Stockholm and the archipelago in brief
- The best things to do in Stockholm: Gamla Stan, the Vasa Museum, Skansen, City Hall and Södermalm.
- Ferries reach the archipelago of around 30,000 islands in 25 minutes to 3 hours.
- Christmas brings markets in Gamla Stan and Skansen; overnight ferries sail to Helsinki and Tallinn.
- Three or four nights is ideal; May to September is the best time to visit.
Stockholm is one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals, built on 14 islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea. It has a medieval old town, a royal palace, world-class museums, green parks and water everywhere, and beyond the city lies the Stockholm archipelago, around 30,000 islands of pine, granite and red wooden cottages. This guide covers the best things to do in Stockholm, how to explore the archipelago, Stockholm at Christmas, Baltic ferries to Helsinki and Tallinn, the weather and how many days you need.
Things to do in Stockholm
Gamla Stan and the Royal Palace
Wander the cobbled lanes of the old town, see the colourful houses of Stortorget square, the Nobel Prize Museum and the cathedral, and watch the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace, one of the largest palaces in Europe.
The Vasa Museum and Djurgården
The island of Djurgården is Stockholm’s museum island. The star is the Vasa, a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was raised almost intact in 1961. Nearby are ABBA The Museum, the Nordic Museum and Skansen.
Skansen open-air museum
Opened in 1891, Skansen is the world’s oldest open-air museum, with historic houses and farms from all over Sweden, craftspeople at work and Nordic animals such as elk, bears and reindeer. Its Christmas market is one of the city’s best.
City Hall and Riddarholmen
Take a guided tour of Stockholm City Hall, home of the Nobel Prize banquet and its Golden Hall, and climb the tower for views over the islands. Across the water, the island of Riddarholmen has the burial church of Swedish kings.
Södermalm, fika and food halls
Head south to Södermalm for independent shops, vintage stores, galleries and the clifftop walk at Monteliusvägen. Stop for fika, the Swedish coffee break with a cinnamon or cardamom bun, and browse the historic food halls.
Metro art and the water
Over 90 of Stockholm’s metro stations are decorated with art, making it “the world’s longest art gallery”. Ride the heritage tram out to Djurgården, or take a short boat trip around the islands and under the bridges.
Further out: take a boat across Lake Mälaren to Drottningholm Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the home of the Swedish royal family, with baroque gardens and an 18th-century theatre. Or catch the train to the university town of Uppsala, under 40 minutes away.
The Stockholm archipelago
The Stockholm archipelago stretches about 80 km out into the Baltic, with around 30,000 islands, islets and rocks. Some have villages, harbours and summer houses; others are just smooth granite and pine trees.
Regular passenger ferries leave from the city centre, so it’s easy to explore on a day trip. In summer, Stockholmers head out to swim, kayak, sail and eat fresh fish and shrimp by the water.
You can also stay a night or two on the islands in small guesthouses, cabins and hostels, best booked well ahead for July.
| Island | Time by boat | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Fjäderholmarna | About 25 minutes | The closest islands: crafts, cafés and a swim |
| Vaxholm | About 1 hour | A wooden harbour town and a 16th-century fortress |
| Grinda | About 1 hr 30 to 2 hours | Forest walks, beaches and swimming |
| Sandhamn | About 2 to 3 hours | The sailing capital of the outer archipelago |
| Utö | About 2 to 3 hours | Cycling, old iron mines and sandy beaches |
In winter some ferries still run to the larger islands, and on cold days you can walk or skate on natural ice near the city. It’s quiet and beautiful, but check timetables first.
Stockholm at Christmas and in winter
From late November Stockholm fills with candles and lights. The Christmas market in Stortorget, in the heart of Gamla Stan, has been held for well over a century, and Skansen holds its traditional market at weekends through Advent.
Warm up with glögg (mulled wine) and saffron buns, and look out for straw goats and hand-made decorations. On 13 December, Lucia celebrations bring candlelit processions and singing to churches and concert halls all over the city.
In January and February, Stockholm is cold and often snowy, with short days but lots of indoor life: museums, saunas, cafés and ice skating.
