Stockholm
Stockholm (seam. Stockholm [stɔ kː ɔ lm]) is the capital of Sweden and the largest city, with almost a million inhabitants in the city itself and 2.3 million in the Stockholm district. The downtown consists of 14 Mälaren islands and three streams to the brackish Baltic Sea, with the Stockholm archipelago of about 24 000 islands, islands and rocks. More than 30% of the city's surface is on waterways and another 30% is on green. Air and water are considered the latest of all European capitals.
Stockholm | |
Herb | |
Information | |
State | Sweden |
Region | Stockholm |
Surface | 188 km² |
Population | 764,689 |
Area Code | +46 (0)8 |
Zip Code | 100 00-200 00 |
Website |
Stockholm is the center of most Swedish rail and bus traffic and has two of the busiest airports nearby, so it is a good starting point for visiting other parts of Sweden.
Districts
The suburbs of Stockholm extend to most of the Stockholm region. The administrative division of Stockholm may be cumbersome - the boundaries of the municipality may cross districts.
This article describes areas that are geographically close and easy to visit together as districts; administrative boundaries of counties and municipalities may vary. The external parts of the county include Norrtälje, Sigtuna, Norrort, Stockholm Archipelago, Södertörn and Södertälje.
- Standard
In the central business district, also known as the City, there are several museums, hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, casinos, Royal Opera, concert hall and other concert scenes as well as the main railway and bus station. Includes Skeppsholmen, an island known for the museum.
- Vasastan and Hagastaden
Vasastaden includes the Public Library in Stockholm, the Stockholm Observatory and several stores with used clothing and nostalgia materials. Hagastaden is a district under construction, dominated by Karolinska University Hospital.
- Östermalm
District with city boulevards, National City Park and Port with several cruise ship terminals, Stureplan Square with exclusive shops and nightclubs, as well as Stockholm University, Royal Institute of Technology and several museums.
- Djurgården
Park island with facilities such as Skansen, Gröna Lund amusement park, Vasa Museum, ABBY Museum and Rosendal Palace.
- Gamla State
Old Town; the island dominated by the Royal Palace and the Swedish Parliament. The rest of the island is a picturesque collection of old buildings and narrow paved streets. The adjacent island of Riddarholmen has an important church and several historical government buildings.
- Södermalm
A durable island with buildings of all ages, with several viewpoints on the center of the city. Around the artistic part of SoFo (south of Folkungagatan) has many restaurants and pubs, as well as specialized shops and boutiques. On the main Götgatan street from north to south there are many bars and shops, especially around Medborgarplatsen Square.
- Kungsholmen
The island in the western part of the city, with Stockholm City Hall on the eastern edge. Further west is a collection of bars and restaurants in the neighborhood. To the west of the traffic junction Fridhemsplan island is more suburban. There are several parks and beaches.
- Västerol, Solna and Sundbyberg
Western suburbs are dominated by Stockholm-Bromma airport. Founded in the 1950s, Vällingby is one of the first planned suburbs of Europe. Solvalla is a horse racing stadium. Kista, the information technology center, contains only two skyscrapers in Stockholm. Solna and Sundbyberg, north of Stockholm, alone two cities. Solna is home to 50,000 Friends Arena, Hagaparken Royal Park and Karolinska Institute, medical facility.
- Search
The southern districts of the municipality of Stockholm include the Stockholm International Fair and the Forest Cemetery, which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Lidingö
A suburban island east of Stockholm, containing a museum of the sculpture of Millesgården; ski slope Ekholmsnäs; and Elfvik: cropland with multiple conference hotels.
Characteristics
Because of the glacial reflection, most of Stockholm today was underwater. Mälaren was a bay of the Baltic Sea throughout the Viking Age in the 9th and 19th century; Stockholm today was a waterway for the first Swedish cities; Birka, Uppsala and Sigtuna. Since Sigtuna was released by pirates in 1887, the Swedes had to strengthen the strait.
When the emerging areas cut Mälaren off from the sea in the thirteenth century, Stockholm became an important trading point. The city is to be founded by Birger Jaller (jarl is the title of the British Count), who built a fortress on the island later known as Gamla Stan. The first known written references to Stockholm date from 1252; this is the year of establishment considered. In the 15th century, Stockholm replaced Uppsala as an effective capital. Stockholm was a partner of the Hanseatic League and since its liberation from Denmark by King Gustava Vasa in 1523. Stockholm remains Sweden's most important shopping center, although Göteborg later became the biggest international port. In the 17th century, Stockholm was the base of the Swedish Empire, with a land surface twice the size of the country, almost surrounding the Baltic Sea.
Much of the downtown plan was developed in the 19th century, and since the 15th century, downtown buildings from all age groups still exist. Like the rest of Sweden, Stockholm was largely untouched by world wars, but especially between 1955 and 1975, hundreds of old buildings in Norrmalm were dismantled in a large-scale modernization process, following similar projects in other European cities.
Since 1901 In Stockholm, the annual Nobel Prize ceremony for all categories is held, with the exception of the peace prize, which is presented in Oslo. In the 20th century, the Stockholm metropolis spread to most parts of the Stockholm region, with the development of the Stockholm metro, famous for contemporary art. The suburbs of the fifties, such as Vällingby, have become a model for suburban development in other cities. While most attractions are located in the city center, most residents live in the suburbs.
Besides, the safe and peaceful city of Stockholm is also known as the Stockholm Syndrome, which was forged to describe the hostage's sympathy for the kidnapper during the bank robbery in Norrmalm in 1973.
Sustainable technology
Since the 21st century, Stockholm has been fighting to become the world's leading city in sustainable engineering, including waste management, clean air and water, carbon-free public transport and energy efficiency. Water in the lake is safe for bathing and in practice for drinking (although not recommended).
Some new districts with cutting-edge technology in this field are Hammarby Sjöstad, Norra Djurgårdsstaden and Hagastaden.
Climate
Despite its northern location, Stockholm has quite mild temperatures throughout the year. The city sees a dramatic seasonal variability of sunlight, from more than 18 hours of daylight in the middle of summer to about 6 hours of daylight during Christmas. Stockholm has an average of almost 2,000 solar hours per year. The average annual rainfall is 539 mm (21.2 ") and July and August are the most wet months. Snowfall may occur from late November to early April, but the amount of snow and snow on the ground varies considerably from year to year, as well as in winter. In Stockholm, no date is a safe choice for the winter; For a real Scandinavian winter, visit Dalarna or Norrland.
In other words, from May to September, the weather is most comfortable. From mid-summer until the end of July, most residents leave the city and some places are closed for the summer, making the city more dominated by tourists.
Directions
By plane
Stockholm operates several international airports; The dominant airport is Stockholm-Arlanda (near Sigtuna). Stockholm-Bromma is the only airport in the city. Airports in Skavsta (near Nyköping) and Västerås also receive international flights.

Arlanda airport
- 1 Arlanda Airport (ARN) 40 km north of the city is the largest airport in Sweden and the destination of most flights to Sweden. It consists of four terminals under the same roof. There are several ways of traveling between Stockholm and Arlanda:

By Train
The dedicated Arlanda express train departs from the basement of each terminal (Arlanda South/Södra and Arlanda North/Norra) and runs non-stop to the main railway station in Stockholm in 20 minutes, leaving every 15 minutes during the day. Tickets are sold in booths on the platform or on the Internet (100 kr surcharge for the purchase of a ticket on board). One-way tickets cost 280 kr for adults, 140 kr for students, 150 kr for youth <26. Two-way tickets cost 540 kr for adults, 280 kr for students, 300 kr for youth <26 years. Tickets with a discount for the weekend are available online. Trains have free wireless Internet access.
Regular trains operate the airport by a third station, Arlanda Central, under Sky City between Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. Suburban trains (pendeltåg) in Stockholm region are operated by a public transport company SL (see also #Communications). The J38 line of the Uppsala C suburban train through Stockholm Central Station to Noulvsjö (with the Stockholm International Trade Fair) stopping at all stations between, with peak hours still to Huddinge and Tumba. The train runs twice an hour and takes 38 minutes to Stockholm Main Railway Station. Tickets can be used and purchased at the entrance to the station, although anyone over the age of 18 must pay an additional fare of 75 kr for the journey between trains and the airport terminal in Arlanda. A one-way ticket with an additional fare for Arlanda to Stockholm costs 125 kr (110 kr for persons under 20 or over 65 years). For 210 kr (or 90 kr for youth) you get a 24-hour travel card (it is reduced to 190 kr for adults and 70 kr for youth if you already have an SL access card). All these prices include the fare for Arlanda. See SL for city tickets.
On the Linköping - Stockholm - Gävle route there are faster regional trains, which cost 278 kr (2nd class) to the center of Stockholm if they are purchased on site, but if booked approx. 45 days earlier, can be cheap even for 95 kr. They take 20 minutes, just like Arlanda Express, but they only work every hour (with a few strange breaks). Also, many intercity trains directed to cities such as Umeå, Mora or Östersund enter Arlanda. However, these trains must not be used to travel from the airport to the center of Stockholm. See the SJ website for regional/intercity rail tickets.
Local bus and rail
The cheapest trip between the airport and the main bus station is flixbus. They drive 2-4 times an hour in any direction from about 5 am to 23 pm, travel time about 50 minutes and prices start from 3,90 € (about 4,50 $). Plan and get tickets through the app with free Wi-Fi at the airport if needed.
The second cheapest and usually the slowest ride between Arlanda and Stockholm is the SL bus to Märsta and a switch to a suburban train. The local bus 583 (from outside the terminals) connects the airport to the Märsta railway station, connecting with frequent suburban trains (line J36, which arrives on platforms 15/16) to the center of Stockholm in 65 minutes, for a regular public transport fee of 60 kr per one way trip. At the airport you can buy several types of discount tickets, so this route is the cheapest but the slowest route to and from the Arlands; SL Access prepaid cards are valid throughout the journey. See Stockholm # Public Transport for more information on SL services and the ticket system.
By coach to the airport
Flygbussarna often runs between airport terminals 5, 4 and 2 (terminal 3 through terminal 2) and the city terminal (Cityterminalen), right next to the central station in 45 minutes. A single ticket for adults costs 119 kr (99 kr for people under 25 years) and a return ticket for adults costs 215 kr (179 kr for people under 25 years) if purchased on-site. The discount applies if you buy a ticket online or using a smartphone (some devices have a smart-phone-friendly ticket). Tickets can be purchased in ticket machines at stops in T5, T4 and T2, as well as in arrival halls in T5 and T4 and in some stores 7-Eleven. You can't buy tickets in cash on board, but credit cards are accepted, and in normal hours agents sell tickets at the airport stop. They are staying elsewhere in Solna (Ulriksdal / Järva Krog, Frösunda, Haga Norra, Hague Södra) and Vasastan (Norra Stationsgatan and Sankt Eriksplan) before arriving in Cityterminalen. Flixbus follows the same route, but it is much cheaper.
By taxi
The main taxi companies operate on the basis of a fixed price between Arlanda and the center of Stockholm. Prices at taxi stops are from 450 kr (Transfer Taxi) to 520 kr. Basically, you can choose freely from pending taxis or ask the operator for a specific company. Watch out for smaller, expensive taxi companies. Each taxi has a yellow-white tag (in 10 km and 15 minutes) on the right rear window; they prefer taxis whose price does not exceed 350 kr. It takes about 40 minutes to travel by taxi to the center of Stockholm. In some companies you can get a lower price if you book a ride earlier. See Taxi section below for general advice on taxi travel in Stockholm.
By car
Information on car rental in Arlanda airport can be found at the airport.
Bromma Airport

2 Bromma Airport, (BMA) (see amenities of Västerort) is a smaller airport 8 km west of the center of Stockholm, mainly used for domestic flights, but also Aarhus, Helsinki and Brussels.
From Bromma airport coaches will take you to the city terminal for 79 kr, taking 20 min. Alternatively, the local bus 152 to Sundbyberg station and from there the suburban train to Stockholm Central (a total of 25 min) to obtain the basic public transport charge.

Skavsta Airport
3 Skavsta Airport (NYO) is located 100 km (62 miles) southwest of Stockholm, on the outskirts of Nyköping, so the name of this airport "Stockholm-Skavsta" is quite far-reaching. Ryanair and Wizzair most often use this airport and flights from cities such as Belgrade, Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Dublin, Edinburgh, London, Madrid, Rome, Tallinn, Vilnius and Warsaw. Affordable airline travelers landing here may find that a transfer costs more time and money than a flight.
The most practical option is coaches from the airport to / from the Stockholm city terminal. Adults 139 kr online or 159 kr in a one-way bus terminal; 278 kr online, 285 kr on both sides of the bus terminal. The journey takes about 80 minutes. Sometimes it is cheaper to take the local bus 515 or 715 to the Nyköping railway station (get off at the Nyköping Central Station), from where the regional SJ trains (timetable, direct connections to the stations marked white) to Linköping - Stockholm - (Gävle) connection to Stockholm (Gävle trains also support Arlanda, providing a direct rail connection to Arlanda Airport). Fee starts from 26 + 49 kr (16 + 49 kr for young people under 20 years) and tickets can be purchased in two ways:
- Buy a ticket from Skavsta to Stockholm on the SJ website: important in both the local bus and the regional train.
- Pay for the local bus on board with a VISA or MasterCard (cash is not accepted) and buy a train ticket at Nyköping station.
The trip from Skavsta takes 80 minutes to Stockholm and 100 minutes to Arlanda Airport. The cheapest tariff is offered only on selected days; in the remaining days the fares start from 97 kr. The cheapest tickets are also non-refundable and cannot be booked. Public transport schedules are available on the website Resrobot.
Västerås Airport
4 Västerås Airport (VST) is located 100 km west of Stockholm in Västerås and operates Ryanair flights to/from London (Stansted). Like Skavsta, Västerås can be reached in two ways: Airport coaches run to/from the Stockholm city terminal. 139 kr one way, 249 kr both way, takes about 80 minutes. Alternatively, you can use the public taxi transfer (order can be made online, but the site is only available in Swedish in 2016), which runs between the airport and Västerås railway station in 6-7 minutes, leaving the terminal 20 minutes after each arrival and the cost of 50 kr one way. From there, regional trains on the route Stockholm - Västerås - Örebro - Hallsberg - Göteborg (timetable, MF = Mon.-Fri, L = sob., SoH = Sun. + Holidays) connect to Stockholm in 53 minutes at the price of 59 kr, which results in a total fee for 10 kr. The total travel time to Västerås - Stockholm airport is 65 minutes, but this option is even 25 minutes faster because the bus from the airport departs 10 minutes later from the airport and arrives there 10 minutes earlier.
By car
The European routes E4, E18 and E20 coincide in Stockholm. Several north-south bridges through Lake Mälaren are usually crowded during peak hours. The roads in and around Stockholm are a road toll zone (or more specifically a "congestion tax") and vehicles registered abroad are obliged to pay - see more in the Movement section below.
By rail


Main station, 5 Stockholm Central (Norrmalm), supports both access and long distance routes. It is in lower Norrmalm, connected to T-Centralen, the central metro junction in Stockholm, and Cityterminalen, the long-distance bus station. National railway company SJ has a shop at the station and travel planner with ticket reservation service on its website.
International calls are from Copenhagen (Denmark) (5 hours) and Oslo (Norway) (4½-5 hours) with several direct calls per day. Daily sleeping train is available in Narwiku (14 hours). With Trondheim you need a quick change in Storlien and Sundsvall (10 hours).
There are many direct domestic services to Stockholm from most large cities. There are high-speed connections SJ 2000 and SJ 3000 from Gothenburg (3 hours), Malmö (4 hours), Sundsvall (3 hours) and Östersund (5 hours). Traditional trains mostly follow the same routes and run slightly slower, but can significantly lower prices. Most other medium-sized cities in Sweden have a rail link with Stockholm. Malmö has a night service, as do the northern cities of Luleå, Kiruna and Umeå. This service comes from the northern Norwegian city of Narvik and offers spectacular views of Lapland when traveling to Stockholm.
A private service called Blå Tåget travels on the Göteborg-Stockholm-Uppsala route on weekends. It is slower than normal trains, it takes 4 and a half hours to reach Stockholm, but it has luxurious seats and offers a free glass of champagne in the first class. Meals are served in a suitable restaurant on board and Wi-Fi is included in the price.
By bus
6 City Terminal is the main bus terminal, from the wall to the wall of Stockholms Central, and T Centralen metro station. There are many daily journeys to most other cities in Sweden as well as several international routes. Swebus Express supports routes to Copenhagen and Oslo with several daily trips and twice a week to Berlin. Eurolines has several journeys to Copenhagen. Flexibus offers connections to Copenhagen, Hamburg, Hannover, Cologne, Wuppertal and Berlin, among others.
By ferry

