Stockholm is a wonderful city with lots to offer. I went for a weekend trip because I snagged some cheap tickets leaving from Spain. Unfortunately, the weather was very snowy, and I went unprepared. Despite all this, I enjoyed the cozy & cute feel that Stockholm had to offer.
I’ll walk you through some of the spots I got to hit during my time there…
STOCKHOLM CITY HALL-
Stockholm city hall was short walk from the train station. You can walk through the arches of the courtyard towards the canals. From there you will have a great view of the islands Riddarholmen and Södermalm. Even though the canals were frozen in February, the views were still lovely. You can check out the open-air courtyard in the middle for some cool photo opportunities. The inside of city hall can be explored by group or private tours. This is one of the most touristic attractions in Stockholm. Due to the fact that the venue inside is where the Nobel Prize banquet takes place every year.
ROYAL PALACE-
The Royal Palace is the official residence and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch. The palace is extravagant and has so much to offer. It’s six hundred rooms are divided into eleven different floors. The royal palace is filled with art and history that makes for an enriching experience. The five museums inside will take you a few hours of exploring. Some highlights you shouldn’t miss are:
Tre Kronor Museum
The Treasury
King Gustav III’s Museum of Antiquities
Guided Tour of The Royal Apartments
The Royal Chapel
The Hall of State and rooms of the Royal Orders
Wander through Gamla Stan-
Gama Stan is the old town of Stockholm which dates back to 1252. This town is lovely to stroll through. You can find souvenir shops, cafes, pubs, and lots of restaurants. Many of the shops have cute knickknacks and hand crafts that you can snag for a unique souvenir. The streets are cobble stone and were covered in snow resembling something from a story book. On the weekends be sure to get the shops before they close around 6!
VASA MUSEUM-
Gama Stan is the old town of Stockholm which dates back to 1252. This town is lovely to stroll through. You can find souvenir shops, cafes, pubs, and lots of restaurants. Many of the shops have cute knickknacks and hand crafts that you can snag for a unique souvenir. The streets are cobble stone and were covered in snow resembling something from a story book. On the weekends be sure to get the shops before they close around 6!
STORTORGET:
This plaza is in Gama Stan and it’s one the most iconic places for photos. The colorful buildings that make up the plaza are postcard worthy. The plaza has quite the history as well. In the middle ages it was focal point of the city. The marketplace and city hall all once stood here. The plaza also has a bit of dark history that happened in 1520. When the Danish King conquered Stockholm he arrested 82 men who opposed his rule. He beheaded them all in this plaza. Today this plaza is a buzzing spot for tourists to snap a pic or grab a drink at the local cafes.
CAFES FOR FIKA TIME-
This is an important part of Swedish culture so it’s a must do! Fika is like a coffee break time. It’s all about taking the time everyday to socialize, drink a coffee, and snack on some cake. I decided to join in on all the fun too. The cafes in Stockholm are stylish and are in abundance. Make sure to grab yourself a Kanelbullar (cinnamon roll) or a Chokladbollar ( chocolate coconut ball) . Be careful to check the prices! At one small café in a tourist location we ended up dropping way more than we expected on fika time! If you don’t mind going to a chain cafe, then stop by Espresso House. We stopped there and found affordable cakes and coffees with a nice environment as well.
