The Ultimate Stockholm Solo Travel Guide

Planning a solo trip to Stockholm, Sweden? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:

QUICK FACTS

The capital and largest city of Sweden, with a population of ~2.4 million (metro area).
Founded in the early 13th century, it is the political, economic, and cultural hub of Sweden. The Stockholm metro area contains almost 25% of the country’s population.
Stockholm is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges.
Known for its beautiful architecture, waterfront cityscapes, and green spaces.
Nicknames: The Oak, Venice of the North.

Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)
– Tip: Stockholm is a cashless city; most places prefer card payments.
Spoken languages: Swedish. English is also widely spoken.
Best time to visit: from June to August (summer). May and September are a bit chillier and rainy (bring layers), but great for beating the crowds.
Great local festivals to catch: Midsummer celebrations (June), the Stockholm Jazz Festival (July), or the Stockholm Film Festival (November).
Arriving via airport: Express buses to downtown are 89 SEK, while express rail is 299 SEK. Taxis are also available, and fare to downtown is around 450 SEK.

Best hostel for solo travelers in Stockholm: City Backpackers. Consistently rated “best hostel in Sweden,” this place even has an on-site sauna! Clean rooms, a great central location (10 min walk to the station), and a great place to meet other travelers. Welcoming and friendly staff. Book ahead to reserve your spot!
While hotels can be found all over Stockholm, most visitors tend to stay in either Arlanda or the Old Town waterfront.
Cheaper accommodation can be very hard to find in Sweden – try to book as far in advance as possible.

Public transport in Stockholm is a combination of subway, commuter train, ferries, and bus networks. Tickets can be purchased at any station, and the cost is determined by how many zones you plan on traveling through. The network is fairly extensive and easy to use – pick up a network map.
The SL Access card allows unlimited travel on public transport, making it economical for visitors. 24-hour pass is now around 165 SEK, 72-hour pass is 330 SEK.
Ferries are also a popular way to travel to the islands and around the archipelago.
Bicycle rentals are very popular in Stockholm – with express bike routes throughout the city, you can easily get from one end of the city center to the other in 30 minutes. A full day rental costs about 190 SEK.
Electric scooters are now available for rent through apps like Voi and Lime.
Taxis are widely available, but are not cheap. Note: There have also been issues with tourists being charged outrageous taxi fares. Always make sure your taxi has a rate card in it, and refer to it when discussing prices with the driver.
Useful apps to download: SL (for public transport) and Taxi Stockholm for ride-booking.

Drinking age is 18 (bring government-issued ID, as bars/clubs are required to check).
– Tip: Many clubs have a minimum age requirement of 23 or 25.
Södermalm for hipster bars, Östermalm for upscale clubs.
Looking for a relaxed night out with cheap drinks? Check out Carmen, Hellströms Bar & Restaurang, and Blecktornskällaren.
Looking for clubbing? Check out Debaser Strand.

A large white spherical building, the Ericsson Globe is a unique sight.
While there are many royal palaces spread around the city, consider checking out the one in Gamla Stan (the Old City) for some great photo opportunities.
Visit the Nobel Museum, where you can see a history of the Nobel Prize and its winners.
ABBA The Museum, a must-visit for music fans.
Fotografiska, a world-renowned photography museum.
Vasa Museum, featuring a well-preserved 17th-century warship.
The Stockholm Archipelago stretches 80 km east of the city and contains over 24,000 islands and rock formations. Buy a ticket (or tour) on a ferry and check out this unique geological landmark.
Tip: the Stockholm Pass includes free entry to over 60 attractions and free use of hop-on-hop-off buses.
Many museums offer free entry on certain days or times, such as the Modern Museum on Fridays.

Make sure you check out the Hammarbybacken, an artificial ski slope that is walkable year-round (a much more comfortable hike in the summer).
Take a walk around the Gamla Stan (Old City) area, and stop by the various museums.
Stroll along Monteliusvägen, a scenic walkway offering panoramic views of Stockholm.
Explore the city’s public displays in the metro system. Sometimes nicknamed as the “world’s longest art exhibition.”
Pop by Royal National City Park, the world’s first urban national park.
Check out Trädgården or Hornstull Market – for street food and local crafts, particularly during summer.

Traditional Swedish dishes to try: Swedish meatballs (Köttbullar), herring, and gravad lax (cured salmon).
Looking for great restaurants in Stockholm? Here are some places locals love: Mancini ($$$ – Italian), Paganini ($$ – Italian), 800 Grader Slice Shop (pizza), Omnipollos hatt (pizza and drinks), Crispy Pizza Bistro, Miss Voon ($$$ – fusion), Restaurang Arirang ($$ – Korean), Meatballs for the People (traditional Swedish)
Vegan option: Hermans ($$).
Where to find good cheap eats: while Stockholm is an expensive city, there are ways to eat on a budget. On weekdays, look for Dagen (lunch) prices in restaurants – these are midday meals with set prices, usually between 30 and 120 krona.
Alternatively, pick up some fresh produce from a market (go to Östermalms Saluhall) and make your own meal!
If you’re out of ideas, or if everything seems closed, you can always pick up a delicious sausage/wurst from a food stand on the street.

Etiquette: Swedes value personal space and might be reserved initially. Do as locals do – quiet on public transport or while waiting in line.
“Fika” – the Swedish coffee break tradition, is an important part of daily life.
A popular activity for locals and tourists is to picnic on the island of Djurgården. This royal estate is open to the public, is only a short walk from downtown, and offers beautiful views of the city.
Take part in the local cafe culture – relaxing at a cafe is a local pastime. It’s also a good chance to spend an afternoon watching Stockholm walk by. Another favorite activity is drinking “on the water” – many bars have set up shop on boats or pontoons around the city.
Dangerous areas: none – Stockholm is one of the safest cities in the world. It is still a major city, though, so keep an eye out for pickpockets and bicycle thieves.

Recommended trip duration: 3-4 days