Stockholm is operated by international luxury cruise ships (see cruises in the Baltic Sea) and local ferries in the Baltic (the ferry is quite confusing, most of them giant). The ferries in the Baltic Sea connect Stockholm with Helsinki, Mariehamn and Turku (these vessels are locally known as finlandsbåtar, the "boat of Finland"), Riga and Tallinn every day. They are by far the cheapest way to travel between these cities. Even if you intend to use a boat to or from Stockholm, it is almost always cheaper to book a round trip (crissning) which can be as cheap as 80 kr (!) For a full 4-seater cabin and rarely (even for a weekend cruise in the season) exceeds 400 kr for the cheapest 4-seater cabin. In comparison, a single ticket per cabin usually exceeds 1000 kr.
There are three terminals for cruise ships:
In northern Östermalm there are 7 Värtahamnen and 8 Frihamnen, one kilometer east of the previous one. These two are used by Tallink; Frihamnen for vessels from Riga, Värtahamnen for vessels from all other places (Turku, Helsinki, Tallinn, Mariehamn)
Värtahamnen is located 400 meters from the metro station Gärdet; the route is tagged. In the case of Frihamnen you should go to T-Karlaplan, take bus 72 from the avenue to Filmhuset, and then take bus 76 to Magasin 3, which is located outside this terminal. If you have a lot of luggage or if your cruise ship is docked at Magasin 9, you can consider other means of transport.
9 Stadsgårdshamnen, Stadsgården, located in Södermalm, with an amazing view of the internal port. Most importantly, it is used by Viking Line for ferries to Mariehamn, Helsinki and Turku and their 22-hour cruises to Mariehamn. Also, Birka cruises take a 22-hour cruise to Mariehamn, departing from Western Stadsgårdsterminalen, about 700 meters from Slussen (just outside the Viking terminal). If you're traveling on a "real" cruise ship like Holland America Cruises, you'll probably dock here too.
To get there from the city center, go to T-Slussen and go to the bus station. Take bus 401-422, 442-449 or 471 at one stop to Londonviadukten, and the port will be on the left. Alternatively, normal urban buses 53 and 71 connect Slussen to the Viking Line terminal, albeit through the alleys. Urban transport tickets are not sold in buses, but the tourist office in the terminal sells them (at least daily tickets). Alternatively, you can go to Slussen (it's just over a kilometer) and buy the tickets you need there.
Another convenient, but more expensive alternative are shuttle buses operated by Flygbussarna, which run directly from the terminal to the main bus station (Cityterminalen) in the city center. The price for the ticket is 55 kr (one way) and 90 kr (both way), and the tickets are sold on board, at the stands of Flygbussarna and Viking Line at the bus station, and if you want to buy a ticket on the bus, you can do it, but pay only by credit card. There are many departures from the port 15-60 minutes after the arrival of the ferry and from the station 1-3 hours before the departure of the ferry. If you are going to the boat, follow the signs on Slussen, then Stadsgårdsterminalen (Slussen is confusing even for the residents, so do not feel ashamed if you finish several times at the intersection), then Finland / Viking Line.
Some cruise ships call to Nynäshamn, 50 km south of Stockholm. The ferry terminal is operated by suburban SL trains. There are also buses that are slightly faster, cost 109 kr for adults.
Transport
Stockholm is easily accessible by public transport and by bicycle in warm seasons. Travel by car is suitable outside urban areas.
Public transport
Storstockholms Localtraek, SL (Public Transport of Great Stockholm) runs an extensive metro system, suburban trains and buses, as well as some light rail and ferry connections. They support Stockholm, Sigtuna and Norrtälje in the north, and Södertälje and Nynäshamn in the south, with extensions to Uppsala, Gnesty and Bålsta for an additional fee (see below).
The SL website provides details of tickets and prices in English and travel planner. It is always updated.
Ticket

All SL services use an integrated ticketing system with an RFID card called SL Access that runs entry gates and other electronic readers. Buying a card costs 20 kr and you can load all SL tickets.
There are two forms of tickets, vouchers and coupons. Tickets and coupons are purchased at the SL Center (at various stations, including the central station and t-central), in all Pressbyrån stores, most supermarkets and some smaller booths. Tickets cannot be purchased in buses.
The vouchers are available for 24 hours, 72 hours and 30 days and allow unlimited journeys by all buses, trams, T-bana and suburban trains as well as by the Djurgården ferry. The 72-hour card also allows free access to Gröna Lund (Djurgården).
The coupon allows free travel for 75 minutes. The cheapest option is to download digital coupons for your SL Access card, reskassa. Tickets are also available for mobile phones, as well as paper tickets from slots, ticket offices and railway cables.
Children under 12 years of age traveling with adults travel free of charge from Friday to midnight on Sunday. Children under 7 years of age drive free of charge with an adult paying.
SL tickets are not valid for airport buses, Arlanda Express and regional trains.
Metro
Stockholm has a rapid transit system called Tunnelbana [ˌ the ɵ ˈ the ː on] (sometimes abbreviated T-Bana or simply T on the marks). With 100 stations it serves most of the downtown as well as many of the inner suburbs. Trains run from 05:00 to 01:00 on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends. Night buses replace trains on weekends. This is in most cases the fastest means of transport.
The Stockholm metro system is known for its artistic installations, and almost all stations offer certain forms of graphics at the exhibition. The blue line art is particularly noteworthy.
Directions in Stockholm are often accompanied by the name of the nearest metro stop, using T as the abbreviation "Tunnelbana", e.g. "T Gamla Stan." If necessary, this practice shall apply below.
Suburban trains
Stockholm has a network of suburban railways, pendeltåg, reaching 53 stations including Uppsala, Knivsta and Bålsta in Uppsala, as well as Gnesta in Södermanland. The stations are marked with a J mark. All trains in the city center now pass through the Stockholm City station, which is located on the other side of the street from the main central station.
SL tickets are valid on suburban trains, except for Knivsta and Uppsala on line 38, which use local transport tariffs in Uppsala and Arlanda airport.
Light rail/tram

Stockholm has several light railways:
- Tvärbanan connecting Västerort to Söderort.
- Lidingöbanan links Ropsten in Östermalm with Lidingö. Several archipelago ferries call the Gåshaga brigga at the end of the line.
- Nockebybanan in Västerort connects the district of Nockeby from Alvik on the green line of Tunnelbana.
- Spårväg City is an urban tram connecting the central station from Waldemarsudde (Djurgården).
Buses
The buses serve the most populated areas, which are not reached by metro, rail or tram. The four main downtown lines numbered 1 to 4 are operated by large blue buses (weekdays every 3-10 minutes) and the others, usually less frequent (weekdays 7-20 minutes), by red buses.
Blue bus lines are:
- Line 1 - from Frihamnen in Östermalm by Hötorget in Norrmalm and by Kungsholmen to the island of Stora Essingen in this second district.
- Line 2 - from Vasastan to western Norrmalm and Gamla Stan to Sofia in eastern Södermalm
- Line 3 - from Karolinska Institutet by eastern Vasastan, Kungsholmen, eastern Norrmalm and Gamla Stan to western Södermalm
- line 4 - from Vasastan through Kungsholmen directly to Södermalm
In addition to these four, several lines running through external districts and suburbs of Stockholm are marked as blue buses - apart from color, they are distinguished by the middle 7 in the three-digit number of the line.
Passenger ferries
There are also ferries to Djurgården and Skeppsholmen. The Djurgården ferry includes any 24- or 72-hour voucher, 7-day voucher and a monthly ticket.
SL passes are good on these passenger ferries:
- Sjövägen (80): Nybroplan-Allmäna gränd (Djurgården) -Saltsjöqvarn-Finnboda hamn-Kvarnholmen-Nacka Strand-Blockhushudden (Djurgården) -Dalénum-Frihamnen - hour rides from Nybrokajek, Nor ending at Frihamnen (Östermalnen) m). A single ride costs 40 kr for adults, 25 kr for children. On the ferry there is a cafeteria with tea, coffee, snacks, beer and wine and a wonderful view of the inlet of Stockholm.
- Djurgårdsfärjan (82): Slussen (docking station in the southeast of Gamla Stan) -Skeppsholmen-Allmäna gränd (Djurgården) - a short ride between the old town and the garden island.
- Pendelbåt (89): Klara Mälarstran-Lilla Essingen-Ekensberg-Kungshättan-Tappström: long ride, return by bus 176 or 177 and metro 17, 18 or 19, stop at the palace of Drottningholm.
Bicycle
Cycling is an attractive option in warm seasons, and there are many cycle paths. Cycling through the city center takes no more than 30 minutes and can be faster than traveling by metro or car. Bicycle paths run along most of the main streets and drivers are usually very careful about cyclists. In winter, when paths can be covered with ice, be very careful. Bicycle paths have a bicycle painted on the ground and/or round blue signs with a white bicycle. Make sure you cycle on the right side of the street, just like cars.
Bicycle Rentals
- Stockholm City Bikes. In the summer months you can use the city bicycle rental by buying a key card. Bike racks all over the city allow you to lift your bicycle from one stand and leave it in another. The three-day (minimum period) key card costs 165 kr and the season pass costs 300 kr. You can't use your bicycle for more than three hours at a time, but you can turn to a new bicycle after you return your bicycle. You can buy key cards in the SL center. The large hotel in the city will have a three-day key card for guests in the reception. To register for a key card, you need an identity card, such as a passport or driving license.
- BikeSweden AB, Narvavägen 13-17, ☏ +46 8-403 07 520, ✉ [email protected]. Opened 10:00-18:00 April - October. Call to rent bicycles out of season. BikeSweden offers a range of high quality bicycles in the city center. From mountain bikes to children and cities. Carriers and child seats are available. Helmets are included in the rental price. Motorcycles have at least 7 gears and have a maximum of two seasons. 3 hours from 150 kr. All day from 190 kr.
- Cykel- & Mopeduthyrningen, Strandvägen, Kajplats 24 (T Östermalmtorg or T Karlaplan). Open only in summer months.
- Djurgårdsbrons Sjöcafé, Galärvarvsvägen 2 (on Djurgården, right when you pass through Djurgårdsbron). Open only in summer months. It also rents rollers and canoes. Rents bicycles on 250 kr per day.
- Gamla Stans Cykel, Stora Nygatan 20 (T Gamla Stan). Open all year round. It rents three times city bikes per 190 kr per day or 500 kr per 3 days.
- Servicedepån - Cykelstallet, Scheelegatan 15 (T Rådhuset). Open all year round. Rent 3-speed city bikes, 21-way mountain/hybrid (200 kr/day) and players. They have winter tires with metal plugs for use on winter ice, but you need to ask earlier. Helmets are free with a bicycle, you can also rent other accessories such as sacks. The rental period is from 10:00-18:00, full 24 hours or a few days.
By taxi

