Spread across 14 islands, Stockholm has a lot to offer. But not every traveller has the time and luxury to explore every nook and cranny. Even if you’re just here for a weekend, it’s enough to get a sense of what Stockholm is all about: exciting art, rich history, innovative food and, a fantastic culture that keeps travellers coming back for more.
If you’re visiting for two days and looking for things to do in Stockholm, take a look at this two-day itinerary for some great ideas on how to see the most of the Swedish capital.
Day 1
Short sightseeing tour
Start your day at Strömkajen with the lovely Royal Canal Tour or if you are here during the winter try the popular Stockholm Winter tour. This 50-minute boat tour will take you past the Vasa Museum, Waldemarsudde and many of Stockholm’s most beautiful historic buildings.
Gamla Stan, the Old Town
Continue your day with a walk through the cozy alleys and streets of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s well preserved Old Town. Here, you can visit the Royal Palace with its grand apartments, the Treasury with state regalia and the changing of the royal guard.
Try Swedish fika
In Gamla Stan you’ll also find many of Stockholm’s most popular cafés and talked about restaurants. In other words, a great place for a delicious lunch or fika. Going for a fika is a very Swedish thing. Fika basically means to meet up for a coffee and snack. Make sure to try a Swedish cinnamon or a cardamom bun with your coffee. Have a try before heading out to your last stop, City Hall.
City Hall
Its characteristic tower with three crowns is a Stockholm landmark and gives you an unparalleled view of the city. The building is famous for its grand ceremonial halls and unique pieces of art, and for being the venue of the Nobel Prize banquet every year.
Day 2 – Alternative 1
The island of Djurgården
Time to take the tram to one of Stockholm’s most popular areas, Royal Djurgården! The island collects many of Stockholm’s must-see attractions in one place and in walking distance from each other.
Skansen open-air museum
Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum, is a fantastic place to see and step inside preserved buildings and farmsteads, and meet the Swedish fauna up-close. For tickets, see link below.
Vasa Museum
Royal Djurgården is also the site of Scandinavia’s most visited museum, the Vasa Museum. This unique attraction hosts the world’s only preserved seventeenth century ship, the Vasa.
The costly warship turned out to be a feat of truly catastrophic engineering, sinking during
its maiden voyage. But the unique chemical composition of Lake Mälaren preserved it until it was found 333 years later by researchers in 1961. The majestic ship in its entirety is now on display in the museum.
If you prefer, you could visit the ABBA Museum instead of the Vasa Museum. The ABBA Museum is located just across the street from the Skansen open-air museum. For tickets, see link below.
Day 2 – Alternative 2
Fotografiska Museum of Modern Photography
If you’d rather spend your second day in a more contemporary setting, start the day at Fotografiska. With its 2,500 square meters Fotografiska is the world’s largest museum of modern photography. Be sure to have a lunch at the museum’s organic restaurant. Aside from offering a splendid view, the cantina has been recognized as the world’s best museum restaurant. For tickets, see link below.
Moderna Museet
From the Fotografiska you’ll be able to see your next stop, Moderna Museet (The Museum of Modern Art) at Skeppsholmen. You can reach it either by taking a ferry from Skeppsbron or strolling past the Royal Palace, Grând Hotel, the renovated Nationalmuseum and on to Skeppsholmen.
Besides its impressive collection of contemporary art, with works by Picasso, Dali and Warhol, Moderna Museet hosts temporary exhibitions by some of the 20th century’s most important artists.
Add-on for Day 1 or Day 2
Art in the subway
Even though Stockholm is a very walkable city, take the opportunity and use the Stockholm’s subway system while you are here, as it’s truly one of a kind. There are one hundred stations, each with unique art on its platform, walls or waiting hall.
So spending a day in Stockholm’s metro is basically like visiting the world’s longest art exhibition. Some of the more famous stations are:
- T-Centralen (blue line)
- Kungsträdgården
- Solna Centrum
- Stadion
- Citybanan Odenplan
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Sightseeing tours, activities and entrance tickets
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Source: This article is based on material provided by Visit Stockholm.
