Ultimate Stockholm in 3 Days Itinerary + Hidden Gems (2024)

Stockholm is the bustling capital city of Sweden and is filled with stunning architecture, dreamy panoramic spaces, and fascinating historical sites. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning traveler looking to explore more of the city, this guide will help make sure you have an unforgettable 3 days in Stockholm, Sweden!

What is Stockholm Known For?

With a population of over 1.5 million people, Stockholm is known for being the largest and most populous city in the country. And despite the fact it’s not the oldest city in Sweden, Stockholm has been the country’s cultural, political, and economic center for centuries!

That said, Stockholm is perhaps best known for its iconic pop culture exports. These include the legendary Swedish supergroup ABBA, the world-famous tennis player Björn Borg, and everyone’s favorite place to buy cheap yet functional furniture with names we can’t pronounce without butchering them a little — IKEA!

Additionally, Stockholm is famous for hosting the annual Nobel Prize banquet and ceremony. Every December, the world’s most important and ground-breaking accomplishments are recognized and celebrated in Stockholm.

Ultimately, Stockholm is a vibrant city that combines history and culture with modernity. With its plethora of museums, restaurants, shops, and attractions there’s something for everyone in this beloved Swedish capital!

How to Get to Stockholm, Sweden

There are a few different ways to get to Stockholm, Sweden from other parts of the world. If you’re coming from further away, the best option is to fly into the Stockholm Arlanda Airport. The international airport is about 20 minutes from the city center by Arlanda express train, and tickets cost about 130 SEK (which is about $13 USD). You can purchase them at the airport with your phone.

✈️ NOTE: I recommend using Skyscanner or StudentUniverse to search for cheap flights. And if you’ve never heard of StudentUniverse, you can read my full review of the flight search engine here.

Alternatively, you can also arrive directly at Stockholm Central Station by train from other parts of Europe. This is an affordable and especially convenient option if you coming from somewhere in the Nordic area, such as Copenhagen, Denmark, or Oslo, Norway. If this is the avenue you want to take, I recommend utilizing Omio to check train routes and prices! It’s a very reliable company I’ve used for all my inter-Europe travels since 2019.

✅ Check train routes to Stockholm on Omio! | If it’s your first time using the platform, use this link to sign up to get $11 off your first booking.

Last but not least, if you’re up for a road trip through Europe or have access to a car, it’s easy to reach Stockholm by car. A good friend of mine lives in Oslo and has driven to Stockholm on about 30 different occasions to spend a weekend in the city! The drive is a little less than 6 hours, so it’s quite doable to drive to Stockholm as a mini road trip too.

Where to Stay in Stockholm

When you get to Stockholm, you’re likely going to need a place to stay! To help you out, here are my top recommendations based on the extensive research I did while preparing for my trip as well as my personal experience!

Low-Cost Stay

• Castanea Old Town Hostel — A hostel I loved staying at in Gamla Stan | ⭐️ 9.5 / 10
• Hotel Hornsgatan — a family-owned hotel in Södermalm | ⭐️ 8.8 / 10
• Best Western — 3-star hotel in Norrmalm | ⭐️ 8.8 / 10

Mid-Range Stay

• Hilton Stockholm Slussen — 4-star hotel in Södermalm | ⭐️ 8.4 / 10
• NOFO hotel — 4-star hotel in Södermalm | ⭐️ 9.6 / 10

Luxury Stay

• Hotel Frantz — 4-star hotel in Södermalm | ⭐️ 9.8 / 10
• Grand Hôtel — 5-star hotel right on water in Norrmalm | ⭐️ 9.6 / 10

You can also explore other places in Stockholm and check rates & availability with the buttons below.

Getting Around Stockholm, Sweden

As a tourist, I would say there are two ways of getting around during your 3 days in Stockholm: by foot and public transit or by tour.

By Foot

The first and most obvious option is to get around Stockholm on foot. The city is fairly walkable and the attractions are generally clumped together in their respective neighborhoods, making it a great way to explore! However, there can be quite a bit of distance between neighborhoods so may end up spending a lot of time walking if you choose this option.

