One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (2024)

Stockholm is regarded as one of the most attractive cities on the planet and it’s not difficult to see why. This “Venice of the North” is spread out over 14 islands that are bound together with a filigree of deep blue waterways, pedestrian-friendly bridges, and emerald-green parkland. Stockholm is loaded with a spate of great sights and activities, many of them bargains. Here’s our lowdown on how best to spend one day in Stockholm 🙂 and the best things to do.

Please note that this article contains affiliate links. Learn more about it on our Disclosure page. We use ads to support our small business – we hope you don’t mind them too much.

Table of Contents

  • 1 Is One Day Enough For Stockholm?
  • 2 Getting To Stockholm
  • 3 How to Get Around During Your One Day in Stockholm
  • 4 Is the Stockholm Pass Worth It For One Day?
  • 5 Your One Day in Stockholm Itinerary
  • 6 More Than One Day in Stockholm?
  • 7 Where To Stay in Stockholm?
  • 8 Further Reading For Your Stockholm Visit

Is One Day Enough For Stockholm?

One day is enough to get a taste of Stockholm: walk around the Old Town, explore some local neighborhoods, and visit at least one must-see museum. Of course, you can’t see everything that Stockholm has to offer in just a day.

Getting To Stockholm

Assuming you’re traveling to Stockholm by air, you’ll most likely be flying into Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), which is located about 40 km (25 miles) north of the city center.

The quickest and most reliable way to get from Stockholm Airport to the city center is by taking the Arlanda Express. The journey between Arlanda Airport and Stockholm Central Station (Stockholms centralstation) takes 18 minutes.

Trains between Arlanda Airport and Stockholm Central Station run every 15 to 30 minutes from 04:20–00:35. Tickets cost 320 SEK for a single journey and 600 SEK for a round trip.

A cheaper option is to take the Flygbussarna Airport Coach, which runs between Arlanda Airport and Stockholm Central Station every 12 to 30 minutes from 03:00–22:00. The journey takes about 45 minutes.

Stockholm is also served by two other airports – Bromma and Skvasta. Stockholm Bromma Airport (BMA) is located 7.4 km (4.6 miles) northwest of downtown Stockholm while Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) is located approximately 100 km (62 miles) south of Stockholm.

Both Bromma and Skvasta are also served by the Flygbussarna Airport Coach (albeit less frequently than Arlanda Airport).

How to Get Around During Your One Day in Stockholm

Wandering on foot remains the best way to explore Stockholm’s boroughs but as Stockholm is rather spread out, walking the whole city is not recommended.

The best way to get around Stockholm is by the well-functioning public transportation system, especially if you have only 24 hours in the city.

Stockholm’s public transport is top-notch and consists of the T-Banan (the subway), trams, regional trains, buses, and even a boat shuttle service to get from one island to another.

In order to use public transport in Stockholm, you will first need to buy an electronic smart card called the SL Access Card on which tickets are loaded. These cards cost 20 SEK and can be bought at Pressbyrån kiosks, tourist information offices, and Stockholm Public Transport (SL) centers.

Once you have the SL Access Card, you can load a ticket for 24 hours on it. A 24-hour public transport ticket in Stockholm costs 165 SEK. These tickets can also be purchased at ticket machines in addition to the places mentioned above.

If you want to avoid purchasing the SL Access Card, you should download mobile tickets via the mobile app “SL-Reseplanerare och biljetter” (“SL-Journey planner and tickets”).

Single tickets (39 SEK) are valid for 75 minutes and they allow you to transfer between modes of transport within their validity. These can be bought from ticket machines, on the mobile app, your contactless card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express), and even digital wallets (Samsung Pay, Google Pay, and Apple Pay).

Make use of the very useful intermodal Journey Planner for getting around Stockholm with public transport.

Pro Tip

Being the most cashless nation on the planet, coins or notes barely make up 1% of the value of all payments in a year in Sweden. Some places in Stockholm don’t even accept cash, so just keep your cards ready.

Should you be visiting Stockholm in the summer, getting around on a bicycle is a fun way to see the city. Stockholm has great bike infrastructure and bicycle routes are clearly posted throughout much of the city.

