One Day in Stockholm, Sweden: A Wonderful 24-Hour Itinerary

Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden, has it all — stunning architecture, world-class museums, delicious food, and friendly locals. It’s no wonder it’s consistently ranked as one of the best places to visit in Europe! In this post, I’ll share my top recommendations for how to make the most of your short time in Stockholm. From the must-see landmarks to the hidden gems that locals love, keep reading for a detailed one day in Stockholm itinerary!

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One day in Stockholm map

How to use this map: Click “View larger map” in the top right corner. From there, you can view each location and save your favorites to your own Google Maps lists!

How to spend one day in Stockholm

Explore Gamla Stan (Old Town)

Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s medieval Old Town, dates back to the year 1252. Filled with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and a rich history, Gamla Stan is the perfect place to start your one day Stockholm itinerary.

Just like other quaint European towns, such as Kotor and Split, the best way to explore this area of central Stockholm is to walk around and get lost. Wander through alleys, follow the smell of freshly-baked cinnamon buns, and go in whichever direction piques your interest!

Here a list of the best things to do in Gamla Stan:

• Stortorget Square: Also known as the “Big Square,” Stortorget is the oldest square in Stockholm and the main gathering place in Old Town. Come here to take pictures of the ornate 17th- and 18th-century buildings, grab a coffee from one of the numerous cafes, and practice your people watching.
• Nobel Prize Museum: Located within Stortorget, the Nobel Museum hosts exhibits about the history of the awards and the contributions made by its winners. Tickets cost 140 SEK ($13.29 USD) and can be bought online.
• Mårten Trotzigs Gränd: Mårten Trotzig’s Alley is the narrowest street in Stockholm, with the skinniest point clocking in at just 90 cm (35 in). The street is named after Mårten Trotzig, a rich merchant who owned shops in the alley.
• Stockholm Royal Palace: The Royal Palace is one of the Swedish royal family’s official residences. Built in the 18th century, the palace and its five museums are open for tours. If you’re lucky, you can also catch the daily changing of the guard outside the palace gates.
• Storkyrkan: Also known as the Stockholm Cathedral, the Church of St. Nicholas, and the “Great Church,” Storkyrkan is the oldest church in Stockholm. Entrance to the cathedral is included in the Go City Stockholm Pass.

Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum features an incredibly well-preserved 17th-century warship, the Vasa, that sank on her maiden voyage in 1628. Despite high expectations from the Swedish Navy, the Vasa unfortunately had some serious design flaws that led to its early demise — notably, it was way too heavy and had a very slender hull. Oops.

After laying in the Baltic Sea mud for over 300 years, the Vasa’s remains (along with over 12,000 artifacts) were uncovered in 1961 and turned into the museum that exists today.

What really makes the Vasa Museum memorable is the insane detail and decoration found on the outside of the ship. You’ll see some interesting carvings, like naked cherubs, sea monsters, and depictions of Biblical figures.

The Vasa Museum is included in the Go City Stockholm Pass. Otherwise, the entrance fee costs between 170 and 190 SEK ($16.18 and $18.09 USD) depending on when you visit.

Here are some other museums you can check out on Djurgården Island:

• ABBA Museum: Dedicated to everyone’s favorite Swedish pop band, the ABBA Museum promises to be more than just a museum. The interactive exhibitions will definitely have you dancing and singing your way out the door!
• Nordic Museum: This is a museum all about Swedish cultural history. You’ll find exhibits on native traditions, home decor and fashion trends, and historical festivals and events.
• Viking Museum: Has displays on 9th-century Viking ships and artifacts recovered from burial tombs.
• Museum of Spirits: Chronicles Sweden’s history with and culture around alcohol (not ghosts like I originally expected, hah!).

Stroll along Strandvägen

Strandvägen is a glorious tree-lined esplanade within walking distance from the Vasa Museum. The boulevard is lined with Italian and French Renaissance-style buildings, with turrets and ornate detailing on the outsides.

Flanking either end of the street are two green spaces, Nobelparken and Berzelii Park, that would also make a nice place to spend a little time relaxing between attractions.

Stop for a Swedish fika

Stopping to have a Swedish fika is practically a requirement for any Stockholm itinerary.

What is a fika, anyway? It’s essentially a coffee break, usually with a sweet snack like a cinnamon bun (kanelbulle) or strawberry cake (jordgubbstårta). These breaks are a highly cherished daily ritual and an integral part of Swedish culture.

So, do as the Romans (Swedes?) do and take some time out of your sightseeing to embrace this incredible local tradition. (Personally, I’ll take any excuse for some caffeine and snackies!)

Here are some of the best places to get your fika fix in Stockholm:

• Café Pascal
• Green Rabbit
• Kaffeverket

Check out some photography at Fotografiska

If you still have some time left on your first day in Stockholm, head over to Fotografiska, a contemporary photography museum. Located in the trendy Södermalm neighborhood, Fotografiska is filled with avant-garde exhibits in print and on film.

The museum is open from 10 am to 11 pm daily, making it a great spot to come for a dose of culture in the late afternoon or evening.

