Shopping in Stockholm is a real delight. After all, Swedish fashion is popular the world over and for good reason. It aims to offer simple and easy to wear clothes at affordable prices. The same goes for interior design too. Some of the world’s most beloved brands, like IKEA and H&M, are Swedish.
In addition, Swedes love design, handmade crafts, and everything vintage. Furthermore, they take climate change seriously. Second-hand shops are also popular. As a result, the best shopping in Stockholm suits all budgets and tastes. From luxury shops to flea markets, there is something here for everybody.
So, once you’ve finished seeing the top attractions in Stockholm, it’s time to hit the shops!
Shopping in Stockholm, the 15 best addresses
1. Drottninggatan, Stockholm’s main shopping street
The main shopping street in Stockholm is Drottninggatan (see photo above). It is a long, mostly pedestrian street, with many shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés. Located on the northern side of the city, it goes from the Old Town to Observatory Park. In addition, the big shopping mall, Åhlens City, and T Centralen station are in the middle.
Drottninggatan means “Queen’s Street”. It is named this way in honour of Queen Christina, a famous Swedish queen who ruled between 1632 and 1654. Her life was made into a film in 1933 with the great Greta Garbo in the role of the historic queen.
In Drottninggatan you’ll find all the major Swedish and international brands, such as H&M, Zara, Monki, and more. Also, several hotels are located nearby, including the one I stayed in. As a result, this street is also popular with tourists and quite busy.
Closest Metro stations: T Centralen, Hötorget
2. NK Stores (Nordiska Kompaniet)
You can’t go shopping in Stockholm without a visit to this legendary store. NK Kompaniet is Sweden’s oldest, and finest, shopping mall. Similarly to Selfridge’s in London, it is a landmark of the city. First opened in 1915, it hosts high-end international brands on its 6 floors. The building itself is certainly beautiful, and worth a visit anyway. Inside, it will remind you of the famous Galeries Lafayette in Paris. Needless to say, it is also a popular shopping spot for the Swedish Royal Family.
Address Hamngatan 18-20 – Web: www.nk.se
3. Åhléns City
Åhlens City is a huge department store in the heart of Stockholm. For instance, it has all the major brands in fashion, beauty, decor, design, and more. Prices are budget-friendly, so it attracts large crowds. There is even a huge grocery store in the basem*nt!
Address: Klarabergsgatan 50 – Web: www.ahlens.se
4. Grandpa
Also located in bohemian Södermalm, this unique shop is one of Stockholm’s most famous. With its big variety of quirky items on offer, it is the epitome of cool. In addition to stylish clothing, Grandpa also offers unique products such as wooden toothbrushes, vintage decor items, notebooks, and more.
Address: Södermannagatan 21, Södermalm – Web: grandpastore.com
5. Swedish Hasbeens
One of the cooler Swedish brands, these re-imagined clogs are a homage to the iconic 70s shoe. The story goes that the brand’s founders discovered about 300 of their mother’s favourite wooden shoes in a forgotten basem*nt. As a result, they got inspired to recreate this iconic shoe. With a 15-year history, these handcrafted and sustainable wooden shoes can be found around the world. You’ll find them in stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Urban Outfitters, and others. Needless to say, this awesome retro brand has a shop in Södermalm too.
Address: Nytorgsgatan 36A, SoFo, Södermalm – Web: www.swedishhasbeens.com
6. Biblioteksgatan, the best street for luxury shopping
If it is luxury shopping you are after, then you can head to Biblioteksgatan. It is Stockholm’s most exclusive shopping street. You’ll find it in the elegant district of Östermalm. It is also pedestrianised, which is so convenient for shopping. Here you’ll find luxury designer brands such as Mulberry, Filippa K, Karen Millen, Tommy Hilfiger, and others.
Moreover, nearby are located many department stores, such as Nordiska Kompaniet, MOOD, and Sturegallerian. Sturegallerian in particular is perhaps Stockholm’s most glamorous shopping mall. It has top-end brands, restaurants, cafés, and even a small food hall.
Finally, just off Biblioteksgatan, there is Birger Jarlsgatan. This is an even more exclusive shopping street, with flagship stores of the likes of Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton.
Closest Metro station: Östermalmstorg
7. Mood Stockholm
In contrast to NK Stores, this is a recent arrival to the shopping scene of Stockholm. First opened in 2012, this upscale shopping centre is very close to the luxury shopping street, Biblioteksgatan. Here you’ll find niche brands like Rodebjer and Posh Living, as well as more mainstream ones. For example, Ralph Lauren, Club Monaco, and Hobbs.
