Stockholm is one of my favorite cities in the Nordic. The excellent infrastructure, often with a fascinating history, draws travelers from all over the world. Also known as an expensive destination. But it doesn’t empty on anyone’s wallet if one does some research beforehand.
However, it is my second time in Stockholm. My first visit was brief. It was a stopover for a couple of hours while traveling around Sweden in the summer. Therefore, I haven’t seen much of the surroundings.
As I’m looking for a weekend getaway Stockholm comes up to my mind but hesitant to go if what may be the weather in September. I’m aware that the Nordic countries have an early winter than the rest of Europe. But then I was thinking about last winter in (March) we visited Prague, and we’re just so lucky it wasn’t snowing. I know that the two cities can’t compare each other. But I always had confidence in the weather forecast. In terms of lucky, I often get beautiful weather during my trip. Also, cheaper to fly during fall and winter in some European cities, as well as fewer tourists around.
Getting To Stockholm From Skavsta Airport
There are four airports in Stockholm: Bromma, Arlanda, Skavsta, and Vasteras Airport. Very well to know when booking an air ticket which one is the selected airport. Also, it depends on which part of Europe you were departed. From Brussels South, we flew with Ryanair to Skavsta, which is about 100 kilometers from Stockholm.
The good thing is, you don’t have to worry about how to get to the city center. The excellent arrangement of an airport coach between Skavsta Airport and Stockholm serves by Flygbussarna (see the timetables on the website), and it continues the service till the last flight arrivals.
That’s an excellent asset if flying to Stockholm. They never let their visitors down in the dark. You can purchase the tickets online through the website of Flygbussarna and print out or buy at the bus driver; the ticket costs 29 euro for a round trip.
Beware: if you buy a ticket on the bus, it only accepts credit cards. By the way, Stockholm is a cash-free city; you can pay everywhere by cards.
How Expensive Is Stockholm?
The Nordic countries are known as not a budget-friendly destination. I have been to other cities in Scandinavia; I found Stockholm is not so expensive in comparison to its neighboring countries. However, due to its popularity, I reckon Stockholm is the most expensive city in Sweden. I recommend you do some research before you go. You’ll be grateful if you follow this advice as it can save you some bucks during your stay in the city.
Prices on accommodation
Inexpensive restaurants
You can have a good meal for less expense. Restaurants are sprawling around the city. If you’re not picky, the best budget options are those Asian restaurants. There are incredibly lots of Asian food in Stockholm.
We have two repeatedly Asian dinners — on the first night, we had the Mongolian buffet food for 189 SEK (17.50 euro) at MBQ restaurant. The second night is a Thai buffet for 188 SEK at Pong Klara restaurant– these are affordable meals in Stockholm as well as an alternative for vegetarians as there were assorted fresh vegetables on the side.
On our last night in Stockholm, we had Italian food at Vapiano Restaurant. It cost a little more than the previous nights. Uh well for once we’re not going broke spending a little more on the last day in Stockholm.
During the day, you can grab some street food; Yes, you got me right! You will find food stands in Stockholm. It will not be the same as street food in Bangkok, but for a nibble, it is sufficient, then go for a good meal in the evening.
Getting Around The City
Stockholm is a relatively compact city; walking is best when exploring the city. But if walking not your thing, the Stockholm subway is the cheapest way. The rechargeable pass costs 13 euro for a 24-hour plus 2€ additional fee for the card.
If you ever return to Stockholm in the future, you can reuse the card by topping an amount on it. The system gives you an unlimited ride with a metro around the city. Besides, most metro stations in Stockholm are admirable, a peculiar design that I’ve never seen in Europe.
Another option is the Stockholm pass. It gives lots of benefits, which provides free entry to many museums. Unlimited ride with the tourist bus and boat. The passes are available for 1, 2, 3, and 5 days. It may not the cheapest mode of transport, but the easiest way to see the all the sights in the city.
We purchase a two days pass for 88 euros. They are for sale in any Pressbyran; it is a chain of Swedish convenience stores, you’ll find them around the city center.
First Day In Stockholm
It can be overwhelmed where to start your day in Stockholm. Planning makes perfect! We start at the City hall as it was a walking distance from our hotel.
Stockholm City Hall
The city hall is the most striking sights of Stockholm and can’t be miss during your visit to the city. The waterfront building has a high tower of 106 meters with a weather three golden crowns. Walking outside is free, and get your selfie by the water.
Also, you can join the guided tour inside, with an admission of 120 SEK. One of the rooms inside the city hall used for the Nobel Prize Banquet held every year in December. The towers with 356 stairs will treat for a spectacular view of Stockholm city.
Stockholm Boat Tour
If you hold a Stockholm Pass, get your free ticket on the ticket booth by showing the pass. A sightseeing tour for a 2.5-hour with a guide on board tells you about the history of the various sights. The untouched nature of the unique archipelago can only see on the cruises. Experience a journey with beautiful views and fascinating stories.
