The Best Of Stockholm On A Budget

Sweden’s beautiful capital may not be the first destination you think of when planning a trip to Europe, but that would be a shame as the city has a lot to offer, whether you love history, nature or the art scene. Although it’s considered a little more expensive than some of its neighbours, let me show you that it’s entirely possible to travel on a budget in and around Stockholm!

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🛌 Budget-friendly accommodation:
Skanstulls Boutique Hostel

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Stockholm in a few words

Stockholm, spread over 14 islands, is much more than the cold, dark city you thought it was. Capital of one of the Nordic regions, the city is teeming with life, culture and charm.

History buffs, outdoor enthusiasts and those who simply love to travel can all find something to do here, whatever the season, all year round.

Without further ado, here are my top things to do in Stockholm!

Top Sights in Stockholm

1. Explore the Old Town or Gamla Stan

How to get there: if you’re staying in the city center (Norrmalm), you can choose to walk (~20mn) or take the subway (green or red) and stop at Gamla stan station

This ancient medieval neighborhood is one of the city’s most famous attractions, thanks to its pretty cobbled streets, colourful buildings and variety of shops and restaurants.
But would you believe it if I told you that, until the mid-twentieth century, this busy area was once a slum? Fortunately, the rebuilding of the district completely transformed the area, giving it the soul and special atmosphere it has today.

Wander around its historic buildings, try to not get lost in its winding alleys and sample the local cuisine!

Pro tip: take the narrowest street in Stockholm – if you dare > Mårten Trotzigs gränd!

2. Take a tour of Stockholm City Hall

Address: Hantverkargatan 1, 111 52 Stockholm
How to get there: from Stockholm Central Station, it’s a 10mn walk
Entrance fees: 150 SEK ($14) for the guided tours

Whether you decide to visit the inside of City Hall with a guided tour or not, especially if you’re on a tight budget, it’s still a must-see in Stockholm, believe me.

The exterior itself is well worth the trip, with its magnificent romantic architecture, beautiful park and charming views over the bay!

It’s also the impressive venue for Saturday weddings and the annual Nobel Prize banquet. A glamorous and historic venue, don’t you think?

3. Enjoy the outdoors

If you want to take a break from exploring the city and enjoy hiking or just being outdoors, Stockholm has a range of great walking trails just outside the main attractions. And if you don’t have a car, here are some of the best options:

• Nackareservatet: just 45 minutes from the city centre, embark on a peaceful and tranquil walk around this pretty reserve with its breathtaking scenery.
  
• Norra järvafältet: 1 hour from Stockholm, if only for the relaxing view over the lake and the ideal spot for a picnic away from the hustle and bustle of the capital.
  
• Tyresta National Park: also 1 hour from the city, this is the place you’re probably looking for if you love forest walks in beautiful, unspoilt wilderness. There are plenty of routes to choose from, depending on the time you have available!

Ready for an adventure? Then get your hiking boots ready and discover Stockholm from another angle!

4. Visit a museum

The great city of Stockholm has no equal when it comes to museums, each with its own world. Whether you want to learn more about history, culture or art, the capital won’t disappoint you – the hardest part is choosing.

Do you love photography? Visit the fabulous Fotografiska! Are you interested in naval history? Then the Vasa Museum is for you! And what about the iconic pop group straight from Sweden? I’m talking about the ABBA Museum, of course! And finally, for art lovers, the Nationalmuseum is the place to be!

Note that all these museums all have entrance fee, so if you’re on a tight budget and don’t want to spend all your savings, I’ve got you covered! The Stockholm City Museum (near Fotografiska), the Moderna Museet (Fridays between 18:00 and 20:00) and the National Sports Museum, for example, are completely free. Another way to discover this haven of culture at no cost!

5. Attend a concert/opera

Do you love music? Whether it’s festivals, philharmonic orchestras or your favourite band, Stockholm and its dynamic scene and numerous concert halls are sure to catch your attention!

Famous artists from all over the world visit the city throughout the year, so don’t miss out on the fun during your trip and check out upcoming events here!

6. Unwind in Kungsträdgården park

Address: Jussi Björlings allé, 111 47 Stockholm
How to get there: only 15mn by walk from the Central Station

Fancy a nice walk in a beautiful park? Kungsträdgården, the town’s meeting point, is surrounded by restaurants, cafés and friendly shops where locals come not only to recharge their batteries but also to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere and the various activities that take place there throughout the year: concerts, festivals, dancing…

If you’re visiting in winter, hit the ice rink while admiring the Christmas decorations, and if you’re in the area at the end of April, you can admire the magnificent cherry blossom trees lining the park: one of the most popular events of the year!

