Stockholm

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💡Stockholm: Good to Know

 

🛂 Visa: Canada, Australia, the US, Korea, and Japan are visa-exempt for stays of up to 90 days

 

✈️ Closest Airport: Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)

 

💬 Language: Swedish, but English is widely spoken

 

🏷️ Price Level: Generally, the price level in Sweden is higher than in the US

 

🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Sweden: US$6.21

 

💰 Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK) | 1 USD 11 SEK

 

☀️ Best Times to Visit: Late spring to early autumn, especially May to September

 

🚘 Transportation: Metro (Tunnelbana), buses, commuter trains, trams, and ferries

 

🔌 Adapter: Sweden uses type C and F plugs. No adapter is needed for European devices, but one is needed for US plugs

 

🛜 WiFi: Widely available and generally fast

 

🏧💰 ATM and “Cash or Card”: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted; Sweden is a mostly cashless society

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💸 Tipping: Tipping is not expected but appreciated in restaurants; rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is polite if service is good—no need to tip in cafes or taxis.

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🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: 

Stadsgården: Stadsgården 160, 116 45 Stockholm, Sweden (docked);  

Frihamnen: Frihamnen Berth 638 Stockholm, Sweden (docked)

 

 

✈️ 🚇🚕 Getting There and Around

 

🎟️ Stockholm’s public transport uses the SL (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik) system, which covers metro, buses, trams, and ferries. Tickets and travel cards can be purchased via the SL app, ticket machines, or at stations. Contactless payment options like credit/debit cards and mobile wallets (Apple Pay/Google Pay) are widely accepted on buses and trams, making it convenient for visitors.

 

✈️ Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) is located about 25 miles (40 km) north of the city center. The fastest connection is the Arlanda Express train, which takes about 20 minutes to reach Stockholm Central Station, with trains running every 15 minutes. Tickets cost around 300 SEK. Cheaper options include the SL commuter train (approx. 40 minutes) and airport buses such as Flygbussarna.

 

🚇 There are two major cruise terminals in Stockholm: Stadsgarden and Frihamnen.  From the Stadsgården and Frihamnen cruise terminals in Stockholm, you can easily reach the city center by public transport. Both terminals are served by bus number 76, which takes about 15–20 minutes to get to Slussen, a central transport hub. From there, you can connect to the metro or other buses to reach the heart of Stockholm. Alternatively, for a scenic route, ferry line 80 runs along the waterfront from nearby piers. Tickets for buses and ferries can be purchased via the SL app, ticket machines, or paid contactlessly onboard. Walking is also an option from Stadsgården, as it’s around a 30-minute walk to Gamla Stan (Old Town).

 

🚌  One company offers hop-on-hop-off buses that connect the main sights throughout the city (more info here).

 

 

⭐️ Top Sights in Stockholm

​"The city’s subway is also known as the world’s longest art gallery."

 

📸 Gamla Stan (Old Town): The historic heart of Stockholm, Gamla Stan boasts narrow cobblestone streets, colorful medieval buildings, and landmarks like the Royal Palace—the official residence of the Swedish monarch—and Storkyrkan Cathedral. This area is full of cozy cafes, artisan shops, and lively squares such as Stortorget, where the iconic Nobel Museum is located.

 

📸 Vasa Museum: Home to the spectacular Vasa warship, which tragically sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was salvaged almost fully intact in the 1960s. The museum offers fascinating exhibits on 17th-century naval warfare, shipbuilding, and life aboard the vessel, making it one of Stockholm’s most visited attractions.

 

📸 Skansen: The world’s oldest open-air museum and zoo, Skansen showcases traditional Swedish life with historic buildings from across the country, craft demonstrations, and native Nordic animals like moose and bears. It’s a family-friendly destination providing insight into Swedish culture and folk traditions.

 

📸 Royal Palace: One of Europe’s largest royal palaces, it features over 600 rooms including the Royal Apartments, the Hall of State, and the Royal Armoury, which holds royal costumes and historic weapons. Visitors can witness the ceremonial changing of the guard and explore the palace’s museums.

 

📸 ABBA The Museum: A lively, interactive museum dedicated to Sweden’s iconic pop group ABBA. Fans can explore costumes, stage sets, and even sing along in a virtual studio, celebrating the band’s global impact on music and culture.

 

📸 Moderna Museet: Located on the island of Skeppsholmen, this museum showcases an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art, featuring works by Picasso, Dalí, and major Swedish artists. It hosts rotating exhibitions and offers art workshops and events.

 

📸 Drottningholm Palace: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the private residence of the Swedish royal family, this 17th-century palace is known for its beautifully preserved Baroque architecture and gardens. Visitors can also tour the palace’s unique Court Theatre, one of Europe’s best-preserved 18th-century theatres.