The good news is that Stockholm has a fantastic public transportation network called SL. It includes the metro, tram, bus, ferry, and commuter train so you can pretty much get to any location within the city with ease. Plus, if you plan on visiting several attractions during your visit then you should consider getting a Stockholm City Pass. This is an all-in-one ticket that allows you unlimited access to public transportation and discounts on several popular attractions.

✅ Check out the Stockholm City Pass here

By Private Tour

The last way to get around Stockholm is by doing a private tour. From bike tours and walking tours to scooter tours and kayak tours — there are so many different ways you can explore the city! And even on a tight budget, you can find some really affordable tours that are well worth their value.

Personally, I always try to take at least one since it usually offers you a more authentic perspective of the city, and you can get some local insight and awesome recommendations from someone who truly knows the city. Plus, it’s the most stress-free option, which I am always in favor of! 😅 So, if you’re looking for an immersive way to explore Stockholm with ease, then taking a private tour with an experienced guide is the way to go!

✅ 🇸🇪 Explore the different sightseeing tours of Stockholm

Stockholm in 3 Days Itinerary (2024)

Now that you know some of the essential information on the Swedish capital, it’s time to get into all that Stockholm has in store for you over three days! This ultimate itinerary includes my favorite destinations within the city – from classic highlights that every visitor should see if they only have one day in Stockholm, as well as some lesser-known gems that I discovered during my five days there.

🇸🇪 NOTE: To save you time and energy, I have grouped places and attractions located near each other. This way you can hopefully avoid wasting time going back and forth around the city!

Day 1: Stockholm in 3 Days Itinerary

For the first day of my ultimate Stockholm in 3 days itinerary, I recommend exploring some of Stockholm’s most important institutions and establishments. This way you can get a taste of traditional Swedish culture and slowly adjust to your surroundings, especially if you’re still a bit tired from getting into the city!

1. Enjoy Fika

To make sure you start your day off on the right foot and are properly fueled for everything else in the store, I recommend enjoying a bit of fika. Fika is pronounced fee-ka and is an absolute pillar of Swedish culture. It translates to coffee and cake, but it’s more generally described as a casual break to relax and socialize. Oftentimes people grab a small cup of coffee, tea, and a pastry — just something small as opposed to a giant all-American breakfast.

And in case you’re wondering, there is no exact time fika happens. Traditionally, locals enjoy Fika from morning until the early afternoon (~3 PM). Thus, you can find lots of places that specialize in fika all over the city most hours of the day since it’s such a staple to their culture!

🇸🇪 NOTE: I’ve included all my recommendations for places to eat during your 3 days in Stockholm in a later portion of the post!

2. Tour Through City Hall

After you’ve had your fill of Fika or regular breakfast, it’s time to explore some of Stockholm’s main attractions, the Stockholm City Hall. This imposing building features a lantern-top tower and is made up of 8 million bricks. You can marvel at its beauty just from the outside or also opt to take a 45-minute guided tour of the inside. The tour allows you to learn about Stockholm’s history and politics and view important rooms. But the part that makes the tour worth it is seeing the Blue Hall and stunning Golden Hall up close.

These rooms are where the most important cultural meetings take place: the annual Nobel Prize Banquet in the Blue Hall and the subsequent evening ball in the Golden Hall. And like every fairytale ballroom, the Golden Hall does not disappoint! The room is decked out in shimmering mosaics that illustrate allegories of key events and significant people from Swedish history. I could only imagine how delightful it must be to dance across the room with everything lit up.

So, if this sounds like something you’d enjoy, tours are at the top of each hour from 10 AM – 3 PM. And regardless if you choose to do one or not, don’t forget to walk across city hall’s civic plaza. You’ll get a great view of Stockholm’s waterfront!

3. Admire Riddarholmen

Once you’re finished with City Hall, it’s a short 13-minute walk to Riddarholmen. This landmark is the oldest preserved building in the city and dates back to medieval times, specifically the late 13th century. It serves as a museum, a royal burial church for monarchs between 1635 and 1950, and the church of the Order of the Seraphim.