Stockholm doesn’t have a bike-sharing system at the moment but there are several places you can rent a bike. Renting a bike isn’t as cheap as in the other Nordic cities but if you’re interested you should check out Rent a Bike on Strandvägen or Gamla Stan Cyklar.

In case you’re interested in seeing the highlights of Stockholm on bike, check out this excellent Stockholm Bicycle Tour.

If you’re not up for a long walk or cycle around Stockholm, you could also get around on a segway, which can cover a larger area than a walk-around. In case you’re interested in seeing the highlights of Stockholm on segway, check out this excellent Stockholm Segway Tour.

For those craving an audio guide and extra comfort, you can also get around the city withStockholm Hop-On Hop-Off Tour.

Given Stockholm’s attractive waterside setting, a fun way of exploring the city is on a sightseeing cruise/amphibious bus. In case you’re interested in seeing the highlights of Stockholm on a cruise, check out the wildly popular Stockholm Archipelago Cruise or Stockholm Land and Water Amphibious Bus Tour.

Taking a taxi in Stockholm is totally not worth it as they are very pricey, and you’ll unnecessarily run up a high bill. Taxi prices in Sweden aren’t regulated so the prices vary vastly.

However, if you have to use a taxi, always check the yellow price label on the rear door window which indicates the price for a 10 km journey. Otherwise, you can check out a licensed company like TaxiKurir to book a taxi.

Is the Stockholm Pass Worth It For One Day?

For sightseeing in Stockholm, the most common travel pass that allows you to access over 50 of the most important attractions/museums/tours for free or at a discounted rate is the Stockholm Pass.

The 24-hour Stockholm Pass costs 796 SEK. However, the Stockholm Pass does not include free travel which is quite vexing.

If you’re planning on visiting a lot of museums and attractions, then buying the Stockholm Pass might be a good option. It does also save you the hassle of constantly waiting in line to purchase tickets.

Ultimately, whether the Stockholm Pass is worth buying and truly cost-effective depends on your needs and interests and the range of sightseeing activities you have planned for the day.

Your One Day in Stockholm Itinerary

For this one-day Stockholm itinerary, we have included the most popular sights in the various boroughs.

For your convenience, this post includes a free map of the top sights in Stockholm. You can find the addresses of the attractions by clicking on the icons in the map.

I understand that everyone travels at a different pace so feel free to choose the destinations according to your own pace. The earlier you start your day the more time you’ll have to see the attractions. You can choose between numbers 11 and 12 depending on your personal taste.

Below we have compiled a list of the best things to see (or eat) in Stockholm over the course of 1 day:

  1. Breakfast
  2. Gamla Stan (Old Town)
  3. Riddarholm Church
  4. House of Nobility
  5. Stortorget
  6. Stockholm Cathedral
  7. The Royal Palace
  8. The Royal Armory
  9. Traditional Swedish Lunch
  10. Stockholm City Hall
  11. Vasa Museum
  12. Skansen Open-Air Museum
  13. Strandvägen
  14. Stockholm Metro Art
  15. Södermalm
  16. Dinner

1. Breakfast

Start your one day in Stockholm with a wonderful breakfast at Vete-Katten, a wonderful old-fashioned cafe and pastry shop.

This cozy cafe has tremendous cakes and pastries (go for the mouth-watering cinnamon buns and pralines) as well as filling sandwiches to boot. A generous amount of charcuterie, cheese, buns, teas, and coffee are also on offer.

Coffee, which is excellent in Sweden, is consumed in great quantities at all times of the day and night and forms an integral part of Swedish social life.

2. Gamla Stan (Old Town)

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (1)

Kick off your one-day Stockholm sightseeing tour in the lovely Gamla Stan. Gamla Stan is the birthplace of Stockholm and it dates back to the 13th century.

Gamla Stan consists of a lattice of twirling cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways that are bursting with an atmospheric mixture of picturesque old houses.

Today, it is one of the largest and best conserved medieval centers in Europe that seems like a well-preserved open-air museum.

Strolling around Gamla Stan is one of my favorite things to do in Stockholm and I could spend days wandering its myriad streets being transfixed by the architectural elements, stairs, and the hairline medieval alleys here.

