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As the capital city of a country that consistently rates highly in just about every socio-economic poll, I was keen to visit Stockholm for a long time.
Located on an archipelago of 14 islands where Lake Malaren meets the Baltic Sea, I gave myself a few days to discover the Swedish capital city. In this post, I outline a perfect itinerary for 3 days in Stockholm.
Interested in the rest of Sweden? Check out my posts on Malmo, Lund, Ystad, and Falsterbo Strand.
DAY 1 – GAMLA STAN (OLD TOWN)
Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town, is located on its own island. It is usually top of the list of things to see in Stockholm and with good reason. Gamla Stan is a quaint part of the city with cobblestone lanes that is a pleasure to meander around. However, to put the architecture in context, a walking tour is advised.
Gamla Stan has plenty of cafes and restaurants so pit stops can be taken at any time. It also has an amount of boutique shops where you can pick up gift items.
Stortorget is the pretty central square that has a pretty gruesome history. Jarntorget is one of the squares on the south of the island that’s also worth visiting. On Tradgardsgatan, there is a 15cm statue called Iron Boy, also known as Boy looking at the moon. It is believed that if you leave a coin at the statue and rub its head that luck will come your way. It worked for me – my wish of several years came true within 5 months!
Gamla Stan also has a number of significant buildings. The Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet) is the largest building on the island and is still home to the Royal family. The palace has several sections such as the Royal Treasury and Gustav III’s antiquities museum.
Storkyrkan is Stockholm’s cathedral and is located behind the Royal Palace. The Nobel Museum on Stortorget outlines the recipients of the prizes as well as detailing some of the scientific advances of some winners. There is also an extensive display on the prize-giving ceremony.
The Swedish Parliament (Riksdagshuset) is not on Gamla Stan island but is located on a separate nearby island that it is usually included in a tour of the Old Town. There are free tours of the building but check on the parliament website in advance.
DAY 2 – CENTRAL STOCKHOLM
A variety of activities are a feature of central Stockholm. Drottninggatan is a lengthy shopping street with cafes and restaurants where you can refuel. On Hamngatan lies the Gallerian Shopping Centre. Across the road from Gallerian is the NK Department Store. In the same area, Malmskillnadsgatan and Regeringsgatan are streets with more shops.
Central Stockholm has three dark tourism sites. Former Prime Minister Olof Palme was assassinated on Sveavagen street in 1986. Former Foreign Minister Anna Lindh was assassinated in the NK Department Store in 2003. The term Stockholm Syndrome was coined after a hostage-taking robbery in the Kreditbanken building in Norsmalmstorg.
Public areas worth visiting in Central Stockholm are the Gustav Adolfs Torg, Kungstradgarden and Berzelii Park.
Not only does Stockholm have an efficient metro system but some of the stations are galleries in their own right. The following metro station are well worth going to see for their art:
- T-Centralen
- Stadion
- Tekniska Hogskolan
- Fridhemsplan
- Solna Centrum
- Radhuset
- Kungsträdgården
In the Sergels Torg area one will find the Kulturhuset cultural hub and the Avicii Experience. For night-time entertainment try the Kungliga Operan (Royal Swedish Opera), Oscar Theatre and the Vasateatern.
DAY 3 – THE MUSEUMS
3 days in Stockholm isn’t sufficient to see all of the niche museums as well as those expected of a capital city, so choose what you really want to see. Art lovers will find both Swedish and international works in the National Museum, located at the end of Södra Blasieholmshamnen. There is also a display of 20th century items that showcase Sweden’s design culture.
A number of museums on the island of Djurgarden will be of interest. Tram number 7 is the best way of reaching them.
Nordiska Museum showcases Sweden’s cultural history. Located at the rear of the Nordiska Museum is the Vasa Museum. This museum houses the 17th century Vasa gunship that sank on its maiden voyage. This is the busiest museum in Scandinavia so expect queues.
A couple of hundred metres further along the tram route is Viking Museum. Next up is the Abba Museum. If you don’t see it, you will hear it as Abba music blares from the outside.
Further along the tram line is Skansen, an open-air museum that showcases Sweden’s cultural and architectural traditions.
Backtrack towards the Vasa Museum where you will find the Spirits Museum. It outlines Sweden’s relationship with alcohol and the government’s Systembolaget retail chain. As you can sample some of the exhibits, leave this museum until last!
3 DAYS IN STOCKHOLM – TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Where to Stay in Stockholm
This is the great debate. Some guides recommend Gamla Stan as the best place to stay but my personal preference was the Norrmalm (central) area. Although the area around Central Train Station is a little bland, it has a plentiful supply of good hotels. If I win the lottery and return to Stockholm, I’ll stay in the Kungstradgarden area. You can filter the listings on booking.com by area.
Sodermalm is slightly cheaper than Gamla Stan and Norrmalm but it lacked the atmosphere of those areas. Sodermalm is hilly as is parts of Gamla Stan.
Getting to Stockholm
Stockholm has four airports: Arlanda, Bromma, Skavsta and Vasteras. Of the four, Arlanda is by far the largest, the most convenient for Stockholm, and is the only one with a rail service. Stockholm is well connected to the other cities by road and rail.
Ferries connect Stockholm with Finland (Helsinki, Turku, Aland Islands) and Estonia (Tallinn).
Getting around Stockholm
Distances between the above Central Stockholm and Gamla Stan sites are walkable. However, the metro system is an excellent and artistic way to travel longer distances.
Arrivals Hall 