Hei hei Stockholm: Sights & Tips for Your City Trip

It’s been almost two years since we traveled by train, ferry and bus around the Baltic Sea and stopped in several exciting cities — including Stockholm. We spent four nights and five full days in the Swedish capital enjoying the best spring weather.

It was already my second visit, and Stockholm appealed to me even more this time than the first. The mix of a historic old town, a relaxed atmosphere and at the same time diverse and lively neighborhoods and an exceptionally good café and restaurant scene makes the city, in my opinion, a perfect destination for a city trip.

I’ve long wanted to devote a post to this stopover. In this guide I finally share our tips for Stockholm, the most beautiful sights and our personal highlights for 3–5 days in the city.

Stockholm in 3–5 days: how we organized our days

Stockholm’s city center is roughly twice the size of Zurich in terms of both population and area. The city is spread over 14 islands, and about 30% of the area is water. Despite this expanse, many sights are concentrated in the centrally located neighborhoods around the old town Gamla Stan and can be easily explored on foot.

Stockholm can also be wonderfully discovered through its different neighborhoods – each has its own distinct character. While Södermalm with a creative scene, vintage shops, cafés and great viewpoints, Östermalm is noticeably more elegant with design shops, wide boulevards and the well-known market hall. The green island Djurgården is primarily known for its museums and extensive park areas.

Since Stockholm also has a lot to offer culturally, it’s worth planning at least 3 to 4 days for the city trip. We even had five full days and took an additional half-day trip into the surrounding area.

This is how we spent our five days in Stockholm:

• Day 1: Sightseeing in the city center with Gamla Stan and the island Skeppsholmen
• Day 2: Excursion to Drottningholm Palace and exploration of Södermalm (incl. SoFo)
• Day 3:Visit classic sights such as the Stadshuset observation tower and the Vasa Museum
• Day 4:Focus on a culinary highlight and special places like the metro stations
• Day 5:Relaxed finale with a stroll through Östermalm and long café breaks

The most beautiful sights in Stockholm

1. Stadshuset – bird’s-eye view of Stockholm

The Stadshuset (City Hall) is one of Stockholm’s best-known landmarks – not least because the Nobel Banquet with the laureates and the royal family is held here each year after the Nobel Prize ceremony. The ascent to the 106-meter-high tower is especially recommended: from above you get an impressive view over the city and the surrounding islands.

Good to know: The tower climb is only possible in the summer months (from May). The number of tickets for the tower is limited. The desired time slot can be reserved online via the Stadshuset online ticket shop. Guided tours of the Stadshuset’s interior are also offered.

2. Gamla Stan – Stockholm’s historic Old Town

Gamla Stan is the historic heart of Stockholm and at the same time one of the best-preserved old towns in Europe. Between colorful facades, narrow cobblestone alleys and small cafés you feel transported to another time. Particularly worth seeing is Stortorget, the city’s oldest square, with its iconic houses.

A highlight is the Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace: the roughly 40-minute ceremony with music and precise formations takes place on weekdays at 12:15 p.m. and on Sundays at 1:15 p.m. – admission is free.

My tip: Stroll through Gamla Stan early in the morning or in the evening – that’s when the Old Town shows its quietest and most atmospheric side.

3. Moderna Museet on Skeppsholmen – modern art by the water

The small, green island of Skeppsholmen lies opposite Gamla Stan and is perfect for a relaxed walk by the water – with beautiful views of Stockholm’s Old Town skyline. At the same time the island is a cultural hotspot: it is home to several museums. Especially recommended is the Moderna Museet with works by Picasso, Dalí and Matisse. In addition to the permanent collection, regularly rotating exhibitions provide fresh inspiration in modern and contemporary art.

Good to know: The Moderna Museet is open Tuesday through Sunday (10 a.m.–6 p.m., on Tuesdays until 8 p.m.). You can purchase tickets online; depending on the exhibition, booking a time slot may be required.

4. Mariaberget – the most beautiful panoramic view

If you only want to visit one viewpoint in Stockholm, make it this one. From Mariaberget — more precisely along the Monteliusvägen walking path — you get a dreamy view of Gamla Stan, the Stadshuset and the water.

My tip: Come here at sunset! The atmosphere is simply magical.

5. Stockholm’s subway stations – art underground

Over 90 of Stockholm’s roughly 100 subway stations are artistically designed. No wonder the “Tunnelbana” confidently calls itself “the longest art gallery in the world.” The perfect pastime on rainy days. But even on nice days it’s worth heading to a few particularly artfully staged stations.

My tip: The stations T-Centralen, Kungsträdgården and Solna Centrum are all on the blue line and can be easily combined.

6. Art and culture in Stockholm – our museum highlights

Stockholm is a true paradise for culture lovers and the range of museums is accordingly large. In addition to the Moderna Museet, we visited these four museums:

• Nationalmuseum: Sweden’s most important art museum with works from the Middle Ages to the present. The building itself, right on the water, is worth a visit alone.
• Fotografiska: Founded in Stockholm in 2010, it is today one of the leading museums for contemporary photography, with additional locations in cities such as Tallinn and Berlin.
• Liljevalchs Konsthall: One of the city’s most beautiful exhibition halls with exciting modern art on Djurgården.
• Vasa Museum: Also located on Djurgården, it displays an almost fully preserved warship from the 17th century — impressively staged and a highlight not only for ship enthusiasts.