Pro Tip

When in Gamla Stan, make sure to wear a comfortable pair of flat shoes rather than heels as they can get stuck in the pavement.

Gamla Stan is home to some of the major attractions and well-known landmarks in Stockholm. In addition to this, there is a large number of cafes, boutique shops, bars, and restaurants located here.

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (2)

While there are numerous charming streets in Gamla Stan, there are three which you should particularly look into. First up is Prästgatan, a quiet street with picturesque old pastel-colored houses devoid of any commercial displays.

This street still has managed to retain its authentic medieval look and has been used in many movie productions. Look out for the Viking Age runestone etched in a building wall at the corner of Kåkbrinken and Prästgatan that is older than the city itself and depicts a serpent’s body in a decorative winding loop.

The next one is Österlånggatan, one of the two main streets of Gamla Stan. Along with Prästgatan, it is my favorite street in Gamla Stan and shouldn’t be missed.

Österlånggatan is home to antique shops, bookstores, and fabulous art and fabric boutiques and is very popular with Stockholm natives.

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (3)

Keep your eyes peeled for Mårten Trotzigs Gränd, which at a width of 90 cm (35 in) at its slimmest, is the narrowest street in Stockholm. There’s also Västerlånggatan which is Gamla Stan’s most popular shopping street.

Although it features some beautiful architecture, the street is usually flowing with people and is largely geared toward tourists. I would only recommend checking it out if you need to pick up some souvenirs.

In case you’re interested in seeing the highlights of Gamla Stan from an insider’s perspective, check out this rewarding Stockholm Old Town Walking Tour.

3. Riddarholm Church

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (4)

The magnificent Riddarholm Church (Riddarholmskyrkan) is one of my favorite churches in Stockholm. It is one of Stockholm’s oldest churches and was built on the site of the late 13th-century Greyfriars abbey.

The red brick church has undergone several reconstructions over the centuries and attained its characteristic lattice-work, cast-iron tower after a big blaze in 1835. The cast-iron church steeple is undoubtedly its defining feature and is great to admire.

Riddarholm Church is best known for functioning as the burial ground for Swedish monarchs for over six centuries. The interior of the church features a number of ornate pewter and gold sarcophagi, In addition to the 200 graves as well as an array of stone crypts.

However, I wouldn’t recommend going inside as it will just eat up your limited time.

Fun Fact

Stockholm was thought to have been founded in the mid-13th century by Birger Jarl, a prominent Swedish statesman of that era. The name Stockholm stems from the words stock meaning “log” and holm meaning “islet.” Nobody knows for sure how Stockholm got its name with one account pointing to the pile of logs transported into the waters near Old Town while another account points to the Vikings using a log bound with gold while looking to determine the location of their new settlement.

4. House of Nobility

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (5)

Although there are many gorgeous buildings in Stockholm, theHouse of Nobility (Riddarhuset) is probably my favorite one. The building is an exquisite example of 17th-century Dutch Baroque architecture and coloring.

Sculptures of the Roman deities Mars and Minerva lie above the north entrance of the House of Nobility. The roof of the building is adorned with various allegorical statues.

Riddarhuset served as the headquarters of the Swedish nobility to convene and host events and currently functions as the meeting place for the triennial Assembly of Nobles.

The interior of the building is just as pretty as its exterior and its walls are adorned with approximately 2,320 copper coats-of-arms of the nobles.

5. Stortorget

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (6)

Stortorget is the vibrant main square that forms the heart of Gamla Stan. It is Stockholm’s oldest square and has been a popular meeting point since the Middle Ages. The square’s western side is the most picturesque and features tall colorful patrician houses with curling gables.

These buildings, which feature in countless postcards of the city offer a good picture of what the square must have looked like during imperial Sweden’s heyday in the 17th century.

Stortorget is understandably pretty crowded with tourists who can be seen relaxing and sipping coffee in one of the many cafes lining the square.

While Stortorget is a very merry and cheerful place today, it is also intricately linked with the Stockholm Bloodbath of November 1520, one of the most infamous events in Stockholm’s history.

The Danish King Christian II vanquished the Swedish Regent, Sten Sture the Younger, and the Swedes made Christian their king. Christian hosted a party to celebrate and invited Stockholm’s gentry promising amnesty if they cooperated with him.

