Stockholm in 2 Days: everything you need to know

Stockholm offers so many versions of itself that getting to know it in just a few days sounds almost impossible. From the historic old town to the more modern part of the city, which is crowned with towering skyscrapers, the Swedish capital offers a variety of attractions that can, however, be discovered with a detailed itinerary and by following a detailed travel plan. Here I will try to suggest a tour suitable for a short stay.

Some of the best things to do in Stockholm in 2 days include visiting Gamla Stan and its main buildings, including the Royal Palace and the Nobel Prize Museum, watching the sunset from the City Hall tower, visiting the Sodermalm district, touring the Fotografiska Museum, taking a boat ride over the bridges and discovering the ghosts that roam the city on a guided tour.

Stockholm is first and foremost a traditional city, with centuries of history and a rich past that is evident in the old town and its most famous buildings. That's why for the first day I propose a tour of Gamla Stan and the attractions that include this popular part of the city.

Tour Gamla Stan

If you have to start a tour of Stockholm, it is practically impossible not to do so in Gamla Stan. The city's picturesque old town, where history and architecture intertwine to create a unique experience. Start the day by strolling through the narrow cobbled streets, discovering the warmly coloured buildings and getting to know Stortorget Square, which marks the heart of the neighbourhood and is distinguished by its medieval charm and surrounding cafés.

Gamla Stan is the absolute highlight of the best Stockholm tours, and a walk through this neighbourhood will take you to St. Nicholas Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic brick architecture that has witnessed royal coronations and historic events over the years.

In Gamla Stan you'll also discover several dry squares and some of Stockholm's best museums, but the most important thing you'll find in its streets is the atmosphere that combines contemporary life with Sweden's medieval heritage. The Old Town can be reached by buses on lines 2 and 53 and Metro lines 18 and 19.

Visit Stockholm's Royal Palace

The most famous building in the Old Town is the Royal Palace. Located on the northern tip of the island, you can immerse yourself in the opulence and majesty that characterised the Swedish royal family. It is also an architectural gem that serves as an emblematic symbol of the monarchy, with a baroque façade and towers that mark the highest point of Gamla Stan.

A tour of the interior of the building will take you through its decorated halls and the detailed craftsmanship that adorns every corner. You can also witness the changing of the guard at the main entrance, a ceremonial spectacle that adds a traditional tinge to your visit. You can also explore the state rooms, such as the Throne Room and the Parade Hall, which tell the story of Sweden's monarchs.

The Royal Treasury, located in the palace vaults, houses an exhibition of crowns, jewels and royal treasures that highlight the rich culture and history of Sweden's nobility. The Royal Palace is a 5-minute walk from Stortorget Square and admission is included in the Stockholm Sightseeing Pass.

See the Nobel Prize Museum

The next step of the tour will lead you to understand why Stockholm is known as the Nobel Capital, and the best way to discover the universe surrounding this prestigious award is to visit the Nobel Prize Museum. This exhibition is located in the centre of Gamla Stan and offers a unique immersion into the history of this award, which honours remarkable achievements in fields such as physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace.

During the tour you can discover literary creativity in the room dedicated to the Nobel Laureates in Literature, which highlights masterpieces and speeches that have inspired generations. The section dedicated to peace will lead you to reflect on significant efforts to build a more harmonious world and the interactive exhibition on science and innovation will transport you to the revolutionary discoveries that have transformed our understanding of the world.

The Nobel Prize Museum not only offers a retrospective look at the award-winning professionals, but also seeks to inspire future generations to reach new heights of knowledge. The museum is located two streets away from the Royal Palace in Stockholm and can be reached on foot.

Take a food tour to experience the local cuisine

One of the best ways to get to know the local idiosyncrasies of Stockholm is to embark on a culinary adventure on a food tour. After touring the main buildings of Gamla Stan , you can discover the authentic flavours of the Swedish capital in a delicious experience for the senses.

These tours usually start in the traditional cafés and restaurants of Gamla Stan and end at the Östermalm flea market, where you can pick up fresh local produce. These are experiences where you can sample recipes such as Swedish meatballs, known as köttbullar, in their most authentic form. You'll also have time for a 'fika', the popular Swedish coffee and pastry break, where kanelbullar, cinnamon buns, steal the show.

Some of these tours also include a stop at a local restaurant for a smörgåsbord, a table laden with traditional Swedish dishes including herring, smoked salmon, sausages and breads. This traditional feast often graces the festive tables of Swedes during family celebrations.

Watch the sunset from Stockholm's City Hall

After an afternoon food tour in Stockholm, I suggest you round off the first day with a unique moment from the tower of Stockholm's City Hall. From there, you can watch the sunset and discover panoramic views of the Swedish capital and its surroundings.

