling in Scandinavia!
…
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting This Wild Planet!
Useful Resources for Booking Your Trip
Flights:
I like to use Google Flights to find flights. They have many helpful tools for comparing dates and itineraries.
Accommodations:
I use Hostelworld or Booking.com. Hostelworld has the best selection of hostels, and Booking.com is great if you’re looking for any other type of accommodation.
Travel insurance:
Don’t skimp on travel insurance – it’s important to be prepared if something goes wrong! Personally, I use SafetyWing travel insurance.