Fotografiska is included in the Go City Stockholm Pass. If you don’t have the pass, tickets cost between 175 and 195 krona, depending on what time you visit.

Have a traditional Swedish dinner

Time for some more food! To finish off your perfect day in Stockholm, head out to a nice dinner. The Östermalm, Odenplan, So-Fo, and Radhuset neighborhoods are packed with options for tasty and affordable meals.

If you need some inspiration, try some of these delicious and authentic Swedish restaurants:

• Meatballs for the People: Traditional Swedish meatballs and beer, located just a short walk away from Fotografiska
• Nomad: Contemporary “snapas” (Swedish tapas)
• Restaurant Tradition: Straight-up classic Swedish cuisine

If you have more time in Stockholm

Take a boat tour

If you’re looking for a unique way to sightsee around Stockholm, taking a boat (or kayaking!) tour is a great choice.

These tours sail on the waterways around the capital city’s archipelago. You’ll get a different perspective from the water, showing you a new side of Stockholm that you can’t see from land.

Many of these tours come with snacks, too — win-win!

Kungsträdgården

Kungsträdgården is a large park in the city center. It features a winter ice rink, art galleries, and a handful of restaurants and cafes. In the summer months, the park hosts concerts and events open to the public.

St. Jacobs Kyrka, a lovely orange-red Lutheran church, sits adjacent to the park. You’ll also find a large shopping area nearby, with tons of popular clothing and homeware stores.

Stockholm City Hall

The Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset) is an imposing red-brick building on the island of Kungsholmen. Its exterior is regarded as one of the best examples of Swedish National Romanticism style construction.

Inside, you’ll find a Viking-themed Council Chamber, the Blue Hall (known for being the Nobel Prize banquet room), and the Golden Hall. Because it’s a government building, you’ll need to take a guided tour to visit the City Hall’s interior. Tours run from Monday to Sunday, 9:30 am to 4 pm.

If you’re visiting in the summer months, you’ll also be able to scale the City Hall’s 106 m (348 ft) tower. For just 80 SEK ($7.63 USD), you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Stockholm and its surrounding waterways.

Best day trips from Stockholm

Drottningholm Palace

Drottningholm Palace is the official residence of the Swedish royal family and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 17th century, it’s one of the most well-preserved royal castles in Europe.

At the palace, you can tour the reception halls, the royal chapel, and the Chinese-style pavilion and gardens. You can tour the palace at your own pace and listen along with an online audio guide.

A boat tour to Drottningholm Palace is included as an activity in the Go City Stockholm Pass. If you aren’t using the all-inclusive city pass, regular round-trip boat tickets cost 260 krona ($24.80 USD).

Sigtuna

Located 50 km (31 mi) to the north of Stockholm, Sigtuna is the oldest surviving town in Sweden. Filled with traditional wooden houses and historic stone churches, the charming town is a great place to spend a day.

In Sigtuna, you can visit the City Hall, explore Wenngarn Castle, stroll through the palace gardens, and learn about the town’s ties to medieval Swedish history. There are also several lovely green spaces where you can laze away an entire afternoon.

To get to Sigtuna, take the communter train at Stockholm City station to Märsta Station, then take bus 575 or 570 to Sigtuna.

If you’d like, you could also take a guided tour to Sigtuna through GetYourGuide. The tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, transportation to the town, and a local guide.

How to get to Stockholm

By plane

There are two airports within easy reach of Stockholm: Arlanda Airport (ARN) and Bromma Airport (BMA). As an international tourist, you’ll most likely be flying into Arlanda — Bromma Airport is mostly used for domestic and short-haul flights to other Scandinavian countries.

There are two other airports, Skavsta Airport and Västerås Airport, that misleadingly use Stockholm in their name. In reality, they’re located more than 100 km (62 mi) away from Stockholm’s city center! (These airports are mostly used by ultra-budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air.)

To get to Stockholm from Arlanda, you can take either a train, bus, or taxi. Commuter trains (pendeltåg) run from the airport to the Central Station for 128 SEK ($12.19 USD) one-way, taking about 40 minutes. More expensive Arlanda Express trains cost 288 SEK ($27.43 USD) one-way, but get to the city centre in just 20 minutes. Flygbussarna airport buses cost 119 SEK ($11.34 USD) one-way and reach Cityterminalen Station in 45 minutes.

To get to Stockholm from Bromma, take the Flygbussarna airport bus to Cityterminalen Station. Tickets cost 85 SEK ($8.09 USD) one-way. Taxis are also available.

By train

Local commuter trains and international connections both stop at Stockholm’s Central Station.

The station is large and oftentimes chaotic. You’ll find dozens of shops and restaurants, luggage storage boxes, and tourist information counters.

For the latest train routes and schedules, check out ACP Rail (national and international services) and SL.se (regional services).

By bus

Long-distance bus journeys from around Sweden and beyond will stop at Cityterminalen Station, located right next door to the train station. This is also where you’ll be dropped off if you’re taking a bus from Arlanda or Bromma Airports.