Baltic ferries from Stockholm
Stockholm is the starting point for some of Europe’s great ferry journeys. Large overnight ships run by companies such as Viking Line sail through the archipelago at sunset and arrive the next morning, with cabins, restaurants and lounges on board.
| Route | Journey time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Stockholm to Helsinki | About 16 to 17 hours, overnight | Calls at the Åland Islands; arrives in central Helsinki |
| Stockholm to Tallinn | About 16 to 17 hours, overnight | Arrives a short walk from Tallinn’s medieval old town |
| Stockholm to Turku | About 11 hours, day or night | Through the archipelagos of both Sweden and Finland |
| Stockholm to Mariehamn | About 6 hours | The capital of the Åland Islands; popular as a mini-cruise |
Ferries make it easy to combine Stockholm with Helsinki and Tallinn on a Baltic city break, or to start a longer trip to Finland and Finnish Lapland.
Weather and the best time to visit Stockholm
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1°C | -3°C | 50 mm |
| Mar | 5°C | -2°C | 45 mm |
| May | 15°C | 5°C | 55 mm |
| Jun | 20°C | 11°C | 60 mm |
| Jul | 22°C | 13°C | 60 mm |
| Aug | 21°C | 13°C | 75 mm |
| Sep | 17°C | 10°C | 50 mm |
| Oct | 10°C | 5°C | 55 mm |
| Dec | 2°C | -2°C | 45 mm |
10-year ERA5 averages for Stockholm.
- May to September: the best time overall. Long, light days (in June it barely gets dark), outdoor cafés and the archipelago at its best. Midsummer, around 20 to 26 June, is the big celebration.
- Late November and December: Christmas markets, Lucia and cosy short days.
- January to March: cold and quiet, good for museums and winter walks, sometimes with snow and ice skating.
How many days in Stockholm?
Stockholm city break
- Gamla Stan and the palace
- Djurgården, the Vasa and Skansen
- Södermalm and a boat trip
The essentials, at an easy pace.
Stockholm and the islands
- Stockholm (3 nights)
- Vaxholm or Grinda (2)
- Drottningholm
Add island time in summer.
Baltic capitals
- Stockholm (3 nights)
- Overnight ferry
- Helsinki (2)
- Tallinn (2)
Three capitals with a night at sea.
Getting there: direct flights from London and other UK airports take about two and a half hours to Stockholm Arlanda, and the express train reaches the centre in 18 minutes. Stockholm is also the start of the night train to Swedish Lapland.
Ways to see Stockholm with us
Practical tips
- Cards, not cash: Stockholm is almost cashless; many places don’t take cash at all.
- Public transport: one ticket covers the metro, buses, trams and some city ferries. Tap in with a contactless card.
- Book ahead for archipelago stays in July and for Christmas weekends.
- Entry: Sweden is in the Schengen area; British visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Check the FCDO Sweden advice.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Stockholm?
Explore Gamla Stan and the Royal Palace, see the Vasa warship and Skansen on Djurgården, tour City Hall, walk around Södermalm, take a boat trip to the archipelago and ride the metro to see its art.
How many days do you need in Stockholm?
Three or four nights covers the main sights at an easy pace. Add two nights in the archipelago in summer, or combine Stockholm with Helsinki and Tallinn by overnight ferry.
How do you get to the Stockholm archipelago?
Passenger ferries leave from the city centre all year, more often in summer. Fjäderholmarna is about 25 minutes away, Vaxholm about an hour, and the outer islands such as Sandhamn and Utö two to three hours.
When are the Stockholm Christmas markets?
From late November until just before Christmas. The market in Stortorget in Gamla Stan runs daily, and Skansen holds its market at weekends during Advent.
How long is the ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki?
About 16 to 17 hours overnight, calling at the Åland Islands. Ferries to Tallinn also sail overnight, and to Turku in about 11 hours.
What is the weather like in Stockholm?
Summers are mild and light, with highs of about 20°C to 22°C in June to August. Winters are cold, around 1°C to 2°C by day and below freezing at night, sometimes with snow.
What is the best time to visit Stockholm?
May to September for long days, outdoor life and the archipelago; late November and December for Christmas markets and Lucia.
How far is Stockholm airport from the city?
Stockholm Arlanda is about 40 km north of the city. The express train takes 18 minutes to Stockholm Central, and there are also commuter trains, buses and taxis.
Keep planning
- Sweden holidays
- Swedish Lapland guide
- Kiruna and the ice hotel
- Abisko and the northern lights
- Escorted tours of Sweden
- Finland holidays
- Norway holidays
- Tailor-made holidays
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