Stockholm Travel & Vacation Guide

The ABBA Museum is an immersive exhibition, which takes visitors on a fantastic journey through the rise and global success of the iconic Swedish pop group, offering a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at their music, costumes, and personal lives. Sing and dance along to ABBA's greatest hits in interactive exhibits, step into a replica of the famous Polar Studio, and even experience what it feels like to be the fifth member of the band through virtual reality. The museum also houses a vast collection of memorabilia, including stage outfits, instruments, and original manuscripts.

Admire Stockholm from a different angle, aboard a delightful boat trip through the city’s canals. With online guidance available on your mobile phone, you can effortlessly access fascinating information about the sights, the city's rich history, and its vibrant present.

Located on the picturesque island of Lovö, Drottningholm Palace is the official residence of the Swedish royal family and offers visitors a glimpse into its opulent past. Once inside the palace, you’ll be transported to a world of exquisite architecture, lavish interiors, and meticulously maintained gardens. The palace's main attraction is the magnificent Drottningholm Palace Theatre, a perfectly preserved 18th-century theatre that still hosts opera and theatre performances to this day. Exploring the palace grounds, visitors can wander through beautifully landscaped gardens, including the Baroque-style English Garden and the stunning Chinese Pavilion.

Fotografiska is a contemporary museum for photography, art and culture, featuring captivating exhibitions by world-renowned photographers and emerging talents. The museum also houses a Michelin-awarded restaurant, where guests can savour sustainable gastronomic delights or sip on a refreshing cocktail while enjoying a gorgeous waterside view.

Situated on the island of Djurgården, Gröna Lund is a thrilling amusement park that promises an exhilarating experience for visitors of all ages. As one of Sweden's oldest amusement parks, it combines nostalgia with modern thrills, from heart-pounding roller coasters to classic carousels and family-friendly entertainment. Occasionally, Gröna Lund also hosts live concerts and performances by world-class artists.

Inspired by the beloved stories of Astrid Lindgren, the renowned Swedish author, Junibacken offers an immersive experience into the world of children's literature. Visitors can embark on a whimsical journey through Pippi Longstocking's Villa Villekulla and other beloved story settings, brought to life with interactive exhibits and imaginative displays. The museum also features a bookstore, theatre, and various activities that celebrate the joy of reading and storytelling.

Located on the picturesque island of Lidingö, Millesgården is an art museum and sculpture garden that invites visitors to explore the extraordinary world of renowned sculptor Carl Milles and his artist wife, Olga Milles. The museum, situated within the grounds of their former home, showcases original castings, tools, and works of art in a spacious studio. Besides the museum, there's also an art gallery, a museum shop, and a bistro.

Pay a visit to the Moderna Museet and experience one of Europe's foremost collections of art from the twentieth century to the present day. The museum's large collection includes masterpieces by celebrated artists such as Picasso, Dali, Derkert, and Matisse, plus temporary exhibitions. Situated on the picturesque Skeppsholmen Island, the museum itself is a work of art, designed by the acclaimed Spanish architect Rafael Moneo. Alongside its exceptional art program, Moderna Museet offers a range of engaging experiences, including a children's workshop, a well-curated store, and a delightful restaurant boasting breathtaking views of Djurgården and Strandvägen.

Stureplan In Stockholm, Stureplan is the symbol of luxury and indulgence. This is where the young, rich, famous, and trendy hang out. Lines are long for the most popular clubs, and many have selective entry. Arrive early. Södermalm Rock, reggae, rockabilly, bohemian, electronic, gay, or lesbian. Södermalm blends all styles. This is a more relaxed, less expensive alternative to the luxury of Stureplan. Nightlife spots are primarily in Slussen, Mariatorget, Nytorget, and Medborgarplatsen. Gamla Stan Nightlife in Gamla Stan is characterised by small, intimate pubs with traditional interiors. Here you will find several bars with an older scene and offering live music; bars with a younger crowd have popped up in recent years. LGBTQ Stockholm has no specifically gay neighbourhood. Here you can show your love openly. Locales flying rainbow flags are sprinkled throughout the city, but most gay bars, clubs, and restaurants are in Gamla Stan and Södermalm.

Cliff Barnes serves food from all over the world, with a focus on American cuisine. This small place is always full of people on the weekends and offers a lively, cheerful atmosphere. Around 11pm, the restaurant becomes a nightclub playing mostly dance band music and 70s hits.

Fasching is a renowned jazz club in Stockholm’s city centre, which has held its doors open for international acts and jazz music since 1977. Enjoy an intimate atmosphere and a solid choice of Nordic dishes at this popular venue. The restaurant opens two hours prior to concerts. Check in advance for more details.

If you're a fan of pop hits and karaoke, Golden Hits is the ideal place for you. Here you can enjoy a cheery disco atmosphere with décor that takes you back in time. There are often long lines on the weekends, so get there early.

When the colder months of the year arrive, the revellers from Trädgården move to its winter counterpart — Huset Under Bron (House Under the Bridge). This club features indie, house, and electronic music, as well as a bar area upstairs. If you want to grab dinner before partying, check out their in-house vegan restaurant Växthuset.

Morfar Ginko is a popular restaurant and bar featuring an industrial-chic vibe, a traditional Swedish menu, and DJ sets. It’s a place for mingling, hanging out, or even playing a game of ping-pong. The DJ works from a loft above the bar, which makes the place feel roomy. There’s also courtyard open in the summer.

