5 Amazing Things To Do When Visiting Stockholm, Sweden

Explore the history, museums and see the beautiful archipelago during your stay in Stockholm, Sweden!

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You might be surprised to know, the beautiful city of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, sits on the Baltic Sea. It is made up of 14 different islands that are connected by more than 50 bridges.

Filled with rich history, the city is a growing modern metropolis of almost 1 million people. Walking along the cobblestone streets, I really appreciated just how clean and pleasant it is to explore the city!

For many people thinking of the weather in Sweden, their first thought may be of snow and cold. In fact, Stockholm’s latitude can mean cooler temperatures year round. It can also mean as few as 6 hours of daylight per day in the winter. Beyond that, the location on the water means the weather can actually be pretty temperate for the region. It has an average low in the 20’s during the winter and average high in the 70’s during the summer.

One of the best parts of traveling in any Scandinavian country is people speak English better than I do! That fact removes any concerns about a language barrier. Okay, maybe not better, but communication really is a breeze. In general, I have also found people to be friendly and happy to help if I have questions.

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Where To Stay In Stockholm

When I traveled to Stockholm, I chose to stay at the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel. I absolutely loved this hotel for many reasons beyond just the spacious and comfortable rooms. The first reason being that it was just across a bridge from Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town. I found it to be the ideal place to walk around or grab a bite to eat. In fact, the hotel was within walking distance to all of the activities I wanted to do! The second reason I loved this hotel was that it has an AMAZING breakfast. It can be included with your room price if you so choose! I highly recommend it so you can start your days off with a very happy tummy.

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If you’re lucky enough to be planning a trip to Stockholm, here are 5 amazing things to include in your itinerary:

Free Tour Stockholm

Anyone who knows me, knows I love a free walking tour! I recommend the very first thing you do in any city you visit is to take a walking tour. It is a great way to stretch your legs after a long day of travel. It can also help you get over your jet lag, and get your bearings in the new location.

Taking the walking tour of Stockholm will help give you a general overview of the history of the city. In addition, it gives you ideas for things you may want to go back and see later on. I found that the tour of Stockholm helped me start to feel comfortable navigating the city. I liked feeling like I always knew where I was going! The tour guide can also be a great resource for restaurant and activity recommendations which is a major bonus. Keep in mind that even if it says “free” you will want to bring cash to tip your guide!

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is located in Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm. From where I stayed at the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel it was short distance to get there. I would say about a 10 minute walk.

If you plan ahead, you can grab a spot to watch the changing of the guard ceremony. Something has been happening since the 1500’s! Make sure to check the timing though, as it can change depending on the day and time of year.

The palace itself is absolutely stunning! Wandering through the rooms you will be amazed at the beautiful craftsmanship and opulent finishes. You can choose to purchase a ticket and go on a guided tour if you like. If you prefer to go at your own pace, you can purchase a ticket to explore solo. Don’t worry, you can read the posted information signs to learn about the history.

Either way, it is a must to visit the Royal Palace. It is a perfect was to experience a little bit of the history of the Swedish Royal Family!

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Skansen Open-Air Museum

Skansen Open-Air Museum is one of the absolute best things you can treat yourself to while in Stockholm. If you have a nice day of weather on your schedule, make sure to pencil Skansen in ASAP.

The best way I can explain Skansen is to say it is like stepping back in time. As you walk through the streets you will experience five centuries worth of Swedish history. It is built like a real town, with buildings you enter to interact with characters dressed in period attire. You learn from them how to people used to make their food, clothing, and more. It is just as much fun as it is educational! There are opportunities to try things hands-on and experience what life was like for the people who lived centuries ago.

If you need more convincing, there are also food stalls, a petting zoo, folk music, dancing, and more to enjoy. It is fun for all ages!

Vasa Museum

Want to see something you can’t see anywhere else in the world? Then you need to head to the Vasa Museum. The Vasa was a ship that capsized due to some serious engineering errors back in the 1600’s. It sat at the bottom of the sea until it was pulled from the water over 330 years later.

The Vasa is the only preserved 17th century ship in the world. I tell you, it is quite the sight to see! This museum is a fun place to come and explore for a few hours. You’ll see a spectacularly detailed ship with an incredibly interesting history. Believe me, your trip to Stockholm would not be complete without a stop at The Vasa Museum!

Archipelago Excursions

Much of the history of Stockholm comes from it’s unique location on the Baltic Sea. In fact, Stockholm’s archipelago has over 30,000 islands!

As a result, one of my favorite ways to explore the history was to take a tour of the archipelago. All you have to do is sit back and relax with a drink and snack. The tour guide will talk you through the sights as they go by!

One of the unexpected bonuses of this tour was seeing the many adorable Swedish summer homes. They were perched on the tiny islands on the water. I could just imagine what fun it must be to spend weekends there.

This tour really is the best way to get a completely new perspective on Stockholm!

Are you planning your own trip to Stockholm? Or maybe you have already visited and had your own favorite activity? Either way, I want to hear from you!

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