Things to do in Stockholm

Built on 14 islands Stockholm is undoubtedly the most beautiful city in Europe. The city has many wonderful things to do and see throughout the year. Below is a guide to help you organise you time in the city.

EVENTS

Stockholm Furniture Fair takes places in February each year.

First Saturday in June is The Stockholm Marathon - probably the most scenic of all marathons in the world!

Late July is Stockholm International Jazz and Blues Festival Outdoor concert series held at Skeppsholmen.

Scandinavia's biggest Gay and Lesbian Pride event Stockholm Pride end of July/beginning of August

Early August is Philharmonika i det Gröna Picnickers on the lawn of Sjohistoria Museet get to enjoy free performances by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Stockholm Open, Tennis early October

Stockholm Film Festival, end of November.

Christmas and New Years. A lot of people have discovered the magic of Stockholm when its dark, snowy and the city glitters by lights, rockets, candles and celebrations!


Major Attractions

City Hall Designed by Ragnar Östberg, Sweden's most renowned architect, this striking building contains over eight million deep red bricks and 19 million gilded mosaic tiles. Completed in 1923, it is host to the Nobel Prize banquet each December.

Gamla Stan - The Old Town
Stockholm Old Town is located on a small island in the very heart of the city. Within its bounds are a multitude of historical sights, including the The Royal Palace, the Parliament, and the House of Nobilities, as well as the worlds most long-established bank, the Bank of Sweden, founded in 1656.

The Vasa Museum
The worlds oldest restored warship, Vasa, is on exhibit at its new museum on the island of Djurgården. She capsized moments into her maiden voyage in 1628 and was salvaged 333 years later from the sea floor. The Vasa Museum is one of the most popular sights in Scandinavia.

Ecopark
The most popular section of this vast and unbroken expanse of nature within the city is Djurgården, which houses the Vasa Museum, Skansen, and more.

The Nordic Museum
Known for its collection of folk art, peasants local costumes, and Sami art, the Nordic Museum mounts frequent exhibits of Swedish cultural life since the 16th century.

The Royal Palace
The Swedish Crown Jewels and the Royal Armory are among the exhibits in the 18th century palace. The Changing of the Guard takes place daily, June-August. (Note: some parts of the palace are not open daily and are closed on state occasions.)

The Gold Room at the Museum of National Antiquities
This impressive underground exhibit features some of Sweden finest golden treasures from all eras of history. Roman coins can be found alongside deftly wrought Viking bracelets and brooches. There are over 3,000 objects in all.

Skansen
Established in 1891, Skansen is the worlds oldest open-air museum. It holds 150 authentic, age-old houses from all regions of Sweden, including windmills and a church, in which wedding ceremonies are still held. All major Swedish festivities are celebrated here, and both visitors and locals can join in the fun.

The Drottningholm Palace
Home to the Swedish Royal Family, Drottningholm is located on an island in the outskirts of Stockholm. The palace is famed for its beautiful situation, its well-tended parks, and the unique Drottningholm Theater, which is the worlds best-preserved 18th century theatre.

The approximately 1600 restaurants in Stockholm offer a wide variety of international cuisine. More than a handful has star rating in the Michelin Red Guide. Scandinavian design is world famous and the city has 3600 stores of all kind. There are 100 art galleries, 70 museums, 88 movie theaters and a wide range of theaters, operas and concerts. Sweden is the largest exporter of music after the United States and the United Kingdom.

Stockholm was ranked the best European city in terms of lack of pollution. Stockholm is home to 38 parks, which make up one-third of the city’s total area. Water constitutes another third and urbanized areas make up the final third. The city is surrounded with an archipelago of 24,000 islands, islets and skerries. This is a perfect setting for outdoor activities.

There are 54 golf courses in the outskirts, which are also ideal for horse riding, fishing, sailing, swimming, hiking, skiing, hunting and ice-skating. And if you prefer to take a walk, go jogging or ride your bike, even the city itself is a great alternative.


Stockholm Restaurant Guide

Gourmet Restaurants
The gourmet dining scene in Stockholm is a lot livelier than you might expect. Swedish chefs win international gastronomic competitions time and time again and most of them are based in Stockholm, which can boast of the country's only restaurant with two stars in Michelin's fabled Guide Rouge (Edsbacka - see below).

Gourmet dining is not cheap. Expect prices for a main course in the top places with stars in Guide Rouge around SEK 225 to SEK 325 with starters and desserts around SEK 100. A bit less elsewhere.