On the third and last day of the party, Christian broke his vow and rounded them up for heresy. The following day more than 80 Swedish noblemen and burghers were guillotined in the square on Christian’s orders.

The most famous building surrounding the square is that of the former stock exchange. This stylish 17th-century building was home to the stock exchange for more than 200 years till 1990. Since 2001, the Nobel Museum has called the building home.

The museum celebrates the achievements of past Nobel Prize winners through a series of artifacts and smart multimedia installations.

6. Stockholm Cathedral

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (7)

The Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan) is one of the must-see attractions in Stockholm and the one church you should definitely see from the inside. It is the oldest church in the Old Town having been constructed in 1279.

It is of significant religious importance in Sweden since Swedish reformer Olaus Petri spread his Lutheran message around the kingdom from here. The cathedral has seen numerous religious services, royal coronations as well as weddings, and funerals over the years.

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (8)

The interior is magnificent with glistening royal pews, intricate carving, and lierne vaulting. The cathedral’s primarily Gothic interior contrasts nicely with the Baroque exterior.

While the church has a worthy collection of medieval and contemporary art, the star attraction is the riveting metal statue of St. George and the Dragon. Wood, iron, and gold leaf were used in carving the sculpture, and elkhorn was used for the dragon’s scales.

The Stockholm Cathedral is open daily from 09:30–17:00 (September-May) and 09:00–18:00 (June-August). The entrance costs 85 SEK.

7. The Royal Palace

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (9)

With over 600 rooms the colossal Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet) is one of the largest palaces in Europe. The Royal Palace is the official residence of the King of Sweden, even though he and the Royal Family call the equally impressive Drottningholm Palace their primary residence.

The Royal Palace was constructed between 1697 and 1754 on the spot where the Tre Kronor Castle was reduced to rubble after a fire in 1697.

The Royal Palace is the symbol of Sweden’s era as a great power in the 17th and early 18th centuries and its sublime staterooms, apartments, and artifacts are well matched to the Roman Baroque-style exterior.

The Royals have their offices at the palace, where they hold audiences with visiting dignitaries and host official state ceremonies. Besides this, the Royal Palace is home to as many as four museums.

A large chunk of the palace’s 600 rooms are open to the public, and you can admire the sumptuous interiors and priceless works of art and craftsmanship.

While it’s worth seeing the interior of the Royal Palace in Stockholm, I wouldn’t recommend going inside if you only have one day in Stockholm since it will chew up too much of your time.

Try to catch the ever-popular changing of the guard that takes place in the Outer Courtyard daily at 12:15 (Sundays and holidays an hour later). It is a relatively low-key affair with a bit of marching and flag hoisting.

8. The Royal Armory

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (10)

Take a quick peek inside the Royal Armory (Livrustkammaren), which is located in the eastern wing of the Royal Palace. It is the oldest museum in Sweden having been founded in 1628.

The Royal Armory initially served as a monument to the Vasa kings and gradually grew to house a collection commemorating five royal dynasties.

The exposition isn’t too big and contains a cornucopia of Swedish artifacts pertaining to the military history of Sweden, items of interest (including ceremonial costumes and coronation robes) from Sweden’s royalty, lavish carriages, and even a sled from the royal stables.

The museum gives a good insight into the history of costumes as well as items related to politics and important historical events in Sweden.

The dim lighting in the cellar where the carriages and sled are kept lends the place an atmospheric medieval vibe. The Royal Armory is among the most impressive armories I’ve seen and I was totally smitten with those ornate carriages!

The Royal Armory is open Tuesday-Sunday. Opening hours vary according to the time of the year, which you can check here. The entrance costs 150 SEK and it’s definitely worth the price of admission.

9. Traditional Swedish Lunch

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (11)

Head to Tradition for a sample of Swedish cuisine. It is a reasonably priced restaurant offering traditional Swedish classics like herring, reindeer, smoked salmon, moose, and meatballs meaning you won’t be disappointed.

I strongly recommend the delectable meatballs that come with mash, gravy, and lingonberry jam. I guarantee they’ll taste way better than IKEA meatballs 😉

To experience the best of Swedish cuisine, check out this popular Stockholm Food Tour.

