Stockholm

Where islands, history and modernity meet

Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, stands on 14 islands connected by more than 50 bridges. The city balances modern architecture with preserved wooden houses from earlier centuries. Public transport runs efficiently and many neighborhoods are easy to walk through. Museums display art and history in buildings that once served practical purposes. Parks provide space for relaxation along the waterfront or inside green areas like Skansen, an open-air museum showing traditional Swedish life. Markets sell local food such as pickled herring and rye bread alongside modern cafes and shops.

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City in Sweden

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 9.1

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	9
Tap water:	10

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken, especially in restaurants, hotels, and shops. Most locals are fluent, making it very easy for tourists to communicate without knowing Swedish.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Stockholm Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Excellent for waterfront city scenery and museums. Explore historic Gamla Stan streets, visit famous museums, take boat trips through the archipelago and enjoy stylish cafés.

Place score

8.3

Best at:

Guided tours

Luxury shopping

Large cities

Walkable

Spotless

Personal score

Suited for

👶 9

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🌈 10

LGBTQ+

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

Sweden – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Swedish Krona (SEK) £1 ≈ SEK 13.23
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Sweden is one of the most cashless countries in the world. Nearly all transactions are conducted through digital means, with credit cards and mobile payments being standard. Cash is rarely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is optional in Sweden but appreciated. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving a 5-10% tip is customary. Taxi drivers expect a small tip or rounding up the fare, while hotel staff may appreciate a small tip for services.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Sweden in designated areas, especially during festivals and in outdoor events. However, drinking in public spaces such as streets and parks may be restricted.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned indoors in public places, including restaurants, bars, and public transport. Designated smoking areas are available in many public spaces.

Midsummer (June)	One of the most important holidays, with celebrations, festivals, and outdoor activities, expect crowded areas and increased travel.
Christmas (December)	Christmas celebrations with markets and events, expect higher prices and crowded cities.
Swedish National Day (June)	A national holiday with celebrations, parades, and festivals, particularly in Stockholm.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt
Other:	Sweden is known for its beautiful landscapes, from the Northern Lights in Lapland to the archipelagos. Be prepared for cold winters, especially if you plan to visit during the winter months.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Stockholm, Sweden

❄️

Jan

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Feb

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Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

🌤️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

☁️

Oct

❄️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	June - Aug.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Sep., Dec.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Archipelago ferries run most frequently from late June to mid August, reduced service in winter

Daylight ranges from about 6 hours in December to over 18 in June

Midsummer weekend in late June: most shops and restaurants closed, locals leave the city

Don't miss

👑 Visit the Royal Palace and watch the changing of the guard
🏘️ Explore Gamla Stan’s cobbled streets and colorful old houses
⛴️ Take a ferry to the Stockholm Archipelago’s scenic islands
⚓ Admire the Vasa warship at the Vasa Museum
☕ Enjoy fika with coffee and pastries in Södermalm cafés
🌇 See panoramic city views from the SkyView glass gondola

You've been here?

Why travel to Stockholm?

Stockholm is a city of contrasts: historic yet innovative, urban yet close to nature. You can explore medieval streets in Gamla Stan, visit world-class museums like the Vasa Museum or enjoy fika in stylish cafés. The city's waterfront setting makes it perfect for boat trips and island-hopping in the Stockholm Archipelago. While it can be pricey, the experience is worth it, especially in summer when the city is buzzing with life.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Gamla Stan
The historic heart of Gamla Stan features cobblestone streets, colorful wooden facades and centuries-old architecture. Its compact layout invites exploration through charming squares, hidden courtyards and vibrant cafes that define this timeless Swedish neighborhood.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Stockholm Palace
The grand Stockholm Palace stands on an island in the Baltic Sea. Its white façade overlooks the water, housing royal apartments and museums within a sprawling complex that feels both historic and majestic.
2 Vasa Museum
The Vasa Museum houses the world's most intact 17th-century warship, displayed in a striking glass hall. Its collection of maritime artifacts and historical exhibits offers an immersive journey into Sweden's naval heritage and the dramatic story of the ship's recovery.
3 Skansen
An open‑air museum and zoo on Djurgården island showcases Swedish life from medieval times to today. Visitors walk historic buildings, watch traditional crafts and see native wildlife in a preserved natural setting.
4 ABBA The Museum
Dedicated to the legendary pop group, this Stockholm museum celebrates their music and legacy. Visitors explore interactive exhibits about their global impact and creative journey through a modern space filled with memorabilia and history.
5 Modern Art Museum
6 Stockholm City Hall
7 Fotografiska
8 Nordic Museum
9 Drottningholm Palace

