Making the most out of your trip to Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
A walk through Europe: a series of European city breaks
Quick COVID-19 resources for Sweden: Swedish police website – Emergency information website – Re-open EU – Restrictions on travel from third countries to the EU
Stockholm, the Swedish capital spreads across 14 islands and weaves between the Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren. A mixture of contemporary and urban elements and history reflected in its structure. With proximity to nature, pulsating galleries and buzzing neighborhoods, this city is full of dynamism to suit any kind of traveler. Despite being the most populated urban area in Sweden and the wider Scandinavia region, the city is so green and wrapped in nature, it hardly feels like a major city.
GETTING AROUND
When planning a visit, you need to consider which airport you will arrive at. There are 3 main airports that accommodate Stockholm:
– Stockholm Arlanda Airport – for the majority of airlines (within Europe and international)
– Bromma Stockholm Airport – for regional and a couple of European airlines (British Airways, Brussels Airlines)
– Stockholm Skavsta Airport – for budget airlines in and around Europe (Ryanair, Wizzair, Laudamotion)
Bromma is the closest making it the cheapest while Skavsta is the furthest away and most expensive. Arlanda will provide you something in the middle.
Arlanda airport – city center:
I landed in Arlanda airport, the main airport located north of Stockholm and about 40 kilometers away. There are a few options to get you to the city center:
| Name | Price | Duration | End point | Recommended for |
| Arlanda Express train | Adult: 299 SEK (€29) one way 579 SEK (€56) round trip Prices for youth (8-25 years), people aged 65+ and groups can be found here. | 20 minutes | Stockholm Central Station | Most expensive option but provides optimal comfort and the quickest way into the city center |
| Flygbussarna | Adult: 119 SEK (€12) one way 238 SEK (€23) Prices for youth (8-17 years) and groups can be found here. | 48 minutes | Stockholm C (Cityterminalen) | – Well-rounded option providing comfort and an easy ride with on-board Wifi and luggage space – More frequent than Flixbus |
| Flixbus | €8-10 each way | 45 minutes | Stockholm C (Cityterminalen) | Cheapest option |
Likkle recommendation: Always buy your tickets beforehand and for Flygbussarna in particular, buy them online or on the app for a better price.
I used Flygbussarna which I would recommend to most travellers. It also has an app that can be downloaded on your smartphone, providing you with convenience of purchasing tickets in advance (even right before you board the bus) and ease of access at any time. It operates out of all three airports. All buses terminate at Stockholm Cityterminalen, which is conveniently located in connection to other means of transport to get you to your final destination.
Within the city center:
Public transport, operated by SL, allow you to travel by bus, metro, train, tram and even by boat in and around Stockholm. As with most cities, there are various tickets you can purchase to best suits your needs:
| Ticket type | Adult fare | Discounted fare* |
| Single journey (valid for 75 minutes) | SEK 39 (€3.80) | SEK 26 (€2.50) |
| 24-hours | SEK 165 (€16) | SEK 110 (€10.70) |
| 72-hours | SEK 330 (€32) | SEK 220 (€21.30) |
*Discounted fares apply to people under the age of 20 and over the age of 65.
Likkle recommendation: As always, I suggest walking to make the most of your time in Stockholm, and if you have wandered too far and started dragging your feet, take the one-way ticket back.
WHAT TO SEE + DO
Wander through Gamla Stan, the old town
Sights in Gamla Stan: Stortorget (square), Mårten Trotzigs Gränd (most narrow street, 90 cm wide), the Royal Palace and Parliament House.
Visit one of the many museums Stockholm has to offer
One of the great things about Stockholm is the vast amount of museums it hosts. So no matter what your interests are, you can find a museum for it. Here is a list of some of the most popular ones:
– The Vasa Museum – maritime museum
– Skansen – the first open air museum in the world
– ABBA The Museum
– Fotografiska – photography
– Nordiska Museum – culture, history
There are also a number of museums offering free entry including the Moderna Museet and the Nationalmuseum. See the full list here.
Get an overview of Stockholm from Monteliusvägen (view point)
Spend an afternoon in Södermalm
I happened to stay in the hip and trendy neighborhood of Södermalm, just south of Gamla Stan. Here, you can find all sorts of quirky shops, offering you vintage, design, clothing, jewelry and even houseware items as well as trendy cafes, restaurants and bars.
Every time I went out, I headed in a different direction to get a feel of the different neighborhoods. One evening, I strolled towards SoFo, a lively area especially in the summer.
Visit the Royal Karlberg War Academy and walk along the waterside
On my last day, I spent the afternoon visiting the oldest war academy in the world and walking along Hornsberg Strand. On a warm sunny day, this makes for a great swim spot or simply enjoying being by the water, dining or having drinks at one of the waterside bars. For a relaxing end to the day, have some afternoon drinks at Piren. The cocktails I had were all mixed and the restaurant offered a great view on the water.
Spend a day at the Stockholm Archipelago
Just outside the city center, you will find about 30,000 something islands offering you an escape from city life. This is a great day trip for the outdoor type with a variety of activities to make the most out of your day: walking/hiking, kayaking, biking, swimming and fishing.
Likkle note: I had a dip in the water and it was like dunking myself in a pool of ice water. Even on the warmest of days, I am sure it will still be cold so keep that in mind if you plan on swimming.
Like in Prague, I wanted to try some traditional food. On my first night, I had the famous Swedish meatballs that most people know and love from Ikea. Of course, I wanted to try them straight from the source and it was really good. On the topic of food, there are two things I advocate for based on what I tried myself:
– Dine at The Hairy Pig. Located in Gamla Stan, this restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere for you to enjoy locally produced dishes, craft beers and ciders. I tried their specialty, homemade sausages and pulled pork, and these were such flavorful dishes that I would go back for.
– Fika. When I realized Sweden was known for fika, I really took some time to understand what it was because at first, I thought it was a type of food. Fika directly translated means ‘a coffee and cake break’ but its meaning is so much more than that. It is about taking a break at some point in the day, slowing down from otherwise busy schedules to socialize with friends or co-workers over some coffee. I love this idea because it is something I have enjoyed doing for the past years since I was in university in Scotland. This is a must in one of the many cafes around Stockholm with a coffee and cinnamon roll. Keeping things Scandinavian, but anything sweet will do.
Likkle note: Sweden is one of the countries headed towards a cashless society. In Stockholm, I was told that the majority of places do not accept cash – from transport, tourist attractions to even buying a small souvenir or drink in a convenience store. While being cashless can be convenient by making payments quick and easy or your wallet lighter and safer, tourists can face many problems as many foreign banks still charge credit and debit card transactions made abroad, and gradually this will add up. Definitely keep this in mind if you plan to come to Sweden. Although cash has not been completely eliminated, it does help to have some on hand.
FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
If you have more time to spare, there are a couple of other things you can do:
– After visiting the museums on Djurgärden, spend an afternoon or evening at Gröna Lund, an amusement park, for a dose of adrenaline on a thrilling ride or something calmer like watching a concert on a summer evening.
– Visit Drottingholm Palace just outside of Stockholm to see the home of the Swedish Royal Family.
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