What can you do with 3 days in Stockholm? This 3-day Stockholm itinerary takes you to the best sights of the city in just 72 hours, including museums, an archipelago tour, the Royal Palace, and much more.
Sweden’s capital city stands across 14 islands, surrounded by the clear blue waters of lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. With an abundance of culture, history, outdoor activities, tours, restaurants, and cafes, it’s easy to find something to suit your tastes in this beautiful city.
Due to its northerly location, the seasons vary greatly in Stockholm, meaning there are some activities that you can only do at certain times of the year. This three-day guide includes things that can be done any time of year you choose to visit.
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Table of Contents
Is 3 Days in Stockholm Enough?
Three days in Stockholm is the perfect amount of time for a first visit to the city. You’ll get to experience the city’s culture and see the main sites and attractions without doing too much damage to your bank account. And if you’re like me, 3 days will be just enough to leave you wanting to come back for more!
Short on time? You can still see a lot of Stockholm in 2 days!
Is The Stockholm Pass Worth It?
A three-day Stockholm Pass, including a travel card, costs about 96 euros for one adult, although discounts can sometimes be found online. In my opinion, it’s one of the best ways to see the highlights of Stockholm on a budget.
The Stockholm Pass is all-inclusive and provides access to popular attractions, like:
- Vasa Museum
- Archipelago tour
- Nobel Prize Museum
- Many different boat tours
- Hop-on hop-off bus
- SkyView Stockholm
- 15+ Museums
The best way to decide if it’s worth buying the pass is to plan all the attractions you want to see beforehand and work out how much individual tickets would cost. In most cases, if you plan on any paid experiences, the Stockholm Pass helps save some money.
One thing to note is that many of the activities included are seasonal, so if you’re visiting during the winter, be sure to double-check that your desired attractions are available.
Click here for more information and to buy the Stockholm Pass.
You might also be interested in : Visiting Stockholm in winter – what to expect.
How to spend 3 days in Stockholm, Sweden
This 3-day Stockholm itinerary shows you the very best the city has to offer in just a few short days, making it the perfect weekend escape or short city break getaway.
3 days in Stockholm: Day one
The Vasa Museum
The best way to kick-start any trip to Stockholm is with a visit to the iconic Vasa Museum. This 17th-century ship sank to the bottom of the archipelago before being recovered 333 years later in remarkably good condition, meaning you can really see how the ship would have looked all those centuries ago. You can walk around the ship in all her glory at your own leisure or take a guided tour to learn more.
Click here for more information and to book your ticket.
Tickets: Prices vary depending on the time of year. (included in the Stockholm Pass)
The ABBA Museum
Just as iconic as the Vasa and probably more famous is ABBA, and just a short walk away from the Vasa Museum you can find the ABBA museum. Dedicated to all things ABBA, this interactive museum is a must for any ABBA fan. Here you can learn about the story of ABBA, see the costumes, and get yourself digitally dressed up in full ABBA gear before hitting the hologram stage to perform as the band’s 5th member.
Click here for more information and to book your ticket.
Skansen
Close to the ABBA Museum is Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum, which allows you to experience how it would have been to live in Sweden in the past. You can also visit the bakery to try some traditional, homemade bread and cakes.
Skansen is also home to many Nordic animals such as wolves, reindeer, and wolverines and there is a children’s petting zoo. In addition to learning a bit about Sweden’s history and nature, you can visit the aquarium, with 2,000 exotic species including a whole host of monkeys in Monkey World. It costs extra to go to the aquarium but it is well worth it if you are interested in seeing some animals.
Click here for more information and to book your tickets.
Tickets: Prices vary depending on the time of year.. Both are included in the Stockholm Pass.
The Royal National City Park
Once you’ve visited the museums and know everything there is to know about Sweden and it’s history and culture, you can take a stroll around the Royal National City Park. The park is more than 10km long and is full of wildlife, although you’ll also find museums and other points of interest as you wander your way through.
3 days in Stockholm: Day two
Archipelago cruise
Start your second day in Stockholm with a boat trip out into the archipelago. The Stockholm archipelago is one of the city’s best features and once you get out on the boat it’s not hard to see why Stockholmers love it so much. In summer, the locals like to head out to the islands to spend time in summer houses and cruising around on boats. A boat tour is a great way to experience this firsthand. Archipelago boat tours run all year round, although there are more departure times and different tour lengths available in the summer; timetables can be found online.
If you don’t have a Stockholm Pass you can book an archipelago cruise here.
