Population 2.4 million / 59.2 degrees north

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. As one of the few places to avoid destruction during World War II, the city’s old world charm has been maintained. Stockholm is the ‘big city’ of Scandinavia, but is still compact and walkable.

Fun Facts About Stockholm

Latitude: 59.2 degrees north

Population: 2.5 million

Hottest month: July

Coldest month: February

Wettest month: December

Windiest month: January

Annual precipitation: 97mm

Stockholm Municipality

Things to See & Do

Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Stockholm

Stockholm Royal Palace

Stockholm’s royal palace is a huge complex and has a fascinating history. It is possible to buy a combination ticket to all the museums within the palace complex.

Riddarholmen Church

Riddarholmen is one of the oldest buildings in Stockholm, with parts going back to the 13th century. It is a fascinating church to visit!

Storkyrkan

Storkyrkan is Stockholm’s official oldest building (conscreated in 1306) and is a fascinating historic church. It has just been restored, so be sure to go in.

Historic Museum

The Historic Museum has a fantastic Viking Age exhibition. The main exhibition about the history of Sweden is beautifully presented, too.

Vasa Museum

Arguably the best museum in Sweden, the Vasa museum is a fascinating tale of one of the biggest failure’s in Swedish military history. The massive warship was pulled up from the Baltic Sea 300 years after it sunk on its maiden voyage. The ship is 98% original.

Stockholm City Hall

Stockholm City Hall is a fascinating building with an incredibly decorated interior. It is only possible to enter city hall on a guided tour.

Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences

Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!

Road-Trips

We currently have no road-trips out of Stockholm

Self-Guided Walks

Gamla Stan Self-Guided Walking Tour

Explore the best-preserved old town in Europe. Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s old town and is located on an island in the heart of the city. For hundreds of years, this was the entire city of Stockholm. Only over the last couple hundred years has Stockholm spread out to the other islands around Lake Malaren. Gamla Stan fell into disrepair for some time as other parts of the city became more important, but now Gamla Stan is well-maintained and the most visited place in Stockholm. The fact that it is one of the few medieval cities in Europe not damaged during World War II (as Sweden was neutral) only makes it more wonderful to go walking around in!

Södermalm Self-Guided Walking Tour

Södermalm is one of the most beautiful parts of Stockholm. Stockholm is a huge city, and a lot of redevelopment means that many of the historic wooden houses have disappeared. But not in Södermalm! This neighbourhood has managed to hold onto its wooden houses, making Södermalm one of the best places to go for a self-guided walking tour. It’s also not as overcrowded as Gamla Stan, so you will feel you have the neighbourhood to yourself. Södermalm – today ‘SoFo’ – is a hipster neighbourhood with many of Stockholm’s coolest cafes, bars, shops and galleries located here. After learning about the region’s history, be sure to do some shopping!

Stockholm on YouTube

Watch our YouTube videos featuring Stockholm

Uniquely Stockholm

Here are some things that you must do and try in Stockholm

Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan is the medieval city of Stockholm. These charming streets and 300 year old buildings are incredible and unlike anywhere else in Scandinavia.

History of Stockholm

Stockholm was founded in 1252 by Birger Jarl as the old capital of Sigtuna was constantly plundered. The first castle of Stockholm was built the same year. The Black Death killed 1/3 of Sweden’s population, and then in 1391 the Danes besieged the city, amalgamating the crowns of Sweden, Norway and Denmark under the Kalmar Union. From 1937 the city was constantly embattled as various Danish and Swedish factions struggled for power.

Sweden was able to finally break away from the Danes in 1523, but it wasn’t easy. When the Danish King Christian II came to Stockholm to celebrate his ascent to the throne, he tricked, trapped and beheaded 82 rebellious nobles. One of the victims had a son, Gustav Vasa, who led a successful resistance in 1523 and became Sweden’s first king on 6 June 1523, now Sweden’s national day.

The Vasa dynasty transformed Stockholm into a major military hub during the Thirty Years War. By 1650 the city had a thriving artistic and intellectual culture and nice new look. The castle, however, burned down in 1696 and had to be rebuilt. Constant battles with Russia shrunk the Swedish empire.

Industry came to Stockholm once the train lines were connected in 1871, and the population experienced a massive boom. Stockholm hosted the 1912 summer Olympics. Sweden was neutral during WWII and became a hot spot for Jews from the Baltics.

Stockholm Today

Travel Information

Getting Here

Fly: Stockholm Airport is a major airport with flights to almost anywhere.

Drive: Stockholm is well connected to the rest of Europe via the highways.

Train: Stockholm train station has trains to almost anywhere in Sweden as well as Oslo. It is possible to take the train to Copenhagen if you change at Malmo.

Ferry: Ferries connect Stockholm with Turku, Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga.

Getting Around

Stockholm is very walkable, but to get around quickly download the SL app and enjoy the decorated metro stations or use the bus to get around.

Shops

Places to Eat

Cafes & Bakeries

Grillska Husets Konditori is my favourite bakery in Gamla Stan.

Sundbergs Konditori in the Old Town is the oldest bakery in Stockholm.

Quick Bites

Reasonable Restaurants

Kvarnen in Sodermalm is excellent.

High End & Unique Eats

Kryp In in the Old Town is one of the best Swedish restaurants.

Places to Stay

Hostels

There are many hostels around Stockholm. If you want to stay in the Old Town, 2kronor Hostel Old Town is the best one.

The most unique hostel, however, is Vandrarhem af Chapman & Skeppsholmen, an old ship that has been transferred into a hostel.

B&Bs and Guesthouses

Hobo Hotel is a boutique hotel in the downtown area of Stockholm.

I have stayed at Hotel C in downtown Stockholm and really enjoyed it – the location is great.

Chains & Mid-Range

In the Old Town there are limited mid-range hotels, though you can try the Victory Hotel or Lord Nelson Hotel.

High End & Unique Properties

I have stayed at Hotel Gamla Stan in the Old Town and loved this hotel.

Hilton Slussen is a fantastic hotel, too. The location on Sodermalm is perfect as it’s only a 10 minute walk to Gamla Stan.

In the modern city centre, try the Grand Hotel Stockholm or Crystal Plaza Hotel.

Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages

January

Sunrise: 8:31am

Sunset: 3:23pm

Average Temperature: -1C (30F)

February

Sunrise: 7:24am

Sunset: 4:39pm

Average Temperature: -1C (30F)

March

Sunrise: 6:03am

Sunset: 5:51pm

Average Temperature: 1C (34F)

April

Sunrise: 5:32am

Sunset: 8:04pm

Average Temperature: 6C (43F)

May

Sunrise: 4:13am

Sunset: 9:15pm

Average Temperature: 11C (52F)

June

Sunrise: 3:31am

Sunset: 10:05pm

Average Temperature: 15C (60F)

July

Sunrise: 3:58am

Sunset: 9:48pm

Average Temperature: 18C (65F)

August

Sunrise: 5:05am

Sunset: 8:36pm

Average Temperature: 17C (63F)

September

Sunrise: 6:17am

Sunset: 7:07pm

Average Temperature: 12C (54F)

October

Sunrise: 7:26am

Sunset: 5:39pm

Average Temperature: 7C (45F)

November

Sunrise: 7:42am

Sunset: 5:21pm

Average Temperature: 3C (38F)

December

Sunrise: 8:39am

Sunset: 2:46pm

Average Temperature: 0C (32F)