Located on the island of Kungsholmen, this iconic building offers a view of the Stockholm skyline from the 106-metre high main tower. When you reach the top, you'll witness the sunset, and on clear days you can catch a glimpse of the scattered islands of Lake Mälaren. The Town Hall also offers one of the best panoramic views of Gamla Stan.

You can reach the Town Hall from Östermalm flea market on the 91 and 291 buses and Metro lines 13 and 14 or on Stockholm's hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus, which includes a stop on Kungsholmen Island.

After getting to know the historical profile of Stockholm during the first day, for the second and last day of your trip through the Swedish capital I propose an itinerary through the alternative side of the city. You will see the bohemian neighbourhood of Sodermalm, and you can also visit one of the most popular photography museums in the world. In addition, I invite you to take a walk across some of the 57 bridges that connect the different islands of this destination. Are you ready? Here we go!

Get to know the picturesque neighbourhood of Sodermalm

Outside the historic centre, Sodermalm is one of Stockholm's most picturesque neighbourhoods. This area captures the bohemian essence of the city, and is where creativity and tradition converge in a unique fusion. With its steep, narrow streets, Sodermalm offers a distinctive charm that attracts locals and visitors alike.

This neighbourhood, located in the south of the Swedish capital, is known for its relaxed atmosphere, vintage shops and cafés, which create a perfect environment for those looking to immerse themselves in the authenticity of everyday Stockholm life. Sodermalm, then, brings a contemporary and eclectic energy, especially on Götgatan Street, the epicentre of urban bustle where artistic murals and graffiti coexist with traditional buildings.

Sodermalm's charm extends to the water's edge, where you'll also find bars and pubs with terraces offering panoramic views of the Stockholm skyline. In addition, you can also discover the SoFo area, known for its trendy atmosphere and fashionable shops reflecting the latest Swedish trends. This corner of the neighbourhood grew strong during the Hippie Era in the 1960s.

And if you're planning to visit Stockholm for Christmas, you'll find some of the best Christmas Eve decorations in a city that is known for dressing up for the festive season. Sodermalm can be reached from Gamla Stan by buses 191, 192, 193, 194 and 195.

Visit the Fotografiska Museum

Also in Sodermalm, very close to SoFo, is the Fotografiska Museum, which is not only one of the largest and most comprehensive photography exhibitions in the world, but also a contemporary gem that celebrates art in all its forms. This cutting-edge exhibition stands as a cultural beacon, offering an experience that highlights renowned contemporary and emerging photographers from around the world.

At the Fotografiska Museum you will find dynamic and eclectic exhibitions covering a wide range of subjects, from intimate portraits to documentary images. The variety of styles and approaches will take you on an emotional and reflective journey as you explore the diverse perspectives captured through the lens. In addition, the modern atmosphere of the exhibition makes it one of the best museums in Stockholm.

A must-see at the museum is the building's rooftop terrace, which not only offers panoramic views of the Stockholm skyline, but also a café and restaurant where you can savour gourmet dishes and local delicacies. The Fotografiska Museum can be reached by buses 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 491, 492, 496 and 497.

Take a boat trip over Stockholm's bridges.

You can't really say you've experienced Stockholm until you've toured the city's canals on a boat ride. In total, the Swedish capital is interconnected by 57 bridges, many of which you can discover on tours that allow you to explore the city from a unique perspective.

The canals that meander through Stockholm offer unparalleled scenery, and sailing under the iconic bridges provides a different view of the architecture and history that enriches this destination. It's also one of the best things to do at night in the Swedish capital.

Providing an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, these experiences take you over some of the most famous bridges, such as the Vasa Bridge, which connects Gamla Stan to Djurgården, and the Skeppsholmsbron Bridge, which links the island of Skeppsholmen to the heart of Stockholm.

In addition to discovering the architecture of the bridges, these tours, which are among the best boat trips in Stockholm, will give you panoramic views of the buildings along the coast and the scattered islands in the archipelago. These experiences usually start from the Kungsträdgården area, which you can reach from Sodermalm on bus lines 191, 192, 193, 194 and 195.

Discover the city's ghosts on a guided tour

To round off your tour of Stockholm, there's nothing better than a night-time adventure to discover the dark secrets and legends that haunt the streets of the Swedish capital. Guided ghost tours of the city are very popular in this destination and will take you on a tour of the supernatural stories and mysterious events that plagued the narrow streets of the old town.

The tour usually begins at Stortorget Square, where the ghosts of old inhabitants are believed to haunt the shadows like souls in torment. Much of this myth arises because the centre of the square was once the site of an execution centre during the Middle Ages.

On the walk you can also visit the iconic Riddarholmen Church, where its dark corridors are said to harbour spectral whispers.

These macabre legends and many others will allow you to delve into the more enigmatic and spectral side of the city. You can also learn about the esoteric links between Viking warriors and black magic and, if you dare, walk down Helvetet Alley, which is considered to be home to dangerous elves, fairies and other magical creatures.