Stockholm - Top Tourist Attractions

The best time of year to visit Stockholm: The best time to visit is during the long summer months of June to August. Stockholm has a continental climate, with warm pleasant summers and cold snowy winters. The colder months are perfect for enjoying Scandinavia's wintry atmosphere, including Sweden's seasonal winter activities and traditional Christmas celebrations.

Stockholm - main attractions and popular tourist areas

(1). Gamla Stan (Old Town): Stockholm is often 'referred to' as the 'coolest capital' in Europe, with its designer boutiques, quirky cafes and stylish shops that line historic and impeccably preserved medieval streets. Start your Stockholm adventure in the city's most picturesque neighbourhood, the vibrant and tourist-friendly Gamla Stan.

Stockholm was founded in 1250 and is home to one of Europe's largest and best-preserved medieval city centres. Galam Stan has a maze of narrow cobbled streets, medieval arches and squares, and centuries-old alleyways; all filled with trendy art galleries, stylish boutiques and top-class restaurants.

Galam Stan is also where you'll find the oldest street in Stockholm, named 'Köpmangatan' (Merchant Street). It's also home to the narrowest street, 'Mårten Trotzigs Gränd', at less than one metre wide it's a popular spot for a photo opportunity.

Explore Stockholm's cultural history and unique atmosphere. Visit the neighbourhood's beautiful churches, royal buildings and world-class museums, including Stockholm Cathedral, the Nobel Museum and the nearby 600-roomed 18th-century Baroque-style Royal Palace (the official residence of His Majesty).

(2). The Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet) The Palace has many attractions open to the public, including the Royal apartments, the treasury, the royal costumes and armoury museum, plus displays of royal coronation carriages and magnificent coaches from the Royal Stable, plus the Museum of Antiquities, one of Europe's oldest museums, which first opened its doors in 1794. Top Tip: Don't miss the parade of royal soldiers and the daily changing of the guard.

(3). Drottningholm Palace Drottningholm Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the permanent residence of the royal family. Drottningholm Castle was built in the 17th century and is impeccably well-preserved.

One of the castle's main attractions is the Drottningholms Slottsteater (the Palace Theater). The slottsteater is probably the best-preserved eighteenth-century theatre in Europe, and features original working stage machinery - (that's still in use today). Guided tours and performances are available during the summer months. Drottningholm is located in Ekerö Municipality, approximately 10 km outside Stockholm.

(4). Stockholm Excursions: A popular tourist excursion is the 11-hour 'Thousand Island Cruise' departing from Strömkajen, central Stockholm. This cruise takes you to the outer islands, known for their natural beauty and wildlife, plus magnificient views of fjords, scenic channels and straits. The vessel used for the cruise is a classic archipelago ship M/S Waxholm III, built in 1903. The price includes morning coffee, lunch, evening meal, tour guides and guided island tour.

A cheaper alternative to the cruise is a ride on the regular public ferry service 'Waxholmsbolaget'. This return ferry service sails to the inhabited islands in the Stockholm Baltic archipelago. Top Tips: (1) Book cruise excursions tickets early to avoid disappointment, especially during peak summer months. (2) The public ferry service operates daily with several departures from Strömkajen in central Stockholm.

Other popular attractions include:

(1) For outdoor fun and entertainment, head to the island of Djurgården, situated close to the centre of Stockholm. Here you will find Gröna Lund, Sweden's oldest amusement park, with 30 fascinating rides, live music and plenty of restaurants.

(2) Explore Sweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum and zoo, the Junibacken fairy-tale fun centre, or the National Museum of Cultural History.

(3) Visit the fascinating Vasa Museum featuring a fully rigged and restored 17th-century galleon, raised from the deep in 1961, (98 per cent of the ship is original, including its ornate decorations and carvings). The 69-meter-long warship sank on its maiden voyage from Stockholm Harbour in 1628.

(4) Visit the City Hall (Stadshuset), famed for the Nobel Prize awards.

(5) Stockholm has a very impressive collection of Museums (over 150), including the National Museum of Art and the new Museum of Modern Art.

(6) Skyview: Take a fascinating ride in a glass gondola that takes you 'up the outside' of the Globen Avicii Arena to the top of the world’s largest spherical building - 130 meters above sea level.

The Globen Avicii Arena is one of Sweden's most beloved and visited arenas; the impressive indoor arena is located in the Johanneshov district of Stockholm.

The popular gondola ride takes around 30 minutes to complete, and at the top you have impressive 360-degree views of the city. Top Tip: Book Skyview Tickets in advance - especially during peak summer months.

Stockholm Entertainment:

(1) The Stockholm Jazz Festival is one of Sweden's oldest music festivals and one of Stockholm’s (most important) entertainment events. The Jazz Festival is one of the largest in Europe and is based at Skansen, with over 60 venues spread around the city. The seven-day festival consists of live jazz, blues, soul, funk and Latin music; the festival usually starts mid-October.

