What to Do in Stockholm, Sweden | My Ultimate Travel Guide

Are you curious about what to do in Stockholm, Sweden to plan an upcoming trip? In this post, I’m sharing my top tips, things to do, and everything that you need to know about Stockholm for your first visit!

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Stockholm, Sweden Travel Tips

I’ve traveled to over 65 countries, but I still know that visiting a country for the first time can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. So, first I’ll share some of my best tips for your first visit to Stockholm, Sweden.

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Best Places to Stay in Stockholm, Sweden

I recommend that you stay as close to Gamla Stan, or the old city, as possible. Why? Because that’s where the great restaurants and shopping are, not to mention the beautiful Swedish architecture.

I stayed at the Sheraton Stockholm, just across the bridge from Parliament, which I personally think is one of the best hotels in Stockholm, Sweden. It was a great location because it was just a five-minute walk to Gamla Stan, the rooms are luxurious, and it has some awesome amenities. Pro Tip: try to book a room with a lake view!

What to do in Stockholm Sweden

How Long Should You Stay in Stockholm?

I would recommend staying in Stockholm for at least two days. If you’re a museum-goer, you’ll probably want to stay for at least three.

There are some incredible museums here including the National Museum, the Viking Museum, and the Vasa Ship. Or, get your “dancing queen” on at the ABBA Museum in Stockholm, an interactive museum for fans of the famous band.

You also want to stay long enough so that your trip doesn’t overlap too much with the cruise ships that frequent this destination, especially in the summer.

Sweden is largely a cashless society.

Much of Sweden does not use cash at all! For example, the famous coffee shop Espresso House doesn’t even allow cash. In the two days that I spent in Stockholm, I never had to exchange one euro or one dollar for Swedish kr. You can tip in Euros or dollars, but everyone takes credit cards!

Stockholm, Sweden Weather

The weather is rather unpredictable in Stockholm, so it’s best to be prepared every day. It typically doesn’t get hotter than the mid-to-high 70s, even in summer, and there’s almost always a chance of rain showers. We visited in August, and it rained heavily, out of the blue, on a couple of different occasions, so be ready for anything!

Stockholm Sweden Weather

What to Pack When Traveling to Stockholm

It’s always important to know what to pack when you’re traveling anywhere in the world, and that’s especially true in Stockholm. Because of the unpredictable weather I mentioned above, I recommend bringing both short and long sleeves, open-toed shoes, weather-proof shoes, long pants, and a light down jacket.

A couple more things I wish I had brought with me: a raincoat and a travel umbrella.

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Top 10 Things to Do in Stockholm, Sweden

Alright, now we can get into exactly what to do in Stockholm, Sweden, on your trip! Whether you’re into museums, souvenir shopping, sightseeing, or eating all the best foods, my list of the top 10 things to do in Stockholm, Sweden, has you covered.

#1: Visit the Vasa Ship

Seeing the Vasa Ship is probably the number one thing to do when you’re in Stockholm. I don’t know anywhere else you’ll see such a spectacular ship from the 1600’s! It sank and then was salvaged in 1961, and it’s definitely worth the visit.

Vasa Ship, Abundant Travel Tips | What to do in Stockholm Sweden

A very important tip for your visit:

The way to avoid the long lines is to get your ticket online or at the little kiosk to the right of the museum. You can use a debit card that has a PIN number and buy your ticket straight away. Even though there are lots of tourists at the Vasa Museum, it is well worth checking out.

#2: Take a Ferry Ride

What to do in Stockholm Sweden, Ferry ride

Most cities have a tram or a bus system, but what better way to get around in the middle of Stockholm than on a ferry? I decided to leave Vasa Museum and head back to Gamla Stan in the old town on the ferry instead of taking a bus or going for a walk.

This walking tour of Stockholm includes access to the Vasa Museum plus the ferry ride!

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#3: Get a Souvenir Dala Horse

Maybe you didn’t know this about me, but I’m a major horse girl! The Swedish Dala horses have been around since the 1800s as toys. They are probably the number one chotchke thing you should buy when you’re in Sweden if you’re into souvenir shopping. The colors and symbols on the horse are all representative of the town they were made in, which is so cool and unique.

Swedish Dala Horse

#4: Visit the Narrowest Street in Sweden

You have to take a wander down Mårten Trotzigs Gränd, the narrowest street in Sweden. It’s only 35 inches wide at its narrowest point. They say you’re supposed to make a wish as you’re walking down the 36 steps. It’s a very cool experience; I highly recommend it!

What to do in Stockholm Sweden | walk down Mårten Trotzigs Gränd Street

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#5: Go on a Walking Tour

I went on two walking tours during my 48 hours in Stockholm, and both were with Stockholm free walking tours. I did the modern town tour and the old town tour. If you go with this company, make sure to ask for Joe. He’s a Brit who has been in Stockholm for two years (as of 2019) going to University. Joe was fun, knowledgeable and very clever.  I learned so much about the city on my tours!

Check out other walking tours to book here!

#6: Get Your Fika On!

Fika Tour in Stockholm Sweden

A must-do while you’re in Stockholm is to get your Fika on. What does that mean? Stopping for coffee! Supposedly, the Swedes drink half a litre of coffee a day (I did not attempt this!). It’s not like the Italian espresso; it’s more watered-down, and so they can drink more of it.

Try this private guided tour that includes a customized Fika experience with pastries and a stroll around town.

#7: Try the Traditional Swedish Food

What to do in Stockholm Sweden | Try the Traditional Swedish Food

One of my favorite meals was at a quiet restaurant in Gamla Stan, where I had a “smorgasbord” of items that might have been some of the best food in Stockholm, Sweden. This included pickled herring, meatballs, cured salmon, Västerbotten Cheese, and boiled potatoes, to name a few. I highly recommend you try the traditional foods in any destination you visit to truly get a full cultural experience.

Sometimes, the best way to do this is by taking a food tour because you can ask your local guide for more tips on what to do in Stockholm, Sweden!

#8: Watch the Swedish Changing of the Guard

The last thing I did before leaving Stockholm was see the changing of the guard. It’s one of the most popular attractions for visitors to Stockholm. The royal guard ceremony begins at 12:15 p.m. on weekdays in the outer courtyard of the royal palace. On Sundays, the event takes place at 1:15 p.m.

I have a great tip about where to get the best view: the best place to be is against the palace, as close to the little guard house as possible. I only got there about 10 minutes before the changing started, and I was still able to see everything!

What to do in Stockholm Sweden | see the Changing of the Guard

#9: Tour the Stockholm Archipelago

Something I didn’t have time to do is to spend more time touring the Stockholm Archipelago, which covers more than 650 square miles and includes over 30,000 islands. You can see many historical sites and uninhabited islands, as well as local summer houses that date back to the 17th century! This speed boat tour picks you up in central Stockholm and takes you around the best areas of the archipelago.

#10: Explore the Swedish Countryside

If you have an extra day to spare, I recommend getting out of Stockholm and exploring the Swedish countryside. There’s so much history there, from Viking to medieval times, and the landscape is very beautiful, too. This Swedish countryside tour takes you to Sigtuna, Sweden’s longest-established town, and Gamla Uppsala, an ancient and sacred site. An expert guide will take you around the countryside and teach you about the country’s history.

Uppsala Sweden

Do you know what to do in Stockholm, Sweden now?

I hope you found my Stockholm, Sweden guide helpful for planning your trip! I had a fantastic time visiting Stockholm and can’t wait for my next trip back there. I already have some great ideas about what to do next!

I’ll see you on the next adventure!

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