A Perfect Weekend in Stockholm: A complete guide
I frequently fly to Poland to visit my grandparents but even despite being located in a flight hub like New York, summer ticket prices over the ocean can be very pricey. Over the years, I started “hacking” the system a little and using it as an opportunity to see more of Europe. Instead of accepting some crazy fares, I look for the cheapest flight from NYC toward Europe and then find a separate connection to my end destination. So long story short, I ended up spending a weekend in Stockholm because I decided to take a $300 flight to Sweden instead of an $800 one to Krakow, and then a few days later, I took my $20 flight over the Baltic Sea.
I’m happy to say that Stockholm ended up being an amazing destination and it surprised me at every corner with its efficiency, elegance, and friendliness. While certainly not cheap, it is a destination I would return to in a heartbeat. I created the perfect weekend in Stockholm itinerary and I am excited to share it with you today!
After you read more about the city logistics and places to see in the city, don’t forget to download a ready-to-go itinerary at the bottom of this post too!
Let’s get to the logistics of visiting Stockholm
Things to know
- Stockholm is one of the more expensive cities in Europe so if you’re a fellow budget traveler, even a hostel is going to kick your wallet.
- Using physical money is not common as most places prefer solely the use of cards.
- Sweden tends to be a colder one so plan to travel in late spring, summer, and early fall. Since it’s located pretty far up north, it gets very little sunlight in the winter.
- If you
- Northern Europe is amazing! If you’re in the area check out Copenhagen, another city I traveled to solo!
Suggested length of stay
A weekend getaway is a perfect length of stay for Stockholm. Although a one-day stop will give you a nice preview of what the city is all about, I would recommend staying at least two. In three you can cover most of what the city has to offer.
Layout & Transport in Stockholm
If you’re coming in from the main airport, take the express metro into the Stockholm city center for the most convenient connection. Stockholm is a stunning city composed of many little islands but the main tourist area is concentrated in one. As far as visiting the main attractions, the main tourist area can be covered on foot but if you want to explore a little further out, you will need some form of public transport. Remember to look up as the metro stations are very known for their art.
If you’re planning to continue your journey elsewhere in Europe like Copenhagen or Budapest for example, and your flight cost less than your shoes, make sure to check the distance of where you will be flying from. I personally took a flight from the Skavsta Airport which is located over an hour outside the city. With the traffic and lack of proper planning, I almost missed my flight.
People & Safety
People were so great in Stockholm! Swedes are known to be proper and polite and I naturally expected a little coldness from them (blame my eastern European genes for that). Everyone does indeed appears very elegant and proper but they were certainly not cold. Everywhere I visited, people wanted to chat and I had a very positive experience there. I didn’t get too much of the “American” treatment.
In terms of safety, Stockholm is considered a very safe city. However, just because something seems safe, don’t be too confident that nothing will happen to you. I always keep my guard up at night especially if I have to walk alone. I traveled solo here and felt completely at ease.
Food in Stockholm
I ate my way through this city. No joke. I took a “personal” food tour as well as an official one. Although expensive, I loved the food there! Everything was extremely fresh and tasty.
The food tour was one of my favorite memories from the city as well. I recommend this group and I can vouch for how awesome their service is! It combined delicious meals with some light history and more on-foot exploration. I made friends with 3 other ladies, one my age, and two older sisters that were on a mission to explore most of their world during retirement. There is nothing more special than hearing other people’s stories behind their reason for travel and especially their lives over a good meal.
Drinking is great but also very expensive. Stick with beers and wine because liquor is almost unaffordable for a budget traveler.
Hotels/Hostels
Stockholm accommodations will hurt your pockets. A hostel will too. I stayed at the Generator Hostel, a chain that hasn’t failed me yet. Although it is not as cozy as a smaller family-owned one, when you’re looking for something with more of a hotel feel, this is a good compromise. It was expensive to stay there but totally worth it.
If you’re looking for good hotels, depending on the location, you will need to spend money. Airbnb might be your savior here as they’ll provide you with the privacy of a hotel at hostel prices.
Sightseeing in Stockholm
There is a decent amount of things to do in the city over three days. Depending on the amount of exploring you’re interested in doing, this is definitely an active city. Unless you’re taking a Fika break which is a little coffee pause with your friends, you will be going somewhere.