Today, visitors are welcome to explore around inside, for the price of a small fee that goes towards maintenance. But, if you are tight on money or just not interested, you can at least admire the outside. For example, you’ll notice the roof features a neo-gothic cast iron spire. This is because the roof had to be restored after sections were burned down in the 19th century.

🇸🇪 PRO TIP: If you want to give your feet a break, head towards the waterfront — Evert Taubes Terrass. There’s a lovely observation deck with a couple of benches and hardly anyone was there when I went.

5. People-Watch Around Stortorget

One area of Gamla Stan that you won’t want to miss is Stortorget Square. This is the oldest square in Stockholm and where you’ll find the iconic colorful buildings that appear in so many postcards! This little square is encapsulated by old merchants’ houses, the Stockholm Stock Exchange Building, and the Nobel Prize Museum.

As you can likely tell from the name, the museum is all about the history of the Nobel Prize! From specific winners and their inventions to the creation of the Nobel Prize by Alfred Nobel. So, if you love learning about ground-breaking discoveries that have greatly shaped humanity as we know it, this museum may be worth checking out!

But, if you want to just relax, there are plenty of benches to sit on and simply people watch — one of my favorite things to do while traveling. I even met this lovely man who was painting the beautiful surrounding scenery. Turns out, he had been traveling around Europe for months and supporting himself with his impressive paintings. I even bought a few pieces, and it made his day! So, let this be a gentle reminder to support small local artists and businesses when you can — the little things mean the world to them!

🇸🇪 Fun Fact: Gamla Stan’s Den gyldene freden restaurant has been in business since 1722! It’s even in the Guinness Book of Records for being the “longest operated restaurant with an unchanged environment” and remains one of the oldest restaurants in the world!

6. See Inside Storkyrkan

Another place to make a quick stop is Storkyrkan, also known as the Stockholm Cathedral. This is Stockholm’s oldest church and was built in the 13th century. It honestly isn’t that impressive from the outside, especially because it was undergoing a ton of construction while I visited…but, if you pay a few dollars to go inside, you’ll see a completely different story.

The inside has a late medieval appearance that includes a vaulted ceiling bolstered by numerous brick pillars. In the past, the church was the site of several coronation ceremonies and includes several old pieces of art. For example, two of the more notable pieces are a medieval sculpture of Saint George and the Dragon and Vädersolstavlan, which is one of the earliest images of Stockholm!

7. Marvel at The Royal Palace

Just on the other side of Storkyrkan is the Royal Palace, locally known as Kungliga Slottet. This is the official residence of the Swedish royal family and it is nothing short of grandeur. Inside, there are over 600 rooms, spanning 11 floors, that are brimming with furniture and works of art from all over the world! This makes it one of the largest palaces in all of Europe.

And despite the palace being the actual residence and place where official meetings and work and conducted, it is open to the public year-round. You can purchase an entrance ticket to tour the royal apartments, the Hall of State, the Treasury with the regalia, and the Museum Three Crowns! Plus, they open up even more areas of the castle during the peak summer months, so it’s worth a stop by!

Oh! And if you’re there at 12:15 PM during the week (1:15 PM during the weekend), you can observe the royal guard’s ceremony! This is the equivalent of Buckingham Palace’s changing of the guards ceremony in London. The entire process lasts about 40 minutes, so I wouldn’t stay the whole time, but it’s fun to witness for a couple of minutes. For opening times and tickets, you can check out the official website for the Royal Palace.

8. Stop by IKEA City

This next stop on this Stockholm in 3 days itinerary really isn’t a tourist attraction, but it can be! And, I figured I would include it since I enjoyed visiting so much lol…🤠 About 7 minutes walking from Gamla Stan is IKEA City-Stockholm. It’s literally a regular three-story IKEA Store but so fun to walk around. I mean most people enjoy browsing beautiful furniture stores and planning out a dream house with no financial limits right?!

