Stockholm – 10 Top Things to do

Stockholm has a way of drawing you in slowly—like the scent of cardamom from a corner bakery, or the light shifting on the water as you walk across Strandvägen. It’s a city that rewards both planning and getting lost. Yes, you’ll want to see the classics, but leave space to let the city surprise you: a hidden garden, a vintage tram gliding past, or an antique bookshop tucked under ivy.

Whether you’re in the mood for art, history, or just walking until you find your new favorite café, Stockholm doesn’t need to shout to impress. Here’s how to spend a few meaningful days here, with the Radisson Collection Strand Hotel, Stockholm as your home base.

*This post has been sponsored by Radisson Hotels

What you need to know before you go to Stockholm

Here are 3 things you need to know before you go:

1. Cards Over Cash – Always

Stockholm is essentially a cashless city. From museums to cafés to market stalls, just about everywhere takes card — and many places don’t accept cash at all. Visa and Mastercard are safest bets, but mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted too. It’s smart to bring a physical card just in case your phone battery dies, but you won’t need to withdraw kronor.
Pro tip: Even public toilets (yes, those clean and well-maintained ones) often require card payment

2. Explore by Bike or Ferry — It’s the Best Way to See the City

Stockholm is made for biking, with scenic lanes and calm streets perfect for exploring. If you’re staying at the Radisson Collection Strand, take advantage of their beautiful vintage-style bikes — it’s such a lovely way to see the city. Ride through Djurgården or along the waterfront and you’ll see much more than you would on foot. Ferries are another highlight — they’re part of public transport, but feel like a sightseeing cruise.
Tip: Use your SL pass on ferries between spots like Slussen, Djurgården, and Skeppsholmen.

3. Pack for All Weather — Even in Summer

Swedish weather is famously changeable. Even in July, you might get sunshine, wind, and rain — all in the same day. Layers are essential, and a light waterproof jacket will save you. Comfortable walking shoes are a must (Stockholm is very walkable but also quite hilly and cobbled in places), and sunglasses are just as important as an umbrella.
Pro tip: If you’re packing light,Radisson Collection Strand Hotel has umbrellas at the front desk — just ask.

CHECK OUR GUIDE ON 10 prettiest towns of Germany HERE

The List – 10 Best Things to do in Stockholm

1. Stockholm Tube Stations
2. Local neighbourhoods
3. Carl Eldhs Ateljémuseum
4. Nationalmuseum
5. Rosendals Trädgård
6. Vintage Tram
7. Enjoy Fika
8. Gamla Stan
9. Take a Ferry to the Archipelago
10. Östermalms Saluhall 

1. Stockholm Tube Stations

The Stockholm subway system doubles as the world’s longest art gallery, with more than 90 stations transformed by artists over the decades. Each stop has its own visual identity—Rådhuset looks like a reddish cave, Kungsträdgården is all decaying grandeur, and Stadion bursts with rainbow-colored arches.

Some stations are dramatic, others subtle, but all of them reward curiosity. If you’re into photography or street art, this underground journey will be a highlight. Even if you’re just using the metro to get from A to B, it’s worth hopping off and exploring a few stations along the way.

Tip: Get a 24-hour SL card and start your own mini art tour—add Akalla and Solna Centrum for even more surreal experiences.  An alternative is a 75 minute long ticket, but you will not be able to cover all the stations mentioned above.

2. Local neighbourhoods

Stockholm is best seen on foot, especially in Östermalm, where the elegance of the city really shines. This is where you’ll find polished stone buildings, quiet side streets, and more than a few dream apartments. Eriksbergsgatan is my personal favorite street—it has that perfect mix of charm and grandeur. If I could live anywhere in Stockholm, it would be here. 

Tysta Gatan, nearby, feels almost like a film set—cobblestones, ivy, and a silence that makes the city feel miles away. Don’t miss Café Saturnus, which has been a neighborhood institution for years—the cinnamon buns are legendary, and the atmosphere is unfussy in the best way. You can loop through Humlegården, a leafy park that feels very local, and then stop by Rönnells Antikvariat, one of the best used bookstores in the city. It’s a beautiful way to slow down and soak in the city’s quieter corners.

