Stockholm
Currency
SEK
Language
Swedish
Timezone
Stockholm
Continent
Europe
Discover Stockholm
Stockholm is built on fourteen islands and the water is everywhere, to the point that bridges orient you better than streets. Gamla stan, the old town, occupies an islet of medieval lanes around the Royal Palace and the Great Church. The Vasa Museum holds a warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was raised intact three centuries later — the most astonishing object in the country. Skansen, on Djurgården, is the world's first open-air museum, and the Nobel Museum tells the prize's story from the old town's main square.
When to go
May to September, when the days stretch until they barely end: in June the sun sets around ten and it never truly gets dark. Winter is the reverse — light at nine, dark at three — but the city is beautiful under snow and the museums are empty. Avoid November, dark and snowless. Spring arrives late, often not before May.
Getting around
The metro is efficient and worth riding for itself: several stations are cut into raw rock and painted, which makes it the longest art gallery in the world. Ferries link the islands and beat the bus to Djurgården. The centre walks well, but Stockholm is hilly and distances between islands add up. One transport card covers metro, buses and boats.
Where to eat
Fika is not a coffee break but an institution: cake and coffee, twice a day, and you genuinely stop. Meatballs come with lingonberry jam and mash. Pickled herring returns at every celebration. Crispbread and smoked salmon fill in the rest. Only three halal addresses are listed.
Good to know
The Swedish krona is the currency, not the euro — and Sweden is among the most cashless countries in the world: many businesses simply no longer take notes. Almost everyone speaks English. Life is expensive, alcohol especially, sold in state shops. And shoes come off when entering someone's home, without exception.
Where to Stay in Stockholm
Top Activities in Stockholm
landmarkNational Library of Sweden
landmarkRoyal Palace
museumNational Museum of Fine Arts
museumVasa Museum
activitySkansen
landmarkGamla stan
landmarkGreat Church
from €11
museumNordic Museum
museumNobel Museum
landmarkRiddarholm Church
landmarkStockholm City Hall
landmarkStockholms stadion
museumModern Art Museum
Free
museumSwedish History Museum
from €13
landmarkRoyal Dramatic Theatre
landmarkGerman Church
landmarkStockholm Public Library
landmarkRoyal Swedish Opera
museumABBA The Museum
museumHallwyl Museum
museumRoyal Armoury
landmarkThe Great Synagogue
landmarkStockholm Central
museumSwedish Army Museum
Restaurants in Stockholm
Den Gyldene Freden
Kafé 44
Vete-Katten
Blå Porten
Operakällaren
Sturehof
Zum Franziskaner
Teatergrillen
Fem små hus
Ulla Winbladh
Tennstopet
Konstnärsbaren
Pelikan
Wedholms fisk
Riche
Ekstedt
Frantzén
