The capital of Sweden. A country of beautiful winters, nature, moose, Vikings and Abba. This is a story about how Stockholm stole my heart. I loved that city and here are my reasons why and tips on what places you should visit as well.
Why to visit Stockholm
There are several reasons why I loved this city. It has a magical atmosphere and is very peaceful. So let’s list some reasons why to visit below:
- The city was so peaceful. Walking the streets, visiting metro stations or other attractions there were just a bunch of people. It was never overcrowded. This may be based on the time I was visiting (in April during weekdays). I was probably lucky because the weather was also amazing and that added to the vibe.
- The little streets in the old town city center were magical. The buildings were beautiful, the view on the water was great and there were some pretty cool attractions. There were also a lot of souvenir shops and restaurants with good food. This brings me to the next point.
- Great food. If you like seafood, you can enjoy some Swedish specialities. Definitely you can not miss the Swedish meatballs. I had mine elsewhere than in Ikea, and they were incredibly amazing.
- Mythology. If you are interested in the Vikings or old fairy tales, this country has more than enough. Museums, souvenir shops, books or even amazing thematic restaurants are easily available in Stockholm.
Note: Sweden has a different currency. They use Swedish krona or crowns. But in general I didn’t have problems with using the card anywhere I was.
Places to visit
- Gamla stan and the old town. An amazing place to visit. Gamla stan is a square with great architecture, a lot of restaurants and an unforgettable vibe. Very close you can find the royal palace. Wandering the street you find a huge variety of souvenir shops.
- Museums. Stockholm has so many museums that you would need a few days to visit them all. I visited Skansen, this is an outdoor museum showing you life in the past. It is huge and you need at least a day to enjoy it fully. It offers historical houses, a little zoo, thematically dressed guides that tell you a story about the place or answer your questions, food stands or restaurants that can’t be missed and of course souvenir shops. Other museums you can’t miss are the Viking museum, Abba museum, Vasa museum, History museum, Moderna museum and many more. Most of the museums are on one island.
Tip: You can also visit the amusement park.
- Market hall. If you want to enjoy some delicious national food I fully recommend this place. It has several food stands that sell food to go or to enjoy at the place. You can find there fresh meat, prepared lunch or snacks and also desserts. I recommend meat balls or a shrimp sandwich.
- City hall. It is a popular tourist spot. The enormous hall is beautifully decorated and you can enjoy a tour through the hall and a tower.
- Have a walk. This is what I love to do on most of my trips. Get lost. The little streets are magical. You can find amazing places without you planning it. I enjoyed walking in Stockholm a lot. It offers so much. The walk near the water is so calming. In the evening the atmosphere is unforgettable. You can also find a lot of parks and I was stunned how peaceful this city was.
- Visit the metro stations. The thing you definitely cannot miss are the metro stations. Stockholm has the most beautiful metro stations full of art. I loved it so much. You need a ticket or a metro card to get there, that can be a bit expensive but I promise you, it’s unforgettable.
- If you want to visit the metro, check out my Guide to Stockholm metro
Note: Stockholm has a lot of hills. It’s nice to use the metro but remember that it’s quite pricey.
Book activities in Stockholm
Prices
Sweden is one of the pricier countries, but it can be done on a budget. The hotel was quite affordable and pretty amazing. You can easily find great hostels as well for better prices. The food was delicious and worth all the money. But you can still visit Ikea and enjoy the best meatballs for just 8€. The transport card was around 30€ for 3 days, that is quite pricey but you can have a ride anywhere in the city and enjoy the metro artwork, that was for me totally worth it.
Tip: Book a Flixbus ticket from and to the airport. It’s a lot cheaper than the airport buses.
People
Swedes are quite closed people, at least that’s what you read everywhere. They are considered rather introverted. I didn’t have that many interactions, but when I did talk to someone they were very friendly and kind. No one had a problem to help or give us an advice. I see Swedes as very well behaved and respectful people, openminded and creative. People that like to mind their own business but are not afraid to help the ones in need.
For me Stockholm was an amazing get away. I wouldn’t miss a chance to go back and I think you should definitely add it to your list.
I’ll give to this trip ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How would you rate this trip?