Personal Stockholm Insider Tips

Are you interested in discovering unique places in Stockholm, away from the tourist crowds and typical attractions? Would you like to visit spots that the locals enjoy? Then let me share with you the must-visit places. In this article, I'll show you real insider tips for Stockholm.

Now that I have visited Stockholm for the seventh time and spent time with locals, it's finally time to write down these recommendations. I love Stockholm and always enjoy coming back. Having friends living in the Swedish capital and Uppsala makes it even easier.

Don't miss out on the typical attractions in Stockholm and activities. I have listed them all, and they are truly worth your time. I have gone on the boat tour through the canals at least three times, and I always discover something new.

For me, Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe for a city trip! Here are my personal insider tips for Stockholm; enjoy exploring!

P.S.: My tips for saving money: Check out my experience with the Stockholm Pass and here are my tips for dining in Stockholm (Food Guide).

Summer deal for Stockholm explorers! Save 10% when you purchase your Stockholm Pass - available for a limited time only. Just enter the code SUMMER (all caps) at checkout. Valid only through this link.

The best views of Stockholm can be found on the island of Södermalm. There are two fantastic viewpoints for a panoramic view of Stockholm's skyline. The most iconic photo spot is at Mariaberget. You can access it via the footpath Monteliusvägen.

Nearby is a popular picnic spot for locals at sunset: Skinnarviksberget.

It's best to take the path from Mariaberget along the narrow Monteliusvägen trail to Skinnarviksberget, so you won't have to climb the rocks and you'll already be at the top (approaching from the other side requires some climbing - not too challenging). The described official route goes over wooden planks, making it easier. The view is of course most beautiful at sunset when the skyline in the center and the old town Gamla Stan are bathed in the setting sun.

Along the way there are benches where you can enjoy the sunset. I find these spots much nicer than sitting in a rooftop bar.

These two places are among my absolute favorites in Stockholm.

Tip for a rooftop bar with a view, in case you prefer that: Trendy rooftops can be found at Brunkebergstorg, Stockholm's new and hip "urban escape".

Not only does the SkyView promise a spectacular view of Stockholm, but also an exhilarating ride up in glass gondolas to the roof of the Avicii Arena (formerly Globen). The glass gondolas ascend to 85 meters, bringing you to a height of 130 meters above sea level.

Information about SkyView:

Interested in an extraordinary evening tour? Then join the "Ghost Walk" through the old town Gamla Stan, the most beautiful neighborhood in Stockholm. During this tour, you'll learn all about Stockholm's history and stop at various places you might not have noticed otherwise. You'll hear tales of executions, murders, the plague, and other secrets, along with legends and the history of the city.

I found this tour very entertaining and well done! See more tips for the best Stockholm activities here.

What a coincidence that there is a camper van site on Långholmen. During my road trip to the North Cape with my camper van, I was able to sleep here comfortably. There's plenty of greenery around, making Långholmen a popular spot for relaxation. On the eastern side of the island, there's a small beach that's very popular in the summer. Unfortunately, the weather was very changeable during my visit.

If you want to be active, you should book a kayak tour from Långholmen and experience sightseeing in a different way. You will paddle past Långholmen, Södermalm, Gamla Stan (Old Town), Kungsholmen, and Lilla Essingen and enjoy great viewpoints.

Here you can book the tour

Alternatively, you can book a tour from Kungsholmen. The price is cheaper, and the guide will most likely only speak English, not German. Here you can book the tour (options include dinner).

When you ride the Stockholm subway (Tunnelbanen), you quickly realize it's full of color. Over 90 subway stations have creatively been designed by artists. Stockholm proudly calls its 110 km subway network the longest art gallery in the world, for which you only need a valid ticket.

You can either see the best ones during a guided tour of the beautiful subways, or you can explore them on your own. You just need a valid ticket.

Start at T-Centralen, the main hub in the center of Stockholm. Avoid peak times in the morning and evening when everyone is commuting to work or home.

Here you can find my tour through the most beautiful subway stations in Stockholm to replicate.

You've probably seen the photo with the golden crown and castle with the old town in the background. When you walk across the bridge to the island of Skeppsholmen, you'll see crowns on both sides of the bridge's railings. The quieter island of Skeppsholmen lies between Gamla Stan and Djurgården.

Until 1969, Skeppsholmen was a base for the Swedish Navy and was not accessible to the public. Afterward, the fleet was relocated, making room for museums and restaurants. There is also a very special hostel: The sailing ship AF Chapman from the 19th century and a former naval barracks called Hantverkshuset. On deck of the ship, you can find an open-air bar where you can enjoy a drink while gazing at the skyline of Stockholm's old town.

