Two Days in Stockholm: Things to See and Do

The city of Stockholm is a picturesque jumble of narrow alleyways, cobblestone streets, colorful houses and world-class museums. It is a city that resonates with history, while embodying a modern and forward-looking persona.

Spread out over fourteen islands and sandwiched between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, the ‘Beauty on Water’ has found a perfect balance between charming visitors with its urban delights and enticing outdoor enthusiasts with its wonderland of forests, lakes and rocky islands.

 

TWO DAYS IN STOCKHOLM

I visited Stockholm for TBEX—a conference that brings bloggers, brand ambassadors and travel industry professionals together for three days of keynote speeches, networking and geeking out about travel.

Following the conference, I had two days to explore the best of Sweden’s capital city and surrounding archipelago.

With only two days in Stockholm, I planned an itinerary that would include the best of the city’s diverse offerings. I began by visiting the city’s historic core and opulent palaces. Then, after taking in the most important architectural sites in Stockholm, I headed out into the Stockholm Archipelago to get a taste for the rugged beauty of Sweden’s coastal lands.

 

STOCKHOLM ITINERARY DAY 1

On my first day in Stockholm, I visited the city’s most impressive architectural buildings—beginning with its historic core, and ending with its two fabulous royal palaces.

Lovers of royal palaces have two fantastic options in Stockholm. The first—the Royal Palace—lies within the confines of Gamla Stan. The second can be found an island just west of town.

During the first day of my Stockholm itinerary, I had the opportunity to visit both palaces.

 

• GAMLA STAN

I spent much of my first day in Stockholm wandering around the charming streets of Gamla Stan—Stockholm’s historic downtown. Gamla Stan is the beating heart of Stockholm and one of the world’s best-preserved Medieval city centers. The historic old town is home to fine restaurants, many of Stockholm’s museums and a 600-room royal palace.

Gamla Stan—the city’s old town—dates back to the 13th century and is surrounded by a network of Venice-like canals and bridges.

 

• SÖDERMALM PANORAMIC POINTS

From Gamla Stan, I crossed the bridge to Södermalm Island for a chance to view the city’s historic core from across the water. Södermalm has some of the best views of downtown Stockholm.

To access one of the city’s best panoramic points, I climbed a 500-meter long walking path to the Monteliusvägen Viewpoint. The vista showcases magnificent views of Lake Mälaren, the Stockholm City Hall, and Gamla Stan.

Beyond Monteliusvägen, Skinnarviksberget offers vistas of Stockholm’s central islands from the highest point in the city.

In addition to boasting some of the best views of downtown Stockholm, Sodermalm houses the lauded Fotografiska Museum and many of the city’s trendiest bars and nightclubs.

 

• THE ROYAL PALACE IN GAMLA STAN

Gamla Stan’s Royal Palace is one of the grandest in Europe. It is comparable in stature to some of Europe’s great royal residences—including the Reggia di Caserta in Italy, the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the Amelienborg in Copenhagen, and the Buckingham Palace in London.

 

The palace has more than 600 rooms and is the official residence of the King of Sweden (the actual residence is just a stone’s throw away at the Drottningholm Palace).

In addition to its elaborate Royal Apartments, the mammoth structure contains the Kroner Museum, King Gustav III’s Museum of Antiquities, and the Royal Treasury.

 

• DROTTNINGHOLM PALACE

After wandering the stately rooms of Stockholm’s royal palace, I used my Stockholm Pass to visit the Drottningholm Palace—an 18th century architectural gem inspired by Versailles. Drottningholm is the private residence of the Swedish Royal Family. The palace sits on Lovon Island in Lake Mälaren and is a worthwhile half-day trip from Stockholm.

The Drottningholm Palace grounds contain an extensive garden, an 18th century theater and a Chinese-style pavilion that was given to Queen Lovisa Ulrika as a birthday gift in 1753. The pavilion contains a unique blend of rococo furnishings and chinoiserie.

 

Together with the Chinese Pavilion and the 18th century theater, the Drottningholm Palace has garnered a spot on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

 

STOCKHOLM ITINERARY DAY 2

Stockholm is just as much about water as it is about land. So on my second day in Stockholm, I took a boat tour through the chain of small islands that speckle the waters near town.

After embarking an adventure through the area’s waterways, I headed to the Vasa Museum in order lay eyes on one of the city’s most treasured historical relics.

 

• STOCKHOLM ARCHIPELAGO BOAT TOUR

Inspired by the tranquil boat ride from Stockholm to the Drottningholm Palace, I decided to spend the following morning on a boat cruise through the Stockholm Archipelago. The three-hour boat cruise brought me away from the hustle and bustle of the city and allowed me to explore the tranquility of the rugged islands that litter the Baltic Sea.

