How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Stockholm

Just as with any city, it is practically impossible to visit Stockholm in a weekend and do everything you want to do. Luckily, a big part of Swedish culture has to do with slowing down in life and enjoying the moment. Therefore, a lot of activities in Stockholm can be super relaxing and it’ll be easy to enjoy a weekend even if you are busy trying to check off all of your “must-dos” in a weekend.

While I recommend at least full 3 days in Stockholm, I recognize that is not possible for most of us! So, if you really only have the weekend to travel to Sweden, here is how to spend the perfect weekend in Stockholm:

1. Have a picnic at the city lookout points.

• Mariaberget – this is the ultimate viewpoint located on Södermalm. Grab some wine and cheese and head over to Ivar Los Park to have a picnic while you watch the sun go down.
• Riddarholmen – this is the lookout opposite of Mariaberget, so you see the island of Södermalm instead. If you look to the right, you can see the Nobel prize city hall, Stadhuset. Fun fact: this is where Major Laser filmed her video for lean on)

2. Gamla Stan

This is the infamous colourful city centre. Make sure to take a picture with the infamous Stockholm buildings, find the iron moon boy, do some shopping, and see the royal palace!

3. Island hopping

You could take a boat ride to an island further away ~1-2 hours (ex. Vaxholm – it’s small and cute) or you could take a boat to an island not even 10 minutes away (Djugården) where there is the wonderful cafe, Rosendals trädgården . Depending on where you are going, it usually costs the price of riding the Tunnelbana (metro), so it is quite cheap for the incredible views that you will get to see!

Djugården is a really easy island to access by boat and by land. Actually, it contains many museums (ABBA museum, VASA museum, etc.), cafes, restaurants and the amusement park, Gröna Lund! So, you will probably head over here at one point or another on your weekend in Stockholm.

4. Cafe hopping

Have a traditional cinnamon bun (kanelbulle) and some of the best coffee in the world! Some of my favourite chains are Bröd and Salt and Cafe Pascal. However, if you have the time, the most important cafe that you NEED to go to is Rosendals Trädgården! This is beautiful cafe found within a greenhouse and spread out over a flower garden.

5. Kungsträdgården

This is a lovely area that bridges the shopping district with the cultural and historic part of Stockholm. There are a few fountains and cafe’s nestled here, so it is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy a fika. It leads straight into the shopping area called Gallerian and the plaza square Sergels torg which is perfect if you are looking to pick up some Scandinavian fashion items.

6. Park hopping

There are plenty of wonderful parks found within Stockholm and just outside of it. In Stockholm, take some time to walk through Tantolunden – it’s a park with the red Swedish house and gardens, it’s by the water so very picturesque walk. You can also swim here, rent kayaks, play mini putt, and grab food at the BouleBar or Hornstull market! Just outside of Stockholm, you can check out Hellasgården. This is a wonderful park for hiking, kayaking, a swimming + sauna experience, playing tennis and more!

8. Museums

There are plenty of wonderful museums to fulfill your hearts desire! As the home of Swedish band, ABBA, Sweden has an ABBA museum located within the Stockholm city centre. As a Scandinavian country that was inhabited by vikings, it has the VASA museum to commemerate this time. Since every European country has its own free National Museum, Stockhom does as well! Finally, photography from around the world and immersive ever-changing exhibitions can be found in the Fotografiska Museum.

9. SoFo

SoFo is the “hip” area of Stockholm – everything from vintage shops to bars, restaurants, cafes, and even fashion of the Swedes is unique here – you must take a walk through these streets!

10. Touristy things

Every city around the world has its tourist attractions, and Stockholm is no exception to that! Some toursity activites that are worth checking out include:

• Stockholm ghost walk
• Viking Bar – an immersive experience wher eeverybody is dressed up like vikings, viking food, live music and more. Definitely a highlight of Stockholm things to do! Make sure you book a table from 7 pm onwards, I will not spoil the reason why. Enjoy!
• Riding Scooters and/or Biking – Stockholm is probably one of the safest cities in the world for bikers. The side of the roads are blocked off and there is a lane the size of a road lane! It is epic. Plus, the scooters are quite speedy and fun to ride!
• Gröna Lund – an amusement park for a thrilling day
• Hammarbytoppen winter ski hill, summer ski hill, mountain coaster and climbing park.
• Royal Swedish Opera
• Changing of the guards at the Royal Palace of Stockholm – begins at 12:15 PM in the courtyard on Weekdays and at 1:15 PM on Sundays
• Look for the island moon boy!
• Metro station art hunting – many of Stockholm deep underground stations are actually an art exhibit. You could spend a whole day travelling to and from stations! How can you do it? A metro ticket last for 75 minutes – so you have just over an hour to see how many you can find! For more information about this, check out this page here.
• Drottningholm Palace – A World UNESCO Site

11. Eating

• Brunch – I recommend mahalo, pom och flora, greasy spoon and stockholm brunch club. You cannot book a spot in advance, you must show up and join the waiting list.
• Restaurants – I recommend La Olita (Mexican), Ramblas (Spanish tapas), Agaton, Paganini (Italian), Thaiboat (this is a must!!!), Meatballs for People (swedish), Same Same But Different, Joh Phangan (asian), MAX (fast food).

12. Drinking

As a country that created the “Little Saturday” as an excuse to get drinks on a Wednesday night, you best believe it has some amazing bars and clubs to enjoy!

My recommendations:

• NightClubs – Colloseum at the Tele2 Arena, Berns, SoapBar, Patricia, Slatkhuset (for Techno)
• Bars – Baras, Tweed, Ugglan game bar, pelikan (really you can go to any but these names stick with me the most!)
• Rooftop bars – Scandic Continental The Capital (awesome views!!), Takpark by urban deli, mosebackterassen, Stockholm under stjarnorna.

All in all, Stockholm is a wonderful city for your to enjoy either on a relaxed vacation or a fun-filled weekend. Let me know how your trip goes in the comments below!