Tickets: SEK 295 (included in the Stockholm Pass although cannot be booked in advance if using this method).
You might be interested in: The Sandhamn, an archipelago island.
The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet) in Gamla Stan is one of Europe’s largest palaces and is the official residence of the Swedish royal family. The impressive Baroque-style building is also home to several museums, including the armory and the treasury, so if you’re a palace enthusiast, make sure you save plenty of time for this trip.
If you also want to check out the church where Sweden’s monarchs are buried (Riddarholmen Church), you can buy a joint ticket. The medieval abbey on the island of Riddarholmen is just a 10-minute walk away from the palace.
Tickets: (included in the Stockholm Pass).
Stortorget and the Nobel Museum
After you’ve seen the palace you can start exploring the winding, cobbled streets of Gamla Stan (the old town). Make your way to the old town square (Stortorget) where you can take your own photo of the red, yellow, and green buildings that you’ll see on every magnet and postcard in the gift shops.
At Stortorget you will also find the Stockholm Stock Exchange building, built in the late 1700s and, while it is no longer home to the stock exchange, you can find the Nobel Museum here. As well as exploring the exhibitions on the different Nobel prizes, you can take a 35-minute guided tour to learn about the history of Alfred Nobel and hear about some of the over 900 Nobel Laureates.
Tickets: (included in the Stockholm Pass).
3 days in Stockholm: Day three
Drottningholm Palace
While the Royal Palace is the official residence of the Swedish royal family, Drottningholm Palace is where they actually live. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is representative of typical European architecture from the 1600s when it was built.
The most scenic route to the palace is by boat, which you can take from the City Hall (this option, unfortunately, isn’t available if you’re visiting in the winter as the water freezes over. You will instead need to take the metro and a bus). The boat journey takes around one hour and you can even choose to have lunch or dinner onboard.
Once you arrive at Drottningholm, you can wander the building and grounds by yourself, or alternatively take a guided tour and learn in more detail about the history of the palace and its residents. Aside from the beautiful palace and gardens, you will find a Chinese pavilion, Royal Chapel and the most well preserved 18th-century theatre in Europe, still with its original stage machinery in full working order.
Tickets: (included in the Stockholm Pass).
City Hall
If you take the boat back from Drottningholm you will find yourself just a short walk from Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset). Located by the edge of the lake, its tower is a core part of the Stockholm skyline and you get great views of Gamla Stan and Riddarholmen across the water from its small grounds. If you want to go inside the City Hall you need to book a tour, as it is not possible to go in unattended.
Tours in English only run in the summer, but you can take a tour in Swedish all year round. The tour lasts around 45 minutes and includes the grandiose Blue and Golden Halls, known for hosting the Nobel Banquet and ball respectively, following the annual prize-giving ceremonies.
As well as taking a tour of the City Hall, you can climb up the tower, which offers spectacular aerial views of Stockholm. You need to book a time and buy a ticket to go up the tower (this is separate to the City Hall tour ticket) and it is worth bearing in mind that there are quite a lot of steps to get up to the top.
Norr Mälarstrand, Södermalm and Fotografiska
Once you’ve finished looking around the City Hall you can walk all the way along the water’s edge at Norr Mälarstrand (translated as the northern shore of Lake Mälaren), towards Västerbron (the western bridge), and across to Södermalm.
If you don’t want to walk, or just want to walk part of the way, you can take the bus instead, however, the walk is really beautiful and allows you to see parts of the city that locals love but tourists are less likely to visit.
Along the route, there are several nice restaurants and bars, particularly in the summer when the ice cream kiosk is open and the floating bar/garden combination that is Mälarpaviljongen opens up for the season.
Once you reach the end of Norr Mälarstrand you will find yourself in a large park (Rålambshovsparken), which has a boule bar in the summer months. From here you can walk over Västerbron, another opportunity to get some fantastic views of Stockholm, and into Södermalm.
Södermalm is central Stockholm’s southern island and is known for its laid-back hipster vibe. It is also very beautiful to walk around, with buildings carefully positioned in and around its rocky cliffs and many excellent viewpoints where you can look down on the northern islands below.
If you enjoy walking around and want to experience some of the views, you can go to Skinnarviksberget, which is Stockholm’s highest natural viewpoint, allowing you to see across to Norr Mälarstrand and the City Hall. From Skinnarviksberget you can walk along Monteliusvägen, a 500-meter long path cut into the side of the cliff, overlooking the lake and down to Gamla Stan.
