36 Hours in Stockholm: A Perfect Weekend in Sweden
By Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel – this guide to Stockholm contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
Only have 36 hours in Stockholm and want to know how to maximize your time?
We spent 36 hours in Sweden’s beautiful capital during a long weekend and loved it. While 14 islands make up the city, and we couldn’t see them all, we thought we got a good taste of what the city offers. It was a particularly cold weekend in February, and the coziness of the city was astounding.
In this Stockholm itinerary, we will share what to see, where to stay, and what to eat. It makes a great add-on to a quick trip to Helsinki, Finland!
While you could certainly spend more than one day in Stockholm, Sampler Platter Travel is dedicated to fast itineraries helping you prioritize things to do if you only have a short amount of time.
Happy sampling for 36 hours in Stockholm!
Top Tours in Stockholm
36 Hours in Stockholm – Day 1
Welcome to Stockholm! If you have arrived by plane at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, you’re in for the coolest train ride direct to the city. This journey takes less than 30 minutes and takes you into Stockholm’s Central Train Station, within walking distance to most of the must-see sites in Stockholm. The train is incredibly clean, and honestly, I would have spent so much longer in the bathroom.
(1) Walk Around Gamla Stan
Start your tour of Stockholm with a walk around Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town. This charming neighborhood/island is a must-visit as it’s home to cobblestone streets, pastel buildings, and tons of cute cafes and shops. Gamla Stan is considered a still-standing medieval city center. Notable stops include the Royal Palace, Stortorget Square, and the Noble Prize Museum.
When you’re in Stortorget Square, make sure to take a photo of the colorful buildings along the square, and you might recognize 3 of them from famous Stockholm photos. This is also the site of the Stockholm Bloodbath in 1520 when the Danish king ordered the mass execution of Swedish nobles. Cheery!
The Noble Prize Museum within Stortorget is super unique, giving you an insight into the prize winners. It only costs 140 SEK for adults to visit (around 13 USD).
Furthermore, don’t forget to check out the Marten Trotzigs Grand, the narrowest alley in Stockholm. It measures just 90 centimeters at its slimmest point!
Continue to wander around the city to see the impressive Royal Palace – one of the largest in Europe – and the city’s oldest cathedral, Storkyrkan. When we visited the cathedral, it was under construction, but it should be open now, making it a must-visit destination.
(2) Eat Meatballs
It’s not a trip to Sweden without famous meatballs (read: not IKEA’s although we love those too). If you aren’t starving by now, Meatballs for the Peopleis one of the most famous stops for a meal in Stockholm, but it’s located about a 25-minute walk from the main square of Gamla Stan.
If you are quite impatient like we were after a long flight, settle down for meatballs, mashed potatoes, and lingonberry juice at Slingerbulten. We were overjoyed by this meal.
(3) Evening Walk to Kastellholmen
Once you’ve had your fixing of meatballs and have walked around Gamla Stan, it’s time to take a stroll to Kastellparken.
Kastellparken is a park on the island of Kastellholmen, located near a small fortress dating back to the 17th century. It is a beautiful park thanks to its greenery and fascinating architecture.
We wandered to this island mostly by accident, but we’re glad we found it! We walked along the waterfront past the National Museum, crossing multiple islands before getting to the final one.
If you are visiting Stockholm in the winter, spend some time people-watching in the lively ice skating rink in Kungsträdgården, on the way to Kastellparken. If you’re up for it, lace up those skates and enjoy a few trips around the rink. If ice skating is not your thing, walk around the royal gardens or admire the swans along the waterfront.
36 Hours in Stockholm – Day 2
(4) Strandvägen Waterfront
As you’ve probably noticed by now, Stockholm is a city best explored on foot! Day 2 is only a half day, so wake up relatively early to walk along the Strandvägen Waterfront. It is one of Stockholm’s most picturesque boulevards, stretching along the Östermalm District. Thanks to the beautiful buildings on one side of the street and views of the Baltic Sea on the other, it’s an incredible walk.
If you’re a budget traveler like us, you probably won’t be staying at one of these luxury hotels or dining in any of the upscale restaurants, but it’s still a beautiful walk to take. We’ll continue to Museum Island.
There are 3 museums on the list that we highly recommend, but for the sake of time, since you’ll only have 36 hours in Stockholm, we suggest picking two museums (or one, if you like to take your time). If you’re a fast walker and tend to glide through museums, you are more than welcome to attempt to see all 3!
Museum Island Option 1- Stockholm Open Air Museum
Your first option is to visit the Skansen, the world’s largest open air museum. It was built in 1891 and showcases over 150 historic buildings that were relocated from all parts of Sweden. It is a super immersive experience as you get to walk through the country’s rural past.
There are traditional Swedish farmhouses, manor houses, workshops, and each station is staffed by costumed interpreters.
There is also a zoo on site with native Scandinavian animals such as bears, lynxes, and moose. Throughout the year, there are tons of seasonal events, including Midsommar and Christmas celebrations.
Museum Island Option 2- Vasamuseet
Going to a museum just for a boat? Yes! The Vasamuseet, or Vasa Museum, is the home of the Vasa ship, a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage and was salvaged over 300 years later. It is larger than you can imagine and well worth the visit.
The museum is only home to this fully intact vasa, and visitors can get up close and personal with the ship’s intricate wood carvings. You’re not able to go inside.
Thanks to the large size of the ship, there are multiple floors in the museum, including exhibits about the sinking and subsequent resurrection. It did not make it very far as it sunk right in the Stockholm Harbor!