Taxis are rather expensive. Even worse is the fact that some small suspicious operators charge high prices. The antidote is always to check the black and yellow price sticker on the rear window. The price quoted in large numbers is the maximum (for example at night) fare for 10 km, 15 minutes of travel, and reputable companies charge around 300 kr. The price may be up to 499 kr; if the sticker shows a much higher price, stay away or be cheated. The taxi market is deregulated, which makes it much easier to find a taxi, but the disadvantage is that fraud is not even illegal, but only 'supply and demand'!
Until you check the sticker, you'll be fine, but if you're still nervous, select the main companies TopCab, +46 8 33 33 33; Taxi Kurir, +46 8 30 00 00; Taxi 020, 020 20 20 (free calls from Swedish phones); and Taxi Stockholm, +46 8 15 00 00. Many smaller companies use the name "Stockholm" to imitate their competitor, so look for the phone number 15 00 00, which appears under the logo on all cars of Taxi Stockholm.
Most taxi companies use a fixed price system between Central Stockholm and Arlanda Airport, reflecting the rates of transport to the city of about 450-500 kr. Before starting, it is worth checking with the driver if you get a fixed price - the counter price for the same ride can cost twice more. Taxis often have large stickers advertising the price at the airport: do not confuse them with the black and yellow sticker with the price shown in this article.
Authorized taxis have yellow license plates. Late at night in the city center can be offered a ride by an illegal taxi Svarttaxi (literally "black taxi"), usually by discreet whispering of "taxis". Illegal taxis are linked to other crimes and do not save much money, and legal taxis are usually available.
By car

Since the center of Stockholm has good public transport, the car is only needed for the transport of goods, for the tour of outdoor suburbs or villages.
Cars entering or leaving the center of Stockholm between 06:30 and 18:29 are subject to road tax from 11 to 35 kr. Some car rental companies charge their customers travel costs separately while others do not. Taxis transfer the tax to passengers. Vehicles registered abroad are automatically exempt from tax. Taxes are not charged in July, on holidays (e.g. On Sundays) or the day before the holiday (e.g. Saturday).
Parking is limited and expensive in the city center, and free parking is rare even in the suburbs, except for outdoor shopping centers.
Congestion tax, parking charges and fuel prices make driving around Stockholm expensive.
While traffic is not as bad as in other cities of similar size, the North-South divide is a turning point during peak hours; especially the area of Slussen between Gamla Stan and Södermalm. In general, commuting from south to north is slowed in the morning and from north to south is slowed in the afternoon.
From 2019 many streets (especially in Norrmalm) are undergoing reconstruction, with redirection and limited capacity.
Remember to give way to pedestrians.
By vessel
The Stockholm archipelago is operated by two large shipping companies.
Waxholmsbolaget operates cheap public transport ferries, freed by stops in several different docks. Waxholmsbolaget also supports two steam boats, which offer even slower but authentic round trip with classic Swedish cuisine.
Strömma is a private company addressed to international tourists, offering fast boats and audio guides.
In the city area there are two hop-on/hop-off boat trips, which take place in a loop between different locations in Stockholm. Each costs about 100 kr for a full day pass and has about 8 stops, including a cruise terminal, Gamla Stan, Vasa Museum, Skansen and Skeppsholmen.
Pedestrian
Stockholm is a walking-friendly city if there is no snow and walking from one place to another is safe and hassle-free, at least in the city center. On the other hand, the suburbs of Stockholm are rather dispersed.
It's worth seeing
Buildings and structures

Long untouched by the wars, Stockholm has a wonderful old architecture to see. An exception would be Norrmalm, where many were demolished in the 1950s and 1960s to replace what was then more modern buildings. And if you look at it, on the other hand, if you're interested in this kind of architecture, it's a place to go.
Stockholm Old Town (Gamla Stan), is a beautifully preserved historical center, best to walk them, dominated by the Stockholm Palace (Stockholms slott). Other attractions include Storkyrkan, a cathedral in Stockholm, which was used for many royal coronations, weddings and funerals, and Riddarholmskyrkan, a beautifully preserved medieval church where the graves of many Swedish kings and royals surrounded by former residences.

In fact, not only one royal palace in Stockholm and its surroundings, but several others, the most famous of which is Drottningholm (in Ekerö) and the Hague (in Solna). Here guests can have close contact with the traditions of the Swedish monarchy. The world heritage of Drottningholm, where the royal family is located, is still open to the public. It is also worth strolling around the area. During the summer they regularly run boats from Stadshuskajen (the waterfront of the Town Hall) to Drottningholm.
Stockholm has several interesting churches, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Most of them are actively used by the Church of Sweden. In Östermalm there is also a synagogue and mosque on Södermalm. The Skogskyrkogården forest cemetery in Söderort is one of the few UNESCO World Heritage sites in the 20th century. Also in southern Stockholm is Ericsson Globe (Söderort), a white spherical building used for playing hockey and as a concert site. Sometimes, at least during the game evenings, it is illuminated with colored light. Globe is at the heart of http://www.swedensolarsystem.se/en/ of the Swedish solar system], the world's largest model of any kind. With Globe as the Sun, the planet models are displayed in Slussen (Mercury), the Royal Institute of Technology (Venus), the Natural History Museum (Earth & Moon), Mörby Centrum (Mars), the Arlanda Airport (Jupiter) and the Uppsala (Saturn).
Viewing Points
From the northern height of Södermalm there is a magnificent view of the center of Stockholm, especially from Fjällgatan, Fåfängan mountains east of Stadsgårdshamnen and bars and restaurants such as Gondolen, Herman's, Himlen and the living room on the top floor of Sjöfartshotellet. Further south in Söderort there is Hammarbybacken, a semi-artificial ski slope that can walk all year round, great summer and Skyview on top of Ericsson Globe (130 kr).
In Skansen there is the XIX-century tower of Bredablick with views. The Stockholm City Hall (Stockholms stadshus) on Kungsholmen is famous for its Nobel Prize-winning viewing tower and dining room.
Museums