Explore The Djurgarden Peninsula
After getting off the boat, we took the tourist bus to Djurgarden, an island in the center of Stockholm. In the past, this was the game park for the royal family. Nowadays, become one of the most visited locations in Stockholm.
You can spend the entire day in Djurgarden as there are so many things to do. You’ll find the amusement park Grona Lund, the Abba museum, Skansen open-air museum, and so on. During the weekend, it is so busy, as the local people spend with families in the area. There is no shortage of things to do, various museums to visit in Djurgarden, and mostly included in the Stockholm pass except for the Abba Museum.
How to get there: The tourist bus stops infront on the gate of Skansen open-air museum. The other option is tak,ing tram number 7.
Skansen Open-Air Museum
Skansen’s open-air museum shows an overview of Sweden’s history. It is like walking back in time, the existence of many buildings dated from the 18th or 19th centuries, which nowadays used for shops such as crafts, glassmaking, smithy, etc. where a demonstration showed.
The admission price is 170 SEK for the open-air museum, and if you want to see the Aquarium is an additional fee of 120 SEK. But if you have a Stockholm pass, you can get in for free, also to the Aquarium. It can take a half-day if you want to see the whole area.
The Viking Museum
I hardly knew the Vikings, but on my trip to Iceland, it was the first Viking museum I’ve ever been to (Saga Museum). At that point, I started reading about their stories. And when I heard that there’s a one in Stockholm, I’d wanted to see it. However, for the people without Stockholm pass, I find the entrance fee too much 159 SEK, and it was not worth the price compares to the one I saw in Iceland.
What you see inside are some exhibitions displayed and pieces of information about the Normans. And on your way out, you’ll come to a room where you take a train ride through a tunnel, which shows the model panoramas about the Vikings.
Vasa Museum
It is an enormous museum with an admission of 150 SEK, genuinely worth paying the price — the maritime history with an intact 17-century warship that has rescued. You’ll receive a leaflet at the entrance where explains everything. The Vasa ship was a generally recognized symbol of prosperity and power. In the museum, you can view a replica of a Vasa warship and the collections of objects.
The Old Town- Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan is the old town and remarkable part of Stockholm, full of medieval buildings. You can endlessly walk through narrow streets and alleys. Moreover, you will find beautiful colored houses in Stortorget; this square is one of the most photographed spots in Stockholm. It’ll remind me of the Nyhavn in Copenhagen. Also, the main shopping street Vasterlanggatan is one of the most picturesque streets of Gamla Stan, where you find lots of souvenir shops and restaurants.
The Nobel Prize Museum
While in Stortorget square, you’ll see the Nobel Prize Museum. There’s an admission of 120 SEK but free with Stockholm pass. It is primarily a museum with information about all Nobel Prize winners, which held every year in December in Stockholm.
Moreover, you’ll see different displays of the individual winners. Such as an exhibition of scientists who have been photographed to keep their explanations of their discoveries. Thus, there was quite a lot of information about the developments of the last decades.
Second Day In Stockholm
We start the day with the hop-on-hop-off bus. Although, we behold the big part already, yet beautiful to see the whole city from the upper deck. We took the entire route, which takes 1h 30 minutes the full loop. It goes beyond the city center to the Kaknas tower and onto cruise terminals. It was worth taking the time to see what’s outside Stockholm.
Post Museum
As there were lots of museums included in the Stockholm pass, we’ve tried to see all of them. But personally, not all of the museums which include on the pass worth seeing, such as the Post museum. The regular tariff of 80 SEK, is not worthy of what you see inside.
There was an exhibition of old post cars, vintage stamps, historical postal items, as well as a library. It may be interesting for the stamp collector, or one wants to see unusual things. We roam briefly, but the museum is not my sort of thing to see. So within ten minutes, we’re back outside.
Royal Palace
The palace has an imposing exterior, as well as the interior — a worth to see when visited Stockholm. A beautiful place of interest, if you are planning to gain a lot of knowledge, you can spend a few hours inside.
A guided tour is also available if you want to know the history of the palace. But you can individually roam inside at your ease. The admission of 160 SEK enables you to visit the Royal Apartments, Treasury, and the Tre Kronor Museum. Free for Stockholm pass holder.
Go on top of the globe - The Skyview
The Skyview is the panoramic gondola that runs on the external surface of the Ericsson Globe, the world’s largest spherical building. It will show 360 degrees of overground view from south Stockholm. Assuredly if the weather is good, otherwise, it will be a waste of money as you won’t see anything from the top.
The admission of 160 SEK rather expensive for people without the Stockholm pass, as the whole thing takes 20 minutes only includes the audio clip, which explains background information on the construction.
Tips on getting there: The location of Skyview is quite far outside the city center. The green subway line number 19 for Hagsatra and Hogdalen gets you here in only a couple of minutes from T-Centralen and get off at Globen subway station.