Stockholm's 12 Best Attractions And Destinations You Should Never Skip

Sweden's capital city is a walkable, historic, and immanently beautiful archipelago situated on the southeastern edge of the country. It's where the Nobel Prizes have been awarded annually for more than 100 years, and it also happens to have the "world's longest art gallery" in its metro system. Home to more than 1.7 million residents within the Stockholm metropolitan area, the city is by no means small. But, its picturesque waterways, historic old town, charming cobbled streets, cozy shops, and eateries make it feel more like an energetic town than a big city. Nearly 60 bridges connect the city's central 14 islands, thousands more of which make up the greater Stockholm Archipelago. Nestled among these is Svartsö, a bright green island that Rick Steves calls one of Europe's best island getaways.

In July, Stockholm sees more than 18 hours of sunlight; the days are much shorter in the winter, with only a little more than six hours of daylight in January. Summertime is warm and green, but winter is when Stockholm's inviting coziness is truly memorable, especially if you're traipsing through postcard-worthy snowy lanes in vibrant Gamla Stan. And with dozens of museums covering topics from historic warships to ABBA, Stockholm is great to visit any time of year. Just be aware that many attractions and businesses are cashless these days. To get you started, here are 12 attractions in the city you won't want to skip.

Gamla Stan is Stockholm's old town, full of historic buildings, quaint eateries, interesting bars, and picturesque walkways with views of the water. One of the most charming areas is Stortorget, Gamla Stan's central — and oldest — square, where colorful 17th-century merchant houses line the street. Its history can be traced to the Middle Ages, and despite its bright and cheerful disposition today, it was also famously the site of a brutal massacre known as the Stockholm Bloodbath in 1520. Stortorget means "Great Square," and it certainly lives up to its name, thankfully with more pleasant associations today. In the winter, it transforms into a gorgeous Christmas market — be sure to try the glögg, or mulled wine.

In addition to being a great place to book accommodations in Stockholm's historic heart, Gamla Stan offers plenty to explore. Check out the Nobel Prize Museum, or Nobelprismuseet, and explore The Royal Palace and its armory museum. Don't miss the opportunity to gaze up at the beautiful Storkyrkan — Stockholm Cathedral — with its atmospheric nave and unique brick columns. Then, grab a delicious bite to eat at one of many restaurants, like Stockholms Gästabud, where you can sample house-pickled herring and authentic Swedish meatballs.

One of the most-visited museums in all of Scandinavia, the Vasa Museum is home to a remarkably preserved 17th-century warship that, despite its disastrous beginnings, has become a national treasure. The wooden ship was launched in 1628, intended as a star of the Swedish navy, but despite pre-launch tests that demonstrated the ship was not floating safely, it set sail with much fanfare on August 10, 1628. The vessel didn't even make it a mile from its moorings before a strong gust of wind dramatically listed the Vasa to port and promptly sank it within view of everyone on shore. While some early attempts were made to recover the ship, it was too difficult to do so, and over time, knowledge of its exact location was lost — until 1956. Then, in 1961, its bulk was lifted out of the water, which had preserved it well throughout the centuries. The following year, the earliest version of the Vasa Museum was established.

Today's remarkable museum is home to more than 40,000 archaeological finds that were collected from inside and around the warship. The Vasa itself sits within a cavernous, atmospheric exhibition space, where you can walk around it, admire its wooden carvings, and learn about its incredible story. The museum is open daily, and adult admission is SEK 195 — about $20 USD — during the winter, and SEK 230 during the summer. Visitors 18 years and younger can visit for free.

Stockholm's Royal Palace is a prominent feature of Gamla Stan, an architectural marvel as well as a trove of Swedish history. Modeled after ancient Roman palaces, this one boasts more than 600 rooms across 11 floors, lavishly decorated in the Baroque style. Along with being the site of state events, it's also the Swedish monarch's official residence.

The palace is open to the public for visits throughout the year, and adult admission is SEK 200, or about $21 USD. You can also book admission that includes a pre-arranged 45-minute guided tour for SEK 50 more. Just a short walk west of the palace, visit Stockholm's oldest existing building, the Riddarholmen Church, which is open to the public during the summer. Riddarholmen Church is a former monastery dating to 1270, and it holds the tombs of Swedish kings.

Within a half-hour drive or bus ride from central Stockholm, nestled in a suburban island in Lake Mälar, check out a completely different style of royal residence: Drottningholm Palace. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this property contrasts the hulking, state-focused palace in the city center with a more elegant design inspired by France's Palace of Versailles. Dating to the 17th and 18th centuries, Drottningholm Palace still contains much of its original furniture and decor, a fantastic theater, and excellently preserved gardens and grounds, including a Chinese pavilion.