 

📸 City Hall (Stadshuset): Famous for its distinctive red brick façade and tower topped with the golden Three Crowns, City Hall is the venue for the annual Nobel Prize banquet. Guided tours include visits to the Blue Hall, Golden Hall with its stunning mosaics, and the tower offering panoramic views over the city and waterways.

 

📸 Djurgården Island: A green oasis in the city, Djurgården is home to many museums and attractions, including the Vasa Museum, Skansen, ABBA The Museum, and the Gröna Lund amusement park. It’s a perfect spot for walking, biking, or picnicking by the water.

 

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🍽️😋 Regional Specialties

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Stockholm’s cuisine combines traditional Swedish flavors with modern, innovative twists. Classic dishes include gravlax (cured salmon), meatballs served with lingonberries, and fresh seafood like herring and salmon from the surrounding waters. The city embraces the New Nordic food movement, focusing on seasonal, local, and sustainable ingredients. From cozy fika cafés offering cinnamon buns to upscale restaurants with Michelin stars, Stockholm’s food scene offers a diverse and rich culinary experience blending heritage and contemporary trends. 

 

🍽️ Swedish Meatballs (Köttbullar): Köttbullar, or Swedish meatballs, are a classic and beloved dish in Stockholm and across Sweden. Made from a mix of ground beef and pork, seasoned with spices like allspice and onions, the meatballs are traditionally pan-fried and served hot with creamy mashed potatoes, rich brown gravy, and tangy lingonberry sauce. Often accompanied by pickled cucumbers, this hearty comfort food is a staple in Swedish cuisine and can be found in everything from cozy local eateries to high-end restaurants in Stockholm.

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🍽️ Pickled Herring (Sill): Pickled herring (Sill) is a traditional Swedish delicacy commonly enjoyed in Stockholm and throughout Sweden. The herring is cured and preserved in a variety of flavorful vinegars, spices, and sometimes sweet or creamy sauces. It’s typically served cold, often alongside boiled potatoes, crispbread, sour cream, and onions. Pickled herring is a key part of Swedish festive meals, especially during holidays like Midsummer, Christmas, and Easter, offering a tangy and savory taste that reflects Sweden’s coastal culinary heritage.

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🍽️ Toast Skagen: Toast Skagen is a classic Swedish appetizer popular in Stockholm, featuring a creamy mixture of fresh shrimp, mayonnaise, dill, and lemon, served on toasted bread. Named after the Swedish fishing village Skagen, it’s a fresh and flavorful dish often enjoyed as a starter in restaurants and cafés throughout the city. Its light, seafood-forward taste makes it a beloved part of Stockholm’s culinary scene.

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🍽️ Räkmacka: Räkmacka is a popular Swedish open-faced sandwich widely enjoyed in Stockholm. It features a generous topping of fresh, cold-water shrimp piled on buttered bread, often garnished with mayonnaise, boiled eggs, lemon, and dill. This simple yet flavorful dish is a staple in cafés and lunch spots, celebrated for its fresh seafood taste and classic Nordic ingredients.

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🍽️ Jansson’s Temptation (Janssons frestelse): Jansson’s Temptation is a traditional Swedish casserole commonly enjoyed in Stockholm and across Sweden. Made with potatoes, onions, cream, and pickled sprats (a type of small fish similar to anchovies), it’s baked until golden and creamy. This rich and savory dish is a festive favorite, especially during Christmas and Easter celebrations, reflecting Sweden’s love for hearty, comforting flavors.

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🍽️ Prinsesstårta: Prinsesstårta is a classic Swedish layer cake popular in Stockholm and throughout Sweden. It features light sponge cake layers filled with raspberry jam, pastry cream, and whipped cream, all covered with a smooth, green marzipan icing. Often topped with a pink marzipan rose, this elegant and sweet cake is traditionally enjoyed during celebrations like birthdays and holidays.

 

🥤 Akvavit: Akvavit is a traditional Scandinavian spirit widely enjoyed in Stockholm. Flavored with herbs and spices like caraway, dill, and fennel, it’s a clear, aromatic schnapps often served chilled and sipped alongside classic Swedish dishes such as pickled herring and meatballs. Akvavit is especially popular during festive occasions and holidays, playing a key role in Stockholm’s culinary and cultural traditions.

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🥤 Snaps: Snaps is a traditional Scandinavian spirit, similar to akvavit, commonly enjoyed in Stockholm and across Sweden. It’s a strong, clear liquor flavored with herbs like caraway, dill, and fennel, often served chilled in small glasses. Snaps is typically consumed during festive meals and celebrations, especially midsummer and Christmas, where it is accompanied by traditional toasts and singing, making it a cherished part of Swedish culture.

 

 

📍🗺️  Maps, Apps & Links

 

🌐 Stockholm Public Transport Map

🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour

🌐 Free Walking Tour I

🌐 Free Walking Tour II

 

🚕 Uber 

🚕 Bolt