My tip: Allow plenty of time, because at the Vasa Museum you can easily spend several hours.

7. Drottningholm Palace – a royal excursion to the surrounding area

Just a short trip outside the city is Drottningholm Palace, the official residence of the Swedish royal family. The complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and impresses with its extensive gardens, the baroque palace and the exotic China Pavilion.

From the city center, you can comfortably reach Drottningholm in about 30–45 minutes — either by metro (green line from T-Centralen to Brommaplan, then continue by bus) or, for a particularly atmospheric option, by boat from the Stadshuset. I recommend planning at least half a day for the visit so you have enough time to explore the palace, park and pavilion at a relaxed pace.

Our tips for restaurants & cafés in Stockholm

Stockholm is a paradise for foodies. With five full days we had plenty of time to try out some really great spots. Below you’ll find a selection of our favorite places, including photos. I’ve pinned additional tips for you on the travel map at the end of the post.

There are several branches of Café Pascal in Stockholm. We visited the cozy café at Sturegatan 8 in Östermalm twice for a breakfast coffee and a small bite.

In the southernmost tip of Södermalm sits the «Koffein», which delighted us with Italian-inspired sweets. The café is ideally located for exploring the hip SoFo district, where you’ll find numerous vintage and second-hand shops as well as small artist studios.

If you stroll through Östermalm’s chic shopping streets, you should definitely take a look inside the 19th-century market hall «Saluhall». In the middle of the market hall is the restaurant Lisa Elmqvist, which is considered a Stockholm institution and should not be missed by seafood fans. A few meters from the Saluhall is the bistro Schmaltz Bar & Delicatessen – the perfect spot for a small snack or an early aperitif.

For a small or larger appetite between meals, it’s also worth stopping by Brunos Korvbar in Södermalm. According to various sources, the stand is one of the best hot dog spots in the city, and we can only confirm that.

For a really laid-back atmosphere in a central location, the «Röda Huset» on Malmskillnadsgatan, not far from the central station, offers just that. The cocktail bar even appears on the list of the «World’s 50 Best Bars». What makes it special: alongside creative drinks, there’s also surprisingly good food.

If you like Asian fusion cuisine, you’ll likely enjoy the Asian Post OfficeA short detour to the Brunkeberg Tunnel is worth it: the 231-meter-long passage for pedestrians and bicycle traffic serves as a convenient shortcut and is also a popular photo subject.

The restaurant that impressed us with the best combination of drinks and cuisine wasTjoget in Södermalm. Its concept is reminiscent of Röda Huset, but it feels a bit more relaxed and scores points with even better food.

And now you probably want to know what our culinary highlight in Stockholm was. Expectations were high, but the three-Michelin-starredRestaurant Frantzén was able to fully meet them. If you want to treat yourself to something special, I can definitely recommend a visit. The menu currently costs 5,500 SEK (around 460 CHF).

Our hotel recommendation in Stockholm

During our stay we stayed at theBank Hotel (affiliate link) in the Östermalm neighborhood. The central location is ideal for reaching many sights on foot. The hotel also includes the rooftop bar «Le Hibou» – the perfect place to unwind after an eventful day of sightseeing in Stockholm.

Practical tips for your Stockholm city trip

• By train to Stockholm — is that possible?
  Yes, of course! We traveled via Hamburg on the night train to Stockholm. Unfortunately, connections from Switzerland are (still) not ideal and the journey takes, at best, almost a full day.
• When is the best time to visit Stockholm?
  Spring and summer are especially good for a city trip to Stockholm. From May the days are long and life happens outdoors. In the fall it’s quieter, but more atmospheric.
• How many days should I plan for Stockholm?
  Three days are enough for the main sights. If you want to visit many museums and experience the city a bit more relaxed or plan a trip to the surrounding area (Drottningholm Palace, the university town of Uppsala, or a day trip through the Stockholm archipelago), then 4 to 5 days are recommended.
• What’s the best way to get from A to B in Stockholm?
  Stockholm has a very well-developed public transit network, including the subway, buses and ferries. Many sights are on the central islands and are also easy to reach on foot.
• Do I need to exchange Swedish kronor (SEK) in advance?
  No, that’s not necessary. Stockholm is considered one of the most cashless cities in Europe, and in many places only card payments are accepted. A credit or debit card is therefore all you need. We didn’t need cash even once during the entire five days.
• Is Stockholm an expensive city?
  To give you a better sense of prices, here’s a rough overview based on our expenses (per person):
  – Cafés & snacks: approx. 5–10 CHF
  – Street food & simple meals: approx. 10–15 CHF
  – Restaurants (mid-range): approx. 35–85 CHF incl. drinks
  – Admission to attractions & museums: usually between 15–20 CHF
  – Hotel (upscale): approx. 300–350 CHF per night for a double room
  Our conclusion: Stockholm is definitely not a cheap travel destination, but with the right planning you can vary your spending – from cheap coffee to a fine-dining experience, everything is possible.

Stockholm travel map

To help you get your bearings, I’ve marked the main spots and attractions mentioned in the post, as well as all our restaurant discoveries, on the map.