The Stockholm Archipelago is home to small islands and skerries that have been carved out by glaciers and deposited into the Baltic Sea over the course of millions of years. Reachable only by boat, these rugged islands are home to a smattering of fishing villages and summer residences.

After my morning boat cruise, I filled the remainder of my day in Stockholm with as many complementary activities as possible. I cruised the canals, visited museums, admired the Stockholm Palace in Gamla stan and explored the city’s neighborhoods with the Hop on Hop Off Bus.

 

• THE VASA MUSEUM

No visit to Stockholm, however, would be complete without a visit to the Vasa Museum–arguably Stockholm’s number one attraction and an undeniable highlight of my visit to the so-called Capital of Scandinavia.

The Vasa Museum was built to showcase the 17th century Vasa Warship. Built between 1626 and 1628, the Vasa is an important relic of Scandinavia’s naval history and the world’s only surviving ship from the 1600s.

The Vasa is a work of art. The ship’s exterior is intricately carved and decorated with sculptures intended to glorify the power of the  Swedish Monarchy.

Yet, despite its aesthetic beauty, the Vasa suffered a disastrous fate merely a stone’s throw away from where it set sail. The ship was so top-heavy, that it tumbled to the bottom of the sea shortly after leaving the dock. There, it lay buried under a layer of silt for over three hundred years–until it was discovered in 1961 and restored to its former glory.

 

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO DO IN STOCKHOLM

My two day Stockholm itinerary included some of the city’s major highlights, but inevitably left out some others. If you have additional time in Stockholm or simply aren’t interested in some of the places I chose to visit during my itinerary, there are tons of other things to do in Stockholm. Among them, are Skansen and Fotografiska—two places I didn’t get a chance to visit during my visit.

• SKANSEN

The world’s first open-air museum, Skansen was founded in 1891 by Artur Hazelius to provide an insight into how Swedes once lived. It sits on Djurgården Island, near the Vasa Museum and Gröna Lund Entertainment Park.  The ‘Sweden in miniature’ houses around 150 traditional structures and offers a glimpse into Scandinavia’s traditional folk culture.

Since visiting Skansen takes the better part of a full day, I chose to skip the attraction in favor of visiting the Stockholm Archipelago. I did, however, snag a photo of a picturesque windmill on Djurgården Island while on a boat ride through the archipelago.

If you’re interested in getting a taste for local Swedish life, however, I imagine it is a worthwhile place to visit.

• FOTAGRAFISKA

Fotografiska is a contemporary photography museum in the Sodermalm district of Stockholm. It is one of the world’s great photography museums, with a combination of rotating and permanent exhibits from

 

TIPS FOR BUDGET TRAVEL IN STOCKHOLM

Sweden is a notoriously expensive place. As a modern capital city in one of the world’s most expensive regions, its prices can be exorbitant for travelers from North America and other parts of Europe.

That being said, by choosing less expensive lodging and taking advantage of the Stockholm Pass, I was able to enjoy two days in Stockholm without breaking the bank.

• THE STOCKHOLM PASS

Stockholm is spread out over a number of islands. And while it is a walkable city for the most part, I enjoyed having access to the Hop on/Hop off boats that navigate its waters. The combination bus and boat pass was included in the Stockholm Card and helped me make the most of my Stockholm itinerary on a limited budget and timeframe.

For travelers on a budget, the Stockholm Pass is a great way to see the city’s museums, royal palaces and nearby attractions. The price of the Stockholm Pass ranges from $75 for one day, to $165 for five. It includes unlimited entrance to most of the city’s attractions, as well as day tours to some of the towns and islands in the Stockholm Archipelago.

Though not cheap by any means, the card is a definite bargain for those who plan on staying in the Stockholm area for a few days.

• WHERE TO STAY IN STOCKHOLM

For budget-conscious travelers, Stockholm can be a challenging place. That being said, the city has a handful of hostels that offer a reasonable balance between quality and price. They include the Old Town Castanea Hostel and the City Backpackers Hostel.

For a slightly higher price point and private rooms, it may be worth looking into the Stockholm Best Residence B&B or Anitas B&B.

 

*****

Stockholm Sweden is a vibrant city full of cultural relics, abundant green spaces, progressive values and a picturesque setting. The city is home to a cosmopolitan blend of modern design and cobblestone streets that look straight out of a fairytale.

Though Stockholm hasn’t garnered the same international renown as places like Paris, London or Rome, I have no doubt in my mind that the Beauty on Water is one of Europe’s most underrated and livable capital cities.

 

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