A day in Stockholm

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Stockholm in one day

Why you should see Stockholm


A perfect day in Stockholm? You need more time to see the capital Sweden and really get to know your surroundings. Stockholm is not only the seat of the Swedish government. The royal family lives here. Maybe you'll be lucky like us and see members of the royal family during your visit. But even if you don't experience a major event involving the king's family during your visit, the city is extremely interesting. 1 day in Stockholm is short.

 

City Conference Center - a perfect day in Stockholm
City Conference Center - a perfect day in Stockholm

 

A day in Stockholm after our river cruise on the Göta Canal

We reach Stockholm from one Journey on the Göta Canal. On the Juno we were traveling on one of the oldest passenger ships in the world. This took us from Gothenburg across Sweden to Stockholm. The capital of Sweden should be seen by anyone who is interested in the cities on the outskirts of Sweden Baltic Sea interested.

Places mapped by Wanderlog, a trip planner on iOS and Android

 

 

On Gamla Stan you can see the king's palace and the parliament as well as alleys where you can stroll around. Stockholm is the city where the Nobel Prize is awarded every year. A visit to the town hall is also worthwhile. It's nice to take a stroll along the promenade that runs along the water. There you will quickly get an impression of how important the proximity to the sea plays in Stockholm. This is also one of the reasons why we recommend more time than one day for Stockholm. The archipelago outside Stockholm is worth a stay of several days. We exclude this island world and the surroundings of Stockholm on Lake Mälaren from our recommendations for a short trip to Stockholm because the time is too short. Before your trip, consider whether you can extend your stay in Stockholm. The city and its surroundings are worth it.

 

The Nobel Prize is awarded in the Stadshus
The Nobel Prize is awarded in the Stadshus

 

Discover Stockholm

What can you do in Stockholm in 1 day? First of all: one day is far too little time to really get to know this interesting city. We were there for three days and there is still so much to discover. Nevertheless, not everyone has the time for a long stay in Stockholm. That's why I'm collecting tips here on how 24 hours are enough to get an overview of the city and its sights.

 

 

 

Explore Stockholm comfortably from the boat - tip for 1 day in Stockholm
Explore Stockholm comfortably by boat - tip for 1 day in Stockholm

 

Provide an overview of the sights

Stockholm's core is Gamla Stan, the Old Town, from which the city has spread over the centuries in all directions and over several islands. Many parts of the city can be reached by boat quicker than by road. Therefore, I think that a city tour by boat is essential for a stay in Stockholm.

 

This is what you need for 1 day in Stockholm

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Many boat tours leave from Strömgatan
Many boat tours leave from Strömgatan - perfect for 1 day in Stockholm

 

With a boat tour you can easily reach the Stockholm sights in 1 day

Stockholm lies on one side of the Baltic Sea and on the other side is bordered by Lake Mälaren. The city is also spread over several islands. So water is something that you come across again and again in Stockholm. Therefore, you should definitely see Stockholm from the water to discover this proximity to the sea and the lake itself. 24 hours in Stockholm allow you the city tour by boat can plan well into it. This tour takes you to the city's top attractions, only discovering them from the water. The nice thing about this boat tour: you can get out again and again along the way to take a closer look at certain attractions.

 

 

In order to see as much of the city as possible in 24 hours, we recommend these tours because they take you directly to the highlights and save time that would otherwise be spent traveling on public transport, which makes more frequent stops and requires valuable time. We have the Boat trip done without stopping. We describe what we saw in the article, which you can access via this link.

 

 

 

Vasa Museum
A direct jetty does not exist at the Vasa Museum (right)

 

Vasa Museum

You shouldn't miss it Vasa Museum, probably the most famous museum that Stockholm has to offer. In it you can see the almost completely preserved ship Vasa from the 17. See the century. Nowhere else in the world is there such a well-preserved ship from that time. The ship sank shortly after its launch in the harbor and was there 1956 rediscovered and salvaged. Like yours Vasa Museum in one hour optimal visit You can recommend the specialists of the museum (in English) at this link. Whether and how long you have to wait at the entrance to the museum depends on the number of visitors on the day of your visit. Without waiting it will be difficult to organize, unless you book the not cheap 2,5 hourly guided tour including Vasa Museum without waiting times *.