Anyway, this is always a fun place to walk around for an hour, and I personally wanted to test out if the meatballs at an IKEA store tasted different from the meatballs at IKEA stores in the US. My verdict is yes — meatballs from IKEAs in Sweden are definitely superior and so delicious! So, if you want a cheap dinner, IKEA has got your back!

But, if you want to truly immerse yourself in the Swedish local food scene, there are plenty of restaurants serving traditional Swedish food in Gamla Stan! And for the ultimate foodie and non-vegetarian, I recommend doing a local food tour! This will allow you to sample 12 tasty Nordic dishes and explore the city’s hearty culinary culture. Plus, you’ll get to learn a bit of background information and the importance of the specific dishes you try!

✅ Check out this Highly-rated 4-hour Nordic Food Tour

9. Take this Fun Ghost Tour

To cap off your first day of this Stockholm in 3 days itinerary, I highly recommend taking this 90-minute spooky ghost tour through Gamla Stan! It’s one of the best and most entertaining ways to learn about Stockholm’s dark past! Plus, if you’re lucky, you’ll have Callum as your guide, and let me tell you, this man knows how to keep a crowd engaged! He pulls out all the stops to ensure everyone has a good time!

And even if you’re someone who doesn’t like being scared, fret not — the chances of any paranormal activity happening are next to zero…👀 So if you’re looking for something that is a little out of the ordinary, definitely check out this fun ghost tour!

✅ 👻 Check Availability for this spooky ghost tour through Gamla Stan

Day 2: Stockholm in 3 Days Itinerary

For day 2 of my ultimate 3 days in Stockholm, it’s time to explore Stockholm by way of water and to see check out some of the awesome museums available on the island of Djurgården!

10. Kayak Through Stockholm

Start the day off with a leisurely upper body workout by kayaking the waterways through Stockholm! That’s everyone’s dream start to the day right?! 😅 But seriously, if you’re ready to give your feet a break and take in the great outdoors, then this is a unique experience you don’t want to miss out on!

Specifically, on this popular 2-hour kayaking tour, you’ll get to paddle around the city’s main islands and its many charming bridges while catching a new perspective of the most popular landmarks. For example, you can expect to pass by City Hall, Riddarholmen, Gamla Stan, and more! Plus, it’s suitable for beginners and more experienced kayakers — so don’t miss out!

✅ 🛶 Check out this highly-rated Kayaking Tour through Stockholm

And if you’re visiting during the winter season and thinking won’t it be freezing??? Yes is the answer, but this 3-hour winter kayaking tour provides you with a dry suit and winter kayaking gear to keep yah dry and toasty! They even provide you with warm drinks and snacks to keep your energy levels as you discover the Vaxholm part of the Stockholm Archipelago. So, if you’re ready for a truly memorable experience, then consider kayaking through the gorgeous Stockholm Archipelago!

✅ ❄️ See details for this excellent winter kayaking tour

11. See the Boats Along Strandvägskajen

After your kayaking tour is over, I recommend venturing out from the main city center to the island of Djurgården! Along the way, I suggest taking your time to promenade along Strandvägskajen. This is a scenic walkway that is located right along the waterfront. As such, you’ll be able to take in the stunning views and see all the boats in the harbor.

Plus, you can even check out the menus of the restaurants on boats that serve lunch/dinner if you want to eat then or circle back! Or, if you’re feeling a little tired and just want to take in the sweeping views, there are plenty of benches along this walkway for you to sit back and relax.

I did this for about 10 minutes and couldn’t help but smile at the fact I was solo traveling across Europe, discovering such a beautiful city, and just having the time of my life. It’s the small moments that mean the most sometimes am I right…😉

12. Discover the Vasa Museum

When you get to the end of Strandvägskajen, you’ll end up at a bridge that is about a 3-minute walk away from the Vasa Museum. This is one of the most popular and recommended tourist attractions in Stockholm. It showcases one of Sweden’s most famous ships — the Vasa, which sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628. The long story short is that it was salvaged and brought back to the surface in 1961 and meticulously restored.

Today, you can marvel at its intricate details up close and learn about the fascinating history surrounding it by visiting the Vasa Museum. And even though I’m not one for nautical history or ships, I freaking loved this museum.

