Stockholm attractions

The private residence of Sweden’s royal family, Drottningholm Palace (Drottningholms Slott) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s best-preserved 17th-century castles. Over the years successive royal residents have renovated the palace, which is inspired by French and Dutch styles and features lush rococo interiors and multiple baroque gardens.

One of Stockholm’s oldest buildings, set in its historic Gamla Stan (Old Town), the Riddarholm Church (Riddarholmskyrkan) is an instantly recognizable part of the city’s skyline. Built in the 13th century and best known as the final resting place for Sweden’s royals, it’s distinguished by a red-brick facade that’s now accompanied by a cast-iron spire.

The Nationalmuseum, Sweden’s most significant art museum, is located in central Stockholm and is home to an impressive collection of artworks from the 16th century to the beginning of the 20th century, including the world’s most extensive collection of portrait miniatures. The museum also has an art library open to the public and academics alike.

The Stockholm Archipelago (Stockholms Skärgård) is a trove of natural wonders, with miles of glittering ocean dotted with thousands of islands, rocky coves, and sandy beaches. Extending roughly 37 miles (60 kilometers) east of Stockholm, the vast archipelago offers ample opportunities for scenic cruises, day tours, and multi-day island-hopping tours.

"The Islet of Ships," as Skeppsholmen is called in Swedish, is really an emporium of museums. The smallest of Stockholm's islands, Skeppsholme lures savvy travelers away from the more famous Djurgården with a clutch of first-rate museums—the Moderna Museet and Östasiatiska Museet are among them. There's also a historic shipyard where traditional boats are still made.

Set on Lake Mälaren in Sweden’s scenic Lakeland region, Sigtuna is Sweden’s oldest town and was originally populated by Vikings. While strong remnants of the town’s Viking origins remain, Sigtuna is now full of brightly painted wooden townhouses, narrow streets, restaurants, and hotels.

One of Sweden’s foremost cultural attractions, Millesgarden is the former home of artists Carl and Olga Milles; today, it functions as a sculpture garden and art museum. Constructed beginning in 1908, the property features exhibition spaces, innovative architecture, and vast grounds, where sculptures mingle with the Swedish landscape.

An admirer of art rather than royal intrigue (and a painter himself), Sweden’s Prince Eugen collected a massive collection of paintings, sculptures, and art objects, now housed in his former palace: Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde. One of the country's most beautiful art museums, it is located on the southern tip of Djurgården island and surrounded by public gardens and Stockholm harbor.

Stockholm’s island of Kungsholmen is primarily residential and offers a laid-back escape from the tourist path and a chance to mix with locals. Here you’ll find lots of great restaurants, bars, and cafés, as well as opportunities for long strolls along the waterfront. Kungsholmen is home to Stockholm’s most prominent building, City Hall.

Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan) is known for being the oldest church in Stockholm, dating back to the 13th century. This magnificent building has been the site of royal weddings, while it hosts the opening of parliament each autumn. Visitors come here to see its beautiful interiors, including a wooden statue of St. George and the Dragon dating back to the 15th century, and for its weekly music concerts.

Offering some of the best panoramic views of Stockholm, SkyView is a unique attraction at the city’s Avicii Arena. Consisting of two glass gondolas that slowly scale the sides of the dome-shaped structure, and which offer 360-degree views of the cityscape, it’s an accessible way for families and visitors of all stripes to get to know the Swedish capital.

Inspired by Swedish children’s books—most notably Astrid Lindgren’s iconic Pippi Longstocking series—the Junibacken Children’s Museum is a vibrant discovery zone designed to capture the imagination and encourage creative play.

Nynäshamn Cruise Port is a gateway to the Swedish capital of Stockholm, as well as a jumping-off point for ferries servicing the region and as far as Gdansk. Visitors can explore the wider Swedish archipelago from Nynäshamn, or reach Stockholm—which is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south—by train, bus, or taxi in around an hour.

Sprawled across the Stockholm archipelago, the Swedish capital of Stockholm and the Stockholm Cruise Ports are a popular port of call for north European cruises. They're also the starting point for many Baltic cruises, with easy links to Helsinki in Finland, St. Petersburg in Russia, and Baltic countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

If you've ever wondered how Stockholmers lived in medieval times, the Museum of Medieval Stockholm (Medeltidsmuseet) is the place to find out. Built around the remnants of Stockholm’s 16th-century city walls, the small museum is crammed with artifacts that speak to the city’s medieval past and offer a unique glimpse into Sweden’s history.