Stand on the heights of northern Södermalm, at the street called Fjällgatan, and the whole of central Stockholm arranges itself below you: the water, the islands, the spire of the cathedral, the roof of the palace. It is the view that explains the city before you have walked a metre of it.
Stockholm suits travellers who are happy to move between islands by boat, metro and foot, and who would rather spend an afternoon in one good museum than tick off ten. The old architecture rewards slow walking, the water is never far away, and much of what is worth seeing sits within a compact centre.
This guide covers the sights and experiences the sources single out, ordered so the strongest come first, followed by a plan for a single day.
Top things to do in Stockholm
1. Gamla Stan
Stockholm's Old Town is the beautifully preserved historical centre, built on the central island from the mid-13th century onward, and it is best covered on foot. The Stockholm Palace dominates it, and the surrounding streets hold Storkyrkan and Riddarholmskyrkan.
Give it time rather than a quick pass-through, and combine the walk with the cathedral and church while you are already in the district.
2. Stockholm Palace
Stockholms slott is the official residence and principal workplace of the Swedish monarch, and it is the building that anchors Gamla Stan. It replaced Tre Kronor Castle, which burned down in 1697.
See it as part of your Old Town walk rather than as a separate trip, since the surrounding streets, Storkyrkan and Riddarholmskyrkan are all within the same preserved centre.
3. Storkyrkan
The cathedral of Stockholm has been used for many royal coronations, weddings and funerals. It sits in Gamla Stan, close to the palace.
Pair it with Riddarholmskyrkan on the same walk, since both are medieval churches in the same district.
4. Riddarholmskyrkan
A beautifully preserved medieval church which hosts the tombs of many Swedish kings and royals, surrounded by former mansions.
Visit it in the same stretch as Storkyrkan and the palace, when you are already on foot in the Old Town.
5. Vasa Museum
The Vasa Museum displays the Vasa, a 17th-century warship that sank in Stockholm harbour on its maiden voyage, along with authentic objects from the height of the Swedish Empire. It is on Djurgården.
It sits in the same district as Skansen, Nordiska Museet and the Swedish Music Hall of Fame, so it is worth grouping several of them into one Djurgården day.
6. Skansen
An open-air museum in Djurgården containing a zoo featuring Swedish fauna, as well as displays of Sweden's cultural heritage in reconstructed buildings. On Skansen there is also the 19th-century tower of Bredablick, which offers views.
Because it covers both the cultural displays and the views from Bredablick, allow enough time to do both in one visit.
7. Stockholm City Hall
Stockholms stadshus, on Kungsholmen, is famous for its observatory tower and for the Nobel Prize dining hall. It hosts the annual Nobel Prize ceremonies and banquet.
The Historical Canal Tour departs from Stadshusbron next to the City Hall, so you can combine the building with a boat trip around Kungsholmen and the western islands.
8. Drottningholm Palace
On Ekerö, Drottningholm is where the royal family lives, and much of it is still open to the public. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the surroundings are well worth a walk as well.
In summer there is a regular boat service from Stadshuskajen, the City Hall Quay, which makes it easy to reach without a car.
9. Stockholm Metro art
The metro promotes itself as the world's longest art exhibition, and the decoration of its stations is a sight in itself. The moody dark blue cave of Kungsträdgården, the giant black and white drawings by Siri Derkert at Östermalmstorg, and the celebration of science and technology at Tekniska Högskolan are among the stations worth mentioning.
A written description in English of the art in the Stockholm Metro can be downloaded for free from the SL website, which is useful if you want to know what you are looking at as you travel.
10. Fotografiska
A photo gallery on Södermalm, opened in 2010. It sits in the same part of the city as the viewpoints of northern Södermalm.
Combine it with the walk to Fjällgatan, since both are on Södermalm and the street is one of the best places to look back over central Stockholm.
11. Viewpoints of northern Södermalm
The heights of northern Södermalm give a great view of central Stockholm, especially from the street Fjällgatan and the Fåfängan mountain just east of Stadsgårdshamnen. Bars and restaurants such as Gondolen, Herman's, Himlen, and the penthouse lounge of Sjöfartshotellet offer views as well.
If you want to fly a drone, note that Södermalm and Djurgården are the recommended areas, while drones are prohibited above Gamla stan, Norrmalm, and parts of Östermalm and Kungsholmen.
12. Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art is on Skeppsholmen. It is one of the city's museums with a broad scope, as distinct from the many specialised ones.
Skeppsholmen is also where the Royal Institute of Art holds regular exhibitions, so the island can fill more than one stop.
13. Nordiska Museet
On Djurgården, Nordiska Museet displays Swedish history and cultural heritage. It is one of the district's major museums.
It is close to the Vasa Museum and Skansen, so it fits naturally into a Djurgården itinerary.
14. Swedish Music Hall of Fame
On Djurgården, the Swedish Music Hall of Fame features ABBA The Museum. It is a change of register from the history and heritage museums around it.
Group it with the other Djurgården museums so you are not crossing the city twice.
15. Birka
On Ekerö, Birka is the site of a former Viking city on Björkö, with a replica of the old city built up. Boats to Björkö are operated by Strömma Kanalbolaget, and Birka can also be reached by public transport to Rastaholm and then boarding a boat.
This one takes planning, so check the boat arrangements before you commit a day to it.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start in Gamla Stan on foot, taking in Stockholm Palace, Storkyrkan and Riddarholmskyrkan while the streets are quiet. The Old Town is the historical centre and is best covered on foot, so give the morning to it rather than rushing.
Afternoon: Move to Djurgården and spend the afternoon at the Vasa Museum, then add Skansen, Nordiska Museet or the Swedish Music Hall of Fame depending on how much time remains. These sit in the same district, so you avoid crossing the city.
Evening: Head to Södermalm for the viewpoints of northern Södermalm, walking to Fjällgatan for the view over central Stockholm, and consider Fotografiska or one of the bars and restaurants with a view such as Gondolen, Herman's, Himlen, or the penthouse lounge of Sjöfartshotellet.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get around the museums on Djurgården?
The Vasa Museum, Skansen, Nordiska Museet and the Swedish Music Hall of Fame are all on Djurgården, so plan them as one group rather than returning to the district several times.
Can I visit Drottningholm without a car?
Yes. In summer there is a regular boat service from Stadshuskajen, the City Hall Quay, to Drottningholm.
Where can I fly a drone in Stockholm?
Södermalm and Djurgården are recommended for drone flight. Drones are prohibited above Gamla stan, Norrmalm, and parts of Östermalm and Kungsholmen.
Is the metro worth using as a sight in itself?
Yes. The Stockholm Metro is well known for the decor of its stations and promotes itself as the world's longest art exhibition, with stations such as Kungsträdgården, Östermalmstorg and Tekniska Högskolan worth mentioning.
Decide which island you will start on, check the boat times for Drottningholm or Birka if either is on your list, and begin planning your days around the water.