🎡Places for activities

1 Djurgården
A historic island in Stockholm's archipelago, Djurgården features museums, parks and a vibrant waterfront. Its green spaces offer peaceful views of the city skyline and waterways that define this charming district.
2 Stockholm Public Library
3 The Viking Museum
4 Fjäderholmarna
5 Kaknästornet
6 Monteliusvägen
7 Djurgården
8 Södermalm
9 Katarina Elevator

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Tantolunden
2 Hagaparken
3 Stockholm Archipelago
4 Humlegården
5 Tyresta nationalpark
6 Rålambshovsparken

🛍️Shopping

1 Gallerian
2 Westfield Mall of Scandinavia
3 NK
4 Östermalms Saluhall
5 MOOD

🎈Events

Stockholm Pride
Midsummer celebrations
Nobel Prize Ceremony
Stockholm Film Festival
Stockholm Jazz Festival
Lucia Festival
Christmas Markets
Summerburst Festival
Stockholm Marathon
Valborg (Walpurgis Night)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Buy an SL travel card; public transport is efficient, extensive and cashless.
Base yourself near Gamla Stan or Norrmalm for easy walking access to sights, restaurants, ferries and central transport hubs.
Expect high prices; picnic with supermarket food and use tap water, which is safe, excellent quality and freely available in many spots.
For great skyline views without crowds, walk Monteliusvägen on Södermalm around sunset, combining panoramic photos with a relaxed neighborhood stroll.

How to travel to Stockholm

Stockholm is well-connected via Arlanda Airport (ARN) with international flights. Other options include Bromma Airport (BMA) for regional flights, ferry connections from Finland and the Baltics and high-speed trains from Copenhagen and Oslo.

Access summary

From Arlanda (ARN): Arlanda Express train to central station, about 18 minutes.
From Gothenburg: Direct SJ trains to Stockholm, usually around 3–4 hours.
From Copenhagen: Direct SJ trains over Öresund Bridge, typically about 5–6 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Stockholm

Stockholm offers everything from luxury hotels to stylish hostels and cozy boutique stays. Gamla Stan is perfect for historic charm, Södermalm for a hip vibe and Norrmalm for convenience. Budget travelers can find good hostels and Airbnb options.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel Stockholm

9.1

Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel Stockholm

8.7

Hilton Stockholm Slussen

Downtown Camper by Scandic

9.1

Scandic Klara

9.0

Scandic Grand Central

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Stockholm

Public transport is excellent, with metro, buses, ferries and trams. The metro doubles as an art gallery, so it's worth exploring. Walking and biking are great options, especially in summer. A SL card is useful for unlimited travel.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+25 %

Daily expenses in Stockholm are around 25% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to SEK) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£85	£172	£492
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£38	£75	£188
🍝 Food per day	£33	£83	£258
🚕 Transportation per day	£14	£14	£46

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£36
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£11.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£9.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11.50
☕ Cappuccino	£4.30
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£6.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£3.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£26
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.40

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£15
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£32
🤧 Cold medication	£8.50
💇 Basic haircut	£27

Safety information overview

General safety

Stockholm is generally very safe, with low crime rates. Be cautious of pickpockets in tourist areas and public transport, especially during peak seasons.

Health & Medical

Healthcare is excellent, but private care can be expensive without insurance. Tap water is safe and pharmacies are well-stocked. No special vaccinations are needed.

Accessibility

Stockholm is accessible with ramps, elevators and adapted transport options. However, some old buildings and cobblestone streets in Gamla Stan can be challenging for wheelchairs.

Tap water

Tap water is of high quality and drinkable everywhere. Public water fountains are available and refilling bottles is easy.