EXACTLY How Many Days Do You Need in Stockholm?

A trip to Stockholm would not be complete without a visit to its most important museums and attractions.

In order not to miss out on what Stockholm has to offer, it is important to spend enough time in the city so you can make the most out of it.

You need at least three days in Stockholm. However, that really depends on what kind of attractions you like to visit.

Four or five days would be ideal, and two days would really be cutting it short. If you don’t like museums, however, two days are enough.

This guide will focus on what to do in Stockholm, the main attractions to visit, how to allocate your time in the city, and how many days to plan in Stockholm to get the most out of it.

Traveling to Scandinavia? See Is Stockholm or Copenhagen More Expensive? to learn more.

How to Spend 3 Days In Stockholm

If you have only three days in Stockholm, here is one way you can make the most of them:

Day 1: Museums. Visit The Vasa Museum, Moderna Museet, and other museums. You can acquire private transportation or join a hop-on/hop-off bus to visit museums and other attractions.
Day 2: Old City. Take the morning to explore the old city and the Royal Palace. Visit the cafes and enjoy a traditional Swedish hot coffee with cinnamon bun breakfast. In the afternoon, do some jogging in the park.
Day 3: Archipelago. Go out and visit one or more of the beautiful islands around the city. You can go with private transportation or, if you prefer, take a boat tour.

Visit Some Museums

One of the most popular things to do in Stockholm is to explore its rich history and visit its famous museums.

There are too many museums to cover in just a few days, which is why you should focus on the most famous ones. Here are the five top museums you should visit:

The Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum houses The Vasa, a 17th-century ship. [1] In fact, it is the only 17th-century ship preserved in a museum today. It spent 333 years underwater, and it is just magnificent.

The Vasa sank just 1.3 kilometers into its journey; it was sent out by King Gustav II Adolf as a display of power. [2] The museum is built around the stunning vessel.

You could easily spend an entire afternoon in this museum, as there are tons of interesting artifacts and things to learn. This museum is definitely a must-see in Stockholm.

Indeed, it is one of the most visited Stockholm attractions. Even if you are not particularly interested in ships, it is worth visiting The Vasa Museum due to its stunning architecture.

The Moderna Museet

The Moderna Museet features some of the best Swedish art. [3] It is also known as the Museum of Modern Art. However, it showcases both contemporary and older works, including works from famous artists such as Picasso.

Regardless of what kind of art you are into, if you enjoy art museums, this is a must-visit.

Skansen Museum and Zoo

The Skansen Museum was the first open-air museum built in Sweden. [4] Not only is it fascinating, with exhibits dedicated to showing life before the industrial revolution, there is also a zoo with beautiful animals that are native to Sweden.

The ABBA Museum

If you are a pop fan, you will love The ABBA Museum. [5] The entire museum is dedicated to the Swedish pop group ABBA. It features clips, clothing, gold records, and more.

The Spirit Museum

If alcohol is more your thing than pop music, visit The Spirit Museum. [6] There, you can learn about different kinds of alcoholic drinks, try some drinks you have never tried before, and sit in the beautiful on-site bar and restaurant. There is even a beer garden with various types of beer available.

Sweden and Finland have an interesting relationship. See This Is Why Swedish Is the Official Language in Finland? to learn more.

Visit the Archipelago and Some Islands

Visiting the archipelago of Stockholm requires an entire day trip of its own, but it is well worth it.

There are 30,000 islands, and while you can’t visit all of them, you can go to Fjäderholmarna in just 20 minutes. [7]

The views are amazing, and you will get a chance to enjoy some beautiful nature.

Visit the Old City and Royal Palace

Take a stroll in the old city in the center of Stockholm. Enjoy the beautiful architecture, and, if you have the time, visit the Royal Palace. The old city is also called Gamla Stan. [8]

The cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways are perfect for those who would like to explore on their own, and the quaint cafes and shops are perfect for getting a morning coffee.

It’s a touristy area with plenty of restaurants and shops selling souvenirs.

While you are in Gamla Stan, you can stop by The Nobel Museum [9] and the Stockholm Cathedral. [10]

If you have even more time, take a trip outside the city and visit Drottningholm Castle, where the royals lived in the 17th century. [11]

Take a Stroll in the Park

When strolling through the Royal National City Park, you will forget that you’re in a city. [12] The park goes on for miles, and you will see people walking, jogging, biking, and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Hop on the Metro

Figuring out the public transportation system in any city can be a fun activity. It also gives you a chance to mingle with the locals and observe people as they live their everyday lives.

However, Stockholm’s metro stations are exceptional in that they are beautifully-decorated with stunning art. In fact, some metro stations are like museums in their own right.

Traveling in Sweden doesn’t have to be difficult. See Paying in Sweden: Can You Use Euro or Danish Krone? to learn more.

Visit local pubs

There are tons of lively pubs in Stockholm. If you are looking for quaint European bars or intense clubs, Stockholm has some of the best that Europe has to offer.

Whether you go alone to a restaurant/bar with your significant other or join the Stockholm Pub Crawl, you will never forget a night out in the city in Stockholm. [13]

Visit Some Bakeries

Swedes famously enjoy a hot coffee or chocolate with a cinnamon roll in the morning. Stockholm has tons of bakeries and cafés that have delicious cinnamon rolls. Even if you are on a diet, it is worth having one!

Take a Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus or Boat Tour

Stockholm has both bus and boat tours. These hop-on/hop-off tours allow you to explore the city and its many attractions at your own pace.

Sometimes, the buses leave as often as every 15 minutes, and you can get off to explore a museum and catch a later bus when you are done.

There are also boat tours that allow you to visit the islands around Stockholm and view the city from its lakes and canals.

Get a Tourist Card

You can get a Stockholm tourist pass that will give you free access to over 60 different museums and attractions, including the Royal Palace and the museums mentioned earlier in this article. [14]

This pass can be downloaded to your phone, mailed to you ahead of time, or collected in Stockholm. It will allow you to save quite a bit of money and give you more freedom and flexibility.

Get ready for an amazing trip!

If you have more than three days, you will have more time to explore Stockholm and truly enjoy its beauty.

However, three days is a good amount of time for just visiting the main attractions and museums and getting a feel for what daily life in the city is like.

Sources

References:

[1] https://www.vasamuseet.se/en

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustavus_Adolphus_of_Sweden

[3] https://www.modernamuseet.se/stockholm/en/

[4] https://www.skansen.se/en/welcome-to-skansen

[5] https://abbathemuseum.com/en/

[6] https://spritmuseum.se/en/

[7] https://www.kungligaslotten.se/vara-besoksmal/kungl.-djurgarden—nationalstadsparken/fjaderholmarna.html

[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamla_stan

[9] https://nobelprizemuseum.se/

[10] https://www.visitstockholm.com/see–do/attractions/stockholm-cathedral/