Are you up for an outing to the idyllic Stockholm archipelago? I recommend a trip to Fjäderholmen and Sandhamn. Fjäderholmen especially is popular, as you can reach it in just 30 minutes by boat. Locals love coming here at sunset on their own boats. It's truly a unique experience in Stockholm.

You can walk around the island in less than half an hour. At the hill of the small island, you'll find Röda Villan, where you can grab a snack in the restaurant (offers both cake and crab, fish, and grilled dishes). You'll find more restaurants on the island, though I haven't tested them. There are also artist studios and a boat museum.

Sandhamn is a bit more upscale and larger. However, the trip takes longer so you should plan the visit as a day trip.

In summer, the boats run regularly and more frequently than after the Swedish summer holidays. Then often only 1-2 departures a day are available, limiting your trip options. Make sure to check the times carefully.

The famous cylindrical building by architect Gunnar Asplund from 1928 is hardly known outside Sweden. However, the library is also off the beaten path. If you do my art tour through the subway in Stockholm, you can conveniently combine your visit to the city library.

Do you like licorice? To be honest, I'm not a big fan. However, you should definitely visit Lakritsroten. Here you can find all sorts of licorice flavors. Whether sweet, salty, or smoked fish. I love the combination with berries, caramel, or sea buckthorn. There are many branches of Lakritsroten in Stockholm. I visited the one in the Hötorgshallen market hall in Stockholm.

I only learned during the food tour in Stockholm that Brunkeberg Tunnel is a very popular Instagram hotspot. I became curious and sought out the shortcut under the city. The 231-meter-long tunnel is used by both pedestrians and cyclists to save time and stairs. The origin of the tunnel dates back to 1886 - fascinating!

South of Gamla Stan, you can reach the island of Södermalm via the Slussen junction (the never-ending construction site). Not only is there the fantastic Fotografiska Museum, but in the eastern part, SoFo (South of Folkungagatan) - inspired by the hip SoHo district in New York. Here you will find really cool shops, bars, cafés, and restaurants. The area surrounds Nytorget, Medborgarplatsen, and Götgatan.

Don't forget the fantastically beautiful viewpoints in "Söder", as the neighborhood is commonly called by locals: Monteliusvägen and Skinnarviksberget. For a view of the Baltic Sea, you should head to Fjällgatan. Additionally, the café on the top floor of the Fotografiska Museum offers a stunning view of the city.

If you have limited time, you can opt for an alternative city tour through the trendy Södermalm and "SoFo" area. Here you can view the city tour and reserve tickets.

In the west (Hornstull & Mariatorget):

I was totally surprised (in a positive way) by the China Castle on the grounds of Drottningholm Palace. Before my visit, I stumbled upon an article (which I unfortunately can't find anymore) that said: Make sure to visit the China Castle. What can I say? It's a rather extraordinary building that I did not expect. The entrance to tour the inner rooms costs 100 SEK.

If you have never been to China or Japan, you might find it interesting. I thought the wallpapers and exhibits were quite pretty, but I was already familiar with this kind of interior design from Japan.

Just outside of Stockholm, there's Street Art! Because it is prohibited in the city, there's one of the largest areas in Europe to observe artists at work in the former industrial area of Rågsved, far from tourist paths.

By chance, I photographed a house in the hip Södermalm district, which you can only access via a bridge. Afterward, I accidentally discovered that this house on Bellmansgatan Street in Stockholm with a private bridge belongs to Mikael Blomqvist from the Millennium Trilogy. This is where the fictional character from Stieg Larsson's adaptations lives. The main character Lisbeth Salander also resides in the northern scene district of Södermalm.

Everyone knows about the market hall in Södermalm. How about the two-story market hall Hötorgshallen at Hötorget? Unlike the Södermalm market hall, this market offers food and culinary delights from all over the world! In the basement, there's true paradise with 40 stalls featuring delicacies and home cooking from around the world and Sweden. You can buy your ingredients for cooking here or dine in the on-site restaurants.

While the scene district SoFo in Södermalm is already well established, the Mosebacke Design District is still a little hidden gem for visitors. Here you can also find many cool shops, galleries, and especially cafés and restaurants. Explore this corner of Södermalm around Mosebacke Torg.

In this shopping center, you'll find many food stalls arranged in a circle in the middle. There are well-known restaurants from Stockholm offering you pizza, ramen, Korean sandwiches, or burgers. In summer, the Bar Mosebacketerrassen features live music and DJs - open air, of course.

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