The modern and spacious bus station offers a few handy shops and luggage storage facilities.

Getting around Stockholm

While a few of Stockholm’s boroughs are walkable, the city as a whole is quite spread out, making public transportation the best option.

Stockholm’s public transport is clean, efficient, and safe. It consists of the metro (T-Banan), trams, regional trains, buses, and a boat shuttle from island to island.

To use Stockholm’s public transportation system, you’ll need to buy a reloadable SL Access Card. They cost 20 SEK ($1.90 USD) and can be purchased at tourist information offices, Pressbyrån convenience stores, and Stockholm Public Transport (SL) centers.

Once you have your SL Access Card, you can load it up with money at any of the ticket machines at the stations. A 24-hour ticket costs 165 SEK ($15.72 USD) and gives you unlimited rides for one day. Otherwise, you can buy single tickets for 39 SEK ($3.72 USD). These are good for 75 minutes and allow you to transfer between trains, trams, and buses.

Fun fact: Sweden is a largely cash-free society, with only 1% of all payments being made with cash or coins. Make sure to keep your credit or debit card handy!

Where to stay in Stockholm, Sweden

Budget (under $100 USD/night)

• Generator Stockholm: Trendy hostel with a fun party scene
• Rygerfjord: Quirky hotel on a floating ship
• Wasa Park Hotel: Guesthouse with basic and comfortable rooms

Mid-range (between $100 and $200 USD/night)

• Hotel Tre Små Rum: Hotel in a 19th-century townhouse
• Old Town Stay Hotel: Airy rooms and a shared kitchen space
• Radisson Blu Royal Park Hotel: Bayside hotel with an indoor pool and sauna

Bougie (over $200 USD/night)

• Hotel Frantz: Upscale property with sophisticated rooms
• Hotel Hornsgatan: Cute and classic rooms with free breakfast
• Hotel With Urban Deli: Chic boutique hotel with underground rooms

Stockholm FAQ

Is Stockholm worth visiting?

Yes, without a doubt! Stockholm is an aesthetically stunning and culturally rich city that has a lot to offer. There’s a little bit of something for everyone — beautiful natural surroundings for the outdoor enthusiast, a plethora of museums for the history buff, and top-notch Scandinavian restaurants for the foodie.

Between the gorgeous architecture, super friendly locals, and chic vibe, the “Venice of the North” is the perfect place for your next European city break!

Is one day long enough for Stockholm?

One day is enough time to get a taste of Stockholm and see some of the city’s main attractions, but it’s definitely not enough time to fully experience all that the city has to offer. Stockholm is a vibrant and culturally rich city with a lot to see and do, and it would take several days to truly explore everything in the area.

If you only have one day in Stockholm, you can still see many of the city’s main attractions, such as the Old Town (Gamla Stan), the Vasa Museum, and the Skansen Open-Air Museum. You could also consider taking a boat tour or riding a hop-on hop-off bus to see the city from a different perspective.

How long should I spend in Stockholm?

Depending on your interests and priorities, 3 days in Stockholm should be the perfect amount of time to spend.

This will give you enough time to explore Gamla Stan and Södermalm, visit a few museums, eat some delicious Swedish food, and even take a day trip around the Stockholm archipelago. If you’re interested in culture and history, you may want to spend even more time in Stockholm to fully explore the city’s museums and landmarks — there are a lot!

When is the best time to visit Stockholm?

Stockholm is a great destination year-round, but the best time to visit really depends on your personal preferences and what you hope to do while you’re there. Here are a few things to consider when deciding when to visit Stockholm:

• Summer (June-August): This is the most popular time of year to visit Stockholm. The weather is typically warm and sunny, with average high temperatures ranging from 20-22°C (69-72°F). There are also plenty of outdoor events, open-air markets, and festivals to enjoy. However, as peak season, it’s also the busiest and most expensive time to visit.
• Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November): These shoulder seasons offer more moderate weather, with average high temperatures ranging from 12-18°C (54-64°F). It’s generally less crowded and less expensive than the summer months, making it a good time to visit if you’re looking to avoid the crowds.
• Winter (December-February): Winter in Stockholm can be quite cold, with average high temperatures ranging from 0-7°C (32-45°F). Despite the chill, the city is beautifully festive during this time of year, with Christmas markets and lights adorning the streets. It’s also a good time to visit if you’re looking for more affordable accommodation.

Is the Stockholm Pass worth it for one day?

The Go City Stockholm Pass is an all-inclusive pass that allows entry to over 45 of Stockholm’s top attractions. A 1-day pass costs 549 SEK (around $55 USD).

With each individual attraction normally costing anywhere between 100 and 400 krona, you’d need to do a few activities per day to make the pass worth it. (Fewer if they’re worth more, more if they’re worth less!)

Ultimately, the Stockholm Pass is probably not worth it for just one day, unless you’re planning on cramming in a lot of high-value activities. If you plan out your itinerary in advance, though, it can be a great way to save some money.

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Thanks for reading this one day in Stockholm itinerary!

xoxo Niki