Riche is a classic meeting place and brasserie in the city centre, with multiple bars and dining rooms offering a Swedish and French menu. Stockholm’s art, fashion, and club crowds gather here to see and be seen.

Södra Teatren is a dazzling retreat with an exceptional view of Stockholm. The original décor from the turn of the last century has been preserved. They have music several times a week with a good mix of styles and occasional live music. The generous veranda with its unique view draws many people in the summer.

Åhléns is Sweden’s largest department store, with competitive prices for clothing, design, media, beauty, and much more. There is also a large, diverse grocery store in the basement.

Offering a wide range of clothes, shoes, and equipment, Alewalds caters to various outdoor activities such as hiking, general outdoor life, cross-country skiing, touring skiing, and roller skiing. Whether you're in need of gear for an adventure or looking to upgrade your outdoor wardrobe, Alewalds is the ultimate destination for outdoor enthusiasts and sports lovers alike.

Bibliotekstan guarantees a sophisticated and exclusive shopping experience that caters to the discerning tastes of Stockholm's most affluent shoppers. As you stroll along the blocks surrounding this area, between the squares Stureplan and Norrmalmstorg, you'll discover a collection of international luxury brands and renowned Swedish fashion labels.

Coctail is a cute, kitsch oasis in the heart of Stockholm, selling a wide variety of interior objects and paraphernalia you didn’t know you wanted to spike up your home with. If you believe Sweden is all about minimalism, this place will convince you otherwise.

Commonly known as THE shopping street in Stockholm, Drottninggatan is definitely a good place to start your shopping spree. The street runs all the way from Gamla Stan to Odenplan, offering a wide range of options for every taste and budget. Drottninggatan is lined with numerous department stores, fashion boutiques, international brands, and popular chain stores, ensuring a diverse selection of clothing, accessories, and footwear. In addition to fashion, the street also features specialty shops, electronics stores, bookshops, and trendy cafés and restaurants.

Established in 1993 by Filippa K, her eponymous company has flourished into a global sensation with over 500 retailers worldwide. Filippa K embodies the quintessence of Swedish fashion, showcasing collections renowned for their simple, stylistically pure, and timeless designs of exceptional quality. Not only does the brand epitomize timeless elegance, but it also remains at the forefront of cutting-edge fashion trends.

Downtown Stockholm’s first and largest galleria. Over 80 stores under one roof offer a broad selection of young and affordable fashion, plus cafés and restaurants.

With a wide collection of carefully curated men's and women's fashion, shoes, accessories, jewellery, along with interior design pieces, Grandpa truly has it all. Adding to its allure, the shop frequently hosts DJs and live music.

For many, the weather plays a big role when planning a trip and if you're among one of them, then you should plan your visit Stockholm from May to August. During this period, the weather is warmest and the daylight lasts longer. It is also in May that the flowers begin to grow and adorn the city beautifully. Although temperatures can sometimes drop at night, so make sure to bring a sweater or a jacket. However, if you don't think warmer weather plays such a big part, the winter is really beautiful in Stockholm, but it does get extremely cold from December to February. If you like snow, Christmas lights, hot chocolate, and gingerbread cookies, this is the best time to visit Stockholm.

Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Sweden, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2026, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

Stockholm is served by three smaller airports, in addition to Arlanda. Bromma (BMA) is the closest to the city centre, with a Flygbussarna coach taking around 20 minutes. Skavsta (NYO) lies roughly 80 minutes south of Stockholm, connected to the city by Flygbussarna and FlixBus. Västerås (VST) is around 80 minutes west of Stockholm, also served by Flygbussarna.

Stockholm's main international airport is connected to the city by the Arlanda Express, which reaches Stockholm Central Station in 20 minutes. Flygbussarna coaches cover the same journey in around 45 minutes, and public transport is also an option for those watching their budget.

Stockholm is often praised for its comfortable, efficient, and safe public transport. SL, as it is known, is responsible for buses, underground trains, commuter trains, trams, and certain ferry lines in Greater Stockholm. The underground system is the easiest way to get around Stockholm. With a single ticket, valid for 75 minutes, travellers can easily explore various destinations. These tickets can be purchased through SL's ticket machines, their app, or directly at the turnstiles using a credit card. Additionally, convenient options like 24-hour, 72-hour, and 30-day tickets are available for those needing extended travel periods. The Stockholm underground is also known as the world's largest art gallery as so many of its stations are adorned with the works of different artists. So, here’s another reason for you to take the subway or ‘tunnelbana’ in Stockholm. Keep in mind that it's not possible to pay cash for tickets on board buses in Stockholm. Also, a parent with a stroller gets to ride for free on any of Stockholm's buses. A trip on the number 69 bus or number 7 tram is a superb way to discover Stockholm. The lines go out to Djurgården and major attractions like Skansen and the Vasa Museum.

There are many taxi companies to choose from in Stockholm. For those seeking a more cost-effective alternative to traditional taxis, Uber and Bolt also operate in the city. You can easily get hold of a taxi by calling a taxi company, hailing one on the street, or taking one from a rank. Approved taxis with metered fares always bear yellow number plates.

220V/50Hz

Travelling by local ferries is a fantastic way to experience a city built on islands. Ferries are used by both commuters and tourists wanting to take a better look around. There are ample ferry departures from Nybroviken and Slussen out to the leafy island of Djurgården. An SL Card includes ferries from Slussen and you can also buy single tickets on the quay.