Perfect Weekend in Stockholm
Just as I had an absolutely perfect weekend in Stockholm, I hope you do too. Stockholm is full of cool things to do from historical alleyways to modern buildings full of art. This city surprised me with how clean, structured and logistic it is. Everything was perfectly set up, the people were super nice and I met a lot of awesome travelers there as well.
Visit Gamla Stan
I recommend starting your weekend by touring Gamla Stan, the prettiest area of town. This is the most touristy area of Stockholm as well but one that certainly shouldn’t be skipped. The old town consists of cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and stunning Swedish architecture.
This cute area is full of history, churches, and many important buildings. It is also the tourist center with the most restaurants and shops. I would recommend taking a free walking tour from here so you can learn more about it. I took a 3-hour tour which allowed me to pause and pay attention to things I normally wouldn’t.
Djurgården
Drurgarden is a little island with activities for everyone. You can find the Abba, Viking, and Nordic museums there. Skansen is also located there and it is known to be a popular open-air museum for the younger crowd. There is an amusement park and a bunch of gardens there too.
I only visited the Vasa Museum there and I only ended up walking around the other ones due to time restrictions. If I ever go back, I will be sure to make a stop at the other places as well. It’s a simple and quick thing to do but this is a remarkable sight. Vasa Museum houses the ship that sunk near Stockholm, was recovered, then resorted and brought to a museum for our enjoyment. It’s massive and impressive. I loved learning about the history and admiring this beast.
Night at Trädgården
Not something you will find in a guidebook but it’s something you should totally experience. What exactly is it? I don’t know till day.
It is a club but also a festival and also some type of art expression. Then there are food trucks and little clubs inside houses, and oh, I almost forgot, a massive queue to get inside during the evening hours. Is it worth it? Certainly. This is one of the coolest places in Stockholm and no it is absolutely not overrated.
Drottningholm Palace
This palace belongs to the royal family and it’s open for you to explore. The grounds are stunning and the gardens just pull you in to take a walk. If you’re into European royalty history, you’ll love this palace. Get the ticket with the tour option to appreciate the stories behind this place. If history lessons bore you, pack a picnic basket, and enjoy your afternoon.
To get there, you’ll need to take the green line from the city to Brommaplan and then change to a bus to get you there. Buses stopping are 176, 177, 301 or 323, all clearly marked. It will take you about 45 minutes. Or if you want to splurge, take a taxi.
Walking tour or even a Food Tour!
Have I recommended a walking tour yet in this post? If not here it is. If you read my posts in the past, you know I love this mode of exploring on the very first day. It gives me the gist of the city, lets me appreciate the history, teaches me something new, and also allows me to decide what I do and do not want to see in the following days.
In Stockholm, I also decided to do a food tour. It was pretty pricey but I am extremely happy I did it. I learned even more about this precious place, ate some delicious authentic meals, and met some incredible people.
Östermalms Saluhall
If you’re a foodie, you will enjoy the perfection of this beautiful food hall. It has a stunning exterior and an even more amazing interior. Walk around and taste some local delicacies. Find “weird” meats there like reindeer or moose. I thoroughly enjoyed sampling all the things I would never find at an American grocery store.
Walk along the Strandvagen
Walking along this boulevard, you’ll certainly feel its prestige. I took a stroll here before crossing the bridge to the Vasa Museum. It is so good for people and boat watching if that sort of environment calms your soul as it soothes mine. Stop at one of the boat restaurants for some cold beer.
Perfect Stockholm Itinerary: FREE Downloadable Guides for your stay
A visit to Stockholm is the perfect long weekend getaway. Visiting in the summer months should be ideal but I visited in the fall and loved all the fall colors that covered the city. I suggest two days to see the highlights but if you have more time, don’t hesitate to stay longer.
Two Perfect Days in Stockholm
Two days is a perfect amount of time to see everything. Obviously, more time would allow you to soak in the local culture and visit more sights, but if you’re a hopper like me and just want to experience the highlights, two days will certainly give you that.
You’ll start the day with a delicious cinnamon bun and a good, strong coffee. Then, I highly recommend a walking tour of this city. It is the perfect way to see most of the touristy areas and learn a little history along the way. You’ll party at Tradgarden as your night activity. This is something very unique to experience in Stockholm and if you like music, alcohol, and partying, this is the place for you.
On the second day, you will visit Drottningholm Palace and take another awesome tour, further immersing you in what the city has to offer.
Also, don’t forget to comment with your thoughts on this amazing city in the comments below!
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