In a city where winter brings snow, cold, and darkness, the network of underground subway tunnels serve as a much-needed refuge from the elements. As a bonus for tourists and commuters alike, Stockholm's subway stations actually double as a giant public art program with multifaceted sculptures, illuminated displays, and installations throughout 100 stations. Extending nearly 70 miles in total, the art-filled network is sometimes considered the "world's longest art gallery," per The Guardian, and it's an initiative that has been central to the city's transit system since 1957.

T-Centralen, Stockholm's central subway hub adjacent to the city's main railway station, was the first to feature artwork — beautiful blue floral motifs by artist Per Olof Ultvedt — and it remains one of the most recognizable in the system. In Ostermälm, northeast of Gamla Stan, Stadion subway station features a vibrant rainbow.  Kungsträdgården station is among the most impressive in the downtown area, with a color scheme of red, green, and white as a nod to the royal palace and French gardens that once existed on the grounds above. 

Attractions like Skansen are the reason why Sweden is considered one of the most family-friendly countries to visit in Europe. The open-air museum — notably, the world's first — chronicles centuries of Swedish history through more than 190 reconstructed buildings. It sits within the expansive Djurgården, an island parkland filled with green spaces and museums, and spans around 75 acres. Wander along charming lanes, stroll through the gardens, and visit houses and other structures staffed by costumed interpreters representing different time periods. The oldest structure delves into what life was like during the 1300s, while the most recent one explores life in the 1950s. Entry fees vary by season, but you'll always save a little bit by booking online in advance. Children up to 15 years old get in for free.

Skansen is a popular place for weddings and events, and it also hosts a Christmas market on weekends during the month leading up to the holiday. Shop for souvenirs or gifts and taste seasonal Swedish specialties like glögg, roasted nuts, and kolbullar — pancakes served with bacon and lingonberry preserves.

Whether you're looking for a tasty souvenir or a unique place to eat while on vacation, look no further than the Saluhall, or Food Hall, in Östermalm. Established in 1888, its beautiful stalls feature produce, seafood, meat, bakery, confectionery, and more, alongside restaurants and cafes serving up fresh dishes. Lisbeth Janson, a produce vendor, has been selling fresh fruits and vegetables — many locally grown — at the Saluhall for more than seven decades. Melanders Fisk & Vilt serves up the freshest seafood, and M Seger provides charcuterie and Swedish specialties. You'll also find plenty of international fare, like Italian restaurant Gabagool, French cuisine at Bistrot du Passage, and Lebanese nibbles at Beirut Café.

Royal Djurgården, often referred to simply as Djurgården, is home to numerous museums like the Nordic History Museum, Skansen, the Viking Museum, the ABBA Museum, and more. The area also features expansive green spaces and picturesque destinations like Rosendals Trädgård, a commercial greenhouse and farm shop with a cozy cafe, and Princess Estelle's Sculpture Park, which features large-scale works by acclaimed artists in a natural setting. Visits are rewarding any time of year, but Rick Steves also encourages visiting this part of Europe during summer despite the crowds to take advantage of the greenery and longer days. 

Stop by the visitor center — open all year long — to pick up local maps, find information about the park and its attractions, and grab a souvenir in the small gift shop. And if you're up for a thrill, Gröna Lund is a popular amusement park right on the water — perfect for the whole family, with easy ferry access to other parts of the city. You can even stay in the park at one of two hotels: Backstage and Hasselbacken. Backstage emphasizes sophisticated cool, while Hasselbacken is a distinguished and historic hotel that has hosted numerous dignitaries and celebrities over the years.

The large, busy district of Södermalm is a trendy, go-to spot for food and shopping. The island sits just south of downtown and the historic center of Gamla Stan — hence its nickname Söder, meaning "south." For great views of the skyline, head to either Fjällgatan or Monteliusvägen, the latter of which is a pleasant and photo-worthy walking path where you'll encounter panoramic views of Gamla Stan and beyond. Afterward, sit down for a comforting meal at Lebanese restaurant Tabbouli or the atmospheric Söders Hjärta for delicious European cuisine.

For those who love the thrill of the hunt, the thoroughfare called Hornsgatan is fondly known as the "Slow Fashion District," thanks to its high concentration of great vintage clothing shops and other secondhand boutiques. SoFo, or South of Folkungagatan, is a hub for hip boutiques specializing in everything from clothing to home decor. During the last Thursday of every month, the shops in this district stay open until 9 p.m., often with special offers and events. Nighttime is when a lot of places come to life in Södermalm, which is a great destination for clubs and concerts. Catch a performance at Folkoperan, an opera house within a historic century-old cinema, or head to the illustrious Debaser night club.