That said, I’ll be completely honest and say that an entrance ticket to the museum (~$18 USD) may not be worth it for everyone…So if you have any reservations or just want more information on what to expect, you can read my detailed account of the Vasa Museum here.

⛵️ Purchase your entrance ticket to the Vasa Museum!

13. Roam Skansen Open Air Museum

A fun alternative or additional museum to check out if you have extra time and energy is the Skansen Open Air Museum! This is just a few minutes walk away from the Vasa Museum in Djurgården. And unlike the Vasa Museum, Skansen is an open-air museum, meaning you can enjoy the crisp fresh air while learning about how the Swedish people used to live!

This living history museum is composed of over 150 historic buildings on the grounds, as well as a zoo with Scandinavian animals like reindeer, elk, and brown bears! So, if you’re visiting Stockholm with kids, Skansen is a great place to spend a few hours! But even if you don’t have children, I still recommend visiting as there are so many activities available and you have centuries worth of history right at your fingertips!

And, if you think you’ll only be up for one museum, you can read my full review of Skansen here. This will hopefully help you decide whether the Vasa or Skansen is the better option for you! Plus, I’ve included the must-visit spots within the museum. 😅

🦌 Purchase your entrance ticket for Skansen here

14. Sunset at the Harbor on Dj Island

As you make your way back into the central part of Stockholm, a nice little detour to make is at the harbor behind the Vasa Museum. You’ll pass through a well-maintained park that includes a few winding pathways. And again, there are a few benches and large rocks to sit at if you want to sit and rest for a few moments.

There’s nothing specific to do, but I figured I’d share the spot since I caught such gorgeous views. The picture below is the view that I got to enjoy around sunset from this spot…

15. Eat Your Way Through Östermalms Saluhall

Alright, by now, you’re probably ready to eat! And if you haven’t already found a place to go, I recommend checking out the food scene at Östermalms Saluhall! This is located in Östermalm, which is one of the bustling districts of Stockholm filled with an array of restaurants and shops.

Keeping in line with the area, Östermalms Saluhall is essentially a food hall/market that contains about 50 little shops. It has everything from the freshest fish and meats to artisanal cheese makers and bakers. You can also find all kinds of produce, gourmet goods, delicacies, and of course, several cafes! So, it’s a pretty awesome space.

And while it’s a hot spot for locals, I would call it a bit of a hidden gem to tourists. The reason was that I kept asking other tourists I met if they had heard of it, and all I got were blank faces…😂 That said, it’s expensive so prepare! But the quality and flavor you’ll get from the food are well worth the expense…Plus, I would argue that getting to admire the beautiful architecture of the antique stalls is reason enough to stop by!

Day 3: Stockholm in 3 Days Itinerary

For the final day of my ultimate Stockholm in 3 days itinerary, it’s time to give your feet a break and explore the less hyper-touristy bits of Stockholm!

16. Take a Sightseeing Boat Tour

Whether you opted to kayak around Stockholm or not, a nice way to familiarize yourself with Stockholm without putting in any effort is with an electric boat tour! This boat ride lasts only 50 minutes and takes you through the newer side of Stockholm. You’ll even get to pass by the spot where the Vasa Ship sank back in 1628!

It’s a fantastic way to see Stockholm from a different perspective, and you won’t have any glass windows getting in the way of your perfect shot. Plus, the boat has a capacity of about 25 people, so you get a more personal tour — unlike with the hop-on-hop-off boat rides.

✅ ⛵️ Check out this sightseeing boat tour around Stockholm Harbor.

17. Admire the Unique Metro Art

When you’re boat ride is done, it’s time to make your way underground. In Stockholm, public transportation is not only efficient but beautiful too. Almost every station in the metro system has been thoughtfully decorated with unique art pieces that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a different museum.

Some of the metro stations are decorated with floor-to-ceiling paints. Other stations have stand-alone panels illustrating different concepts out of ceramic tiles. Either way, you can tell the city put a lot of thought into filling the metro stations with meaningful pieces of work!

