I’ve been to Sweden a few times now, from chasing Vikings in Uppsala to singing at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö (ok, watching it), and every visit makes me love this country more. But Stockholm? Stockholm is magic.
My husband and I visited during our summer living abroad in Scandinavia, and within minutes of arriving by train from Copenhagen, we were already saying “Yeah, Stockholm is cool.”
It’s a city of metro stations that double as art galleries, boats always drifting through the canals, and the best dang meatballs you’ve ever had. If you’re headed to Sweden’s capital, these are the 10 things I think you have to do.
1. Visit The ABBA Museum (And Yes, Sing Your Heart Out)
This was the first thing I put on our itinerary, and it lived up to the hype. I danced, sang, and very badly tried karaoke to “Dancing Queen.” Even my metalhead husband had fun. The exhibits are interactive, colorful, and packed with music history and Eurovision lore.
Trust me, buy your tickets online ahead of time and set aside a whole morning for this epic museum.
2. Eat Meatballs At Meatballs For The People
I went hard on Swedish meatballs during our trip, and Meatballs For The People was the best of the best. They serve everything from moose to wild boar to vegan versions, all with mashed potatoes, gravy, and lingonberries. It’s cozy, cool, and sustainably sourced. Definitely a must-eat.
3. Ride the Stockholm Metro, It’s Basically a Free Art Museum
Some of Stockholm’s best art is underground. Literally. We hopped around to different metro stations like T-Centralen, Stadion, and Solna Centrum, and each one had its own wild vibe. Bright rainbows, dripping red ceilings, fantasy murals. One even felt like you were entering the Upside Down from Stranger Things.
It’s such a fun (and affordable) way to explore the city.
4. Wander Gamla Stan Early In The Morning
Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s old town, with those iconic red and yellow buildings straight out of a storybook. We wandered here at 8 a.m. before the crowds and it was pure magic.
The cobblestone streets, quiet squares, and warm morning light made it one of my favorite moments of the trip.
5. See The City From The Water On A Public Ferry
One of the coolest things about Stockholm is that you can take a public ferry as part of your metro pass. No need to book a pricey boat tour!
We hopped on near the museums and rode it to Gamla Stan, grabbing a spot by the railing for skyline views. It’s a super chill (and cheap) way to feel like a local.
6. Eat Lunch At The Viking Museum Café (Meatballs Round 2)
After geeking out at the ABBA Museum, we headed over to the Viking Museum since my husband loves all things Nordic, but not before grabbing lunch at their café. Yes, I had more meatballs. Yes, they were bomb. And yes, we rode the little Viking ride in the basement. No regrets.
The highlight of this museum, aside from the meatballs, was the live actor who honestly might’ve time-traveled from the Viking age. He was huge, in full character, and totally gave off real Viking energy
7. Climb Skinnarviksberget For Sunset Views
This rocky hill on Södermalm is the best sunset spot in the city. Locals were chilling with beers, we brought wine, and a thunderstorm rolled in across the skyline while we watched from above. It was dramatic, romantic, and very Swedish.
8. Have a Craft Beer at Omnipollos Hatt
If you’re into beer, you need to try Nebuchadnezzar, Stockholm’s iconic anti-imperialist DIPA. Omnipollos Hatt is a laid-back spot with indoor and outdoor seating and wood-fired pizza. We came for a drink and stayed for hours. It’s a great way to wind down after a long sightseeing day.
9. Experience The ICEBAR
Yes, it’s a little touristy. But also, IT’S A BAR MADE OF ICE. They give you coats and gloves, and your cocktail is served in an ice glass. I’m from Wisconsin and still thought it was a trip. We popped in for a happy hour drink and had a blast.
10. Take A Walking Tour (Or Two)
We did a mix of self-guided exploring and joining walking tours, and they were so worth it. Stockholm’s neighborhoods all feel distinct, and having a local guide us through Gamla Stan and Swedish history made it so much more meaningful. There’s even a guided “fika” tour if you want to snack your way through the city.
Stockholm Tip:
Buy the SL transit pass. It gets you unlimited metro, bus, tram, and ferry rides and it makes you feel like a local tapping in and out with your little green card. Way easier (and cheaper) than cabs.
Stockholm is huge and beautiful and full of surprises. We squeezed a lot into three days, but I already know we’ll be back, probably in December for the Christmas markets, or maybe just to eat more meatballs. Either way, this city is worth the hype.