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Stockholm is an incredible city! Even during the freezing winter, it is worth visiting the Swedish capital! The secret to enjoying Stockholm winter is to plan your travel itinerary carefully, as the opening hours of the places change according to the season. Here you will find a list of what to do in Stockholm, the best attractions for winter, and our recommendations for places to stay.
The good thing about traveling to Stockholm in winter is that the city is quieter than usual, the hotels are cheaper, and at night, you can have the streets only for yourself.
We visited Stockholm in January, the city was covered in snow and some of the canals were frozen, a beautiful scenery. It was really cold, the average temperature during the days was – 3ºC and at night it dropped to – 10ºC.
So before thinking about what to do in Stockholm in winter, you need to think about warm clothes, especially gloves, hats, and scarves.
Our second piece of advice is about accommodation. In Stockholm, you can find all sorts of hotels and hostels, but in general, they are more expensive than in other countries in Europe. If you are traveling to Stockholm on a budget you can find a few options that won’t empty your pockets. On the other side, if you want to splurge there are some fabulous hotels in Stockholm.
Where to stay in Stockholm, best areas and hotels
If you are traveling to Stockholm for the first time, keep in mind the city is an archipelago with many bridges and canals. But the city is easy to navigate and the public transportation works perfectly.
Actually, Stockholm subway stations are known for being super artistic. So you don’t need to worry about finding the best area to stay in Stockholm as you can get around easily.
My suggestion is to find the best place to stay in Stockholm according to your budget and style.
We stayed at the Generator Hostel in the Norrmalm area, close to the train and bus station, and the city’s commercial center. This neighborhood is full of life, there are many options for hostels and hotels.
The Generator Hostel has a super cool concept. The building is stunning, the bar is super trendy and the restaurant offers gourmet food. The rooms are clean and comfy and have everything you need for a good stay.
It is not a super cheap hostel, but I believe it’s a good value for money, especially because of the location. You can choose from dorms or private rooms, book your place at Generator Hostel here.
Looking for another place to stay in the Stockholm Norrmalm neighborhood? Check the Radisson Blu Waterfront. It’s close to the central station and perfect for the traveler arriving in Stockholm by plane, train, or bus. Plus, it’s a few minutes walk from the historic Gamla Stan.
If you want to stay in the middle of history, the old town is the perfect address. Check the options for hotels in Gamla Stan here and choose the best place to stay in Stockholm.
The other good places to stay in Stockholm are the Clarion Collection Hotel in the Östermalm area and the stylish Hotel Rival in Södermalm, the trendiest neighborhood in Stockholm. But then you will be staying a bit far from the action.
None of these hotels have shaken your boat? No worries choose where to stay in Stockholm using these websites: Agoda and Booking.com.
What to do in Stockholm in Winter?
Now that you know the best areas to stay in Stockholm let’s focus on your travel itinerary. We spent three days in Stockholm, and our days were jam-packed with activities and attractions.
That means our suggestions on things to do in Stockholm can be spread over 4 or 5 days in the city. It’s all about finding your pace of traveling. The idea is to show you the best things to do in Stockholm, points of interest, and what you can’t miss.
Remember the museum and some markets’ opening hours change during winter, so always double-check online. The only negative aspect of traveling to Stockholm in winter is that the street markets are closed, but on the other hand, you get to enjoy the lovely winter atmosphere.
Here are the best attractions and our favorite things to do in Stockholm winter:
Walking Tour at Gamla Stan
The first thing you must do in Stockholm is to go for a walk in the old town. The Gamla Stan dates back to 1252 with stunning buildings, cobblestone streets, and history in every corner. It’s a beautiful place to admire, and it becomes even more interesting when you learn the history behind the buildings and discover hidden gems in this ancient neighborhood.
There are many companies offering tours in Stockholm’s old town, we chose Our Way Tours and love it. Our guide was awesome, he knew a lot of interesting stories, some legends about the buildings and streets, very informative and not boring at all.
It was a cold morning, so he planned strategic coffee and hot chocolate stops. Starting your visit to Stockholm with a walking tour like this will set the mood for exploring the old town and modern Stockholm. Another company that we like is GetYourGuide, check out their tours in Stockholm here.
Visit the Stockholm Royal Palace
After your walking tour through Gamla Stan take time to explore the Stockholm Royal Palace. It’s one of the largest palaces in Europe with more than 600 rooms. The Palace is the official residence of the Swedish King, you can visit the Royal Apartments and the Treasury.
Save time and money by booking your Stockholm Old Town Walking Tour in advance and enjoy the best of the city!
Museum Hoping at Djurgårdsslätten
Museums are the best places to fill your soul with art, and information, plus it’s a way to warm up during the cold Stockholm winter.