10. Stockholm City Hall

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (12)

Situated on the island of Kungsholmen, the City Hall (Stadshuset) is probably the most defining landmark of Stockholm’s cityscape.

The City Hall is regarded as a masterpiece of Swedish National Romanticism, with tinctures of Italian and Nordic Gothic architecture. I think it looks like a cross between a medieval fortress and a Renaissance palace.

A whopping 8 million dark red bricks went into its construction, which took a monumental 12 years to complete. Its 106-meter tower is noted for its distinguishing three golden crowns at the top, which is the Swedish coat of arms.

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (13)

The detailed interior of the City Hall stands in contrast to the somewhat lackluster exterior and the highlights here are the Viking-themed Council Chamber, the Blue Hall, and the Golden Hall.

The glass-domed Blue Hall (which is actually red) is best known as the venue of the Nobel Prize banquet that takes place here every year in December.

The glittering Golden Hall is truly a sight to behold and its Byzantine-style wall mosaics contain 19 million fragments of gold leaf. The mosaics are allegories of events and people from Swedish history.

Fun Fact

Even though the Nobel Prize banquet is held at the City Hall, the Nobel Prizes are actually awarded in the Stockholm Concert Hall, which lies in the Norrmalm district.

Practical Information for Visiting the Stockholm City Hall

Since the City Hall is a political office building, it’s only possible to visit with a guided tour. Guided tours are offered Monday-Sunday and tickets for the tour can be purchased at the City Hall ticket office on the day of the tour.

A guided tour of the Stockholm City Hall costs 140 SEK (April-October) and 90 SEK (November-March). Tours in English start every 30 minutes from 09:30–16:00. The tour lasts around 45 minutes.

If you’re visiting from June to August, you can ascend the City Hall Tower at a cost of 90 SEK for breathtaking panoramic views of Stockholm. The City Hall Tower is open daily from 09:00-16:30 (last entry 16:00). A visit to the tower takes approximately 35 minutes.

11. Vasa Museum

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (14)

No day of Stockholm sightseeing would be complete without seeing the Vasa Museum, undoubtedly one of the top things to see in Stockholm.

It is home to the impeccably restored 17th-century warship, the Vasa, which sank only 100 m off the southernmost point of Djurgården on her maiden voyage in 1628.

The Vasa’s fatal design flaws (it was too heavy and its hull was too slender to endure even the slightest swell) led to the sinking of this man-of-war. 30 people went down with the frigate in what was supposed to be the pride of the Navy.

It lay preserved in mud for over 300 years, the ship was pulled up along with 12,000 objects in 1961, and now forms the core of the museum. The brackish water of the Baltic Sea insulated the ship’s oak timber from attacks by shipworms.

What really makes the ship shine is the rich decoration, it features a total of 500 sculptures and 200 ornaments. They include grotesque replicas of human faces, lion masks, naked cherubs, sea monsters, and other carvings. There are also many sculptures of Biblical figures and figures from Greek mythology.

Adjacent exhibition halls and presentations cover all the retrieved items, which give an invaluable insight into life on board the Vasa – everything from primitive medical equipment, preserved clothes, kitchenware, and even a backgammon board.

Be sure to go to check out each level for precious exhibits and wonderful vantage points!

Practical Information For Visiting the Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum is open daily from 08:30–18:00 (June-August) and 10:00–17:00 (until 20:00 on Wednesday) from September-May. The entrance costs 170 SEK from September-May and 190 SEK from June-August. The Vasa Museum is definitely worth visiting so don’t miss out!

  • Click here to book your ticket to the Vasa Museum

OR

12. Skansen Open-Air Museum

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (15)

If, however, you’re in no mood to be cooped up indoors, you should head to Skansen, one of Stockholm’s must-see attractions and beloved sights. Skansen opened in 1891 as the world’s first open-air museum to educate a growing industrialized society on how people lived in the past.

The exhibits at Skansen are based on traditional Swedish life and are a microcosm of Swedish history and culture. One of the things I like about Skansen is that it has still managed to retain its authenticity and is devoid of any garish displays.

