You’re going on a city trip to Stockholm for a weekend? These are the sights you shouldn’t miss! From the historic Old Town, Gamla stan, to wonderful sights, royal palaces and impressive museums – the Swedish capital has a lot to offer for a day trip. 48 hours in Stockholm will give you a small and lasting impression of this wonderful city.

Our travel tip: Keep your trip relaxed and adjust your itinerary to your own taste and pace. Instead of rushing to the sights, enjoy small moments to the fullest. Want to make your trip even more relaxed? Book a ticket for our Hop-on Hop-off bus and you won’t have to worry about public transportation either. You can get on and off as many times as you like to see the best sights of the city.

Explore the heart of Stockholm: Gamla stan

The history of Stockholm's Old Town, Gamla stan, dates back to the 13th century when the first houses were built on the island of Stadsholmen. Here you can walk around at your leisure and explore the heart of the city and its origins. Some of the attractions in Stockholm's Old Town include the Royal Palace, the German Church, which commemorates a time when half of Stockholm's population was German, and Storkyrkan.

Free city tours are ideal for exploring the city with an experienced guide. The one-and-a-half to two-hour tours of Stockholm's Gamla stan will guide you with wit and knowledge through what is probably the capital’s most famous area. Explore narrow alleys and cobbled streets, admire the colourful houses and learn all about Stockholm's turbulent past full of Vikings, ghosts and kings. Depending on how much you liked the tour, you can tip your guide.

Do you prefer to explore the area at your own pace? Take our free walking tour through the picturesque cobblestone streets to learn more about its history as well as Gustav III, King of Sweden between 1772 and 1792, who was murdered at the opera.

Take a Fika break

Fika is a must on any trip to Sweden and is often translated as "coffee and cake break". But it is much more than that: fika is a state of mind, an important part of Swedish culture and more like a whole attitude. Taking time for friends and colleagues during fika is considered important by many Swedes. Share a cup of coffee or tea and a sweet bite to eat with your loved ones and take a break during the day.

During traditional Swedish fika, you can enjoy delicious biscuits, Danish pastries or cakes. The most popular treat is the Kanelbullar, soft cinnamon buns sprinkled with coarse sugar. They are so popular, the Swedes even dedicated a holiday to them: October 4th is Cinnamon Bun Day. Another treat not to miss is the Kardemummabulle, a bun with subtle cardamom flavour and heavenly soft dough. 

Marvel at the Royal Palace

Stockholm’s Royal Palace located in Gamla stan is one of Europe’s oldest palaces. While the façade of the "Kungliga slottet" is quite imposing, it is not particularly ornamental. The Royal Palace is the residence and workplace of the Swedish royal family. You might even be able to spot them through the windows.

The baroque-style palace is open to the public all year round and consists of more than 600 rooms divided between eleven floors. Here, you can discover preserved interiors from as early as the 17th century that each monarch has left their traces on. It is further home to three museums and an impressive library where you can dive deeper into Stockholm’s medieval history and marvel at some of Gustav III’s antiquities.

Cruise the canals

Did you know that Stockholm is spread across 14 different islands that are connect through more than 50 bridges? Hence, a boat tour is perfect to see the Swedish capital from a different perspective, especially if you're only spending one day in Stockholm.

Our one-hour Royal Bridges & Canals Tour takes you to the most beautiful places in the Swedish capital. Get to know the city and its surrounding islands as our boat cruises along the narrow canal and open bays. You will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view of the Stockholm skyline. So be sure to have your camera ready!

Stockholm’s best attractions on Djurgården

The lush green island of Djurgården is home to some of the most impressive attractions in the city, consisting of the Vasa Museum, the ABBA museum as well as the Gröna Lund amusement park. The ABBA Museum dedicated to the world-famous pop group is a must to get a glimpse into Stockholm’s contemporary pop history. Here, you can play, sing along to and mix original music snippets, virtually try on the band’s costumes and perform on the stage alongside your idols.

The maritime Vasa Museum is Scandinavia’s most popular museum that doesn’t revolve around art. Its name stems from the Vasa, a beautifully preserved 17th century ship that is definitely the highlight of the exhibition. In addition to the ship, the Vasa Museum also houses various exhibitions on the short but nevertheless extensive history of the Vasa.

The Gröna Lund Amusement Park is Sweden's oldest amusement park, uniquely situated right over the water. Get your daily dose of adrenaline from 30 exciting rides and try a scrumptious variety of food and snacks in the park's six restaurants. During summer, the park also hosts concerts and special performances for different age groups, making a visit here enjoyable for visitors of all ages.

Besides these attractions, there is even more to see on Djurgården. The area around Rosendal’s Garden and the Djurgården canal are some of the most scenic areas on the whole island. They are the perfect spots for a hike or simply to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

 

You can find inspiration for what to eat during your weekend trip to Stockholm here in our Stockholm Food Guide.