 

A stroll through Gamla Stan
A stroll through Gamla Stan

 

Discover Stockholm actively

If you want your Stockholm tour to be more active, you can get to know Stockholm by bike. There are various tours of different lengths and at different times of the day.

You may also like these activities offered in Stockholm*. You will get to know Sweden's capital in a varied and sometimes extraordinary way. On some of these adventures you can discover the city the Swedish way. What do you think about a kayak tour or a wildlife safari? Or camping on one of the islands?

 

A huge selection of fudge
A huge selection of fudge

 

 

We decided to see Gamla Stan on our own. You can follow in our footsteps on the suggested walk.

Let yourself drift through the modern city center north of Gamla Stan and look at the great buildings that are here. There is always impressive architecture to discover here. Cross the bridge from Nörrbro in the direction of the opera or the Riksbron coming from Riksdag to the north and you are right in the middle of modern Stockholm.

 

The Swedish Foreign Ministry at Gustav Adolfs Torg
The Swedish Foreign Ministry at Gustav Adolfs Torg

 

Explore Stockholm's history and culture

Do you want to know more about the history and culture of the city? Maybe you are interested in the history of ABBA. Or do you want to learn more about the Vikings? What role do murder and manslaughter play in the city? In the Sigtuna Village you will learn more about Sweden's oldest city. In Markim-Orkest it even goes back to the Bronze Age. Churches from the Middle Ages are also exciting. Or do you want to know more about Swedish beer? There is a lot to discover in and around Sweden's capital.

 

The opera of Stockholm
You can see the opera on our perfect day in Stockholm

 

Travel costs and budget tips

A day in Stockholm doesn't have to be expensive if you plan wisely. Start your day with breakfast in one of the city's many cafés. For around 10 euros you can get a decent breakfast. Afterwards you can, for example, use the subway to explore the city. A day ticket costs around 13 euros and is a cost-effective option for getting from A to B.

If you want the old town gamla stan If you visit, save yourself the money for expensive souvenirs. Instead, enjoy a stroll through the narrow streets. Lunch in Stockholm can be expensive, but there are also cheaper alternatives. Food courts and street stalls often offer delicious meals for under 15 euros.

Museums and attractions can cost money. However, if you Stockholm Pass* If you buy one for around 60 euros, you have free entry to more than 60 attractions. This is a real money saver if you want to see a lot.

For the evening I recommend eating in one of the less touristy areas. In Södermalm you will find numerous restaurants that offer inexpensive dinners for around 20 euros. At the end of the day you can take a walk by the water, which is free and always relaxing.

With a budget of around 100 to 120 euros, you can spend a fulfilling day in Stockholm without having to make any compromises.

questions

What type of clothing should I bring for a day in Stockholm?

The weather in Stockholm can be changeable. So pack one light jacket and comfortable shoes for sightseeing.

Are there free activities I can do in Stockholm?

Yes, many parks like Djurgården are accessible free of charge. Some museums also offer free entry on certain days.

How safe is Stockholm for tourists?

Stockholm is considered one of the safest cities in Europe. Nevertheless, it is advisable to pay attention to your valuables in crowds.

Where can I buy cheap souvenirs?

Avoid tourist areas for souvenirs. You can often find cheaper and more authentic souvenirs in neighborhoods like Södermalm.

Is tipping customary in restaurants and cafes?

While tipping is not mandatory in Sweden, it is appreciated. Simply round up the amount or leave an extra 5-10% if the service was good.

 

Travel tips for Stockholm

 


Travel Arrangements:

Parking at the airport

Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.

How to get there

For example, book your journey by flight, bus or train*. Lufthansa and SAS fly to Arlanda. You can then continue your journey from there by rental car or public transport.

Car Rentals:

Cheap car hire - book quickly and easily!

Camper Rentals:

Compare motorhome prices here.

Stockholm sightseeing by boat:

In addition to the Hop on Hop off boat tours, there are others Sightseeing Boat Tours in Stockholm *for which you can also book tickets through Get Your Guide and avoid waiting in Stockholm.

City tours of Stockholm:

If your Stockholm on one City or Theme Tour * want to experience, then there is a large selection of tour options.

