L360’s Evelyn Richards recently holidayed to Stockholm and here she shares how to savour Sweden’s stylish capital in just 24 hours.
There’s a quiet confidence to Stockholm — a city that never screams for attention, but rather seduces you slowly with its charming cobblestone streets, aesthetic shops and that unbeatable Scandinavian knack for balance.
I recently spent a long weekend here with my partner, pairing it with a few days in Copenhagen, and Stockholm stood out as our favourite for its immersive mix of culture, calm and cool.
Here’s how to spend the perfect day here.
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Morning: Ferry across to Djurgården for museums
First things first: purchase a 24-hour travel pass for around £14, and you can also download the free app to have it easily accessible on your phone. The pass allows you unlimited travel on buses, light rail, subways, trams, ferries and local train networks.
Wake up to Stockholm’s crisp air and start with a short ferry ride from centrally located Slussen to Djurgården — the city’s lush museum island and one of its most picturesque corners. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch golden light bouncing off the water and the city’s pastel townhouses.
Start with the Vasa Museum, where an almost perfectly preserved 17th-century warship looms in moody lighting like a Nordic ghost ship. Next, lighten things up with a visit to ABBA The Museum. From original sparkling jumpsuits to interactive dance booths, it’s a celebration of Swedish pop that’ll have you humming Waterloo for the rest of the day.
If time allows, the Nordic Museum and nearby Skansen open-air museum offer windows into Sweden’s cultural past — with less glitter, more folklore.
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Lunch: Meatballs worth travelling for
Take the tram then a leisurely walk to Södermalm, Stockholm’s hipster-chic heart, where former working-class city blocks have morphed into an enclave of Scandi-cool boutiques, independent galleries and effortlessly stylish locals.
Make your pilgrimage to Meatballs For The People — a buzzy, stripped-back spot where Sweden’s most iconic dish is given a sustainable twist.
Choose from beef, elk or even vegan versions, served with creamy mash, lingonberries and a velvety jus.
It’s hearty and comforting – we even went back there for a second day on our short trip.
Afternoon: Shopping and fika
Södermalm is best explored on foot. Meander through SoFo (south of Folkungagatan), dipping into local favourites like Grandpa for minimal Swedish fashion and homeware, and Papercut for art books and design magazines.
By now you would have worked up an appetite, so it’s fika time. This daily Swedish ritual is less about caffeine and more about taking a breather. Head to your local Fabrique for a smooth flat white and a sticky kanelbulle (cinnamon bun) that’s practically a national treasure.
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Evening: Bar-hopping
As the sun dips below the spires and the Baltic breeze rolls in, Stockholm’s bar scene begins to glow. If you’re in the mood for something effortlessly cool, start at Tjoget in Hornstull — an industrial-chic cocktail bar ranked among the world’s best, with a wine bar and barber shop attached (because Sweden).
If you need to acclimatise to the often-chilly air in Sweden, head to the Ice Bar, where the entire room is kept at a cool -5C. Every visitor receives an insulating cape and gloves to help them stay cosy as they sip chilled drinks while sitting on chairs carved from ice.
For something quirky, Pharmarium, located in Gamla Stan (the old town) serves medicinal-themed cocktails in what used to be the city’s oldest pharmacy — think smoky spirits, tinctures and old-world glamour.
Jazz-lovers should make time for Fasching, an iconic Stockholm venue known for its moody lighting, sharp acoustics and a steady rotation of live acts — from classic jazz to experimental soul. Get a seat close to the stage and order something dark and bitter —it’s that kind of place.
Wellness activities in Stockholm
If the sauna calls (and it should), spend a few quiet hours at Centralbadet, a beautiful art nouveau spa in Norrmalm. The lush courtyard and heated pools feel like a well-kept secret. For something more upscale, Sturebadet in Östermalm offers saunas, massages and marble steam rooms in a space that dates back to 1885.
Prefer nature? Take a cold dip at Brunnsviken or try open-water swimming near Långholmen, followed by a sauna session to warm the bones. Wellness here is woven into the everyday.
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Best day trips from Stockholm
- Vaxholm: This charming archipelago town is just an hour away by boat, with colourful wooden houses, fortress views and an unbeatable harbourside fika scene.
- Drottningholm Palace: The Swedish royal family’s residence – it’s regal, yes, but also serene, with vast gardens and a hidden theatre.
- Sigtuna: Sweden’s oldest town is all cobbled lanes, Viking runestones and lakeside tranquillity.
