Stockholm holidays

Built across 14 islands, Stockholm is known as ‘Venice of the North’ with its sprawling parks, colourful buildings and views of the Baltic Sea. Europe’s first ‘Green Capital’ offers over 50 museums, making a city break in Stockholm perfect for travellers who love nature and culture. So pack your walking shoes and get ready to say ‘hej’ to super-friendly locals in the birthplace of Scandi-cool.

Stockholm holiday highlights

Vasa Museum

Island hopping

On your holiday to Stockholm, use the ferry service to spend a day exploring a handful of the 30,000 islands of the Stockholm Archipelago. Start at Stora Fjaderholmen for independent shops and brewpubs. Hop over to Vaxholm for the 16th-century fortress, then venture to Grinda for a walk, and maybe a swim, followed by a slice of Grinda loaf in a water-facing cafe.

The art of fika

Fika is more than just a local pastime, it’s an art form. The practice of slowing down over coffee, this Swedish ritual is easy to master on your city break in Stockholm. Head to Drop Coffee in stylish Sodermalm for some of the best roasts or indulge with ‘kanelbullar’

Medieval wonders

Perched on an island in the middle of the city, 13th-century Gamla Stan (Old Town) is all cobblestone lanes, coloured houses and inviting cafes. Attractions here include the Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral and the Nobel Museum. Need a breather from your sightseeing checklist? The area’s charming restaurant-lined squares offer coffee breaks aplenty.

Stockholm: Know before you go

Language

Swedish

Currency

Swedish krona (kr)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST)

High season

June – August

Low season

January – February

Find the best time to go to Stockholm

Weather in Stockholm

March – May: With temps averaging 11°C and a fair amount of rain, this is the time to make the most of the city’s great exhibitions. Don’t miss the Spring Salon at Liljevalchs.

June – August: Summer really arrives in July — the days are warm, and the sea is perfect for swimming. The city calendar is packed with outdoor festivals, including Stockholm Pride.

September – November: Temperatures drop quickly between September and November. Early autumn is all about the sports, from the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun to the Lidingöloppet cross-country race.

December – February: Winter days are cold and short in the city, with temperatures dipping to –3°C. But the Christmas markets bring light, joy and warming mulled wine.

Events in Stockholm

Stockholm Design Week (February): Showrooms and workshops throw open their doors at this popular gathering of the best of Scandinavian designers.

Midsummer’s Eve (June): Join the locals celebrating the summer solstice with maypole dancing, outdoor games and a healthy helping of strawberries and pickled herring.

Stockholm Jazz Festival (October): The city swings for a full ten days at this world-class jazz festival. Choose from a lineup of dynamic performances, from big band to bebop and beyond.

St Lucia’s Day (December): Candles, cakes and Swedish songs combine in this touching festival of light. Head to one of the city’s churches to catch the candlelit children’s processions.

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The best neighbourhoods in Stockholm

Sodermalm

Stockholm’s answer to Brooklyn, hipster Sodermalm (or Soder) is where you’ll find the city’s creatives in craft breweries, vintage boutiques and bohemian cafes. By day, head to Fjallgatan and Monteliusvagen for panoramic city views then ask locals for recs on the best nightlife spots after dark. With fewer crowds than nearby Gamla Stan, it’s one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Stockholm.

Good for: Vintage shops, craft beer, city views

Östermalm

Rub elbows with Stockholm’s glitterati in upscale Östermalm. Known for its fine dining scene, luxury boutiques and exclusive bars, it’s the best area to stay in Stockholm for a taste of the city’s high life. It’s not all style over substance, though. See a massive collection of Viking Age artefacts at the Historiska Museet and picnic in Humlegarden when the weather is fine.

Good for: Luxury shopping, fine dining, upscale clubs

Norrmalm

Norrmalm is the city’s commercial centre, packed with shops, restaurants and parks. The architecture here isn’t the most historic, but its many art galleries and museums make it one of the best areas to stay in Stockholm. Stop by the massive two-level Hotorgshallen food market for a pick-me-up after exploring the Royal Swedish Opera, the Dance Museum and the Nationalmuseum.

Good for: Nature, museums, family fun

Things to do in Stockholm

Family friendly things to do

Bringing little ones along on your holiday? You’ll find heaps of things to do with family in Stockholm. Meet furry friends at Skansen Zoo and play along with Pippi Longstocking at Junibacken, devoted to Swedish children’s literature. Spring and summer bring the rides (and views) of Grona Lund amusement park, located right on Djurgarden’s waterfront.