Here is our suggestion of what to do in Stockholm to get the most out of its museums: spend a day at the Djurgårdsslätten island! There you will find some of the most famous attractions in Stockholm, places to visit and have fun.
The Djurgårdsslätten island is connected with public transportation, or you can have a pleasant walk along Strandvägen waterfront road and enjoy the beautiful landscape, nice bars, and cafes.
These are the places to visit in Stockholm Djurgårdsslätten:
- Vasa Museum – This was the first museum we visited in Stockholm and it’s impressive. Since I met Rob [back in 2006] he talks about the Vasa Ship and how he wanted to see her. So as soon as we stepped inside the museum Rob was like a child, and I was astonished by the ship’s beauty and the size. Get your entrance ticket here.
It’s one of the most visited places in Stockholm, the 17th-century battleship is a masterpiece and the museum offers a really interesting experience. Ask for the free guide tour [in English and Swedish] or download it on your phone the audio guide.
- Skansen – Founded in 1891, the Skansen Museum is the oldest open-air museum in Europe and a true travel to the past. Created to preserve and showcase the rural culture of Sweden, it showcases old houses, farmsteads, and gardens. There you can also find a Zoo with many Scandinavian species. Get your ticket to visit the Skansen Museum here.
- Nordic Museum – This is the place where you can learn and understand the Swedish way of living from ancient times to nowadays. The museum is huge and stunning, definitely a place to visit in Stockholm. There are different exhibitions happening in the Nordic Museum, you can choose one or visit them all. You can buy your ticket to the museum here.
- ABBA Museum – This a great place to visit in Stockholm if you want to mix history and fun, or if you are a big fan of the Swedish band. The Abba Museum is not only a place to see the costumes and memorabilia, it is all about the experience, to the point that you can record your own ABBA music.
- Spritmuseum – Hours dedicated to good alcohol! Even if you are not a drinker it’s worth visiting it. There are different exhibitions about the ancient tradition of producing alcohol, especially vodka. The museum is a sensorial experience, with smells, tastes, and food!
Apart from the museums, at Djurgårdsslätten you ride a bike, walk, or just sit and relax. We were so lucky, during our 3 days in Stockholm the sun was shining and the days were beautiful.
Visit the Stockholm City Hall
The City Hall is one of the top attractions in Stockholm. The impressive building is one of the symbols of the city. Inside there are two famous halls where the Nobel Banquets happen. You can admire the building from the outside or book a guided tour to discover the history inside.
Swedish food at Östermalm Saluhall
There are many delicious cafes and restaurants in Stockholm, the list of places is endless. We are not food bloggers, but I can’t write a guide about things to do in Stockholm without mentioning the Östermalm Saluhall.
This food market is a must-visited place in Stockholm. What is so special about it? Well, it has organic food, fruits, veggies, coffee, sweets, and savory dishes that will make you drool from as soon as you get here.
The traditional food hall dates back to 1880s but the original building is passing through restoration. Until 2018 the restaurants and stalls will be serving the same delicious food on a temporarily covered market on the square in front of the original building.
Night out at Fotografiska Museum
Our guide to what to do in Stockholm wouldn’t be complete without a night out. Face the Stockholm winter and go for a visit to the Fotografiska Museum during the evening, I’m sure you won’t regret it.
Fotografiska is my favorite museum in Stockholm because it’s more than art and more information. It’s a place to connect with people, see beautiful artwork, and enjoy the night while sipping a cocktail and listening to fine music.
You can visit the exhibitions during the evening and then go for dinner or drinks at the restaurant/bar located on the top floor of the building. The view is beautiful and the menu is mouthwatering. So if you need to choose one place to visit in Stockholm during the night, my suggestion is the Fotografiska Museum.
Art, history, stunning places and good food, Stockholm is a great travel destination even during winter time. Follow our suggestions on what to do in Stockholm, where to stay, and places to visit and I’m sure you gonna have a great time here.
My last piece of advice is about how to travel to Stockholm. To find the best flights use Skyscanner. It works well for searching and booking international flights. But a train trip can be a good choice if you are already traveling through Europe or Scandinavia.
We traveled through Scandinavia [and Central Europe] all by train. For 3 months we traveled with Eurail Pass and the experience was easy and hassle-free. For more information about traveling with Eurail check out our blog post: 7 reasons to travel with Eurail Pass.
Travel Advice:
Don’t forget your Travel Insurance! You don’t want anything to ruin your trip, right? So don’t take the risk! Reliable travel insurance can help you in case of travel issues, from accidents to health problems, travel delays, and lost luggage.
There are many insurances in the market, our picks are HeyMondo and SafetyWing. We used both and always had a good experience. Click on the insurance names to get a quote.
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