By Soren Rivero ✔ Reviewed by travel expert Ben Braude
Often referred to as “the Venice of the North”, Stockholm is a city that's defined by its water, spread across 14 islands connected by over 50 bridges.
Because of its geographical (and political) placement, this capital city manages to retain a sense of both natural calm as well as metropolitan bustle.
If you find yourself exploring this magical city and are wondering about the best activities, here are five of the best things to do in Stockholm for your next visit.
Marvel at the Vasa Museum
Start your dive into the history and culture of Stockholm from the earliest periods at the Vasa Museum. Located on the lush island of Djurgården, this museum is most notable for housing the 64-gun warship, the Vasa, which sank just a few minutes after leaving the port during a maiden voyage in 1628. Talk about big expectations leading to a lifetime of impact!
What's even more interesting, is that the ship sat at the bottom of the Baltic Sea for 333 years, until it was recovered, then salvaged. Despite that, the ship to this day is still over 90% made of original material, mostly intricate wooden sculptures, some iron guns, and other unique features.
Experience Skansen's Local Life Scene
To feel the real sense of local lifestyle in Sweden, you don't have to visit an ancient museum or pay to take a tour. Instead, take a walk around Skansen's open-air museum established in 1891 that highlights over five centuries of Swedish history, told through the development of houses and farmsteads.
Here, you can observe anything from pottery, to silk weaving, to traditional glass blowing. Arguably the best part: the staff are dressed in attire that fit the era they're representing, so you'll feel quite literally like you step back in time. Pro tip is to visit during the summer to watch folk-dance performances or even join in on the Midsummer festival fun.
Visit Old Town Gamla Stan
When one visits Stockholm, one must stop by Gamla Stan, the city's Old Town. Founded in 1252,, it remains one of the largest and best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. Walking through the narrow, winding cobblestone streets is like stepping into a living museum.
The centerpiece is by-far Stortorget, the oldest square in Stockholm, famous for its colorful 17th-century buildings. During your stay in this magical Old Town, you can visit the Royal Palace, one of Europe's largest palaces, during which you can witness the changing of the guard. And don't be scared of the narrow alleyways (narrow as someone's shoulders) – you might stumble across old artisan shops or fancy cellars.
Sail to the Stockholm Archipelago
To truly understand the city, you must leave the mainland. The Stockholm Archipelago consists of roughly 30,000 islands, islets, and rocks extending into the Baltic Sea.
Even if you only have a few hours, boat tours are consistently departing from the port at all hours of the day.. A classic "Archipelago Tour" takes about two to three hours and provides a stunning perspective of the rocky shores and scenic summer cottages that line the waterways.
Explore ABBA The Museum
Want something more modern? ABBA the Museum is an interactive experience that could suit your needs. This museum celebrates Sweden's most famous musical export, done so in an interactive way that's fun not just for the pop group's fans, but for everyone! While you're here, you can virtually try on their costumes, mix music, and “perform” on-stage via a virtual exhibit.
Ready to see the best of what Stockholm has to offer? Explore our Sweden packages down below!
