Consider this Part Two of our travel guides to the Nordic region. After a few weeks of venturing around (and eating my way through) Copenhagen, I hopped on a train to Stockholm for another week of wandering as part of my solo trip for the year. I quickly fell in love with the Swedish capital—strolling through the cobblestone streets and marveling at all the charm around me. Lucky for you, I compiled it all in this Stockholm city guide.
While similar in many ways, Stockholm also felt entirely different from Copenhagen. The city was filled with beautiful spaces, incredible food, and amazing museums. I spent five days in Stockholm, and it was the perfect amount of time for a low-key long weekend. The below Stockholm city guide is based on my trip—which a local friend helped me curate—so you know it’s packed with goodness. If you’re heading to Sweden, consider this your go-to itinerary for a few days in Stockholm.
Your Go-To Stockholm City Guide
I’ve organized this itinerary based on the type of place and things to do for an extra-long weekend. I would recommend grouping places based on neighborhoods and what sounds most interesting to you!
From countless amazing foodie finds to beautiful neighborhoods perfect for shopping and exploring to gorgeous museums, there’s something for everyone in this city.
What to Know About Visiting Stockholm
When to Visit
I was in Stockholm during the off-season, and many of my days were very chilly and drizzly. While I still had a great time and enjoyed the quiet vibes of the city, many people have said how beautiful Stockholm is in the summer. (So beautiful, it might just be worth fending off the crowds—but that’s up to you to decide.)
How to Get Around
Stockholm has an extensive metro system that can get you to most places. However, I ended up walking or taking the bus almost everywhere. It was convenient and easy to navigate. Be sure to download and use the SL app for your ticket.
Where to Stay: Stockholm Hotels
I spent my five days in Stockholm at Hotel Ruth. The hotel was super cute and just north of the city center. It also has the best breakfast buffet every morning—perfect for a longer stay. One of my local friends also recommended the Sparrow Hotel, which is closer to the city center if you prefer the location.
Hotel Ruth // Surbrunnsgatan 38, Stockholm, Sweden 11348 | website | instagram
Sparrow Hotel // Birger Jarlsgatan 24, 114 34 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
Best Coffee Shops
There are lots of great spots to pick up a coffee while in the city. Drop Coffee was my favorite, but keep in mind that many shops are smaller and not great for setting up with a laptop. So pop in for a morning coffee to go while you’re out exploring.
Drop Coffee // Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 10, Stockholm, Sweden 118 50 | website | instagram
Johan & Nyström // Swedenborgsgatan 7, 118 48 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
Fern & Fika // Långholmsgatan 11, 117 33 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
Best Bakeries
It’s true, you must try all the cardamom buns and semla while in Stockholm. For a morning accompaniment to your coffee or as part of your afternoon fika experience, there are tons of bakeries to choose from. These are a few of my favorites from my visit.
Krümel // multiple locations | website | instagram
Fabrique // multiple locations | website | instagram
Lillebrors Bageri // Rörstrandsgatan 10, 113 40 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
Best Cafes
I loved all the cafes that I visited, and you can’t walk far without passing by a cute spot to pick up something sweet. No matter the neighborhood you’re exploring, you’ll have plenty of cafes to choose from.
Cafe Pom and Flora // multiple locations | website | instagram
Banacado // Tegnérgatan 6, 113 58 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
Gast // Rådmansgatan 57, 113 60 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
A La Lo // Birger Jarlsgatan 77, 113 56 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
Cafe Pascal // Norrtullsgatan 4, 113 29 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
Best Restaurants
The food in Stockholm was amazing, and I’m still dreaming about many of the meals I had. One of my favorite discoveries was all the cute wine bars. Enjoying a glass and a delicious dish? Downright dreamy.
Adam / Albin // Rådmansgatan 16, Stockholm, Sweden 11425 | website | instagram
Grus Grus // Karlbergsvägen 14, 113 27 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
Savant // Tegnérgatan 4, 113 58 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
Savoj // Roslagsgatan 43, 113 54 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
Deglabbet // Upplandsgatan 9B, 111 23 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
Tygge and Sessil // Brahegatan 4, 114 37 Stockholm, Sweden | website | instagram
Things to do in Stockholm
The city is what you make of it. Whether you like museum outings, shopping, or just casual days spent wandering around different neighborhoods, there’s something for everyone.
Catch the views at Ivar Lo’s Park.
Vasa Museum // Galärvarvsvägen 14, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden | website
National Museum // Södra Blasieholmshamnen 2, 111 48 Stockholm, Sweden | website
Fotografiska // Stadsgårdshamnen 22, 116 45 Stockholm, Sweden | website
Wander around and shop in Sodermälm (often shortened to Söder), a vibrant neighborhood south of the city center.
Visit the city’s old town and castle in Gamla Stan.
