Discovering Stockholm in 36 Hours: A Perfect Weekend Itinerary
Stockholm, Sweden is a beautiful blend of history and modernity and a gateway to the Nordic region of Europe. With architecture, culture, and scenic landscapes, it’s hard to think that you can see everything in 36 hours, but this sampler platter of activities is the perfect way to experience a this charming and historical capital city. Welcome to Discovering Stockholm in 36 Hours: A Perfect Weekend Itinerary, and don’t forget to check out the map for a visual guide to the city!
Day 1
Welcome to Stockholm! If you’ve arrived by plane to Stockholm Arlanda Airport, you are in for the coolest train ride direct to the city, which takes less than 30 minutes. I would have spent longer because the bathroom was bigger than my apartment.
(1) Gamla Stan
Start your tour of Stockholm with a trip to Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town. This charming neighborhood is a must-see with winding cobblestone streets and pastel-colored buildings. The Gamla Stan is a still-standing medieval city center with notable stops such as The Royal Palace, Stortorget Square, and the Nobel Prize Museum. Don’t worry, you are still allowed inside the Nobel Prize Museum even if you aren’t in contention.
(2) 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 People is 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. It will live up to all of your Swedish meatball expectations.
(3) Evening walk to Kastellparken
If you are lucky enough to be visiting Stockholm in the winter, spend some time people-watching (or participating!) in the lively ice skating rink at Kungsträdgården. If strapping on a pair of skates isn’t your cup of tea, take a stroll to Kastellparken, a small fort island at the end of a string of islands. It offers a magnificent view of the Stockholm archipelago. We would have kept walking if it wasn’t the last stop along the waterfront.
Day 2
For your final half-day in Stockholm, walk along the Strandvägen waterfront. This gorgeous tree-lined boulevard will take you right to Museum Island. There are three museums on this list, but for the sake of time, you will have to choose two, or even one if you wish to really spend time there.
(4) Stockholm Open Air Museum
Stockholm’s Open Air Museum, or Skansen, is an outdoor museum that showcases traditional Swedish architecture and culture. It is located on Museum Island and includes over 150 buildings from various regions of Sweden including farmhouses, workshops, and a church.
(5) Vasamuseet
Going to a museum just for a boat? Yes! The Vasamuseet, or Vasa Museum, is the home of the Vasa ship, a 17-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. Learn more about Swedish history and the people you probably refer to as vikings.
(6) ABBA Museum
ABBA fans, rejoice! This popular attraction celebrates the legacy of the legendary Swedish pop group, ABBA. Enjoy the interactive exhibits, costumes, memorabilia, and even a karaoke room.
Love the idea of a museum but don’t fancy these 3 choices? Here’s a full list of museums in Stockholm.
That’s all for Stockholm, and we hope you enjoy your short weekend getaway! Happy sampling!
Planning other destinations in Europe? Check out my other guides!
We hope you enjoyed – Discovering Stockholm in 36 Hours: A Perfect Weekend Itinerary.