Often dubbed “Old Sweden in a Nutshell”, Skansen features more than 150 historical farms and dwellings from all over Sweden, showcasing the life of both farmhands and the nobility, as well as the Sami people.

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (16)

The exhibits include windmills, manor houses, blacksmith shops—even a whole town quarter that was meticulously reconstructed. You can explore the traditional workshops and see glass-blowers, bakers, silversmiths, and other craftsmen demonstrate their skills.

The buildings are many and varied, including a Sami camp and various windmills and churches. The adjoining zoo holds a full collection of large Nordic mammals like reindeer, elks, and brown bears, each contained within extensively wooden pens.

Practical Information For Visiting Skansen

Skansen is open daily throughout the year. The opening hours of Skansen are from 10:00–15:00 (October-March), 10:00–16:00 (April), and 10:00–18:00 (May-September). There are extended hours on the weekends and certain days in the summer and Christmas.

The entrance fee to Skansen costs 185-245 SEK depending on the time of your visit.

  • Click here to book your ticket to the Skansen Open-Air Museum

Fun Fact

Stockholm is one of the most densely packed museum-cities in the world and is home to approximately 100 museums whose remarkable collections span every conceivable subject and interest.

13. Strandvägen

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (17)

One of my absolute favorite things to do in Stockholm is taking a saunter down Strandvägen. Strandvägen is a magnificent tree-lined esplanade overlooking the waterfront that boasts a horde of palatial Italian and French Renaissance-style buildings with turrets and round towers.

Two of the standouts are Bünsowska House (numbers 29-33) and Von Rosenska Palace (number 55). Strandvägen is understandably one of Stockholm’s most desirable addresses home to several prominent hotels, embassies, and designer boutiques.

It’s hard to imagine that in the mid-19th century, Strandvägen was an unappealing, murky street with dilapidated houses in a downward spiral.

14. Stockholm Metro Art

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (18)

If you’re going to use public transport during your one day in Stockholm, you might as well use this opportunity to survey the art installations of the Stockholm Metro.

Often dubbed the “World’s Longest Art Gallery”, the subway is absolutely gorgeous and features artworks ranging from pseudo underground grottoes to giant bronze flowers, mosaics, and murals.

There are more than 100 stations on the Stockholm Metro and about 90 of these have intricate art displays. Obviously, you won’t have time to see them all, so you should just try and see three of the best in the city center.

These are T-Centralen (all lines), Rådhuset (Blue line T10 & T11), and Kungsträdgården (Blue line T10 & T11). T-Centralen is Stockholm’s oldest metro station and is characterized by blue vines and floral motifs which were meant to create a sense of tranquility for commuters.

Rådhuset is one of the most impressive ones and resembles an underground pink grotto, leaving the bedrock exposed. It is replete with numerous archaeological findings.

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (19)

Kungsträdgården is the deepest one of all the stations and definitely the most visually interesting one. It resembles an underground garden and segments of its exposed bedrock are decorated with colorful mosaics.

You can also see plenty of old statues, intricately carved columns, and water fountains. The station has even managed to develop its own functioning ecosystem and is home to a rare species of moss, a spider, and a fungus found nowhere else!

15. Södermalm

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (20)

Cap off your 1 day in Stockholm by spending time in Södermalm (known locally as Söder), Stockholm’s buzzing hipster haven. Originally a working-class district, it has reinvented itself after the industry left and artists and creative types moved in.

Södermalm’s scenic landscape is characterized by craggy cliffs, turrets, and towers. Södermalm is a bit like the Vesterbro district in character.

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (21)

While strolling around Södermalm, don’t forget to check out Mariaberget, known for its stone buildings and steep winding streets and alleys. Mariaberget is also the location of the Monteliusvägen viewpoint which offers some of the most scenic vistas of Stockholm.

Fjällgatan, an old-fashioned cobblestone street that runs along the hilltop with well-maintained old wooden cottages is worth checking out as well.

Fun Fact

Mikael Blomqvist, the male protagonist from Stieg Larsson’s best-selling Millennium Trilogy lived in a swanky penthouse at Bellmansgatan 1 just beside Monteliusvägen.