And I know what you’re thinking…why would I buy a metro ticket to look at artwork? Well, the next stop is Södermalm! And from Norrmalm, where the boat tour finishes, it’s an uphill climb — literally and figuratively. Thus, the most efficient and easiest way to travel is by metro. And as long as you’re heading through the metro, you might as well take the time to enjoy some artwork right?!

A single metro ticket is good for 75 minutes and costs 38 SEK (~$3.50 USD). So, within that time, you can easily check out the artwork at three or four stations! I recommend visiting the Stadion station and/or the Universitetet station. Just make sure to get to the Slussen station before 75 minutes is up!

18. Discover Trendy Södermalm

When you pop up from the Slussen station, you’ll be at the foot of Södermalm. This is the trendy part of Stockholm that has more of a local vibe as there aren’t so many obvious tourist attractions here. The area is the go-to place for an aesthetic coffee shop, a fun night out with your friends, and where to browse some second-hand clothes!

You’ll also find an abundance of trendy shops, cafés, bars, restaurants, and flower shops. Honestly, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! My reason for visiting Södermalm was to take in the beautiful panoramic views over Stockholm city, which I’ll get into next!

19. Scenic Views at Skinnarviksberget

Finally, to end this epic Stockholm in 3 days itinerary, I highly recommend trekking to Skinnarviksberget! This is the highest natural point in central Stockholm and does require a bit of uphill walking/hiking from the Södermalm metro station, but I promise it’s worth it!

Those who make the trek up will be rewarded with majestic panoramic views of Kungsholmen, Gamla Stan, Stockholm City Hall, and all the colorful buildings across the water. The scenic outlook is unsurprisingly a crowd favorite spot among both locals and tourists alike, but the crowds aren’t too bad.

For peak enjoyment, I recommend saving this for the end of the day and heading to a grocery store or pastry shop. This way you can take in the sweeping views while refueling on delicious snacks– because isn’t everyone happier when they’re eating and watching a magical sunset?! Anyway, I tried to save the best for last and hope this lovely outlook proves to be the perfect ending to your time in Stockholm!

Where to Eat in Stockholm

If you’ve made it this far, congrats! I bet you not many have 😂. So as a reward, here are some of the best places to eat in Stockholm during your 3 days! A few I found on my own, while others were given to me as recommendations from locals, so yah know it’s gotta be good!

NOTE: Also, you can click the names of the places for their Google Maps locations!

Breakfast / Fika

• Skeppsbro Bageri — Bakery located right on the waterfront in Gamla Stan! You’ll find a wide range of fresh pastries and bread, ranging from sweet treats to savory items. Seating is limited though, so get there early, unless you’re fine with braving the cold.

• Café Pascal — This is a popular café in Norrmalm that offers a healthy selection of coffees, teas, and pastries! The space is small for the number of people it draws, so expect seating to be limited…but if you go, make sure to try a croissant sandwich!

• FIKA & Wine — This is a cozy and warm restaurant in Gamla Stan that makes for a lovely brunch/fika/dinner spot! They have everything from fresh pastries and lots of coffee options to decent size portions of traditional Swedish foods! Plus, the staff is very friendly and hospitable!

Lunch

• Restaurant Tradition — This is a fantastic restaurant in Gamla Stan that serves a wide range of very authentic and traditional Swedish food! Everything is so delicious and the service is great! I’d highly recommend it for lunch or dinner.

• Mom’s Kitchen — A very budget-friendly place in Östermalm that offers traditional Swedish food! It’s not sensational food, but it gives you more than enough bang for your buck. They essentially have prepared a certain number of portions of dishes in to-go containers. After you order, they microwave the food and present it for you on a plate if you choose to eat there. Oh, and when I went they offered unlimited bread/crackers.

Dinner

• Restaurant BAR & Akvarium — This is one of Stockholm’s best restaurants/bars in Norrmalm that specializes in seafood! They have a massive selection of fresh fish, and the prices are quite reasonable for what you get. So, if you want to taste some awesome seafood, be sure to check out this place!