7. See Stockholm’s underground gallery

Subways are often dark, scary and dirty, but not in Stockholm! Here, you won’t be afraid to take any metro line, as it will become a game of how many stations you can admire in a day. With over 100 stations, the treasure hunt can begin!

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Thorildsplan: (green line)
  For the fun game characters tiles!

• Kungsträdgården: (blue line)
  The best of all Stockholm’s subway stations, in my humble opinion, thanks to its beautiful sculptures and unique art!

• Rådhuset: (blue line)
  With its orange grotto, you’ll feel like you’re visiting the underground world of Mars!

• Tensta: (blue line)
  For prehistoric-style art installations!

• Stadion: (red line)
  To see a rainbow sky underground!

8. Catch the sunset at Skinnarviksberget

Address: 118 23 Stockholm
How to get there: 40mn from the city center or you can take the subway (red line, n°13 or 14) for 4 stops from T-Centralen station and get off at Zinkensdamm

This scenic rocky hilltop is the ideal place to see the sunset over the river and of course the whole of Stockholm.

> As this is a slightly uphill hike, I wouldn’t recommend going there in winter, as it can get very slippery!

9. Appreciate the tranquility of Kastellholmen and Skeppsholmen islands

Address: 111 49 Stockholm
How to get there: 25mn walk from the city center

Sometimes, traveling means taking the time to enjoy your surroundings without thinking about where you’re going next! If that’s what you’re after, I’d recommend taking a stroll around the islands of Kastellholmen and Skeppsholmen, where you’re sure to be enchanted by the pleasant, peaceful surroundings.

Bring a picnic if the weather is warm and sunny enough, or simply admire the splendid, relaxing views!

Two little havens of peace that I can’t recommend highly enough for those seeking calm and quiet!

10. Wander around Brunnsviken

Address: Frescati Hagväg 18, 114 19 Stockholm
How to get there: from T-Centralen station, take the subway (red line, n°14) for 4 stops, get off at Universitetet and walk 10mn

The best way to admire this idyllic lake is to explore its parks and stroll along its shores or go stand-up paddling. If, like me, you’re not in the right season, don’t worry, because with its gardens, magnificent views and lovely atmosphere, Brunnsviken certainly won’t disappoint!

A wonderful place to get closer to nature on the outskirts of Stockholm!

Where to sleep in Stockholm

If you’re on a budget and wondering where to stay in the city, here’s my address: Skanstull’s Hostel. First of all, the staff are really friendly and always happy to help. What’s more, you’re really close to all the main attractions and there’s an underground station just a 5-minute walk away. The rooms are simple but comfortable, everything is clean and you have access to a nice shared library. Overall, a great value stay!

How to get to Stockholm

If you’re coming from abroad but living in Europe, you can choose to travel by train, but this option takes much longer and is sometimes more expensive than flying, especially if you plan ahead.

If you’re already in Sweden, SJ (the railway company) offers affordable journeys (at least within Europe) for those traveling throughout the country and even to Denmark and Norway. For more information, here’s the link to their website!

And if you want to travel around Europe by bus or train and save money at the same time, you can use the Trainline website!

> Don’t forget to book as early as possible, as some itineraries sell out very quickly!

Visa

If you are an EU citizen, you do not need a visa; you can simply travel to Sweden with a valid identity card or passport.

If you are not an EU citizen, you may need to apply for a short-stay visa (90 days), which will cost you $85 (for an adult). This visa will, of course, be valid for all European countries. You can consult the list of countries requiring a visa here!

> U.S. citizens don’t need a visa for a stay under 90 days.

How to get around Stockholm

Depending on where you’re staying, you can simply visit all the main attractions on foot, but if you’re too tired or have chosen to stay just outside the city, you can rely on Stockholm’s excellent public transport system. Well-organised and practical, getting around the capital will be a walk in the park!

Best time to go

Winters can be very cold, even freezing. If you’re not used to it, like me, prefer spring (from the end of March to May) or summer, although there are more people and the cost is higher because of the high season.

You can also travel in early autumn and enjoy the autumn foliage and pleasant temperatures.

In a nutshell

Would you like to discover the dynamism of a modern city that has managed to preserve its fantastic history? Visit charming, artistic Stockholm, a capital where you can get your fill of culture while marvelling at its unspoilt nature!

Would you like to discover one of the best places in the world to admire the Northern Lights and breathtaking nature? Welcome to Abisko!

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