7 historic sites to see in Stockholm

Historic sites in Stockholm

Neighbourhood · Gamla Stan

1.Gamla Stan and Stortorget

Its lanes radiate from Stortorget, the oldest square, lined with tall painted merchants' houses, and lead to Mårten Trotzigs gränd, the city's narrowest alley at about 90 centimetres wide. Västerlånggatan is the busy main street; the parallel lanes are quieter.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Free

• Iconic
• Free
• History
• Architecture
• Photo spot

Museum · Djurgården

2.Vasa Museum

The 69-metre ship, about 98% original, fills a purpose-built hall surrounded by galleries on life aboard, the carved sculptures and the salvage.

Time needed

2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Iconic
• History
• Rainy day
• Kids

Museum · Djurgården

3.Skansen

Its hilltop setting includes Nordic animals such as moose, brown bears, wolves and reindeer, and it hosts the city's traditional Midsummer and Lucia celebrations.

Time needed

Half a day

Cost

Mid-priced

• Iconic
• Kids
• History
• Outdoors

Palace · Gamla Stan

4.Royal Palace

Visitors can see the Royal Apartments, the Treasury with the crown regalia and Gustav III's Museum of Antiquities, and the Royal Armoury in the cellars displays royal armour, coaches and costumes.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Iconic
• History
• Architecture
• Rainy day

Architecture · Kungsholmen

5.Stockholm City Hall

The Golden Hall glitters with more than 18 million gold-leaf mosaic tiles, and its 106-metre tower gives one of the best views of Gamla Stan.

Time needed

1–1.5 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Iconic
• Architecture
• Views
• History

Museum · Gamla Stan

6.Nobel Prize Museum

Laureates traditionally sign the underside of the bistro's chairs.

Time needed

1–1.5 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• History
• Rainy day

Religious site · Gamla Stan

7.Riddarholmen Church

Coats of arms of the knights of the Order of the Seraphim line the walls. It is now used only for burials and commemorations and opens to visitors mainly in the warmer months.

Time needed

45 minutes

Cost

Low cost

• History
• Architecture
• Off the beaten path

Grouped by area

Booking and timing

Of these 7, 1 free, 1 low cost, 5 mid-priced. Book ahead for Vasa Museum and Stockholm City Hall. The longest visit is Skansen; group the rest by area to save travel time.

• Vasa Museum: Summer queues can be long; buying a ticket online speeds up entry.
• Stockholm City Hall: Interiors are seen on guided tours only, and tower tickets are limited; both sell out in summer, so book ahead.

How to fit them into 5 half-days

Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.

• Half-day 1 (Gamla Stan): Gamla Stan and Stortorget, at least 2 hours.
• Half-day 2 (Gamla Stan): Royal Palace → Nobel Prize Museum → Riddarholmen Church, at least 4 hours.
• Half-day 3 (Djurgården): Vasa Museum, at least 2 hours.
• Half-day 4 (Djurgården): Skansen, at least 3 hours.
• Half-day 5 (Kungsholmen): Stockholm City Hall, at least 1 hour.

The quietest months for queues

• February: highs of 2°C (36°F), about 7 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Often the snowiest month, with crisp clear days and lakes that may freeze for skating; semla buns fill the bakeries.
• January: highs of 1°C (34°F), about 9 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Cold and dark with about six to seven hours of daylight; snow and ice are possible.
• April: highs of 11°C (52°F), about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds. Spring arrives with cherry blossom in Kungsträdgården and outdoor cafés reopening on sunny days.

The neighbourhoods they are in

• Gamla Stan — Medieval island old town of cobbled lanes, the Royal Palace and Stortorget
• Kungsholmen — Residential island west of the centre with the City Hall and lakeside promenades
• Djurgården — Green royal park island of museums, an amusement park and waterside walks

More of Stockholm

All things to do in Stockholm · Where to stay · When to go.

Questions travellers ask