Stockholm has more than 70 museums, ranging from large and wide to very specialized, including the Museum of Butterflies, the Museum of Spirits and the Dance Museum, to name but a few. From 2016 Many have free access. Short selection:
- Östermalm: The Museum of Natural History at T-Universitetet has rich exhibits for all age groups and the Omnimax cinema. The Army Museum shows the military history of Sweden, with frequent wars from the Middle Ages to 1814, followed by two centuries of peace. In the Swedish Historical Museum there is an exhibition dedicated to the Wikings.
Museum of Modern Art (Skeppsholmen).
- Djurgården: The Vasa Museum shows Vasa, an 17th century warship sunk in the port of Stockholm during a virgin journey, and authentic objects from the times of the Swedish empire. Skansen is a scansen in Djurgården, containing a zoo with Swedish fauna, as well as an exhibition of Swedish cultural heritage in reconstructed buildings. Nordic Museet shows Swedish history and cultural heritage. In the Swedish Glory Gallery there is the ABBA Museum.
- Millesgården, Lidingö museum of outdoor sculpture.
- Photo Gallery Södermalm photo gallery opened in 2010.
- Birka (Ekerö) - For real viking lovers is Birka, the place of the former town of Vikings on Björkö. A replica of the old town was built. Boats to Björkö are operated by Strömma Kanalbolaget. Birki can also be reached by public transport to Rastaholm and boarded.
Art
In addition to the art museums mentioned above, Stockholm has a lively artistic scene with many art galleries, exhibition halls and public art installations. Some of the galleries include Galleri Magnus Karlsson, Fredsgatan 12 (Norrmalm), Lars Bohman Gallery, Karlavägen 9 (Östermalm), Galerie Nordenhake, Hudiksvallsgatan 8 (Vasastan) and Magasin 3, Frihamnen (Östermalm).
The Royal Institute of Art (Skeppsholmen) and the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design (Söderort) organize regular exhibitions.
The Stockholm Metro has many artistic decorations at its stations and is promoted as the "longest art exhibition in the world". Some of the stations worth mentioning are the mood dark blue cave Kungsträdgården (Norrmalm), the giant black and white "drawings" by Siri Derkert in Östermalmstorg (Östermalm) and the feast of science and technology in Tekniska Högskolan (Östermalm). Rissne (Solna) has a fascinating timeline of human history on its walls. A written description of the art in English on the Stockholm subway can be downloaded free of charge from the SL website.
Fiction
Stockholm has been a place for many books and films, including some of the works by Astrid Lindgren and Nordic Noir, such as Millennium and Beck.
Worth doing
Guided tours
By boat
- Hop On - Hop Off Boat. every day 10:00-16:00. Track in 11 languages. The two most visited stops are located in the Palace and Gamla Stan, on the other side of the channel from T. Slussen. Recordings in this loop service are instructive enough. 24-hour ticket from 180 kr
- Under Stockholm bridges. Departure from Strömkajen through the Grand Hôtel and opposite the Royal Castle (T Kungsträdgården). This trip on the sea and Lake Mälaren runs under 15 bridges and through two locks. Several departures each day, depending on the season. 1 hour 50 min. From 260 kr.
- The Royal Canal Tour. He leaves Strömkajen and leads through the eastern part of the city, passing through the lush Djurgården channel. 50 min. From 200 kr.
- A historic tour of the canals. He leaves Stadshusbron next to the town hall (T-Centralen) and passes Kungsholmen and other western islands of the city. 50 min. From 220 kr.
- Grand Tour in Stockholm. It combines a boat trip and a bus. 3 hours 30 min, 450 kr. From 432 kr.
By bus
City trips and tours in the open peaks (also Strömma group branches) offer tours by bus:
- Stockholm Panorama. A tour of the most important monuments that leave Gustafa Adolf Torga (T-Centralen). 1 hour 30 min, 300 kr.
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus is a tour with open bunk buses, which allows you to get on and off the bus as often as you want at bus stops on the route. The route runs through some of the most important monuments, but only in the central and eastern part of the city. 24-hour travel card from 270 kr.
Stockholm Excursions also has several specialized bus trips.
By taxi
Taxi Stockholm, +46 8 15 00 00, offers multimedia guided tours, allowing up to 3 people at a flat rate of 950 kr to explore the places and experiences in Stockholm related to some touching historical moments of the past, usually dark ones, like the murder of Olof Palme.
Bicycle
Talk of the town offers independent bicycle tours in six languages.
- Talk of the town. A mobile phone storage card can be rented in several bicycle rentals in Stockholm. Load your phone with audioguides to the top 56 places in Stockholm. Rent per hour, 30 kr or 125 kr.
- BikeSweden, Narvavägen 13-17, ☏ +46 8-667 57 02. 10-18 April - October. BikeSweden offers several guided bike trips and a range of high quality bikes in the city center. Daily bicycles guided from May to September). BikeSweden offers mountain bicycles, children bicycles, racing bikes, trailers, children's seats and urban bicycles
Swimming

In the center of Stockholm there are several beaches, as well as in the suburbs. The water in the center of Stockholm is mostly clean, although it seems dark. Water quality is monitored by local authorities and reports for all beaches in the city are available online. If there is a water problem, the characters will be placed on the beach. In the summer, the beaches in the city center are rather crowded.
The Stockholm Archipelago has enough beaches and rocks for all, and the right of access allows you to bathe almost everywhere, unless otherwise. As in the rest of Sweden, public adult bathing is not manifestly illegal, but is ignored. The only sanctioned beach for nudists is Ågesta (Söderort)
If in open waters it is too cold for your liking, Stockholm has several pools and spa on the outside and inside. In addition to public baths, more luxurious are Centralbadet (Norrmalm), Sturebadet (Östermalm), Eriksdalsbadet (Södermalm) and Yasuragi spa (Nacka).
Performing sports
The most popular sports for viewers are football and hockey. Bandy also has iconic fans. Tickets for all games you can buy online in Ticnet. Speedway is another big sport for spectators in Sweden, played at the racetrack in Gubängen (Söderort).
Sweden national football team plays international matches in Friends Arena in Solna. The best Swedish football league Allsvenskan is weaker than most sister leagues from Western Europe, but fans are very faithful. The season runs from April to October. AIK plays Friends Arena. Tele2 Arena (Söderort) guests Djurgårdens IF and Hammarby. These three clubs are constantly competing, and the decision to share one stadium was not easy.
The best Swedish hockey league is called Elitserien, and the season lasts from September to April. Stockholm has one team in Elitserien: AIK, playing at home in Hovet (Söderort).
Bandy is played from November to February. Dress up warmly because the game runs outside in two 45-minute catches. Stockholm has only one team in the top league of men: Hammarby. The Swedish league finals take place on Friends Arena (Solna) or Tele2 Arena (Södermalm).
These stadiums also organize frequent concerts and stage shows; see Stockholm Live for calendar and tickets.
Cultivation of sport

There are many opportunities for sport in Stockholm.
Stockholm has a number of short routes to the sports convention: Hammarbybacken (Söderort), Ekebyhovsbacken (Ekerö), Ekholmsnäsbacken (Lidingö), Flottsbrobacken (Södertörn), etc. With elevators and equipment rental when weather allows. The height is small, but most hills have a wonderful view, worth wandering at any time of the year. Cross-country skiing routes are available throughout Stockholm; soil is usually, but not always, covered with snow during the period of January - February.
There are many open fields in Stockholm. Gärdet (T Karlaplan or T Gärdet) is good for outdoor sports. There are also riding facilities and many golf courses open to visitors in the inner region.
If you prefer to attend the event, one of the most visible sporting events is the Stockholm Marathon, which takes place every Saturday in late May or early June, when about 18,000 participants run two laps in the city center. Another is Lidingöloppet, a 30-kilometer race considered the most popular in the world, and part of the Swedish classic race track in Lidingö in early September. For the Ötillö swimmers (literally an island on the island), this is a full-day swimming race in which two teams swim and run between many islands in the Stockholm archipelago.
Art

National scenes of Stockholm, the National Dramatic Theater and the Royal Opera are classic and modern performances, operas and ballets. There are many other theaters, such as the Stockholm City Theater. The theater season usually runs from late August to early June. In the summer Parktheatern organizes fun and monologs in Stockholm parks. From September to May, many theaters have a number of international and local musicals as well as other shows.
Cinema films are not dubbed, but they have subtitles. In addition to multiplexes (mostly THX certified), there are several classic cinemas: Rigoletto, Grand Sveavägen, Saga and Skandia (Norrmalm) Park (Östermalm) and Victoria (Södermalm). Although SF has a de facto monopoly on mainstream films, there are independent cinemas.
Several major cultural events take place each year. The Culture Night of Stockholm takes place every spring, with free admission to several museums, special performances in the city, from 18:00 to the north. In August, the Stockholm Cultural Festival is held together with the Ung 08 youth festival in Kungsträdgården. At this time of year, the International Film Festival in Stockholm also takes place an outdoor cinema in the Tantolunden Park during one week of August. The main Stockholm International Film Festival takes place in November and attracts large international crowds.
Stockholm has an increasing stage for stand-up comedy in Swedish and English. Big Ben Bar (Södermalm), Folkungagatan 97, has free entry to the comedy club in English every Thursday at 20:00. Skrattstock is an annual comedy festival organized every summer.
The live music scene in Stockholm is something else. There is never any sign that someone is playing, but several posters in specific areas. Although many bars in the city have live music, the most common place to find is near Södermalm. You will find places like Debaser, Hornhuset and Trädgården. In addition to Södermalm, both Norrmalm and Vasastan have several interesting places.
On Sunday evenings from September to May in Skeppsholmen there is Swedish folk music live in Folkmusikhuset. Go to listen or dance Swedish folk dances. Free entry.
There are many fairs and conventions in Stockholm. The two largest sites are Stockholm International Fairs (Söderort) and Kistamässan (Västerort).
Amusement park and activities for children

The main entertainment park in Stockholm, Gröna Lund, is located on Djurgården (where you can reach Spårväg City, by ferry to Djurgården or by bus 44). There are many types of rides, including mountain queues, and in the summer the park has many concerts of famous artists and groups as well as popular dance evenings. The opening hours of the amusement park vary throughout the year. Check the website before visiting. The park is usually very crowded on weekends and concert days.
On Djurgården you can also find Junibacken, an entertainment park focused on children's books, especially Astrid Lindgren's stories. Skansen, a zoo in Stockholm, is also on the island.
Gambling
Casino Cosmopol on Kungsgatan 65 (Norrmalm) has 37 game tables and almost 400 slots and is one of four casinos in Sweden. In addition, several large nightclubs have blackjack tables and slots.
In Solvalla (Västerort) and Täby Galopp (Norrort) there are regular horse races.
LGBT events
Attitudes towards homosexuality and transgender expressions are generally tolerant. In the summer (usually in late July and early August), the annual LGBT festival, Stockholm Pride, which is the largest in Scandinavia, takes place. National LGBT organization, RFSL, can provide information on other events and locations.
Outdoor life