Grab tickets for a guided tour of the Vasamuseet here.
Museum Island Option 3- ABBA Museum
Everyone knows the iconic pop group ABBA, but fewer people know that they are a Swedish group! This museum is an interactive tribute to the band, allowing visitors to relive ABBA’s rise to fame in the 1970s.
Exhibits include costumes, records, and personal memorabilia from the members of the group. The museum even features a recording studio where you can mix your own version of ABBA classics. If you’re good, you might even get a record deal 😉
Feel free to take the stage to virtually perform with holograms of the band. It is a cool interactive experience, although it is a bit pricey, so it’s suggested that you are a big ABBA fan.
Where to Stay in Stockholm
For 36 hours in Stockholm, we recommend staying near the city center to maximize your time. You certainly won’t want to spend your entire vacation traveling around! The following hostels and hostels are located close to Gamla Stan and other notable areas of Stockholm.
Best Hostels in Stockholm
| Price | Name and Rating | Benefits |
| Privates from $80 Dorms from $27 | City Backpackers Hostel (9.5 stars on Hostelworld) | – Free pasta offered! – Free evening sauna times and free ice skates during the winter – Incredible ratings in the heart of the city, 500 meters from the train station |
| Privates from $115 Dorms from $37 | Generator Stockholm (8.6 stars on Hostelworld) | – Part of a reputable brand of hostels – Bar on premise – In the chic neighborhood of Torsgatan |
| Privates from $103 Dorms from $22 | Nomad Cave (8.8 stars on Hostelworld) | – An online, no-reception hostel – Clean and cozy vibe – Lockers available to keep your things safe |
Best Hotels in Stockholm
| Price | Name | Benefits |
| Average $263/night | Hotel Diplomat Stockholm (8.5 stars on Booking.com) | – 5-star hotel along Strandvägen Boulevard – 1911 Art Nouveau building – Beautiful restaurant and summer terrace |
| Average $280/night | Hotel Reisen in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt (8.7 stars on Booking.com) | – Excellent location in Gamla Stan, across the street from Royal Palace – Sauna and restaurant on site – Property sits on the water |
| Average $138/night | Downtown Camper by Scandic (8.6 stars on Booking.com) | – Beautiful modern hotel right next to the central train station – Wellness area includes rooftop sauna, gym, and pool – Bikes, skateboards, and kayaks available for rent |
How to Get Around Stockholm
Stockholm is a city made up of 14 different islands which can initially sound very daunting, but most of the must-see locations are on just a few of those islands.
We have written the itinerary in a way that allows you to explore Stockholm and its major sites on foot. If you want to visit some locations further out of the city center, you are more than welcome to purchase a metro pass. The public transport in Stockholm will take you nearly anywhere and includes buses, trains, and certain ferry lines.
Best Time to Visit Stockholm
Spring is a beautiful time to visit Stockholm as the city is finally waking up from the winter. Temperatures start to rise, the city’s parks and gardens start to bloom, and you may even spot cherry blossoms. Unfortunately, the weather can be predictable, so it can be difficult to time a spring trip. Winter can either go longer, or you might miss the blooming flowers altogether.
Summer is peak tourism season in Stockholm thanks to long, warm days with nearly 18 hours of daylight in June (say hello to the Midnight Sun!). This is when you’re going to have a galore of outdoor activities, festivals, open-air concerts, as well as beautiful boat tours. It can be quite busy but it is certainly a wonderful time to visit.
Fall is also a good time to visit thanks to cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. The summer flurry will have wrapped up at this time. It’s a great season to be cozy, with cafes offering seasonal drinks and sweater weather coming into full swing.
Winter is when we visited and thought it was a super pleasant time. Whereas a lot of other cities tend to shut down in the winter, Stockholm will transform into a cozy wonderland. During the Christmas months, there are a ton of markets, festive lights, and a charming atmosphere. Even if you go in February as we did, indoor attractions are open, and it’s a good time to have warm coffee in one of Stockholm’s many cafes.
FAQs About 36 Hours in Stockholm
How many days in Stockholm is enough?
Stockholm is a wonderful destination that can be explored in just one weekend. It’s condensed with a lot of the main attractions within walking distance. You won’t be able to see all 14 islands that make up the city, but you’ll see the top sights.
If you’re looking for a quick weekend trip in Europe, this is the place to go. We explored Stockholm in 36 hours and while there was still a lot that we missed, we thought we got a good taste of being able to walk around the city and enjoy everything that it has to offer.
Is Stockholm really expensive?
Stockholm is a cosmopolitan city, so it can be expensive if you want it to be, but it is certainly possible to have a budget experience.
All along the waterfront are luxury hotels and upscale restaurants, but if you want to stay a little bit further out of the fancy area, you can definitely cut on some costs.
Generally, food is not expensive, although admission tickets to museums can get a little bit pricey. For the most budget-friendly options, avoid the popular areas such as Gamla Stan, or find a small Airbnb if you want to be in a central location.
Is it worth visiting Stockholm in late March?
Yes! We visited Stockholm in February and thought that we had a very cozy experience. Even though it is no longer Christmas market season and it is slightly less festive, the chilly weather brings out the warmth in indoor activities. We were even able to walk around comfortably.
If you’re lucky, late March will start to bring in thawing conditions and flower blooms. As we all know, it’s really hard to predict seasonal changes nowadays.
We hope you enjoyed this itinerary for 36 hours in Stockholm! Whether you want to take on every museum on Museum Island or brave the cold by walking around the city, there is something for everyone in Sweden’s incredible capital.
Happy sampling!