Stockholm 3-day Itinerary for First-time Travelers

Introduction

Stockholm is a city of culture and modernity. This is the place that offers the perfect combination of history, glamor and development to the travelers and locals. Indeed, one stroll along the streets is enough to know that you are in a magnificent city with full of wonders. Picturesque landscapes, historic buildings, disco music and interesting museums are enough reasons to love the city from the first sight. In this guide we will provide you with Stockholm 3-day itinerary for first-time travelers and not only.

For many years Stockholm was a hidden gem of Europe. Most of the travelers were majorly ignoring the value of the city while planning their vacations. However, recently Nordic countries are gaining more and more popularity and we can’t be happier. This is the region that largely deserves more attention and appreciation.

Three days in Stockholm is a perfect amount of time to enjoy the city and explore some of Stockholm’s very best. You can start walking around Gamla Stan, appreciating the medieval Nordic architecture, taste the traditional Swedish meatballs and sing along ABBA to the dedicated museum. As we already said Stockholm has it all.

When to Visit Stockholm?

While there is no specific time-frame when to visit Stockholm, it is important to consider some of the city’s features. Stockholm is a Nordic city which means that it is rather chilly than warm. We would suggest to visit the city in Summer. This is the period of the year when the city is in its very best. Broad daylight, warm weather, sunny sky and fresh Swedish beer will always be with you in the span of the trip. If you go in June, you might as well attend traditional Swedish celebration of Midsummer. This can be yet another highlight of the trip.

Autumn while it is still sunny is rather ambivalent in Stockholm. Although the snow doesn’t come until December, Stockholm gets very cold from September. This means that you might feel a lot of discomfort while wandering around the city and you will need to stop many times just to keep your temperature and don’t freeze. However, the advantage of the Autumn trip is the lack of tourists. This way you can enjoy relatively empty streets of the Old Town and take as many pictures in front of certain sightseeing as you want. Yes, without worrying that someone else is waiting for the picture too.

Winter and Early Spring is a big no for traveling. Not that snowy Stockholm is not beautiful, but it is extremely cold so we suspect you won’t enjoy the magic of the city at all.

Where to Stay in Stockholm?

Stockholm is quite small, which means that most of the sightseeing are on walking distance from each other. We would suggest to book hotel in central neighborhoods so you can save up money and time on public transportation. The best neighborhoods with dozens of different hotels are: Gamla Stan (Old Town); Norrmalm; Sodermalm; Djurgarde and Ostermalm. Remember, even though we say there are many affordable hotels, we mean affordable by Stockholm Standards, which is still very high. So, make sure you know what type of trip you want to have while booking the hotel. Oh, and don’t forget to apply for your ETIAS visa waiver too.

What to See in Stockholm?

Stockholm’s history dates back to the 12th century, when it was founded as a trading post by Swedish statesman Birger Jarl. It has been one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, both in terms of population and economy, since the 1980s.

The city is home to many museums, galleries and other cultural institutions, including Stockholm Palace and Skansen. The Stockholm metro is one of only three underground systems in Scandinavia (the other two are Copenhagen and Oslo).

Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan was founded during the 13th century and has been a major part of the city for many centuries. The name Gamla Stan means “Old Town”. The Old Town is located on the island of Stadsholmen, which was originally connected to the rest of Stockholm by a series of bridges that have since been demolished, making Gamla Stan an island unto itself. Today, Gamla Stan is still connected to Stockholm by the bridge Norrbro and Norrström.

Some of Gamla Stan’s most popular attractions are The Nobel Museum, The Stockholm Cathedral, and the Royal Palace Museum. Gamla Stan has many restaurants and cafés. Some are located on the water’s edge while others are hidden away on side streets or courtyards.

Stortorget

Stortorget is a Swedish word which means “big square”. It is the name of the central public square in Stockholm and it is one of the oldest squares in Sweden. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the heart of Gamla Stan with different restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops.

The first mention of Stortorget is from 1294, when it was called “Tingtorget” or “Tingplatsen” (in Swedish). In 1393, it was renamed to “Stora Torget” or “Lilla Torget” (in Swedish). The meaning of these names changed over time and they eventually became known as Stortorget and Lilla Torget.

Östermalm Market Hall

Östermalm Market Hall is an indoor market hall in Östermalms Saluhall, Stockholm. It was designed by the architect Gunnar Asplund and opened in 1928.

Östermalm Market Hall is a popular place for lunch, shopping and events. It has a variety of shops that sell food items, textiles, clothes and souvenirs. The market hall is also famous for its food stalls which sell street food like hot dogs, kebabs and traditional Swedish delicacies like meatballs with mashed potatoes or cabbage.

The Östermalm Market Hall is open on weekdays from 10 AM to 6 PM and on Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM.

ABBA Museum

The museum is located in Stockholm and is the world’s largest museum dedicated to a pop group. The exhibition space covers over 5,000 square meters and it has won multiple awards since its opening in 2013

The museum is split into three floors. The first floor features a film about the band and their career, as well as their TV appearances, interviews, and music videos. The second floor features a recreation of an Abba stage set-up with costumes, instruments, and some of the original stage props from concerts around the world. On the third floor there are recreations of scenes from the movies “Mamma Mia!” and “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”.

Conclusion

These are some of the must-see destinations you shouldn’t miss when in Stockholm. However, this 3-day itinerary of Stockholm doesn’t serve as the ultimate guide and you can customize it according to your liking. Whether you are visiting Stockholm for business or pure vacation on budget, we believe that the city can bring you the joy and share some of its magic with you.