There are many forests and lakes on the way to Stockholm, with good opportunities to see wild animals such as elk, deer and boar. A large part of Östermalm consists of forests and arable fields within walking distance from the metro station.
In Södertörn you can find Nackareservatet, Tyresta National Park and Bornsjön.
Science
Stockholm is the largest Scandinavian university city with about 80,000 university students at over 20 universities and higher education institutions. The largest universities are the Stockholm University (Stockholms universitet), the Royal Institute of Technology (Kungliga Tekniska högskolan) and Södertörn University College (Södertörns högskola). The Karolinska Institutet is a world-class medical university. There are also several universities of fine arts. Study in Stockholm provides information on university studies in Stockholm.
Work
Purchases
As in the rest of Sweden, VISA and MasterCard cards are accepted by almost all shops and ATMs are readily available. In some nightclubs there are ATMs where the bar can only take cash. Very few facilities accept foreign currencies such as the euro or US dollars.
Unlike many other European cities, most shops in Stockholm (except small independent ones) are open all week, including Sundays; closed only for a few major holidays in the year. However, the closing time is rigid.
Fashion
Popular Swedish clothing brands that can be found in several large stores are Acne Jeans, WESC, Cheap Monday, J Lindeberg, Whyred, Tiger and Filippa K. There was an explosion of young designers starting their own small brands. Many of them can be found in small stores in the SoFo zone on Södermalm (see below). Examples are Nakkna, Jenny Hellström, Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair and The Stray Boys.
Glass products
- The large Åhléns and NK department stores in Norrmalm have a wide selection of glass dishes.
- Duka, several locations: Västerlånggatan 78 (Gamla State), Sveavägen 24-26 and Kungsgatan 41, (Norrmalm). Duka is a Swedish network that sells both cheaper household goods and a limited selection of glass in several shops in the center of Stockholm.
- Nordiska Kristall, several locations: Kungsgatan 9 (Norrmalm), Österlånggatan 1 (Gamla State), also in Strand Hotel, Grand Hotel and City Hotel. Nordiska Kristall is a high-end shop with crystal design glass. The Kungsgatan store has an art glass gallery.
Furniture and design
Sweden is known worldwide for its design, and Stockholm has many shops where you can find Swedish clothing, textiles and interior furnishings. Hand-made and hand-painted glass is also the famous Swedish specialty.
- DesignTorget in Sergels Torg (Stockholm/Norrmalm) and Götgatan 31 (Stockholm/Södermalm), a design shop specializing in smaller objects, from beautiful to useful, even eccentric.
- The Asplund furniture store is an exclusive shop with world-class design. T Östermalmstorg.
- Room is another great furniture and designer store located in the shopping center of Pub, T Hötorget.
- Illums Bolighus is a high-end furniture, decorative and glass shop specializing in Danish style. (T Centralen, Hamngatan 27)
- Many antique stores are located near T Odenplan. A good place to walk.
- If on the other hand is an option, many Stadsmissionen and Myrorna (Salvation Army) have fun vintage products and contribute to a good cause. Especially the Stadsmissionen Stortorget (T Gamla state) has a carefully selected design and classic furniture.
Top Shopping Places
Standard
Drottninggatan is dominated by the main brands at the end of Sergels Torg, before giving way to smaller and more specialized stores further north. Tourist shops are on the south side.
There is also a connected Hötorget Square (T-Hötorget) with Drottninggatan. Here is the daily market for fresh food outdoors, as well as Hötorgshallen, the indoor food market.
Mood Stockholm on Norrlandsgatan was opened in 2012. This shopping center contains many interesting boutiques that are not represented in other parts of the city. Hamngatan, Bibliotextgatan and Birger Jarlsgatan have a collection of high-end shops, including Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton. NK, it is a classic department store on Hamngatan (Norrmalm).
Östermalm
Östermalmstorg has a famous grocery room, Östermalmshallen. Sturegallerian is an exclusive shopping center in Stureplan, with several restaurants. Fältöversten is a shopping center in Karlaplan.
Suburban shopping centers
In the main suburban centers there are many shopping centers and shopping centers - see district articles for details. Although they differ in size, they all have a similar profile, with cheap restaurants, supermarkets and large networks of fashion, electronics and interior equipment, as well as some smaller shops. Kista Galleria in Västerort has abundant opening hours; 10:00 to 21:00 all week. You can reach it with a blue metro line with Akalla destination, get off the train in Kista.
Gastronomy

Stockholm offers a wide selection of restaurants. However, a dining room in Stockholm can be costly if you are looking for something other than fast bars, popular British style pubs or ethnic restaurants that dominate the budget. Prepare to pay about 175-250 kr or more for most main dishes in high quality restaurants. If you have a tight budget, self-service is a good solution.
Most hotels and hostels have a good buffet breakfast, in many cases included in the room price.
Most restaurants have "dagens rätt" - an offer for lunch, usually including a drink with lower or lower alcohol content, bread, butter, salad and coffee from Monday to Friday, usually 11:00-14:00. Expect to pay between 65-100 kr. Generally more expensive center and cheaper in the suburbs. Many Asian, Indian, Mexican and fast food products offer cheap "everything you can eat" buffet for lunch. Office workers usually go to lunch at noon, so try to appear long before or after 13:00.
The kitchens in most restaurants are closed at 22:00, even on weekends, so don't leave too late. A glass of domestic wine costs from 60 to 120 kr, or from 400 to 700 kr per bottle. Sweden has banned smoking in all bars, pubs, restaurants and enclosed rooms.
Many restaurants in Stockholm are closed for a few weeks in July and/or early August. In December, many restaurants offer "julbord" ("Christmas buffet"), a variety of classic Swedish smörgåsbord with traditional holiday dishes, including Christmas ham, marinated herring and "lutfisk" (cod or ling shark, prepared with lice), which may require prior booking, costly they are about 300-600 kr, drinks are not included.
In this cosmopolitan city, traditional Swedish cuisine, known as husmanskost ("eating every man"), can be difficult to conquer. Many excellent restaurants have a low-cost course husmanskost: some other places to eat swedish are the Nystekt ström in Slussen (Södermalm), Ät gott (S: t Göransgatan 74, (Kungsholmen) and Tennstopet (Dalagatan 50, (Vasastan)).
Michelin's guide recognizes ten restaurants in Stockholm: three-star Frantzén, two-star Oaxen Krog and one-star Mathias Dahlgren Matbaren, Ekstedt, Gastrologist, Operakällaren, Sushi Sho, Restaurang Volt, Aloë and Agrikultur.
From 2016 Stockholm organizes a fish auction on seafood, and local catches can be found in many supermarkets and restaurants.
While traditional Nordic cuisine is rich in meat and fish, Stockholm has a strong vegetarian community. Most restaurants have at least one lacto-vegetarian option. If you're looking for vegan food, look for a network of Blueberry cafes.
Stockholm has a fleet of food trucks, with high-end meals from about 70 to 90 kr. See schedules in Hittatrucken.
- Sandys. Several locations throughout the city: Sergelarkaden 6 (T-Centralen), Klarabergsgatan 31 (T-Centralen), Stureplan 2 (T Östermalmstorg) and Götgatan 28 (T Slussen). Sandys is a large fast food chain based in Stockholm that focuses on sandwiches, packages and salads from submarines. Sandys offers a wide choice, reliable quality and acceptable prices, although under no circumstances is this opportunity. Sandwiches 49 kr (without beverages), sandwiches XL 59 kr, salads 65 kr.
Cafes
The coffee and cookie break is a Swedish tradition, commonly called Swedish fika, and there are many cafes throughout the city. You also have many more traditional bakes.
Traditional Swedish coffee filtered is relatively strong compared to American, but it is far from Italian espresso. Coffee espresso, caffe latte, cappuccino and other varieties of Italian coffee are generally available. If you prefer tea, many cafes offer only a few flavors, but generally some black, red and green tea.
Don't miss the traditional Swedish "cinnamon roll" with coffee. If you visit between January and March, you will also have the opportunity to try "Semla", a popular local cake with wheat bread, almond paste and cream. In November-December you can try one of the saffron bread, known as "lussebulle".
Starbucks only recently started to compete with Swedish cafes; Wayne's Coffee, Robert's Coffee and Espresso House are the most common names here - strikingly similar in design. Like everywhere else, small local cafes offer more personal sensations and often better coffee. Expect to pay 20 kr and more for a cup of ordinary black coffee.
Do not hesitate to ask for the supplement (påtår in Swedish) in self-service canteens as it is often free.
Night life
Retail drinks
Alcohol drinking is allowed in most public places. Exceptions include schools, playgrounds, shopping centers, some urban areas and public transport areas. In some parks, drinking is forbidden from 22:00 or to the north. Map of dry areas.
- Systembolaget. Generally opened Pn-Wed 10:00-18:00, Cz-Fri 10:00-19:00, Sb 10:00-15:00, all stores closed on Sundays. Systembolaget is a government monopoly selling alcohol. Stores have a wide range of products and helpful, competent staff. The tax makes beer and alcohol expensive. Surprisingly, wines from the upper shelf can be an opportunity. Ask your staff for advice. You must be able to prove that you are over 20 years old, so take your ID with a photo. For more information, see the Systembolaget section in the article about Sweden. Central locations include:
- Drottninggatan (T-Centralen), Drottninggatan 22.Pn-Fri 10:00-19:00, Sb 10:00-15:00, Nd closed.
- Klarabergsgatan (T-Centralen), Klarabergsgatan 62. Additional late hours: Closed at 20:00 on all weekdays.
- Regeringsgatan (T-Centralen), Regeringsgatan 44. The largest Systembolaget store in Stockholm, with a special selection of exclusive wines
- Vasagatan (T-Centralen), Vasagatan 25
- Nybrogatan (T Östermalmstorg), Nybrogatan 47.
- Folkungagatan (T Medborgarplatsen), Folkungagatan 56
Bars and nightclubs
The cost of drinking in Stockholm varies greatly. Expect you to pay about 30 kr in the cheapest pub (55-75 kr in a fashionable club or pub) for beer or cider and at least 95-150 kr for a long drink or cocktail in the club. The bars are usually not subject to an insurance fee, but they can have an arbitrarily fixed (and arbitrarily enforced) minimum age limit (usually 21 or 23, sometimes as low as 18, sometimes even 27), while clubs usually charge 50-200 kr per entry (or more on special performances). Long and very slow moving lines form outside the most popular clubs - expect that you will have to wait an hour or longer if you go to a trendy place after midnight, even if it rains or snows. Don't forget to take your identity card with you, because the goalkeepers always (almost) ask for identification at the door in pubs and clubs.
Stureplan is a district dominated by dance clubs at the crossroads of Birger Jarlsgatan, Kungsgatan and Sturegatan (T Östermalmstorg). The mushroom-shaped rain shelter is a common meeting place. High entrance fees (200 kr or more) and long queues.
Södermalm is a district with many smaller bars and nightclubs focusing on the arts and electronic music. Search nighttime magazines for locations near Hornstull (such as Strand), Mariatorget (such as Sidetrack, Marie Laveau), Slussen (such as Debaser, Kolingsborg), Skanstull (such as Trädgården, Under Bron).
The main Baroque streets are Götgatan (where most places are rather cheap pubs) and Bondegatan (with a younger and more fashionable crowd), both on Södermalm, Rörstrandsgatan in the western part of Vasastan (also quite fashionable but attracting a slightly older crowd) and the surrounding Rasastan subway station ådhuset and Fridhemsplan on Kungsholmen (with many small and quiet places). Beer is usually very cheap in suburban pubs.
Most restaurants and bars are closed at 01:00, larger clubs usually at 03:00 and a handful at 05:00. More trendy clubs can have a long queue from north to close. Get out early (at least before midnight). Most nightclubs (especially in Stureplan) have an informal or explicit outfit, vårdad klädsel. Volume and drunkenness are another common reason for rejecting the waiting guests. Drinking in line is badly seen, bribes are even worse.
If you can read Swedish, you can find more information on night life in Stockholm in the free Nöjesguiden monthly, on Thursday in Dagens Nyheter, in the free QX gay magazine on LGBT events and in the free Friday Metro.
Events
Accommodation