Tip: Go early morning or early evening when the light hits the streets just right—it’s peak postcard Stockholm.

3. Carl Eldhs Ateljémuseum

There’s something special about museums that feel like someone’s home—and Carl Eldh’s studio is exactly that. Hidden on a forested hill near Bellevue Park, this place is part museum, part time capsule. The studio remains just as it was when Eldh worked here. Filled with sculptures, sketches, and tools, bathed in soft northern light. Eldh was known for his expressive portraits and public monuments, and seeing his work in this setting makes it even more powerful. Outside, the garden is simple but lovely, and there’s a small café that serves strong coffee and homemade cake. It’s a place to linger, not rush. On a quiet day, you might have the whole space to yourself. It feels deeply personal—like you’ve been let in on a secret.

Tip: Check the opening times in advance (closed Mondays, short hours Sundays) and plan your visit around a sunny afternoon to enjoy the garden.

4. Nationalmuseum

One of my favorite ways to start a visit to Stockholm is by crossing the bridge to Nationalmuseum. The building itself is an architectural jewel—neoclassical with a modern soul after its meticulous renovation. Inside, you’ll find a strong collection of Swedish art and design, but also big names like Rembrandt, Goya, and Renoir.

The decorative arts galleries upstairs are especially good for design lovers, with Scandi glassware, ceramics, and furniture from the 1500s to now. The museum café is excellent too, with big windows facing the water—it’s a great lunch or fika spot. You can spend a full morning here, and still want to return. It’s less chaotic than many major European museums, which makes the whole experience more relaxing.

Tip: Book a timed entry (free) online to skip the line, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend.

5. Rosendals Trädgård

This garden café and biodynamic farm on Djurgården feels more like a countryside escape than something within walking distance of the city center. Rosendals is where Stockholmers go to breathe — surrounded by greenhouses, orchards, flower beds, and café tables scattered across the grass.

The kitchen uses produce grown right on site, so everything tastes incredibly fresh — from sourdough tartines to summery salads and rhubarb crumbles. There’s a lovely shop too, selling jams, seeds, and hand-thrown pottery. It’s especially magical in spring and summer, but even on a chilly day, you can sit in the greenhouse with a warm soup and feel restored.

Tip: Arrive early for lunch — locals love this spot, and the line can get long, especially on weekends.

6. Vintage Tram

There’s something irresistibly nostalgic about catching the Djurgårdslinjen (7N), a heritage tram line that runs vintage cars from the 1940s. They rattle and roll from the heart of the city to the greener outskirts of Djurgården, passing by leafy boulevards, canals, and stately theaters.

Inside, the wood paneling, leather straps, and original signage are beautifully preserved—it feels like you’re riding a piece of living history. You’ll see locals, tourists, and the occasional conductor in uniform, ringing the bell with pride. Even if you don’t hop on, just seeing it glide past the Royal Dramatic Theatre is a transportive moment.

Tip: Ride it on a weekday afternoon to avoid crowds and get a seat by the window—it runs seasonally, so check if it’s in service before planning.

7. Enjoy Fika

You can’t come to Stockholm and not take fika seriously — it’s more than a coffee break; it’s a daily ritual of slowing down, ideally with a warm bun and strong brew. Stora Bageriet has old-world charm and generous pastries, perfect for a quiet pause mid-walk (we actually retrjned her ethree times also to try their savoury options, the asparagus and salomon sandwiches are to die for). 

Svedjan Bageri is one of my personal favorites — a little less known, beautifully done, and with a warm, neighborhood feel.

And if you’re looking for perfect pour-over and sleek Scandi design, Pascal delivers both. Fika is also a great way to explore neighborhoods — each of these cafés is in a slightly different pocket of the city, and each one reveals something about the people who live there.