BISTRO RUBY Österlånggatan 14, Old Town in Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 20 57 76. Price level: high. Paris in the Old Town! A local cozy restaurant with mostly French dishes on the menu. The walls are covered by political and erotic drawings by Erik Dietman.

DEN GYLDENE FREDEN Österlånggatan 51, Stockholm, Ph +46(0)8 10 90 46. Price level: high. Opened already in 1722! Swedish poets and artists like Bellman, Zorn and Taube used to be regular guests here. Besides the poetic atmosphere the restaurant offers delicious Swedish-French cuisine.

EDSBACKA KROG Sollentunav. 220, Sollentuna. Ph +46(0)8 96 33 00. Price level: high. The short trip to Sollentuna is well worth it. The restaurant, built in 1626, serves lovely food of best international standard. Finest ingredients and perfect service is combined with food so nicely decorated that the plates resembles artwork. Awarded two stars in the Michelin Guide!

ERIKS GONDOLEN Stadsgården 6, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 641 70 90. Price level: high. 36 meter above ground Gondolen offers a priceless view over Stockholm and the surrounding water. Besides excellent food in a charming setting there is a popular bar serving a wide choice of cocktails.

ESPERANTO Kungstensgatan 2. Ph +46(0)8 696 23 23. Price level: high. This is the right place if you are looking for absolute immaculate perfectionism in every single detail. Innovative cooking with seasonal ingredients. Awarded one star in the Michelin Guide!

F12 Fredsgatan 12, Stockholm, Ph +46 (0)8 24 80 52. Price level: high. The combination of different food traditions might seem a bit odd. But the composer is a chef of star quality and the result as well. The atmosphere is trendy and choosy, just like its guests. Awarded one star in the Michelin Guide.

KB Smålandsgatan 7, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 679 60 32. Price level: high. With walls painted with atmosphere KB is often visited by Swedish intellectual leaders. Cosy bar with fancy dishes.

LEJONTORNET Lilla Nygatan 5, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 14 23 55. Price level: high. Unique environment that goes back to year 1300. Exquisite food based on Swedish primes. Don´t forget to try the desserts. Lunch is served in the Bistro at more reasonable prices.

LUX Primusgatan 116, Stockholm, Ph +46(0)8 619 01 90. Price level: high. An old factory has become a great restaurant with interior design close to raw and strict elegance. Awarded chefs creates the best out of true Swedish cuisine. In the summer we recommend to book a a table on the terrace overlooking the lake Mälaren. Lux is awarded one star in the Michelin Guide!

MISTRAL Lilla Nygatan 21, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 10 12 24. Price level: high. This cozy restaurant has high gastronomy ambitions. Do you dare to try some pork feet or the lamb neck? Mistral is awarded one star in the Michelin Guide Rouge!

OPERAKÄLLAREN Operahuset, Stockholm, Ph +46 (0)8 676 58 00. Price level: high. A meal experience of a very high standard! In this culinary Mecca, food has been served since 1787 and it was here the famous chef Tore Wretman turned plain food into a form of art. Awarded one star in the Michelin Guide!

PAUL & NORBERT Strandvägen 9, Stockholm, Ph +46(0)8 663 81 83. Price level: high. International and sophisticated cuisine for the absolute gourmet. Try a complete menu degustation or feel free to compose your own. Modern, elegant and perfect service. Imposing wine list where many wines can be ordered by the glass.

PAUS BAR & KÖK Rörstrandsgatan 18, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 34 44 05. Price level: high. Elegant, local restaurant with minimalistic interior. The kitchen is advanced with very high ambitions.

PONTUS Brunnsgatan 1, Stockholm, Ph +46(0)8 545 273 00. Price level: high. Culinary high lights created by young star chef for the city slickers of Stockholm. Pleasant atmosphere and wealthy guests.

PRINSEN Mäster Samuelsgatan 4, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 611 13 31 . Price level: high. Exciting mix of Swedish and international cuisine. Try the roasted lamb racks or fish quenelles. Bib Gourmand classified in the Michelin Guide.

RESTAURANT JOSEFINA Galärvarvsvägen 10, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 664 10 04. Price level: high. Classical interior with cut-glass chandeliers and stucco ceiling. Excellent Swedish cuisine.

STALLMÄSTARGÅRDEN Norrtull in Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 610 13 00. Price level: high. Built in 1600 with a beautiful view overlooking Brunnsviken, the restaurant serves the finest from the Swedish cuisine and specialities from char coal grill and rotisserie.

