Top 10 Stockholm Attractions

Sweden’s capital is spread across a number of islands, giving it a vibrant, Venetian feel in places, while its proximity to the sea has shaped its history. From the old town to the ports, the museums to the restaurants, you won’t be short of things to do in Stockholm.

ABBA Museum

“Walk in, dance out” is the motto of the ABBA Museum, and even if you’re not a fan of the biggest pop sensation of the ‘70s, it’s hard to resist humming one of the band’s classics as you emerge from this place. For fans, it’s nirvana, stuffed with original stage costumes and memorabilia, interactive elements and a surreal sense of fun. ABBA might be huge in Sweden, but this museum doesn’t take itself too seriously. Go the whole hog – you can even dine and stay for the night at the Pop House Hotel housed in the same building.

Gamla Stan

Most visitors to Stockholm make straight for Gamla Stan, the Old Town. It’s not hard to see why. This district is steeped in history, dating back to the city’s early days in the 1300s, and has accumulated centuries’ worth of character. Cars aren’t allowed here, so park your Hertz rental outside and enjoy the charming cobblestone streets, gold and pastel-painted buildings, quirky bars, welcoming cafés, and stunning museums. It’s where you’ll find the Royal Palace, Cathedral, and Nobel Museum. And as you wander to Stortorget, the central square, you’ll find plenty of gift and craft stores.

Vasamuseet

Sometimes there’s glory in failure. At Vasamuseet – the Vasa Museum – you can learn the story of the warship Vasa. Big things were expected for this vessel, and hundreds of onlookers came to watch its maiden voyage on August 10, 1628. It traveled about one nautical mile before sinking, the victim of catastrophic miscalculations which meant it was too top-heavy. It spent nearly three-and-a-half centuries in the sea’s depths before being raised from its watery grave in 1961 and intricately re-assembled. It’s an extraordinary sight, while the exhibits and education around it shed light on naval warfare and seafaring life in the 17^th century.

The Royal Palace

There aren’t many countries where you can share a regal setting at the same time as the family who live there. Stockholm’s Royal Palace is vast and imposing and has barely changed since it was built in the 13^th century. While some areas are off-limits, you can still explore the royal apartments, treasury, and armory. You’ll find the palace adjacent to Gamla Stan, and once inside you can take a tour of the three on-site museums. The Royal Armory in the basement is filled with fascinating memorabilia – including clothes and armor – that covers half a millennium of history.

Skansen

A bold and original venture, Skansen is the world’s oldest outdoor museum. It’s dedicated to how Swedes used to live, and having opened in 1891, its focus is on earlier modes of living. It’s huge, with 150 traditional buildings giving a sense of the old Sweden in microcosm. It’s far from dry and dusty though – there’s a children’s zoo, aquarium, funicular railway, and staff in costumes who do a fantastic job of bringing the era to life. There are restaurants and handicrafts too, while you might even get a chance to try your hand at glassblowing.

Fotografiska Museet

Fans of photography will already have the Fotografiska Museet – the Museum of Contemporary Photography – high up on their must-do list. Its reputation is international, not just for the quality of the work on show, but also for the innovative mix of exhibitions it stages, as well as the panache with which it carries it all off. The museum hosts music and live events too, and there’s an excellent restaurant on the top floor with stunning views across Sodermalm and the rest of Stockholm.

Gröna Lund

Sweden's oldest amusement park resides on the seaward side of Djurgården Island, built around existing 19th-century buildings. There are rides galore within this compact theme park, including plenty of options for smaller children such as a spinning Tea Cup ride and mini dodgems. It makes for a charming day out, and if you time it right, you might even be able to take in a concert as Gröna Lund doubles as a rock and pop venue.

Djurgarden

If you’ve visited some of the above, you’ll have already been to Djurgarden, but you still won’t have seen all this delectable district has to offer. This huge and pretty park hosts the Vasa Museum, Skansen and ABBA Museum, among other city attractions. To escape some of the crowds, head to the Royal Game Park. It’s vast and has plenty of places to find peace and solitude or settle down for a picnic. And if the weather’s not in your favor, there are good restaurants and cafes here, too.

Moderna Museet

Close to Djurgarden you’ll find one of the world’s leading contemporary art collections. At Moderna Museet, the array includes key pieces of pop art and modernism, still-life paintings and collages, sculpture, and film. These aren’t minor works – there are truly masterful pieces from Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Henri Matisse, and many more. The exhibitions are consistently fascinating and constantly changing at this restless museum, which also featuresa children’s workshop and a restaurant boasting one of the city’s best views.

Stockholm’s City Hall

Whereas most modern city halls are purely functional, Stockholm’s 1923 building has some romance to it. Well, it was built in the Romantic style, after all. Highlights here include the 350-feet tower with its three crowns, the eight million bricks that were used in the construction, and the numerous works of art. The Golden Hall inside hosts the Nobel Prize banquet every year and sports 18 million gold mosaic tiles. You’ll need to reserve spots in advance to tour it and climb the tower, but it’s one of the best things you’ll find to do in Stockholm.

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