Stockholm Travel Guide
10 Things to Do in Stockholm for First-Timers
Stockholm offers history, culture, island life, and views – all within short distances. Here are ten experiences worth prioritizing on your first visit.
What to prioritize on your first visit to Stockholm? Though built across islands, Stockholm features a compact city center, making it effortless to combine top attractions on foot or via public transit.
Explore historic Gamla Stan and Stockholm City Hall, carve out time for Djurgården and the world-famous Vasa Museum, enjoy sweeping views from Södermalm, and take a scenic boat tour into the archipelago if time allows. Below is your complete guide to the best experiences for your first Stockholm getaway.
1. Explore Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan is Stockholm's historic center and a natural starting point for your visit. Dating back to the 13th century, the neighborhood features cobblestone alleyways, colorful facades, and some of the city's most famous buildings.
Stop by Stortorget square and continue on to the Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet), the official residence of the Swedish monarch. If you have the chance, visiting Gamla Stan early in the day before the busiest streets fill up is a great idea.
2. Visit Stockholm City Hall
With its location by Riddarfjärden, Stockholm City Hall is one of the city's most famous landmarks. It is also where the Nobel Banquet is held every year.
If you want to see the interior, you need to join a guided tour. The tour takes you through the Blue Hall and the Golden Hall, among other highlights, giving you insight into the building's architecture and history. From the City Hall tower, you also get views across large parts of Stockholm.
Photo: Efrem Efre/Pexels
Book a hotel in Stockholm
Clarion Hotel® Amaranten
Centrally located in a charming neighborhood on Kungsholmen.
Nordic Light Hotel
A chic hotel in Nordic design, just steps from Stockholm Central Station.
Home Hotel Wellington
A cozy hotel with breakfast, fika, and dinner included in your stay.
Quality Hotel™ Globe
Vibrant hotel located right next to the Avicii Arena and 3Arena.
Discover Djurgården
Djurgården combines green spaces, museums, and several of Stockholm's most famous attractions. If you only have one day here, you can easily combine several of the experiences below.
3. Swedish history at Skansen
Founded in 1891, Skansen is the world's oldest open-air museum. Here, you get an insight into Swedish history through historic buildings and farms from various parts of the country, traditional craftsmanship, and Nordic animals.
Skansen is a great fit for both adults and families with children, and the area also features Lill-Skansen, with animals and activities aimed at younger visitors. In the summer, events include the beloved Allsång på Skansen (Sing-along at Skansen).
4. See the historic ship at the Vasa Museum
The warship Vasa set sail on its maiden voyage in 1628, but sank after only a few hundred meters. More than 300 years later, the ship was raised from the seabed, and today you can see it up close at the Vasa Museum.
The well-preserved 17th-century ship and the story of how it was built, sank, and later salvaged make the museum one of Stockholm's most unique historical experiences.
5. Follow in the footsteps of ABBA
At ABBA The Museum, you can step right into the story of Sweden's ultimate pop phenomenon. ABBA shot to global stardom when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with "Waterloo" in 1974.
This interactive museum brings their legacy to life: alongside iconic stage costumes, music, and items from the group's history, you can sing, dance, and even perform on stage alongside the band.
6. Visit Gröna Lund
Gröna Lund is Stockholm's historic amusement park, located right on the waterfront on Djurgården. Here you will find attractions for both children and adults, and concerts are also held on the grounds during the summer months.
The park has seasonal opening hours, so check the schedule before your visit if Gröna Lund is on your itinerary.
Explore restaurants in Stockholm
TAK Stockholm
Enjoy wonderful flavour combinations with lovely views of Stockholm.
The Social Bar & Bistro
Tasteful flavours at The Social Bar & Bistro near Avicii Arena and 3Arena.
Brasserie At Six
A luxurious dining experience with a modern atmosphere and colourful dishes.
NÒR Södermalm
Check out a modern take on classic dishes in the heart of Södermalm.
7. Watch modern art on Skeppsholmen
On Skeppsholmen, you'll find Moderna Museet, Sweden's national museum for modern and contemporary art. The collection includes works by internationally renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Andy Warhol, alongside Swedish and Nordic art.
Be sure to set aside some time for Skeppsholmen itself too. The island is centrally located, but has a quieter atmosphere than the surrounding areas, with lovely walking paths and views of the city and water.
Getting there: Bus to Moderna Museet, or walk from Kungsträdgården or Gamla Stan.
8. Walk along Monteliusvägen and view the city from Södermalm
Monteliusvägen is a 500-meter walking path on Södermalm offering views over Lake Mälaren, Gamla Stan, and Stockholm City Hall. It is a short walk, but it delivers one of the classic vantage points over Stockholm.
Treat yourself to a fika along the way – a coffee break with something sweet is an essential part of any trip to Stockholm.
Getting there: Walk from Mariatorget or Slussen.
9. Enjoy the view from Skinnarviksberget
If you want to go even higher, continue on to Skinnarviksberget. From here, you get a broad view facing Kungsholmen, City Hall, and Riddarfjärden, among other landmarks.
On warm days, the rocky hilltop is a popular spot to sit back for a while, so grab something to drink and soak in the view before continuing your stroll around Södermalm.
Getting there: Take the metro (T-bana) to Zinkensdamm, followed by a short walk.
10. Cruise through the Stockholm archipelago
Stockholm's archipelago consists of over 30,000 islands and islets, and you don't have to travel far from the city center to get a taste of it. A boat tour is therefore easy to combine with a city break – even if you only have a few days in Stockholm.
How far out you should go depends on how much time you have. If you want a short excursion, there are islands close to the city, while a longer day trip takes you further out into the archipelago. Several boats depart from central quays in Stockholm, including Strömkajen.
Photo: Magnus Andersson/Unsplash