Just walking around and enjoying the quiet back streets of Södermalm can be a really enjoyable way to spend a few hours, however, it is also worthwhile heading to the photography museum, Fotografiska.
Not just for the photography exhibitions from both international and Swedish artists, but also for the excellent restaurant and cafe on the top floor, which overlooks the lake to the north and serves seasonal, plant-focused dishes. If you’re visiting on a weekend you should book a brunch, the price of which includes the entrance fee, however, it is very popular so you should try to book several weeks in advance.
Tickets: (included in the Stockholm Pass).
Three-Day Stockholm Itinerary FAQs
In short, yes. There is no denying that Stockholm is one of Europe’s most expensive cities. But there are ways to do Stockholm on a budget, even if you’re only visiting for 3 days, like getting the Stockholm Pass as mentioned above.
So much! Highlights of this three-day Stockholm itinerary include visiting several museums (including the ABBA Museum), an archipelago cruise, Drottningholm Palace, and much more.
This itinerary for Stockholm in 3 days can be done year-round. But keep in mind that winter in Stockholm can be quite cold and the days are very short as well, though the Christmas season can be quite special. The off-season months of May and September tend to see the best prices and fewer crowds, though Stockholm during the summer is lovely as well. Just be prepared for bigger crowds.
Stockholm, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark are two cities that are often compared. And the truth is that both have a lot to offer in terms of Nordic city culture. Stockholm has a bit more Nordic history and is actually slightly cheaper than Copenhagen, though Copenhagen has more art and a bit of an edgier vibe. It’s hard to pick between the two! I recommend checking out my Copenhagen itinerary to see which city interests you most.
Where to eat in Stockholm
Rörstrandsgatan
If you’re not sure what to eat or haven’t booked a table anywhere, you can head to Rörstrandsgatan in Norrmalm. Here you will find every type of restaurant you can think of. In the summer the street is pedestrianized and filled with outdoor seating. It is a very popular place with locals, particularly after work when the sun shines down the street, allowing everyone to enjoy their dinner bathing in the warm rays.
If you want to try some traditional Swedish cuisine during your visit you can visit Kvarnen or Pelikan. Both are located in Södermalm and situated inside old beer halls, the high ceilings contributing to a buzzing atmosphere. At both restaurants, you will find classic dishes such as meatballs, västerbotten cheese pie, reindeer and herring.
You can combine a trip to the archipelago with a delicious meal by heading to Fjäderholmarna, just a half an hour boat trip from central Stockholm. In the summer there are several cafes and restaurants on the island, however, one of the best is Fjäderholmarnas Krog, situated right by the edge of the water looking out to the Baltic Sea. From here you can watch the large cruise ships make their way out to sea as you enjoy your meal. Boats run back to town until around midnight so there’s always time for a nice after-dinner walk around the island too.
While you are in Sweden you might hear the word “fika” used quite regularly. Fika is essentially having a cup of coffee and a cake and it is an important part of Swedish culture, so be sure to take plenty of fika breaks during your stay.
There are many wonderful cafes and coffee shops all around Stockholm so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one, however, if you want a touch of history with your fika you can try Vete-katten, a Stockholm institution. Vete-katten was founded in 1928 by Ester Nordhammar, one of the very few women at the time to run her own business. Today the cafe retains its 1920s-style charm and everything is homemade from scratch.
Where to stay in Stockholm
There are many hotels of varying styles and budgets around Stockholm, so where you decide to stay is really a matter of taste.
For a bit of luxury, some of the best waterside views and a central location, Grand Hotel is the ideal choice. Aside from the spa, Grand Hotel is also home to award-winning Swedish chef Mathias Dahlgren’s Michelin-starred, modern bistro Matbaren and his more recently opened, vibrant vegetarian restaurant Rutabaga.
Click here for more information and the latest prices.
The boutique-style Lydmar Hotel is also centrally located and overlooks the water across to the Royal Palace. It has a comfortable-but-luxury feel and quirky-yet-stylish interior design. On Sundays there is a DJ in the restaurant/lounge area, creating a laid-back feel and an enjoyable way to while away the afternoon.
Click here for more information and the latest prices.
On the other side of town, in the hipster hotspot of Södermalm, is Hotel Rival, owned by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and with subtle nods to this throughout. The hotel also boasts several fashionable bars and a lively cafe.
Click here for more information and the latest prices.
