Solo travel in Stockholm – the best tips for travelling alone
Solo travel is one of the fastest-growing travel trends right now – particularly among women. As more people choose to travel alone, safety becomes a deciding factor, and Stockholm is often singled out as a city that feels both secure and straightforward to navigate on your own. In this guide to solo travel in Stockholm, we’ve pulled together what matters most when you travel alone – from getting around and practical tips to things to do, great places to eat, and the kind of pauses that make a full day in the city feel effortless.
Why travel alone to Stockholm?
Stockholm is a city where big-city energy meets nature. Shopping, restaurants and culture are all within easy reach, yet it’s just as simple to find quieter corners when you want to take things at your own pace.
It’s also made for solo travel. From museums and waterfront walks to cafés and restaurants, it feels perfectly natural to settle in at a table on your own – without feeling out of place.
Getting around is easy when you’re travelling alone in Stockholm: distances are short, public transport is frequent and citywide, and the streets stay lively day and night—so you’re solo, but rarely feel alone.
1. Explore Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan is well worth weaving into your solo trip to Stockholm. Wander cobbled streets and drift through narrow, characterful lanes, with historic buildings, small shops and cafés along the way. For a calmer feel and fewer crowds, go in the morning—when the city is only just waking up and you’ve got time to notice the details. At Stortorget, Gamla Stan’s oldest square, colourful façades set the scene for the story of the so-called Stockholm Bloodbath—an infamous chapter of the city’s past, linked to a Danish king, that still shapes the place today.
Tip: If you’re staying central, Gamla Stan is easy to reach on foot or by metro. Handily, the station is called Gamla Stan.
Get from A to B like a local
Travelling alone in Stockholm is easy from the moment you arrive. From Arlanda Airport, trains, buses and taxis will take you straight into the city centre without fuss.
Once you’re there, public transport is one of the most convenient ways to get around. You can buy tickets in the SL app, or simply tap your contactless card at the gates and hop on.
The metro is often the fastest way to cross the city—and an experience in its own right.
2. Discover Stockholm’s metro art
Taking public transport is an easy way to see more of Stockholm—and with the SL app, planning your route is simple. Many stations double as underground galleries, so you can hop off, have a look around, and carry on again on the same ticket. The station called Rådhuset is famous for its cave-like architecture; Stadion stands out for bold colour and a rainbow theme; and Östermalmstorg offers a more classic style. Better still, many of these stations are close to central areas and hotels, making it easy to slot a bit of sightseeing into your day.
Find out more about Stockholm’s metro art—and the stations you shouldn’t miss.
3. Visit museums at your own pace
Stockholm has a wide range of museums that suit solo travel perfectly. At the Vasa Museum, the story of the warship Vasa unfolds with drama and detail, while Fotografiska pairs contemporary exhibitions with views over the water—a quiet bonus. Visiting museums on your own gives you complete freedom to set the pace and stay exactly as long as you like.
Find out more about popular museums in Stockholm.
4. Stress-free shopping
If you fancy a day of shopping, Mall of Scandinavia is a popular choice. The centre is in Solna and has more than 200 shops, plus restaurants and cafés. It’s one of Scandinavia’s largest shopping centres and stays open until 9pm every day. Getting there is easy: from Stockholm City, the commuter train reaches Solna station in under 10 minutes, and from there it’s just a short walk to Mall of Scandinavia. You can also take the bus or tram, but the commuter train is often the smoothest option from the centre.
If you know in advance you won’t fit everything into one day, staying nearby can be a relief—especially when you’re travelling alone and would rather not rush on to the next thing.
Stay at a hotel in Solna
5. Take yourself out for a meal
Eating out alone in Stockholm is both easy and genuinely enjoyable. Start with a classic Swedish fika in the afternoon—a relaxed coffee break with something sweet or a light bite—or settle into a restaurant when you’re in the mood for a proper meal. Another easy option is choosing a hotel where dinner is included, so you can end the day without having to head back out—especially welcome after a day full of impressions.
For fika in town, Café Pascal is a popular pick. Expect excellent coffee, classic cinnamon buns and other bakes, alongside more filling options if you’d rather keep it light. With several central locations, it’s easy to find one close by.
📍Find your way: Norrtullsgatan 4, Skånegatan 76, Sturegatan 8, Gävlegatan 22.
Hotels with breakfast, fika and dinner included
6. Explore Södermalm’s creative side
Södermalm is one of Stockholm’s most distinctive neighbourhoods, known for its laid-back, creative atmosphere. It’s a great place to browse second-hand shops and hunt for vintage finds, with favourites including Beyond Retro, Humana and Broadway & Sons. The area also has a wide choice of bars and is a popular spot for a night out. Even on your own, it feels easy to settle in and still be part of the city’s rhythm.
Want to stay in Södermalm? Book a hotel stay at Clarion Hotel® Stockholm.
7. Stockholm from above
If you fancy a break from the city buzz and want to see Stockholm from a different angle, choose from a number of rooftop terraces where you can look out over the city’s rooftops. It’s an easy way to round off the day—whether you’re travelling alone or not. Settle in, order a drink or a light bite, and enjoy Stockholm from above.
Rooftop bars in Stockholm
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