ULRIKSDALS WÄRDSHUS Ulriksdals slottspark. Ph +46(0)8 85 08 15. Price level: high. Culture history is mixed with gastronomic sucess. The Smörgåsbord is widely known. Their collection of wine has a place in the book of Guinness World Record.

VASSA EGGEN Birger Jarlsgatan 29, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 21 61 69. Price level: high. Named after a novel by Somerset Maugham. International kitchen with food cooked and served in a new and innovative way. Modern, fastidious interior. Very friendly and caring staff.

WÄRDSHUSET ULLA WINBLAD Rosendalsv. 8 (Djurgården), Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 663 05 71. Price level: high. In this beautifully located pavilion from 1887 dining is consumed with the Swedish poet Bellman as a spiritual neighbour at the table. Swedish, classic food. Enjoy your meal in the lovely garden during summer.

Swedish Restaurants

Swedish food is traditionally heavily influenced by French cooking. In this category, we have placed restaurants where you can expect to find Swedish home cooking.

CLAS PÅ HÖRNET Surbrunnsgatan 20, Stockholm. Ph 16 51 36. Price level: moderate. Cosy restaurant dating back to year 1736 with an intimate atmosphere that breathes history. Typical Swedish food is served for lunch and á la carte-dinner.

LINAS BAR Hantverkargatan 84, Stockholm. Ph 650 51 90. Price level: low. Owned by former weight lifter ”Hoa Hoa” Dahlgren. Swedish food served in large portions. Not allowed to use your cellular phone.

LUX Primusgatan 116, Stockholm, Ph 619 01 90. Price level: high. An old factory has become a great restaurant with interior design close to raw and strict elegans. Awarded chefs creates the best out of true Swedish cuisine. In the summer we recommend to book a a table on the terrace overlooking the lake Mälaren. Lux is awarded one star in the Michelin Guide Rouge!

MÄSTER ANDERS Pipersgatan 1, Stockholm. Ph 654 20 01. Price level: low. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Mäster Anders has served beer and traditional Swedish cuisine. Nowadays it´s more like a trendy brasserie.

PRINSEN Mäster Samuelsgatan 4, Stockholm. Ph 611 13 31 . Price level: high. Exciting mix of Swedish and International cuisine. Famous for their steaks served on wood platters.

RESTAURANT PELIKAN Blekingegatan 40, Stockholm. Ph 556 090 90. Price level: low. Restaurant, bar and beer house, almost 100 years old. Serving tasty food at very reasonable prices.

SALT Hantverkargatan 34, Stockholm. Ph 652 11 00. Price level: low. Very Swedish. Lingonberry, knäckebröd and lamps formed as elks. Cramped but with high spirit.

TENNSTOPET Dalagatan 50, Stockholm. Ph 32 25 18. Price level: low. Legendary restaurant from 1867. Try "Wallenbergare" or anything else from the Swedish classic menu. The bar menu has a wide selection at a reasonable price.

TRANAN Odenplan / Karlbergsvägen 14, Stockholm. Ph 527 28 100. Price level: moderate. A reliable and very popular restaurant. Enjoy traditional Swedish cooking at its best!

Sea Food Restaurants

BELUGA Nybrogatan 44, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 661 44 24. Price level: high. Luxurious decor and an ambitious menu offers not only advanced courses but also delicious tastes from the Swedish and French cuisines.

BERNS Berzelii Park, Stockholm. Ph +46(0) 566 322 22. Price level: high. Classical restaurant in Stockholm from the 19th century. Turned into a trendy place by Terence Conran. Offers fish and seafood as well as other Swedish and International food. Live jazz music some evenings.

CLAS PÅ HÖRNET Surbrunnsgatan 20, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 16 51 30. Price level: moderate. Cosy restaurant dating back to year 1736 with an intimate atmosphere that breathes history. Typical Swedish food is served for lunch and à la carte-dinner.

CAFÉ DUVAL Vasagatan 50, Stockholm. Ph +46 (0)8 23 48 20. Price level: high. Belgian and Swedish food of higer class. Specialities includes fish and seafood and a wide selection of drinks, especially Belgian beer.

MUSSLAN Dalagatan 46, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 34 64 10. Price level: moderate. Hipp and chic with trendy design. Specializes in oysters and other seafood. Music entertainment in the bar almost every night.

STUREHOF Stureplan 2, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 440 57 30. Price level: high. A transformed and renewed waterhole from 1800, still serving unbeatable grilled Baltic herring with potatopurée. Enjoy the seafood menu served outside on the terrace. Oysterbar.