Tip: Try a kardemummabulle (cardamom bun) over the more famous cinnamon — it’s spicier, more aromatic, and in my opinion, even better.

8. Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan is the kind of place that makes you believe in fairy tales — cobblestones, crooked medieval buildings, and narrow alleys that wind toward water. Yes, it’s filled with souvenir shops, but if you head off the main streets, you’ll find real beauty. Look for Mårten Trotzigs Gränd, the narrowest alley in the city, and then wander over to Stortorget, the postcard-perfect square surrounded by color-blocked buildings.

Grab a coffee under the tree at Under Kastanjen, which feels like a secret garden in the middle of the city. It’s worth coming early in the morning, before the crowds arrive, when the light hits the facades just right.

Tip: Visit German Church (Tyska Kyrkan) nearby — it’s usually quiet and beautifully preserved, with colorful stained glass and a calm interior.

9. Take a Ferry to the Archipelago

No visit to Stockholm feels complete without escaping to the archipelago, and the easiest way to do that is a ferry ride to Fjäderholmarna, just 30 minutes from the city center. It’s like stepping into a tranquil Nordic island getaway without the hassle of long travel. The islands are peaceful, with scenic walking paths, artisan shops, and little studios where local crafts are made.

For food, Rookery’s is a highlight — a charming waterfront restaurant where the smoked seafood dishes and fresh local ingredients taste like pure summer on a plate. Sitting outside, watching boats glide by and feeling the fresh sea breeze, it’s one of those moments where you really pause and soak it all in. A boat trip here is a must — it’s part nature escape, part cultural experience, and 100% refreshing. Whatever you take for the main – make sure to try their specialty – creme brulee.

Tip: Bring a light jacket even in summer — the sea breeze can be surprisingly brisk once you’re out on the water.

10. Östermalms Saluhall 

If you want to experience Stockholm’s foodie scene in a nutshell, Östermalms Saluhall is your go-to. This historic food hall, built in 1888, blends old-world architecture with modern Scandinavian gastronomy. Wander past stalls overflowing with fresh seafood, artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and seasonal produce, all impeccably presented.

It’s the perfect place to sample Swedish delicacies like smoked salmon, reindeer, or cloudberries — either to take home or enjoy at one of the small cafés inside. The atmosphere is lively but not overwhelming, with locals stopping by daily for fresh bread or a quick lunch. It’s also a beautiful spot to linger over a glass of wine and watch the hustle and bustle through the huge windows.

Tip: Arrive before noon to avoid crowds! Also, try a shrimp sandwich at the classic seafood stall — simple, fresh, and utterly delicious.

Where to stay in Stockholm

Perfectly positioned on the waterfront near Nybroviken, the Radisson Collection Strand Hotel, Stockholm offers old-world charm with sleek, modern comfort. Originally opened in 1912, the hotel has hosted royalty, artists, and actors — and after a careful renovation, it feels like the perfect mix of heritage and design-forward luxury. Rooms are tastefully minimal with thoughtful touches. Imagine wood, velvet, and soft lighting — and many have sweeping views across the water toward the Royal Palace. The lobby bar is great for a nightcap, while the breakfast buffet is one of the better ones in town. It’s also incredibly walkable — steps from the boats to Djurgården, the Nationalmuseum, and the best shopping streets in the city.

Tip: Request a corner room with a harbor view. The light in the morning is unbelievable, and you’ll feel like you’re living inside a painting. In case you are ready to splash out the Tower and Presidential Suites are really jaw-drapping.

Final thoughts

Stockholm isn’t a city to rush through — it’s best enjoyed slowly, one stroll, fika, or ferry ride at a time. Let yourself wander, take detours, and say yes to spontaneous stops (especially when pastries are involved). Between the water, the light, and the quiet charm of each neighborhood, it has a way of getting under your skin. Just bring good shoes, an open mind, and let Stockholm do the rest.

Yours,

Voyage Provocateur