Hostels
Despite Stockholm’s high prices, there is also more budget accommodation available, including several options that provide something a bit different from the usual hotel experience, such as one of the boat hostels moored along the side of the lake Mälaren, each with stunning views across the city. There is also a hostel and hotel situated inside the old prison on the island of Långholmen, which includes a restaurant and a museum exhibiting the 250 year history of the prison, which closed in 1975.
Getting Around Stockholm
Stockholm is a relatively small city and it is possible to walk around the centre if you prefer, however if you want to cram in as much sightseeing as possible during your stay you’re best to get an SL travel card, which gives you access to all of Stockholm’s excellent public transport network, including the metro, buses, trams, and ferries (with the exception of some boats that are operated by Waxholmsbolaget).
A 72-hour travel card costs SEK 330 and it is easy to find your way around using the SL journey planner. If you’re planning on doing lots of sightseeing, it also might be worthwhile buying a Stockholm Pass, which gives you entrance to many of Stockholm’s main attractions.
Using the metro also gives you the excuse to explore the underground artwork. Sometimes referred to as the world’s longest art exhibit, 90 of the 100 metro stations in Stockholm have been decorated by over 150 different artists. Free tours of the metro art are available all year round, although the English tours are only offered during June to August. If you want to explore on your own, some of the more frequently photographed pieces of art can be found at Kungsträdgården, T-Centralen, Stadion, Thorildsplan, and Solna Centrum.
How to Get To Stockholm
Whether Stockholm is your only destination or part of a larger European adventure, there are several ways to reach the city.
By plane. Stockholm has 3 different airports, though if you’re flying internationally you will likey arrive at the Arlanda airport. See below for more details on how to reach the city centre from the airport.
By train. You can easily catch a train from other Swedish cities, as well as Norway, Denmark, Germany, and more other European destinations. Check Rail Europe for routes. Most routes end up at the Stockholm Central Station, where you can easily find public transportation to your accomodation.
By bus. Another option is to travel to Stockholm via bus, especially from other Swedish cities, as well as Norway, Denmark, and other destinations. Flixbus is a well-known option for budget bus travel in Europe.
By ferry. You can also reach Stockholm via ferry from Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Poland, though you may arrive some distance from the city center.
Getting to Stockholm from the Airport
Stockholm has three airports; Arlanda, Bromma, and Skavsta. Arlanda is where you’ll likely arrive if you’re flying international, though European budget airlines may arrive at the others. All airports have several transportation options for reaching Stockholm city centre.
Arlanda airport
Arlanda is the main airport, with flights from all around the globe. It lies roughly 40km away from Stockholm city center and is easily accessible by public transport:
Bus: The cheapest way to get between Arlanda airport and the city center is by coach (flygbussarna), it takes around 45 minutes to get into the city center with several stops along the way. Tickets can be bought online, via the app, at the ticket machines, or onboard the bus. It is usually slightly cheaper to buy online or via the app and is also worth noting that it is not possible to use cash when buying a ticket on board. Tickets costs around SEK 129 one way.
Train : The fastest way to get into the city is using the Arlanda Express train, which takes 20 minutes and costs around SEK 320 one way. It is also possible to take the regular commuter train (pendeltåg), however, this takes 40 minutes and you need to pay a supplement to access the airport.
Taxi: A taxi ride to the city centre takes around 40 minutes and usually costs SEK 450-500. Be aware that taxi prices in Sweden are not regulated, so make sure you confirm pricing with your taxi driver before you set off. Pricing can also be found on the yellow label displayed in the car window.
Private transfer: If you don’t want to negotiate with a taxi and aren’t up for public transport, you can also arrange an airport transfer in advance.
Bromma airport
Bromma airport is only 7km away from the city center; the journey by bus takes around 20 minutes. The most convenient way to get to and from Bromma airport is using the flygbusarna airport coach, which costs SEK 99 one way, however, you can also use the regular bus if you wish.
Skavsta airport
Skavsta airport is the furthest away from Stockholm, situated 100km southwest of the city. Again, the flygbussarna airport coach is the best way to travel to and from the airport. It costs SEK 219 one way and takes about 70 minutes.
Laura is a Nordics-obsessed Brit currently living in Sweden where she writes about reindeer and kanelbullar. You can find her on instagram @stockholmsoul
As a backpacker, I always appreciate such blog. This blog really inspired me deeply and I would love to visit Stockholm. I have heard a lot about the place and seriously this is on the top of my travel bucket list.
Thanks for your comment. I hope you can make it to Stockholm soon.
This article is excellent and really intriguing to me. It will work best for my preparation. Visiting for a day in February which will be fun. Thank you.
Thank you Aamir!