Stockholm is primarily a business city, so in addition to Grand Hôtel (Norrmalm) and several other luxury facilities, Stockholm has several business hotels (usually four-star) which cost 900-1200 kr per single room. They usually have free seats on weekends and years and can offer special offers for tourists.
Many hotels have rooms in the basement without windows, often smaller and more stringent than ordinary rooms, and much cheaper, especially for the lonely. Hotels do not hide that this room category does not have a window, but be sure to carefully read the description of your room before making a reservation to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Affordable beds are missing. Search for hostels in Svenska Turistföreningen and SVIF. Usually, prior booking is required, especially in summer, and for people in the city center. Stockholm has several spectacular hostels such as af Chapman (Skeppsholmen), Långholmen (Södermalm) and Jumbostay in Arlanda.
The lowest cost per bed can be found on Baltic ferries.
The options for exchange of hospitality and home replacement can be useful for Stockholm. The rental market is strictly regulated and the waiting time is more than a decade.
As regards long-term accommodation, Stockholm has a difficult housing situation, with a waiting period of several years for the rental of the apartment. New players are dependent on an incredible second hand rental market. For consultants and other business guests, the most practical solution can be a long stay in the hotel.
Contact

There are many places where you can access the Internet in the center of Stockholm.
An alternative for any visitor in Sweden is to purchase a prepaid 3G USB modem. They can be purchased cheaply (up to 150 kr) and 3G range in Stockholm is excellent. For using a 3G modem you should pay about 100 kr/week or 300 kr/month. Data limits are usually high (20GB/month, but also available up to 100GB or more)
WiFi
If you have your own laptop, many cafes, hotels and libraries offer free wireless Internet access.
- Skype offers Wi-Fi access in some areas called Skype Zones. This service was once offered for free as a test, but now it seems to be subject to a fee.
- Telia HomeRun is a commercial Wi-Fi service that includes many points in the center of Stockholm with Wi-Fi.
Internet terminals
Often you can use the Internet for free in public libraries (but you may have to ask first). Large libraries can be found in Medborgarplatsen (T Medborgarplatsen) and Sveavägen 73 (T Odenplan). The Main Station has Stockholmspanelen, information terminals with keyboards and web browsers that have full Internet access, but do not have an address bar to enter the URL of the page you want to visit. But if you are clever, there is a way to get to Google, you can then type the URL you want to visit and click "Search".
Sidewalk Express supports online terminals in many multi-industry shops (most 7 Eleven and many Pressbyrån stores) and in some other shops and public places, including the main hall of Stockholm main railway station. Most terminals, however, are quite uncomfortable to use (metal keyboards, stand-up access only, etc.) and quite expensive. Unused time from one Sidewalk Express location can be reused at any other terminal in Sweden within 5 days.
There are also many gaming-oriented internet points. They are often open until late at night.
- Matrix - Underground hall in the exit of Kungsgatan from the Hötorget metro station. Open Nd-Thu 10:00-24:00, Pt-Sb 10:00-03:00. Central 80-terminal player with large opening hours.
- Inferno Online, located on Odenplan (subway station). The largest cafe with games/internet in the world. If you are a new user, you must sign up (free) and then pay for the number of hours you want in your account (prices are low compared to other Internet terminals).
Safety
Due to its size, Stockholm is a safe city according to international standards. Travelers should, however, be common sense to avoid crime.
While police officers may be dispersed, Stockholm has patrol security guards (ordningsvakt) in central districts. They are usually helpful for visitors. Security staff in nightclubs can be more harsh, especially for unsober customers. Drunk is less accepted in bars and clubs than in smaller towns and can result in security workers forcibly throwing away the perpetrator of the problems. Gates in Stockholm are more stringent than in other European cities and you can be kicked out for no reason.
Most of the crimes against travelers are casual crimes, such as pockets, cycling, auto theft and auto vandalism. As always, don't leave valuable items in your car and watch your bag in crowded places like festivals, nightclubs, markets, airports and public transport areas. Most shops and all major taxi companies accept credit and debit cards, so you do not need to carry a large amount of cash with you.
Taxis are required to display price information in the back side window. The comparison price is about 15 km drive, not the maximum price, which can be much higher when you go outside the city. While some independent drivers charge the maximum allowed amount (499 kr), large taxi companies (Taxi Stockholm, Taxi Kurir, Taxi 020 / Sverigetaxi and Topcab) are around 300 kr. With this taxi you have a better chance of getting things lost in the car back.
In the summer, groups of street gamblers try to deceive the audience in other tourist areas, putting some of their own in the crowd. Don't play if you don't want to lose.
Although Sweden has an extensive welfare system, and Stockholm has far fewer homeless and impoverished people than other cities of similar size, the homeless can be seen begging around the city; several of the other parts of the European Union. A responsible way to remedy their situation is to buy a newspaper, Situation Sthlm, for 50 kr. A good way to help is also to buy food or water for someone begging. Although organized crime exists, it does not affect legal guests.
Stockholm is friendly to sexual minorities. Homophobic and transphobic attitudes will meet with the apparent hostility of many Swedes. Couples of the same sex will not have a problem with open life in Stockholm, which includes holding hands or kissing in the city.
Respect
When using the escalator stand on the right side and book the left side for walks. Staying still on the left can annoy people. On railway platforms and subways passengers should be able to leave the vehicle in front of passengers who wish to board. Waiting in queues, be patient and kind. Swedes never jump in line - but make sure you're actually on line. If in doubt, ask.
Avoid walking the bicycle path. Dedicated bicycle paths are clearly marked, but sometimes run directly next to the sidewalk. Cyclists from Stockholm have a relatively hilly landscape and do not want to slow down. Usually, however, they are cautious, clearly signal and use bells, which means that stray tourists are most often simply sworn in.
Like most other Nordic citizens, Swedes value privacy and are usually not open to foreigners in public places, especially in public transport. They may feel uncomfortable and ashamed if you try to start a conversation. If you're lucky to have been invited to someone's house, you'll find that Swedes behave very differently and will be very companion.
Practical information
What to take with you
Stockholm is best to meet on foot, so take comfortable shoes. A good idea is also an umbrella or raincoat for rainy weather. Expect that the temperature will be significantly below zero in winter months (add wind and moisture), so if you plan to visit, warm clothes with good materials are certainly worthy of recommendation. Long underpants / stockings under pants / skirt will provide you with warmth without looking as if you were wearing a ski outfit).
Eating away from home is usually quite expensive. If you have a limited budget, eating in supermarkets is a good alternative to restaurants.
Cash collection
There are many ATMs in the city, but some foreign card holders, such as Canadians, have reported problems with using them, even if they are supposed to be connected to the international networks where their banks operate, so consider before you arrive.
The main place of currency exchange is Forex, but they charge a high commission of 50 kr in addition to their buy-sell spread.
Credit/debit cards are widely accepted even for small amounts. Most places accept identification and signature, but PIN transactions are preferred.
Are you stuck with the old Swedish currency? In 2015 New banknotes were introduced and all older banknotes expired between 2016 and 2017. The banks will no longer change this. You can still recover about 90% of their value in a currency exchange office such as Forex: they will exchange old banknotes for foreign currency, but not for Swedish currency. So if you convert this foreign currency back to the correct Swedish crown, you will reduce the offer to about 85%. Instead, consider buying the third currency you always need, such as Euro or USD, then use your national currency to buy a fresh crown. The deadline for the exchange option is not specified, but apparently it cannot be unlimited.
Toilets