WASAHOF Dalagatan 46, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 32 34 40. Price level: moderate. Popular among stage people from the theaters. Wasahof offers fish and seafood as well as other Swedish and international food.

WEDHOLMS FISK Nybrokajen 17, Stockholm. Ph +46 (0)8 611 78 74. Price level: high. Using only the finest ingredients, fresh fish is served with irresistible creamy sauces. The Classic Swedish and French cuisine has made the restaurant to a place of pilgrimage for fish lovers. Separate outdoor oyster-bar during the summer season.

Italian Restaurants

CAFFÉ NEGRO Roslagsgatan 4, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 22 19 35. Price level: moderate. Friendly restaurant where food is ordered at the cashier´s. Very nice staff and great food! Don´t miss the imported Sicilian ice cream for dessert!

DEN GAMLE OCH HAVET Tulegatan 27, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 661 53 00. Price level: moderate. Genuine local restaurant with great pastas, great fish and risottos. Lovely home made chocolate ice-cream. The food speaks for itself...

HAGA RESTAURANT & DELI Hagagatan 18, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 31 96 95. Price level: low.The true place for true Italian food experiences, home made bread and a Tiramisu you will never forget.

IL TEMPO Högbergsgatan 40, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 644 75 10. Price level: low. Small and friendly restaurant serving traditional Italian dishes. Cool design with leaping zebras on the walls.

LA FAMIGLIA Alströmergatan 45, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 650 63 10. Price level: moderate. This Italian restaurant was one of Stockholm's first - Frank Sinatra himself has been a guest - and it is still going strong. The menu includes typical Italian dishes and the children have a menu of their own. Very family friendly.

LO SCUDETTO Åsögatan 163, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 640 42 15. Price level: moderate. A restaurant for lovers of soccer, especially Italian soccer. The walls are decorated with pictures and posters of famous soccer players and from the kitchen Italian classic delicious food is served.

PORTOFINO Brännkyrkagatan 93, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 720 35 50. Price level: moderate. Great atmosphere with a cosy luxurious twist. The sea food pasta with garlic is well worth the trip.

RISTORANTE BETTOLA DI PAPA SISTO Lilla Nygatan 11, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 20 41 01. Price level: low. Genuine Italian restaurant situated in the heart of Gamla Stan - the Old town.

TOSCANO Timmermansgatan 13, Stockholm. Ph+46(0)8 644 10 35. Price level: low. An Italian pearl in the southern part of the city. Very popular among the cultural residents of this area.

UNDICI Sturegatan 22, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 661 66 17. Price level: moderate. Undici means eleven in Italian and is the number the owner Tomas Brolin used to wear during his football career. Italian cuisine mixed with dishes from northern part of Sweden. Large dining area with plenty of room for local celebrities.

Vegetarian Restaurants

HUTNEY Katarina Bangata 17, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 640 30 10. Price level: low. Great lunches with friendly staff. Try the Nasi Goreng with peanut sauce.

HATAM Kammakaregatan 9, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 24 49 90. Price level: low. Persian restaurant with calm and pleasant atmosphere. Tasty vegetarian dishes at a good price.

HERMANS Fjällgatan 23 A, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 643 94 80. Price level: low. Outstanding view from the terrass! Also very good vegetarian dishes and a generous buffe.

HERMITAGE Stora Nygatan 11, Old Town in Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 411 95 00. Price level: low. Good choice if you prefer vegetarian and or Asian food.

LAO WAI Luntmakargatan 74, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 673 78 00. Price level: low. All vegetarian, perfect choice if you are looking for that little extra.

LÉGUMES Hornsgatan 80, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 669 35 35. Price level: low. Large vegarian buffé with a Mediterranean touch. Soups, moussaka, lasagne and lots of other great dishes.

MARTINS GRÖNA Regeringsgatan 91, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 411 58 50. Pricelevel: low. Open for lunches with a vegetarian variety.

SEYHMUS DELICAFÉ Varvsgatan 29, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 658 55 55. Price level: low. Green, lean and rich buffé. Also vegan choices.

VEGGIVEGG Åsögatan 37, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 640 02 21. Price level: low. Lisette Marencianas music café with vegetarian and vegan food from all over the world. Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

VURMA MAT & CAFÉ Gästrikegatan 2, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 30 62 30. Price level: low. Try the spicy vegetarian sandwich!.

ÖRTAGÅRDEN Nybrogatan 31, Stockholm. Ph +46(0)8 622 17 28. Price level: low. Vegetarian pioneer located close to Östermalmshallen.