• Restaurant 1889 Fine Fast Pizza — If you want a break from traditional Swedish food, head to 1889 Fine Fast Pizza in Norrmalm for delicious pizza at an affordable price! The restaurant has a cozy and almost luxurious feel, and everything I tried was so good! I highly recommend their pannacotta desserts if you go! Seriously, I still dream about how divine it was.

🇸🇪🍦Fun Fact: Swedish people are the second biggest consumers of Ice cream in Europe! If you’re visiting during the spring/summer/fall, make sure to go to StikkiNikki!

Other Places to Visit in Stockholm, Sweden

In case you end up spending a few extra days in the city or want some other options, here are some other places to add to your 3 days in Stockholm itinerary!

• Kungsträdården — This is a wonderful park that’s in the heart of Norrmalm! You’ll honestly probably pass it just walking around the city, but if not it’s totally worth visiting! There are always lots of activities happening and you can see lots of cherry blossom trees flourishing around May!

• ABBA Museum — As I mentioned in the beginning, Stockholm is famous for producing the Swedish supergroup, ABBA! Thus, if you’re a fan of their music or just want to get your groove on, then you should definitely pay a visit to the ABBA Museum on Djurgården!

• Anders Fogelströms Terrass — This is a small park located in Södermalm that I did a morning run to! It does require a little bit of a walk from the Slussen station but does offer another lovely panoramic view that’s different from what you see at Skinnarviksberget

3 Things to Do Near Stockholm, Sweden

Alternatively, if you’re ready for a change in pace and scenery, you can always opt to add a day trip to your Stockholm in 3 days schedule! Here are three popular spots for a day trip from the Swedish capital!

1. Drottningholm Palace

The first place you can easily day trip to is Drottningholm Palace. It’s located about 45 minutes by public transit outside of Stockholm and serves as Sweden’s royal family private residence. All areas except for the Southern wing where the royal family lives are open to the public. And like the Royal Palace in Stockholm, this palatial estate is massive and exudes elegance. It’s even been on UNESCO’s World Heritage list since 1991!

At Drottningholm, visitors can explore the Chinese Pavilion, the palace theatre, and the royal chapel, and feast their eyes on the well-manicured palace gardens. Truly it’s a sight to behold. And if you prefer not to deal with public transit, you can always opt for a private tour from Stockholm!

✅ 🏰 Check out this private tour of Drottningholm Palace from Stockholm

2. Uppsala

Uppsala is just about an hour away from Stockholm by train and is Sweden’s fourth most populous city. Despite its urban sprawl, Uppsala still embodies the charm of small-town life. Here, you can visit the striking Gothic cathedral that dates back to the 13th century, explore many historical museums, and wander through Uppsala Castle!

3. Sigtuna

Sigtuna is an ancient Viking settlement located about 50 minutes from Stockholm by car or an hour and 20 minutes via public transit. This picturesque town has been around for over 1,000 years and is known as Sweden’s oldest town, making it the perfect place to explore traditional Swedish culture!

While there, you can visit medieval churches and see the ruins that represent the city’s illustrious history. Plus, the small-town atmosphere gives off a certain peacefulness that makes Sigtuna all the more attractive if you want to get away from the touristy side of Stockholm!

Stockholm in 3 Days: FAQs

Wrap-Up: Stockholm in 3 Days Itinerary (2024)

Ultimately, Stockholm is an incredible city filled with endless activities for visitors to fill their itinerary with. From exploring the winding cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan and discovering Stockholm’s diverse archipelago by water to seeing the Vasa ship up close and indulging in mouthwateringly good Swedish cuisine — you don’t want to miss out on immersing yourself in this amazing culture!

And, with this Stockholm in 3 days itinerary in hand, I’m sure you’ll have a fabulous time. So, with that, I wish you the best of luck discovering Stockholm and hope this guide has been helpful! As always, feel free to reach out with any questions!

Explore the Nordic Region

• 🇫🇮 Considering making a trip to the Finnish Capital of Helsinki? Discover and eat your way through the city with a local! Or, consider a fun day trip over to Tallinn, Estonia!