You can find numerous things to do in Stockholm in winter and all year round. The city is located on 14 islands as well as on the shore of Baltic Sea and Malaren Lake. The city also includes 24 000 islands of Stockholm archipelago. For this reason, the city fights with Saint Petersburg for the name of Venice of the North.
There are a lot of cheap flights to Stockholm in winter. Before you ignore them thinking you will freeze to death and you won’t enjoy it check 13 reasons to visit Stockholm in winter. And continue reading π No matter if you are a traveling student or baby boomer, you will find Stockholm interesting – and while being there you can also prolong your trip and try to see the Nothern lights in Sweden.
I spent a weekend in Stockholm in winter and it was enough to get enchanted by the city. What Stockholm attractions should you see? π
Things to do in Stockholm in winter
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Dorota
Stockholm ferries
From Stockholm, numerous ferries depart to interesting destinations, ranging from short excursions to the Stockholm archipelago to longer cruises on the Baltic Sea and beyond.
You can combine sightseeing in Stockholm with a ferry trip directly from the Swedish capital to Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Riga, or MalmΓΆ.
But the most popular city to visit together with Stockholm is Helsinki. The ferry route between these two capitals takes you through the beautiful Stockholm archipelago and across the Baltic Sea. You’ll get stunning views of the water, islands, and possibly even some wildlife. You may check Stockholm to Helsinki ferries here.
Check the prices of available cruises and then decide which ferry suits you best.
In the fields below, you can enter the details of your cruise – departure date, return date, number of passengers and whether you will be taking your car. This will allow you to check which ferries are the cheapest for a given date.
Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan is a historical district, the first and the most enchanting place you will see when you visit Stockholm. The most famous area of this district is Stortorget square and its colorful buildings from XVII century and to spend some time there is one of the best things to do in Stockholm in winter and all year round.
You will also see the narrowest street in the city here (Marten Trotzigs grΓ€nd).
In Gamla Stan you will also see the building of Swedish Parliament (Riksdag) and The Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet). The royal family lives in Drottingholm palace though.
Katarinahissen β Katarina Lift
Even though the city is located at the seaside, you can’t call it a flat one. All things to do in Stockholm, Sweden will make you tired, trust me. You’ll often come across steep stairs and climbs. To make the lives of inhabitants easier, Katarina lift was built.
The first lift came into being in 1881. When we were in Stockholm in 2016, the lift was closed due to renovations. It was supposed to be open again in 2019 but as far as I see now (April 2019) – it still doesn’t work.
The lift is an interesting viewpoint though and worth including on your “what to do in Stockholm” list. It will be better once the renovations are done but pay it a short visit anyway.
Monteliusvagen
Monteliusvagen is a 500 meters path in the city center. It offers outstanding views. It starts as a crossroad with Bastugatan street in Sodermaln district. Thinking what are the things to see in Stockholm, don’t miss it!
From one side you will see cute houses and from the other – a view over Malaren Lake and the city panorama. Outstanding, I would say it is one of the best things to do in Stockholm in winter and not only!
Riddarholmen
Riddarholmen is an island and district visible in the picture, it’s a part of Gamla Stan – old town. What to see in Stockholm on the island?
You can visit a luteran church of Riddarholmskyrkan with a characteristic, azure tower. Most of Swedish monarchs are buried here starting from Gustav Adolf (1611-1632). The church is one of the oldest buildings in Stockholm, parts of it come from 13th century.
You can check its opening hours here.
Except for the church, on the island you will see aristocratic buildings and palaces from 17th century. You can see three of them from Birger Jarls Torg square.
At the island’s shore you can also see an almost 100-years-old ship Maladrottingen. Currently, the ship is turned into a hotel π From the shore you have a great view at Sodermalm district.
If you want to have an unforgettable time in Stockholm, stay in the ship for the night π It’s actually one of the best accommodation from price / quality perspective I managed to find in the city.
Stadshuset β City Hall
Things to do in Stockholm, Sweden include the city hall. The architect took inspiration from Doge’s Palace in Venice and it is visible in the building’s facade. Every year festive banquets take place here for Nobel Prize recipients. It’s a place you have to see, no matter if you spend just 2 days in Stockholm or the whole month π
You can visit the city hall, every day there are guided tours in English and Swedish. Check the hours and prices here.
But the inside of the City Hall is not everything worth seeing. One of the top things to do in Stockholm, is to admire the view at the city. Walk around and enjoy this stunning view!
Drottingholm Palace
Private residence of Swedish royal family where they normally live. Even though in Stockholm points of interests are numerous, this was the first one in Sweden on UNESCO list. The first palace was built here in the 16th century but unfortunately it got destroyed in a fire. The building we can see today comes from the 18th century.
Despite the fact that the royal family lives here, you can visit the palace inside. Check the prices and opening hours here.
While looking for things to do in Stockholm in winter, don’t miss a walk around Drottingholm’s gardens. Even though they’re not very green at this time of the year π the garden’s design, interesting buildings and places to see there are impressive.
The palace is located outside of the city so I would skip it if you spend only 1 day in Stockholm. It will be great to include for a bit longer trip. To get there, you need to take a metro to Brommaplan station (line T19) and change for a bus.
Check further instructions and timetables here.
Stadsbibliotek β Public Library
Public Library may not appear in any Stockholm guide but it is a perfect place for book-lovers. The main part is organized in a circle and books surround you from all sides. Wow effect guaranteed π
Also, unlike Dublin Library, admission is free of charge.
Stockholm metro
Metro in Stockholm has a couple of impressive stations – and seeing them is one of the best things to do in Stockholm in winter when you’re already frozen to the bone π
For me, the best station was Solna Centrum. You probably have seen it in some pictures before and the pictures don’t lie. It does look stunning. I also loved T-Centralen (on the blue line) and Stadion stations.
Djurgarden
Djurgarden were once royal hunting area in Stockholm. Sightseeing in this part of the city includes a lot of green areas and walking paths. Here, you will also find the Skansen and the museum of Vasa ship, retreived from the sea.
You can get to the island by bus or a ferry, which can be one of Stockholm tourist attractions by itself π
You can check how to get there on the website here.
Unfortunately our Stockholm itinerary didn’t include it. It started snowing heavily and taking a ferry didn’t seem quite as attractive anymore. We stayed on Gamla Stan and enjoyed some Swedish coffee (fikka) with a typical cinnamon bun. I totally recommend it to you too π