Everything to Do in Stockholm: Activities and Sightseeing Across the City

Are you moving to Stockholm soon or did you recently move to the Swedish capital? It’s a great city with endless possibilities in the form of fun activities, beautiful environments and good food. But how do you find the right place to go when you have just moved to a new city? In this guide, we will walk you through our favorite places in Stockholm, which we think are well worth a visit. At the end of the post, we will explain how you can find accommodation in the city with 20-year waiting lists for rental homes.

Spring is the perfect time to move to Stockholm, since the city is in its full glory in the summer time. In April and May, the cherry trees bloom in Kungsträdgården, also known as Kungsan, which is a popular park in Norrmalm. People gather under the pink trees to hang out, have ice cream or take Instagram-friendly photos. Events such as festivals and ice skating are arranged during the rest of the year.

If you would like to enjoy nature and learn more about the city, a day trip by boat is the way to go. Take the opportunity to discover the Swedish archipelago on your own on a day when the weather is really nice, or try a guided castle tour if you are interested in history. A day trip doesn’t require much planning and you can usually eat at the restaurant on board the boat. If you have an SL card, you can choose to travel with the shuttle boat, which is a part of Stockholm’s regular public transport. The shuttle boat can take you to Djurgården, where you can experience the nature, see the animals at the open-air museum Skansen or visit art exhibitions and other attractions.

On a rainy day, you can take the opportunity to visit one of Stockholm’s popular museums. ABBA The Museum is an interactive experience for music lovers. It’s far from a traditional museum – it's an interactive exhibition dedicated to the iconic Swedish pop group ABBA, known for hits like "Dancing Queen" and "Mamma Mia." Opened in May 2013, the museum is part of the Swedish Music Hall of Fame.

The museum showcases a vast array of ABBA memorabilia, including costumes, instruments, gold records, and personal items from the band members. Visitors can engage with interactive exhibits: they can sing along to ABBA songs in a studio setting, mix original music, and even virtually try on some of the band’s famous costumes using advanced technology.

If photos are your thing, you can go to Fotografiska, a gallery that shows modern photography and visual art. At Fotografiska, you will also find a great restaurant that offers tasty food, produced in a sustainable way. On occasion, they will arrange events such as lectures and workshops.

If you would like to go on a walk through historic environments, Gamla Stan, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval city centers, may be worth a visit. Gamla Stan is located on an island in central Stockholm, where you will find a variety of restaurants, cafes and shopping. Put on comfortable shoes to spend a full day on the cobbled streets, and enjoy the Royal Palace, churches and museums.

For a night out on the town, you can head to Stureplan to visit Obaren, which is located at the top of Sturehof. You can either go clubbing, hang out at the bar or listen to live music in a relaxed environment. If you want to go out on a summer evening, you can choose the outdoor club Trädgården on Södermalm. They offer festival-style live performances and other activities such as table tennis. Arrive early to avoid standing in line.

You will find a wide selection of fantastic food in Stockholm, and it’s easy to find your personal favorite. When you have something to celebrate, you can treat yourself to a luxurious experience at Agrikultur, which offers seasonal food made from sustainable and locally produced ingredients.

If you are looking to grab breakfast or lunch, you can head to the bicycle café Le Mond on Södermalm, with or without a bicycle. They have avocado toasts, acai bowls and a variation of salads. Their Belgian waffles are served all day, and are really something out of the ordinary. If you just want to grab a really good coffee on the go, you can take a trip past Marley Café. They serve exclusive coffee at fair prices, and everything from the decor to the music has a connection to Bob Marley. So if you are a reggae fan, this is the place for you.

If you are planning on updating you wardrobe, Stockholm has a good selection of second-hand and vintage stores. There are HUMANA-stores in two different locations, city and Mariatorget, with unique and affordable garments. Follow them on Instagram to find out when they restock, and to get lots of outfit inspiration. Lisa Larsson Second hand has a good selection of vintage and retro looking clothes, shoes and accessories. The cozy atmosphere and personal service is what makes it special.

Last but not least, if you are looking for a new home in Stockholm or an awesome roommate, don’t forget to sign up on Hemavi, answer our algorithm questions and we will match you with a roommate you will actually get along with. Hemavi is Scandinavia’s only algorithm-based matchmaking platform for roommates.