Stockholm is an archipelago, and therefore, a metropolis of unique maze-like waterways. It may take a little while to orient yourself to the layout of the city on your first visit, but the Stockholm Public Transport system is both well-organized and easy to navigate. The transit system includes buses, subway trains, commuter trains, trams, and many ferries, and a single ticket offers unlimited access for 75 minutes. As of this writing, a single standard fare is SEK 43, equivalent to about $4.50 USD. All of this to say, you should definitely take advantage of the ferry system to soak up stunning views of Stockholm from the water.

Guided boat cruises are another enjoyable way to take in the scenery in comfort and venture farther into the Stockholm Archipelago. The tours range from two-hour trips to day-long excursions, and are often accompanied by a bit of informative narration along the way. An archipelago tour provided by Tours & Tickets, for example, departs from the east side of Gamla Stan and heads through the Djurgården canal, continuing east past the charming islands of Fjäderholmarna, Stora Höggarn, and Tegelön before returning to the city. Alternatively, book a regional ferry to Grinda, a stunning nature escape just outside of Stockholm with serene swims and hikes.

Immediately recognizable with its tall, angular tower and brick facade, Stockholm City Hall is an iconic landmark. Its architecture is stunning inside and out, with lavish interior mosaics in what's known as the Golden Hall that trace many generations of Swedish history. The 8 million bricks used to construct Stockholm City Hall were made locally, and the building is also home to a collection of beautiful tapestries and ceiling murals.

See these details and more on a public guided tour, which can be enjoyed in either English or Swedish and takes about 45 minutes. Tours are offered on a regular basis throughout the week, depending on holidays and events in the building, which is still a working civic and political center. The tour schedules for the month can be found on the Stockholm City Hall's official website. A self-guided stroll around the sculpture-filled City Hall Park is also a lovely way to take in views of the water and the building's exterior style.

Annually since 1901, Stockholm City Hall is the locus of the esteemed Nobel Prize ceremony, during which laureates receive prizes for physics, chemistry, medicine, and literature — the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway. Learn more about the recipients and the history of the prize with a visit to the Nobel Prize Museum in Gamla Stan.

Sweden's National Museum is a treasure trove of European art and design from the 1500s to contemporary times. It houses a collection of more than 5,000 objects ranging from sculpture, to painting, to applied arts, which are organized chronologically throughout the museum. You'll find masterpieces by titans of art history like Rembrandt van Rijn, Paul Gaugin, Artemisia Gentileschi, and many more. And along with its permanent holdings, the museum hosts rotating exhibitions that showcase a wide range of creative endeavors over the centuries. Visit between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, or until 8 p.m. on Thursday — standard adult admission is SEK 160, or roughly $16.75 USD. Visitors under 20 years old get in for free.

If you can't get enough of the modern side of the National Museum, take a 10-minute stroll across Skeppsholmsbron to Moderna Museet, Sweden's most prominent modern and contemporary art museum. Its rapidly growing collection includes around 2,000 pieces, all of which were added within a span of just five years. A sizeable handful of works are on display in an ongoing exhibition called "The Art of Collecting," that highlights a breadth of media and perspectives that form the institution's vision. A robust program of temporary exhibitions also showcase artists from Sweden, Europe, and around the world.

Located within the former brick-clad Customs House on the northern edge of Södermalm, Fotografiska is a must-see for photography-lovers. The relatively new museum, established in 2010, is a hub for contemporary photography, visual arts, and culture. It started in Sweden but has since expanded to a number of other cities globally, including New York, Shanghai, Berlin, Oslo, and Tallinn. Here at the flagship, you can visit edgy, provocative, and sophisticated exhibitions relating to lens-based art, focusing on both Swedish photographers and international artists. 

One of Fotografiska's highlights is its on-site restaurant. Culinary themes that run for about two months dig into different facets of Swedish cuisine and food culture at large, from seafood, to plant-based delicacies, to sustainability. The dinner tasting menu costs SEK 1,250, or about $130 USD, at the time of writing. Wine tastings and à la carte options are available, and admission to Fotografiska exhibitions are included with your reservation. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday, or you can opt for a more casual lunch and snacks at the bistro.

Stockholm is Sweden's cultural, political, and administrative capital, so it's no surprise that there are dozens of museums and cultural attractions to see — some worth numerous visits. To narrow down 12 that you shouldn't skip, especially if you've never visited before, we researched tourism sites like VisitSweden.com and VisitStockholm.com. For opening times, admission rates, historical context, and other practical information, we referred to the official websites of businesses and institutions like KungligaSlotten.se, StockholmMuseum.com, VasaMuseet.se, RoyalDjurgarden.se, Skansen.se, OstermalmsHallen.se, Stadshuset.Stockholm, NobelPrize.org, Nationalmuseum.se, and others. We also drew from the historical information and data provided by UNESCO and online encyclopedias. In addition to the author's personal experience visiting Stockholm, we relied on visitor reviews on trusted platforms like Tripadvisor, Google, and Get Your Guide to determine the city's most popular attractions and experiences.