Hotels in Stockholm:

Stockholm Hotels * For example, you can book through our partner booking.com using this link. If you Accommodation in or near Gamla Stan * seek, you will find it here.

 

Travel Guide:

    • Stockholm MM City Travel Guide

Anyone who wants to get to know Stockholm is well equipped with this travel guide. Lisa Arnold suggests 9 sightseeing tours, including one by bike through Djurgarden. You will also find tips for the archipelago and excursions in the surrounding area. A city map and a metro map help with orientation.
Order here*

    • Stockholm - City Adventure

If you want to explore Stockholm beyond the usual sights, then this travel guide will also help you discover city adventures in Sweden's capital. For example, what do you think of walking across a castle roof? Or would you rather watch moose? More than half of the Stockholm tips are free or very inexpensive.
Order here*

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Stockholm in one day
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Source A perfect day in Stockholm: research on site. We financed this perfect day in Stockholm ourselves. Our opinions definitely remain our own. Updated: September 2023

Text A perfect day in Stockholm: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Videos A perfect day in Stockholm: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline

A day in Stockholm

Monika Fuchs

Monika Fuchs and Petar Fuchs are the authors and publishers of the Food and Slow Travel blog  TravelWorldOnline. They have been publishing this blog since 2005. TravelWorldOnline has been online since 2001. Their topics are trips to Savor, wine tourism worldwide and slow travel. During her studies Monika Fuchs spent some time in North America, where she - partly together with Petar Fuchs - traveled to the USA and Canada and spent a research year in British Columbia. This intensified her thirst for knowledge, which she satisfied for 6 years as an adventure guide for Rotel Tours and then for 11 years as a tour guide for Studiosus Reisen around the world. She was constantly expanding her travel regions, but curiosity still gnawed at her: "What's beyond the horizon? What else is there to discover in this city? Which people are interesting here? What do they eat in this region?" As a freelance travel journalist (her articles have appeared in DIE ZEIT, 360° Canada, 360° USA, etc.), she is now looking for answers to these questions as a travel writer and travel blogger in many countries around the world. Petar Fuchs produces the videos on this blog as well as on YouTube. Monika Fuchs from TravelWorldOnline is among Germany's top 50 bloggers in 2021. Find more Information about Monika and Petar Fuchs here.

12 thoughts too "A day in Stockholm"

  1. Dear Monika,
    dear Petar,
    We were in Stockholm for a week and have not seen everything yet. We also did a boat trip. Stockholm is on so many islands, so you have to go boating.

    Since you can not pay in cash on the buses, it is important to buy a ticket for the means of transport in advance.

    Best regards,
    Renate

    1. Liebe Renate,

      I can well imagine. The city really offers a lot. Thank you for the tip with the buses. We did not know that yet.

      Best regards,
      Monika

    1. Hello Anna & Vanessa,

      the archipelago teases us too. We did a mini-cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki and Tallinn last year and also went through the archipelago. Such a stay is definitely a great experience.

      Best regards,
      Monika & Petar

  2. It seems you really didn't miss anything in Stockholm and you obviously enjoyed the sun too. I particularly liked the trip to the archipelago. We are also happy and frequent in Sweden, but less often in the "big city".

    1. We've only been to Sweden twice so far, but we've really enjoyed what we've seen so far. And it will surely be back on our itinerary soon.

  3. It must have been a wonderful day in Stockholm! And for cities, you really need a little time, because you have good opportunities to get an overview.

    1. That's it, dear Sabine. The weather was perfect with our boat tour through the city. And our walk through Gamla Stan has shown us impressive architecture.

  4. Nice report. For me the reference to visit the ABBA Museum is missing. For campers / campers, there are appropriate places, some with S- / U-Bahn connection.

    1. That's right, Martin. But we had no time for our Stockholm stay. And we are not such big ABBA fans that this is one of our must-dos in Stockholm. The campgrounds in the subway and S-Bahn connection sound interesting. Do you have addresses or links?

  5. I also like it best to let myself drift and Stockholm seems to be predestined, at least in the old town. And for the rest we take the boat. Thanks for the overview.

    1. You're right, Antje. We usually do that too. An orientation trip to get a first overview, and then go on your own.

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