Stockholm
Updated: 3 days ago
Time of year: April
Length: 4 nights
Approximate budget: £500–£550 for two
Good for: A relaxed city break, architecture and history
Why Stockholm?
We hadn’t really considered travelling in Northern Europe before, and adding a Scandinavian city to our adventures felt like a natural next step. Stockholm is built around an archipelago, which sounded fascinating, and it has plenty of architecture to explore. It was time to find out what the city was like for ourselves..
Discovering Stockholm
There was plenty to see around Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town. Its narrow, cobbled streets have a medieval feel, and there are some striking churches along the way. We visited a few of the main sights, including the Royal Palace and the Nobel Prize Museum, and stopped at Stortorget Square, where the brightly painted merchant houses caught my eye straight away. They reminded me of Lego buildings, and I couldn’t help imagining how cool a Lego model of Gamla Stan might look.
Some of the narrower streets were busy and lined with gift shops selling all sorts of things you never knew you needed. We came away with chocolates for a sugar boost and our customary fridge magnet. We also wandered off the main route and up a few side streets, where we found a pretty church before stumbling across the back of the Royal Palace.
We had a look around the palace exterior. It’s a grand building, though I was surprised by how short it seemed up close, given that it sits on a hill. I’ve seen taller palaces in other cities. After watching the palace guards, we wandered down towards the harbour. This part of the old town felt more relaxed, with people sitting around, catching up and enjoying the sunny afternoon. We climbed the steps of a monument by the water and sat with an ice cream, watching the boats go by. It was a lovely spot to slow down for a while.
Vasa and Museum Island
We took the tram to Djurgården for a day at the museums. We decided to visit two so we could take our time and avoid rushing or feeling overloaded with information.
The Vasa Museum has fantastic displays and interactive exhibits, as well as several viewing platforms that let you get close to the ship. It’s in amazing condition, considering it spent hundreds of years underwater. Up close, you can see the intricate carvings in the wood and the skill that went into building this stunning vessel.
There’s also a shipwreck exhibition in the same building, with informative displays exploring some maritime mysteries. The museum even has costumes and props from the Titanic film, which felt very apt.
In the afternoon, we headed over to Skansen, an open-air museum described as a traditional living museum. After an hour or so, we decided it wasn’t for us. It was busy, but still felt a little out of season, and even the zoo felt somewhat bare. It might be better suited to families with children. Afterwards, we took the water taxi back to Gamla Stan, which was more our kind of thing.
Ferry trip to Vaxholm
Our trip to Vaxholm gave us a relaxing break from the city centre. Since we were there in April, it felt a little out of season. The town had the sleepy feel of a waterside retreat. Although it was quiet, there were still places open for coffee and a break.
We strolled around and found some lovely viewpoints across the water towards the fortress. A path along the waterfront led us to higher ground, where we found more great views and the remains of wartime air defences.
We’d planned to visit Vaxholm Fortress, but unfortunately it was closed during our visit. Instead, we made the most of our time by wandering the streets and admiring the traditional houses overlooking the water.
The ferry journey was a highlight. I knew the trip across the archipelago would be good, but there was always something to catch my eye: sailing boats, or interesting buildings scattered across the islands. There were plenty of photo opportunities along the way. The journey takes around 45–60 minutes each way, so it could easily fit into a half-day or a full-day trip, depending on your schedule.
Good to know
SL-operated ferries are usually included for trips to Vaxholm, so check before buying separate tickets for sightseeing ferries.
Some of Stockholm’s metro stations have their own themes and artwork. We visited Kungsträdgården station, which has a gothic theme and related displays.
So, How Did Stockholm Score?
Things to Do — 9/10: Stockholm gives you loads without feeling like you're constantly ticking off attractions. Gamla Stan, museums, the waterfront, islands, viewpoints etc.
Getting Around — 9/10: The public transport makes the city very manageable, and the compact central areas are good for walking.
Food & Drink — 8/10: Plenty of choice and some memorable Swedish food, but Stockholm isn't exactly a bargain.
Value for Money — 7/10: This is where Sweden takes a hit. You can have a great trip, but your money doesn't stretch as far as somewhere like Budapest or Krakow.
Overall Experience — 9/10: We really enjoyed our time in Stockholm. It’s a city with plenty to see and do, and one we’d happily return to.
What would I do differently?
Check Vaxholm Fortress’s opening times before travelling, especially between autumn and spring.
If you’re visiting Skansen, consider taking a picnic. The food outlets were busy when we visited, so bringing your own could save time and money
Set aside some time to explore the city’s more unusual metro stations.
Would we visit Stockholm again?
Yes, definitely. Stockholm is a great city with a good vibe. If we returned, we’d plan a day trip to Uppsala to explore its Viking heritage. We’d also like to visit Riddarholmen Church, where the medieval kings are buried. It was closed for renovation work during our visit.
What made me laugh
The Littlest Hobo theme tune popping into my head whenever we left or returned to the hotel.
Wondering who thought “Bastard Burgers” was a great name for a restaurant.
Discovering that twin-linked divan beds were the most comfortable beds of our trip.
Favourite Thing:
Standing on top of the Vaxholm ferry, wind in our faces, checking out life around the Stockholm archipelago.
“We visited Stockholm looking for our first experience of Scandinavia, and left feeling we'd discovered a city that gave us plenty to explore.”
