A Busy 4 Days in Stockholm, Sweden

The more time I spent in Stockholm, the more I fell in love with the beauty of the Nordic country. I visited in September (when it was a little chillier and the leaves started changing), but the city is really a year-round destination with something to offer each and every season. 

I spent my first day there in the center of the city in the Norrmalm District, which was everything you’d expect a typical European city to be: financial buildings, a bustling shopping street, restaurants. It wasn’t until about day two of three that I ventured along the waterfront, ferry-hopped to the Islands, and discovered the heart and soul of Stockholm, Gamla Stan. All in all, I conquered a lot of ground over the four days I spent in Stockholm – here are my recommendations if you’re thinking of going or are in the midst of planning a trip…

Where to Stay

Stockholm certainly has a little something for everyone when it comes to the accommodation options. From water-front luxury to hidden gems scattered throughout Gamla Stan, choosing a place to call home really depends on where you want to be around the city. If you prefer to stay a little outside of the main city area and experience the local way of living, then Sodermalm is a charming neighborhood just 10 minutes or so by car (I strolled here from the center, and it took me around 35 or so minutes). 

The first few days I stayed at Downtown Camper by Scandic, for its convenience to the Stockholm Central Station. The moment you walk into the lobby you’ll see the nods towards Sweden’s culture and love for the outdoors. Designed to accommodate travelers staying awhile and passing through, Downtown Camper has numerous communal and coworking spaces, including a hanging net to relax, a large restaurant space with a wood-fire grill, and a rooftop cocktail bar. If you want to live as the Swedes do, be sure to visit the heated pool on the roof and the sauna that’s shaped like an exotic bird’s nest. 

At the tail-end of my time in Stockholm, I relocated to stay in the heart of Gamla Stan at Castanea Old Town Hostel. Honestly, it can’t get more central than this, as the front entrance literally opens out to the cobblestone streets and is around the corner from the main square. Built in the late 1800’s, the Hostel is extremely cozy and feels more like a coliving space than a hostel. There’s no food and beverage options on site, but there is a large kitchen and eating space to make/store food. The rooms are also incredibly clean – always a bonus in a Hostel. 

What to Do    

There’s so much more to do in Stockholm than I initially expected, and I honestly felt myself wanting to extend even longer than a week! If you’re taking the Arlanda Express speed train from the airport, it’ll drop you off in the city center in the Norrmalm neighborhood. Be sure to try Nomad Swedish food and bar for traditional plates first, and then make your way to the buzzing shopping street of Drottninggatan. If you’re not staying at Downtown Camper, it’s closeby, and the wellness area at the hotel is $42-$57 for visiting guests. 

If you want to see almost everything with a flexible schedule, then I’d pay for a hop-on-hop-off cruise. Redsightseeing’s boat starts at the Royal Museum, and makes 8 stops altogether to Nybroplan, the Vasa Museum, Skeppsholmen (Skansen Zoo is here, which is a must visit to see local wildlife), Tivoli, the Viking line, Museum of Photography, and the Old Town. The whole route will take an hour, so it’s easy to hop off at different stops and then catch the next boat!

Main Areas to Explore

• Gamla Stan - Historic Old Town vibes with cobblestone streets
• Norrmalm - A modern and commercial area with plenty of shopping and bars
• Södermalm - Hipster neighborhood with bohemian cafes (be sure to visit Meatballs for the People, to try a variety of local dishes and several meatball varieties) 
• Djurgården - Home to an array of museums (including the ABBA museum)
• Östermalm - A luxurious and elegant neighborhood in the city with many parks

A beautiful destination year round, Stockholm is the ideal hub for those looking to explore the beauty of Sweden’s capital city, or venture further around the country. Whether you’re into wellness, food, architecture, or history, there’s a little something for everyone in Stockholm!