8 things to do in Stockholm when it rains

Stockholm on a rainy day

Museum · Djurgården

1.Vasa Museum

Arrive at opening or in the last hours of the day in summer, and watch the short film first for context.

Time needed

2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Iconic
• History
• Rainy day
• Kids

Palace · Gamla Stan

2.Royal Palace

Time your visit for the changing of the guard in the outer courtyard, a ceremony with a military band in summer.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Iconic
• History
• Architecture
• Rainy day

Museum · Djurgården

3.ABBA The Museum

Use the code on your ticket to collect your recordings and performances online afterwards.

Time needed

1.5–2 hours

Cost

Expensive

• Kids
• Rainy day
• Iconic

Gallery · Södermalm

4.Fotografiska

Stay late; it is open into the evening, and the café view is best at sunset.

Time needed

1.5–2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Art
• Views
• Rainy day
• After dark

Gallery · Skeppsholmen

5.Moderna Museet

Walk across the Skeppsholmen bridge from the Nationalmuseum and loop round the island's waterfront afterwards.

Time needed

1.5–2 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Art
• Rainy day
• Outdoors

Museum · Norrmalm

6.Nationalmuseum

Look for Carl Larsson's monumental murals on the staircase before heading into the galleries.

Time needed

2 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Art
• Rainy day
• Architecture

Museum · Djurgården

7.Junibacken

Ride the story train first, then let children loose in Villa Villekulla.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Kids
• Rainy day

Experience · Norrmalm

8.Metro art

With a 24-hour ticket, ride the blue line from T-Centralen to Kungsträdgården, then the red line to Stadion.

Time needed

1–2 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Art
• Rainy day
• Off the beaten path
• Photo spot

Grouped by area

Booking and timing

Of these 8, 3 low cost, 4 mid-priced, 1 expensive. Book ahead for Vasa Museum and ABBA The Museum. The longest visit is Royal Palace; group the rest by area to save travel time.

• Vasa Museum: Summer queues can be long; buying a ticket online speeds up entry.
• ABBA The Museum: Entry is by timed ticket; book online, especially at weekends and in summer.

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 (Djurgården): Vasa Museum → ABBA The Museum, at least 4 hours.
• Half-day 2 (Djurgården): Junibacken, at least 2 hours.
• Half-day 3 (Gamla Stan and Södermalm): Royal Palace → Fotografiska, at least 4 hours.
• Half-day 4 (Skeppsholmen and Norrmalm): Moderna Museet → Nationalmuseum, at least 4 hours.
• Half-day 5 (Norrmalm): Metro art, at least 1 hour.

The wettest months

• November: highs of 6°C (43°F), about 10 rainy days, quiet crowds. Grey and dark, but candlelit cafés and the first Christmas markets bring a cosy atmosphere.
• December: highs of 3°C (37°F), about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds. Short days softened by lights, glögg and Christmas markets; Lucia processions are a highlight.
• 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.

The neighbourhoods they are in

• Gamla Stan — Medieval island old town of cobbled lanes, the Royal Palace and Stortorget
• Norrmalm — The modern centre: Central Station, department stores and Kungsträdgården
• Södermalm — Hilly island of independent shops, cafés, bars and cliff-top views
• Djurgården — Green royal park island of museums, an amusement park and waterside walks

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