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (22)

Södermalm is known for its funky shopping options, trendy dining, and lively nightlife. There are plenty of antique shops, vintage stores & galleries here.

The hip streets of Åsögatan, Bondegatan, and Skånegatan lie south of Folkungagatan and are thus popularly called “So-Fo”. Hornsgatan and Götgatan are full of small shops selling bric-a-brac and avant-garde Swedish design.

Speaking of the avant-garde, the outstanding Fotografiska Museum is also located in Södermalm. If you’re a photography buff, Fotografiska showcases exhibitions of both local and international photographers both in print and on film through a changing series of well-arranged exhibitions.

One of the best things about Fotografiska is the generous opening hours, so take the time to visit if you enjoy photography.

If you fancy a good beer or liqueur, you should head to Akkurat, which offers a great selection of global beers and fine single malts, or Omnipollos hatt, which serves outstanding microbrews.

16. Dinner

There’s a vast array of dining options in Södermalm. I would recommend the trendy Nytorget Urban Deli which serves High-quality food amidst a quirky atmosphere. Otherwise, Faros serves some awesome Greek dishes.

More Than One Day in Stockholm?

If you have more than one day in Stockholm, there are still several great attractions/activities in the city that are worth doing. Depending on your interest, top-notch museums such as the ABBA Museum, the Paradox Museum, the Nobel Museum, the Viking Museum, and the Vrak Museum of Wrecks are definitely worth visiting.

You could also take part in popular activities such as a Stockholm Ghost Walk and Historical Tour, a Stockholm Boat Tour, a Stockholm Archipelago Winter Kayaking Experience, and a Stockholm SkyView Glass Gondola Ride.

Stockholm is the ideal starting point for excursions to the postcard-perfect medieval old town of Sigtuna, the historic city of Uppsala, Vaxholm in the Stockholm Archipelago, and the beautiful Gripsholm Castle 🙂.

Where To Stay in Stockholm

The best place to stay in Stockholm would be in the inner city (Gamla Stan, Norrmalm, Östermalm & Södermalm). Virtually all of Stockholm’s main attractions can be found here, so they’re a perfect base for sightseeing.

I’ve listed the best accommodations in different neighborhoods for all budgets. Of course, just like in the rest of the Nordics hotel prices in Stockholm are pretty high.

Hostel:City Backpackers Hostel, a popular choice for budget-minded travelers looking for someplace close to the city center

Budget: Comfort Hotel Xpress Stockholm, an excellent choice if you’re on the lookout for a frugal, no-frills option in central Stockholm

Mid-range:Scandic Sjöfartshotellet, a great choice if you are planning to stay in Södermalm. In keeping with its name, the rooms are tastefully decorated with a maritime theme

Splurge: Grand Hôtel, undoubtedly Stockholm’s most prestigious hotel and still the benchmark for hotel opulence

Further Reading For Your Stockholm Visit

That summarizes our definitive 1-day Stockholm itinerary. We reckon you’ll find the following resources useful for planning your trip to Stockholm!

Further Reading For Your Stockholm Visit

Find out how to spend the perfect 3 days in Stockholm!
Discover the higlights of the Swedish capital on our free self-guided Stockholm walking tour!

You May Also Like

Planning a trip to Denmark? Check out our guide to spending a perfect day in Copenhagen!
Going to Norway? Check out our guide to spending an idlyllic day in Oslo.
Big on the Nordics? Check out how to spend a blissful 24 hours in Helsinki!

Now, what do you think? How would you spend one day in Stockholm? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (23)

Mihir

Hello there, fellow globetrotters! I’m Mihir, a passionate travel blogger with an insatiable wanderlust. My journey across the world is fueled by curiosity and a hunger for unique experiences. As a travel writer, photographer, and adventurer, I’ve explored more than 35 countries, aiming to provide readers with a distinctive glimpse of our diverse world. Join me as I blend captivating storytelling with stunning visuals, guiding you through hidden gems and cultural treasures. Besides traveling, my other loves are my beloved cats, architecture, art, craft beer, classic movies, history, and Australian Rules Football (Go Dons!).

Related

One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tish Haag

Last Updated:

Views: 6072

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tish Haag

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

Phone: +4215847628708

Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.