(2) The Midsummer's Eve Festival is Sweden's most famous and beloved festival and a national holiday. The festival is held towards the end of June and dates back hundreds of years; legend states it was part of an ancient pagan fertility ritual. Nowadays, it's a great excuse to party, put colourful flowers in your hair and celebrate as the country emerges from a long, 'dark and cold' winter. The main festival celebrations are at the Skansen 'open-air museum' and other locations throughout the city.

Stockholm Public Transport:

Stockholm Public Transport: Stockholm is spread across 14 islands and is relatively compact, so walking is often the best way to navigate the city. Stockholm's public transport is safe, smooth and very efficient, with services covering almost every corner of the city. Transport services include buses, underground trains, commuter trains, trams, ferry transport (greater Stockholm only) and a Vintage tram service that operates from the city centre to Djurgården island during the summer months.

(1). Stockholm Subway: The underground is known as the Tunnelbana (or T-bana) and consists of three colour-coded lines green, red and blue. Underground station entrances are 'identified' by a blue T on a white background. The T-bana is the most efficient way of travelling around the city, with services starting at 5 am and finishing at 1 am during the week with extended 'through-the-night' services on Fridays and Saturdays.

Tickets, fares and payments for subway travel are made using the 'SL Access Card' - which can be 'loaded' with credit for single fares, plus day or week passes. You can purchase tickets at machines located at underground stations, SL ticket information centres, and Newsagents or via the SL app. Top Tips: Conveniently, most transport service information and signage are written in Swedish and English, so using the subway is relatively straightforward, so there's no excuse for getting lost. Consider buying a travel pass if you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing.

(2). Stockholm Bus Services: Stockholm has an extensive bus network; however, the subway can 'appear easier' to navigate on some routes. SL cards are 'accepted' on all local city bus services, with a single ticket providing 75 minutes of travel time.

(3). Stockholm Tram Services: Stockholm's Tram services operate to the tranquil island of Djurgården, where the city's most popular tourist attractions are located, including the Vasa Museum, Skansen open-air museum, Gröna Lund amusement park and the ABBA museum.

Stockholm's Tram services are fun to use; plus, SL cards or app tickets are accepted. Top Tip: For a bit of nostalgia and if you're visiting Stockholm during the 'summer months', take a ride on a Vintage tram; the vintage trams operate from the city centre to Djurgården island in the summer months only.

(4). Stockholm Ferry Services: Stockholm's ferry services are popular with both locals and visitors. Ferries offer a relaxed and scenic mode of transport when travelling around the islands, especially during the warmer summer months. The popular Djurgården ferry connects the central quay at Slussen to Djurgården island via Skeppsholmen island, with a journey time of around 10 minutes. The Sjövägen 80 boat line connects central Nybroplan and Frihamnen port stopping at Allmänna Gränd. SL tickets are valid on most public ferry services.

(5). Stockholm Taxi Services: Taxis are convenient, with many taxi companies to choose from. Taxi cabs display a TAXI sign on the roof and always have yellow number plates. Fares are 'metered' with prices shown in Swedish kronor on the taximeter, credit cards are 'widely' accepted. Taxis can be 'hailed' from the kerb, found at taxi ranks or ordered by phone.

Taxi fares can be expensive compared to other forms of public transport, and taxi rates can vary from company to company. Most taxis carry a fare price indicator or label (yellow-and-white in colour) usually displayed in the passenger cabin. Top Tip: (1) Always ask the driver (before entering the cab) what the fare will be for your destination; you may be surprised at how much taxi fares can be. (2) Nearly all taxi drivers speak good English. (3) Only use official taxi services.

Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN). Stockholm-Arlanda International Airport (STO) is situated 26 miles (40km) north of Stockholm in the Sigtuna Municipality of Sweden, near the town of Märsta.

Airport Transport and Shuttle Services:

(1). Airport Train: Transfers from Arlanda to Stockholm city centre include the Arlanda Express train service. Trains depart every 15 minutes from the airport station, located directly below the arrivals terminal, both platform and trains have easy access. Journey time to the city is approximately 20 minutes and all airport train services provide free wifi, subject to availability.

(2). Airport Bus: Airport Bus services are operated by Flygbussarna Airport Coaches. Coach travel between Arlanda and the City Bus Terminal at Central Station takes approximately 40 minutes, with departures from the airport every 15 minutes and include free wifi services, subject to availability.

(3). Airport Taxi: Taxis are available from outside the arrivals hall and are well-signposted, travel time from Arlanda Airport to the city is approximately 40 minutes. Although taxi fares are usually charged using taximeters, charges for taxi transfers from Arlanda airport to the city are priced at fixed rates. Top Tip: Check the current taxi 'fixed fare rate' at the airport information desk in the arrivals hall.

General Facts: Stockholm's Arlanda Airport is the largest of 4 international airports – Arlanda, Bromma, Skavsta and Vasteras. Arlanda Airport serves as a major hub for both Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle.

Car Hire: All major car rental companies are represented at Stockholm airport, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.