Ultimate Guide to Exploring Stockholm, Sweden

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself contemplating a move to Sweden after a visit to Stockholm; the city makes traveling feel easy and effortless (even for newbies). Locals tend to be welcoming and friendly, English is widely spoken, and everything from the subway system to city streets are clean and straightforward.

However, beyond ease of travel, Stockholm delivers a one-of-a-kind experience thanks to its placement on an archipelago of 14 islands that each offer a distinct feel—from the colorful buildings and cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan to the nature-rich isle of Djurgården. It’s a place where you can hop on a public ferry and find yourself in a different world without ever leaving the city. Moreover, no matter where you end up, you’ll find yourself at ease in the contemporary, urban feel Sweden is known for. Just make sure to make time for fika, a coffee and cake break, so you can slow down and enjoy life like the locals do.

Time Zone

Central European Time (GMT+2)

Best Time to Go

Sweden can be chilly, making the summer months an ideal time to visit. Between May and September, the days are long, the weather is temperate, and the country’s biggest national festival, Midsummer, kicks off—just keep in mind the summer is the city’s busiest time as well. For good weather and fewer tourists, shoot for September to early November, when you’ll experience the shift to fall and the coziness of Stockholm as the days begin to shorten. If you time it right, you might even catch the Stockholm Jazz Festival (October) and Stockholm International Film Festival (early November).

Things to Know

Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)
(Check the current exchange rate)

Language: Swedish
I don’t speak Swedish: Jag talar inte svenska
I’m lost: Jag är vilse
I would like…: Jag skulle vilja…

Calling Code: +46

Capital City: Stockholm

How to Get Around

Trains

The city’s underground subway network, known as the tunnelbana, is quick, easy, and much cheaper than hopping in a taxi. To ride, you can either buy a SL access card and load it with a single-use ticket (38 SEK, around $4) or pick up a travel card with unlimited access for a period of time (24 hours: SEK 160, around $18; 72 hours: SEK 315, around $36; and 7 days: SEK 415, around $48). Moreover, through the same transportation company, you can get out of the city via an above-ground train.

Buses, Trams, Ferries

If you’re just visiting Stockholm for a short time, you should be able to get around via subway, but if you need, the city also offers a bus system. In addition to buses, trams run on the island of Djurgården (where you’ll find the Vasa Museum) and scenic ferries connect the islands. All three modes of transportation rely on the SL card (same as the subway and most trains).

Taxis

In addition to Uber, Taxi Stockholm offers a reliable track record and booking via their app. Just keep in mind that taking taxis around Stockholm can be expensive.

Car Service

For a luxury private car service, check out Blacklane or Freys, who has been in operation for over 125 years.

Best Hotels

The Rival

Address: Mariatorget 3
118 48 Stockholm
Phone: +46 8 545 789 00
Website

It doesn’t get more sunny and hip than The Rival, a luxury boutique hotel in the lovely neighborhood of Södermalm. In addition to designer rooms, you’ll find gathering places for eating and drinking and an impressive theater showcasing some of the world’s finest talent.

Lydmar Hotel

Address: Södra Blasieholmshamnen 2
111 48 Stockholm
Phone: +46 8 22 31 60
Website

The Lydmar might be one of Stockholm’s finest five-star hotels, but you won’t find buttoned-up staff or a snobby air. The hotel strives for relaxed elegance in everything from their contemporary classic rooms (with pieces that will make you swoon) to the staff who are encouraged to share their local intel and let their personalities shine.

Red Boat Mälaren (The Red Boat)

Address: Södermälarstrand
Kajplats 10
118 20 Stockholm
Phone: +46 8 644 43 85
Website

As you might expect from a city built on the sea, Stockholm is home to a handful of boat hotels and hostels. The Red Boat and Ran of Stockholm offer both hotel and hostel-style rooms on Stockholm’s most prevalent resource: water. Plus, the central location in the middle of Stockholm provides easy access to main tourist sites and the subway.

Villa Dagmar

Address: Nybrogatan 25-27
114 39 Stockholm
Phone: +46 8 20 05 90
Website

This opulent property plops you right in the heart of Stockholm, minutes from the Royal Palace and Royal Swedish Opera. Each individually decorated guest room is as comfortable as it is lavish—and some have balconies. Don’t miss a meal in the bright courtyard and garden for a visit to the gazebo with its curated gifts and fresh blooms.

Best Restaurants

800 Grader (pizza)

Address: Sigtunagatan 17
113 22 Stockholm
Phone: +46 70 858 95 98
Website

Even the Swedes need a reliable pizza spot, and this place is all that and more. Inside you’ll find a cool, laid-back interior, friendly staff, and a simple menu of four or five pizzas. You can’t go wrong. No reservation is needed and dining is indoors.

Vina (wine bar)

Address: Sofiagatan 1
116 40 Stockholm
Phone: +46 70 406 66 26
Website

Vina—as the name suggests—is all about the wine, but the food menu stands on its own. The tiny space is near Nytorget, one of Stockholm’s trendier areas, and will draw you off the street and into its cozy, romantic atmosphere. Moreover, dining is both indoors and outdoors (depending on the weather) and reservations are recommended.

Things to Do

Vasa Museum

Address: Galärvarvsvägen 14
115 21 Stockholm
Phone: +46 8 519 548 80
Website

The Vasa Museum’s main draw is the almost fully intact 17th-century warship—the Vasa—which sank on her maiden voyage in 1628. The boat has been preserved beautifully and is the main event, but you’ll also get a realistic look at life aboard and get to know the people who went down with the ship.

Fjäderholmarna

Address: Fjäderholmarna
100 05 Stockholm
Website

Taking a ferry in the archipelago is a must, and the island of Fjäderholmarna is an easy destination both in what it offers and its ease of access. It’s a breezy, 20-minute boat ride to the island, which has a restaurant and cafe and small shops along with trails and swimming.

Fotografiska

Address: Stadsgårdshamnen 22
116 45 Stockholm
Phone: +46 8 509 005 00
Website

If you like photography, even a little bit, this is the place to be. Heralded as the “largest photography museum in the world” you’ll find a vast collection of thought-provoking photography around every corner.

Weather

Spring: The start of spring marks a happy time for the Swedes, who welcome the longer days and first signs of color and life. Temperatures vary greatly—March and April tend to be cooler—with averages typically hovering between 30 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s usually not a ton of precipitation, but you can expect a couple rainy days each month.

Summer: Summer may be tourist high season, but there’s a reason for that—the months of June, July, and August are warm and pleasant, averaging temperatures in the low 50s to low 70s. The month of July tends to be the rainiest month of the year (around three inches of precipitation).

Fall: The weather starts to dip in the fall, when temperatures can get as low as the 30s and November marks the shift into winter. That being said, you’ll find weather in the late 50s and early 60s in September. Precipitation is moderate, but might show up as snow in the later months.

Winter: As you might guess, winter in Stockholm can be chilly and dark. Temperatures range from the low 20s to mid 30s, and snow is a reality. When the weather shifts and winds blow in from the Baltic Sea, it’s a good time to huddle in and enjoy a lavish fika.