Finding a good toilet in Stockholm can be difficult. Many department stores and fast food restaurants have clean toilets, often for a fee of 5 kr. This is also the cost of public toilet cabins found on most urban squares (although they may be disorganized), so be sure to carry 5 kr of coins. Restaurant toilets are often reserved for customers and can be disorganized depending on the premises. Some good, clean toilets are located in Max in Norrmalmstorg and in the Sturehof bar (in Stureplan - the bet is too large for the crew to track people renting the toilet). Urination in the city is illegal, but urinals are often free of charge, even if you have to pay for the toilet. Libraries, museums and government buildings often have free, clean toilets.
Most large hotels have clean toilets in the lobby. Some may be reserved for home guests and require an access code, but travelers can often access them on request.
Laundry
As Swedish apartments have a washing machine or access to a common laundry room, there is virtually no self-service laundry in Stockholm, with one exception:
- Tvättomaten (T Odenplan), Västmannagatan 61, ☏ +46 8 34 64 80. Open Mon-Fri 08:30-18:30, Sb 09:30-15:00 (closed from late June to mid-August, closed for a week at the end of July). The washing machines in the Nordic countries are connected only to cold water, so the device actually heats the water, and it takes up to 3 hours to charge the laundry. Self service price: 50 kr without drying, 84 kr with drying (per machine, up to 5 kg).
Most youth hostels have washing machines. Some washing machines also offer washing shirts and sheets, but it is usually quite expensive.
Health
Swedish healthcare is generally of high quality, although there may be long expectations in emergency rooms. How soon you see a doctor will depend on the medical priority; money, name or title will not miss the queue.
EU/EEA citizens with a European Health Insurance Card pay the same (rather low) emergency aid fee and the necessary care as the local citizen. Others have to pay the full cost of healthcare (which can range from 1700 to 2200 kr for a doctor's visit to a hospital emergency department). For more information on hospital fees, visit 1177 Vårdguiden.
In case of emergency, always call 112 to get SOS alarm, emergency ambulance, police, fire service, air and sea rescue, mountain patrol or priest on call. English-speaking operators are available.
In the city center there are two hospitals with 24-hour emergency services:
- S:t Görans Sjukhus, S: t Göransplan 1 (T Fridhemsplan or T Stadshagen), +46 8 58 70 10 00.
- Södersjukhuset, Sjukhusbacken 10 (bus 3, 74 or 164 from T Skanstull, bus 74 from T Mariatorget or suburban train to Stockholm Södra), +46 8 616 10 00.
In the case of less serious illnesses and ailments, contact the local clinic, vårdcentral, is a much better option than hospital emergency centers. A health helpline in the Stockholm region (+46 8 320 100) can provide medical advice and help find a doctor. Although the information is officially given only in Swedish, doctors often speak a little English.
Pharmacies
Certified pharmacies (apotek) have a green cross sign. Medicines available over the counter can be bought from most supermarkets and multi-industry shops. However, strong painkillers are only sold in pharmacies.
- Apoteket C In Scheele, Klarabergsgatan 64 (T-Centralen), +46 8 454 81 30. Open 24 hours, all days of the week, including holidays. This pharmacy is in the center. Services are limited late at night and can be slow, but they have a very large range of specialized medicines.
- Apotek Hjärtat, Krukmakargatan 13, Södermalm (T Mariatorget), +46 8 454 81 30. Very long working hours: 8:00-22:00 for all days of the week.
Tourist information
- Tourist Center in Stockholm, Kulturhuset, Sergels Torg 3-5 103 27 Stockholm, +46 8-508 28 508, ✉ [email protected]. Open Pn-Fri 09:00-19:00, Sb 09:00-16:00, Nd 10:00-16:00. The official tourist center has many information in several languages and helpful staff. They also sell local transport cards and tickets to museums and tours
Where to go
Stockholm Region

Beyond the metropolitan area, Stockholm contains cultural heritage and great nature, all within the scope of the SL public transport network; most in less than an hour.
- The Stockholm Archipelago consists of thousands of islands scattered around the Baltic Sea. Many of them can be reached by car, for others you need a ferry. Many of these ferries call to the center of Stockholm.
- Ekerö is a less well-known freshwater archipelago in Lake Mälaren, with two world heritage sites: Drottningholm Palace (Royal Family Residence) and Birk settlement. Drottningholm is located 10 km from the center of Stockholm and can be reached by public transport within 30 minutes or 1 hour by ferry.
- Sigtuna is the first capital of Sweden, a charming town near Arlanda Airport, 40 km north of Stockholm.
- Norrtälje contains the northern part of the archipelago and extensive forests.
- The northern suburbs of Stockholm have many outdoor opportunities, including three slopes for downhill skiing and the heritage of the Viking Age.
- Södertörn contains forests and lakes, especially the Tyresta National Park and the port city of Nynäshamn.
- Södertälje is a charming port town.
Uppsala Region
Uppsala, the headquarters of the Uppsala region, was the political, cultural and religious center of the Swedish Viking Age. Uppsala also has the first university in Sweden, and Uppsala Cathedral is the largest in Scandinavian countries and the seat of the Church of Sweden. 80 km north of Stockholm, it is a pleasant place for a day trip, where many monuments dated even further than some in Stockholm are within walking distance from the central station.
To get there, there are two railway options:
- SJ offers fast hourly service from Stockholm C to Uppsala, and occasional connections from Gävle also stop in Uppsala. This option takes 38 minutes and costs 82 kr for adults (26 or older).
- SL offers a half-hour service from Stockholm C to Uppsala, takes 55 minutes and costs 110 kr (65 kr for people under 20 years of age), holding an SL travel card (even 24 or 72 hours) will reduce the fee to 60 kr (35 kr for people under 20 or over 65 years of age).
Next
- Gävle is a town and a county seat with several museums and a famous goat of straw in December.
- In the Södermanland region there are several places for day trips, such as Strängnäs and Mariefred and Trosa.
- Gotland is an exotic island in the middle of the Baltic Sea, to which you can reach by plane from Bromma airport or by ferry from Nynäshamn.
- The Åland Islands is an autonomous Swedish-speaking island between Sweden and Finland, served by most Baltic ferries.
- Turku is the oldest city in Finland to reach by ferry in the day or at night.
- Helsinki is the capital of Finland, which can be reached by night ferry or plane.
| This article is a guide. It already has many good, high quality information, including hotels, restaurants and attractions. The article also contains information on arrival and departure. Help us make him a medal! |