Address: Regeringsgatan 48 – Web: moodstockholm.se
8. Mall of Scandinavia
Similarly to the well-known “Mall of America” in the USA, this is Sweden’s largest shopping destination. The second biggest mall in the Nordic countries is in Solna, just outside Stockholm. It has a total of 224 shops, from homewares to clothing and more.
As well as a big range of shops, here you will also find great eating options and the newest trends. Although it’s outside Stockholm, it takes just 7 minutes by train to reach it.
Address: Stjärntorget 2, Solna – Web: mallofscandinavia.se
9. Beyond Retro
Located in the cool neighbourhood of SoFo on Södermalm, this iconic store is simply the best place in Stockholm for vintage and retro shopping. It has everything retro, from Victorian-era items to 90s grunge styles. A sister store can be found in Drottninggatan.
Address: Åsögatan 144, Stockholm – Web: www.beyondretro.com
10. Nudie Jeans
Another well-known jeans brand and success story. Their speciality is jeans made of 100% organic cotton. In addition, every piece of clothing is made of sustainable materials. These jeans are famous for their unique back pocket design. Furthermore, at their shops, you can also repair your beloved jeans. Oh, did I mention they have a store in Södermalm too?
Address: Skånegatan 75 – Web: nudiejeans.com
11. Stutterheim
This is a unique brand of handmade raincoats. It is brainchild of Alexander Stutterheim. He was inspired by the ones his grandfather used to wear. Worth mentioning that he sold his first 200 items from his home, on the small island of Arholma.
The idea of the brand is to celebrate the melancholy of Swedish weather and turn this simple, practical piece of clothing into a stylish, fashion item.
Address: Åsögatan 136 – Web: stutterheim.com
12. Chokladfabriken
Created by Paris-trained chocolatier Martin Isaksson, this elegant boutique sells some of the best pralines in Stockholm. Tried, tested and approved by yours truly. I even brought a box back home with me. Too good not to share! There have three stores in Stockholm. Specifically, inSödermalm, the City centre and Vasastan.
Address: Renstiernas gata 12, Södermalm, Stockholm – Web: chokladfabriken.se
13. Hötorget Flea Market (Haymarket)
A charming square with elegant art deco buildings is host to a daily fruit and flower market, but also a flea market on weekend afternoons. Here you’ll find everything from books to antiques. In addition, just across the market, on Kungsgatan, there is the excellent Kungshallen food court. If you get hungry after all the shopping, it has stalls of Swedish as well as international cuisines.
Closest Metro: Hötorget, T Centralen
14. The English Bookshop
https://www.facebook.com/EnglishBookshopSthlm/posts/4693556464035113
Certainly, some of Stockholm’s coolest shops are in the SoFo district. So here’s one more that booklovers especially will love. I’m talking about The English Bookshop. Which, true to its name, sells books only in English. Either English-language originals or translated Scandinavian literature. In addition to selling books, they host special events. Such as World Poetry Day readings and Harry Potter nights. There is also another shop in Uppsala.
Address: Södermannagatan 22, Stockholm
Web: bookshop.se
15. Acne Archive
Do you love Acne Studio clothes? Then you’ll love Acne Archive! Essentially, it is the brand’s official outlet in Stockholm. As a result, it has a great selection of the brand’s classics. Here you’ll find hand-picked items of previous seasons, from showpieces to shoes and accessories. Located in Vasastan, it’s a bit away from the main sightseeing areas, but fans of the brand will love it.
Address: Torsgatan 53, 113 37 Stockholm
Closest Metro: Stockholm Odenplan (that’s near the public library too)
Web: https://www.acnestudios.com/se/en/home
Shopping in Stockholm: best hotels nearby
As with most else, there’s no shortage of beautiful design hotels in Stockholm. Here are some favourites to get you started, but you can also see more on Booking.com (as ever, if you book your stay through my links, I’ll get a small commission, to no cost of your own – see my )
- Budget: City Backpackers hostel has very good reviews, and is set in a 19th-century building, 500 m from Stockholm Central Station and a 5-minute walk from Drottninggatan shopping street.
- Mid-range: My personal favourite Freys Hotel is a charming, family-run hotel in the heart of Stockholm (you can also read my review for more). It’s just a 3-minutes walk from Stockholm Central Station and is certified by the eco-label Green Key.
- Upscale: The modern design At Six Hotel is just a 5-minute walk from both Gamla Stan (the historic city centre) and Nordiska Kompaniet department store. Rooms feature (among else) a coffee machine and minibar for mixing co*cktails.
Shopping in Stockholm: Summing things up
Stockholm is a chic nordic capital famous for its minimalist style, both in fashion and design. But the Swedes are also keen on protecting the environment, which fuels their love for second-hand, vintage clothes. All in all, there is something for everyone in this city.
