Stockholm is the capital city of Sweden comprising of 14 islands within the Baltic Sea archipelago. Visit year round for a taste of the Scandinavian country with relatively easy-to-get-to flights. Here is my recommendation for 48 hours in Stockholm or two days.
Day 1: Visit Gamla Stan and the Nobel Prize Museum
Morning: Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan (Old Town) is the old town and is the most touristy. Don’t let that deter you because there is a reason that it is so popular. The cobblestone streets wind up and down the island and make for great photo opportunities. Start your morning with breakfast and a coffee before the Nobel Prize Museum opens.
Visit the Nobel Prize Museum
Did you know that Alfred Nobel, known for inventing dynamite, was Swedish? He donated his fortune to the “Nobel Prize” to annually recognize those who “conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.” At the Nobel Prize Museum, you can see information about this famed inventor and past winners of his prize. There is also a rotating exhibit dedicated to an important and timely cause. Though the museum is relatively small, there is a lot of information and history throughout.
Midday: Fika Break!
Fika literally means “coffee & cake” and describes the feeling of being cozy with your friends and family at a café. You must stop at a local shop for some Fika. Excellent choices include chocolate balls (CHOKOLADBULLAR), small cookies (SMÅKAKOR), gooey cake (KLADDKAKA), cardamom buns (KARDEMUMMBULLAR) and cinnamon buns (KANNELBULLAR). No trip to Sweden is complete without Fika!
Visit the Royal Palace or walk around Gamla Stan
The Royal Palace is the King’s royal residence. When you walk by the exterior, you will see guards, much like those in England. With a paid ticket, you will be able to enter the palace, seeing the magnificent designs, architecture, and artifacts from the royal family. Even if you don’t purchase a ticket, you can watch the changing of the guard every day from the end of April to the end of August at 12:15h, Sundays at 13:15h. The procession lasts about 40 minutes and is an interesting watch.
Evening: Dinner in Gamla Stan
Enjoy an evening dinner in Gamla Stan. Stop at one of the many recommended restaurants listed here. Retire back to your accommodations for the evening to rest up for another exciting day.
Day 2: Museums at Djurgården
Morning: Vasa Museum
Start your morning at the Vasa Museum. It is a maritime museum on the island of Djurgården. It has the only fully intact 17th-century ship that has ever been salvaged. The Vasa warship sank on her maiden voyage in 1628 just 1300 meters from shore. This museum has multiple levels, each with a different visual of the ship. Explore the history and learn about life, and death, on the sea. You could easily spend hours learning all about this fascinating maritime failure and is a must-see for those visiting Stockholm and interested in its long history.
Midday: Lunch and ABBA museum
Normally I wouldn’t suggest eating at a museum, feels too touristy. However, there are some great selections of relatively quick bites on Djurgården. With attractions like the Vasa Museum, the Skansen Museum, the Viking Museum, and the ABBA museum, travelers are bound to get hungry. I really enjoyed the Swedish meatballs at Restaurant Eld located in the Viking Museum. Note, you don’t need to pay for entrance to the museum to enjoy the food. Had to try the Swedish meatballs at least once, right?
At the ABBA Museum, you will sing and dance your way through the band’s history. Learn about their humble beginnings to world-wide stardom. Aside from all the amazing and fascinating artifacts, guests will have opportunities to interact with the museum features in a way that feels part history and part play. Even if you aren’t an ABBA fan, you will be after visiting this museum!
Evening:
I typically like to keep my evenings open for options but here are some great choices for your last evening in Stockholm. You could see an opera, visit the Fotografiska museum, visit an Ice Bar, or enjoy a dinner cruise.
Other notable attractions:
City Hall
Only available by tour, the Stockholm City Hall serves many purposes. Not only does it hold the city council chambers, but it is also used for the Nobel Prize banquet every year. Book a tour and get the chance to see the Golden Hall in person. This giant ballroom is covered floor to ceiling in gold mosaic and is something you must see to understand.
Östermalms Saluhall
The Ostermalm Saluhall or food hall is the place to visit if you are looking to try different cuisines. There is a variety of foods to bring home like a typical food market. You can also try some of the several food vendors and treats for takeaway. Note, they are closed on Sundays so make sure that you go on another day that works.
Skansen – Open Air Museum and Zoo
The world’s oldest open-air museum is in Stockholm. The Skansen museum allows visitors to learn about life in Stockholm before the 19th century. Explore the farmsteads and learn about Swedish gardening and handiwork. The zoo could be an option for those travelling with children.
Drottningholm Palace
On the west side of Stockholm, sits another beautiful palace for the Swedish Royal Family. Visit and enjoy the architecture, artwork, and flora. The gardens are well maintained and it is an interesting place to explore.