Shopping

Shopping in Stockholm doesn’t just mean IKEA. The Swedish capital is teeming with markets, vintage boutiques and minimalist hubs. Looking for luxury? Head to the Nordiska Kompaniet department store and window shop the high-end boutiques along Biblioteksgatan, known as the fashion district. If you’re bargain hunting during your holiday to Stockholm, visit the Hotorget Flea Market on a Sunday.

Take in the culture

The green oasis of Djurgarden has some of Stockholm’s best museums and cultural attractions. Check out a 17th-century ship at the Vasa Museum and see Sweden through the ages at Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum. If music is more your tempo, sing your heart out at ABBA The Museum.

Nightlife

With microbreweries, innovative cocktail bars and lively clubs, the nightlife in Stockholm offers plenty to sing and ‘skol’ (toast) about. Head to Sodermalm for craft beer and a laid-back vibe or Stureplan for big clubs (with equally big price tags) and dance floors. The 24-hour trains on Friday and Saturday make your after-hours commute a cinch.

Places to eat

Michelin-star cuisine, ‘New Nordic’ pop-ups, and farm-to-table fare are all part of the sustainable food revolution in the Swedish capital. Go to Vasastan to sample what’s going on in some of the best restaurants in Stockholm. Due to its student population, Midsommarkransen has budget-friendly bites, while Gamla Stan has Den Gyldene Freden, one of the oldest restaurants in the world.

Free things to do

A smorgasbord of free things to do in Stockholm awaits. Watch the Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace, check out the apple orchards, vineyards and flowers in Rosendals Garden and learn about the Old Town with a free walking tour (just be sure to book in advance). There’s free admission to several museums too, the City Museum and the National Sports Museum included.

Plan your holiday to Stockholm

Budget

At first glance, Sweden’s capital can seem pricey. But with a little planning, it’s still possible to have a cheap holiday in Stockholm. Many museums are free, like the galleries of the Moderna Museet. Make a lunch special your main meal of the day — you can usually fill up for around 150 Swedish kronor (kr). Splurge on a domestic beer for around kr80.

Day trips from Stockholm

A 40-minute train trip north, Uppsala is Sweden’s oldest and most picturesque university town, home to a medieval cathedral and a pink castle. Travel by steamer to the royal family’s lavish lakeside residence of Drottningholm in under an hour. Or take a bus and ferry to Sandhamn’s white-sand beaches, the playground of the young and wealthy.

Getting around Stockholm

When you’re not exploring Stockholm on foot, jump on its trams, buses and the art-filled Stockholm ‘tunnelbana’ (metro) to reach the sights. Use the network of ferries to explore the archipelago. Stockholm is fast becoming a cashless city. Download the SL app to buy tickets and prepaid travel cards, or use a contactless credit card to pay as you travel.

FAQs about Stockholm holidays

Plan your Stockholm trip for January and you'll be there when the weather is at its coolest. -8ºC (18ºF) is as cold as it gets.
Swedish is the language you'll hear most often while on a city break in Stockholm.
The Swedish krona (SEK) is the official currency. From tipping to small purchases, keeping a little cash handy during your trip to Stockholm will be helpful.
With maximum temperatures of 26ºC (79ºF), July is the hottest month in Stockholm.
You could easily check off your sightseeing to-do list with a weekend break in Stockholm. However, we recommend at least three days to fully enjoy the city’s history and culture, and more if you plan on exploring the archipelago.
While it’s more expensive than other European cities, a city break in Stockholm is still possible without breaking the bank. Lots of free museums, great public transport and a layout that encourages walking will save you money, and many restaurants offer a ‘dagens lunch’ deal that can fill you up on the cheap.
From Vasa Museum to Stockholm Palace, this city never runs out of surprises. Prepare for your next adventure by checking out the best things to do in Stockholm.
Stockholm is generally a safe city for visitors, but like any destination, it's always good to take commonsense precautions. Don't carry too much cash, store local emergency numbers in your phone and only get in licensed ride-share services or cabs. Also, keep to well-lit areas if you're out late at night during your holiday to Stockholm.
With an average rainfall of 7 cm, August is the wettest month to go on a Stockholm holiday. When the skies turn grey, venture indoors and enjoy the city's art exhibits, cafes, shopping centres and more.
Stockholm is beautiful year-round, but be prepared to bundle up in winter when temperatures dip below freezing. We recommend visiting between May and July for the perfect combination of warm weather and fewer crowds. Plan your holiday to Stockholm for mid-June if you want to join in on all the fun of Midsummer’s Eve, Sweden’s most famous annual celebration.

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