Heading to Sweden and wondering what to do with one day in Stockholm? Keep reading for the ultimate Stockholm travel guide that includes everything you need to do with 24 hours in the city. Prepare to be amazed by this stunning Swedish capital and all it has to offer its visitors.
Stockholm is ranked as one of European’s best and most beautiful cities, and once you visit you will realize why! The unique architecture, rich history, and the amazing ambiance make it the perfect place to explore. Many people think of Paris or London when they imagine stunning capital cities but are surprised when Stockholm blows these two out of the park. You won’t find the same type of beauty and magic in many other places.
Stockholm is very clean, pretty, and safe. Which are three very important factors when traveling. The city melds the old and new seamlessly and beyond its beauty, Stockholm is full of museums and other interesting things to do. Also, for a Nordic country, the people are very friendly, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting everywhere you go.
After spending one day in Stockholm you will surely be planning your next visit back.
(Disclaimer: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and you may even receive a small discount. See disclosure for more information.)
In This Post
What to do with one day in Stockholm
Explore Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s gorgeous old town that dates back to the 1200s. It is a beyond charming area of Stockholm where you will find colorful buildings, cobblestoned streets, and hidden alleyways. This is the best place to explore with one day in Stockholm. Just getting lost in the beauty of the old streets and find some hidden gems along the way is wonderful.
The streets of Gamla Stan are full of cozy cafes, delicious restaurants, and trendy boutiques. This makes it the perfect place to explore in the morning, afternoon, and night. Each time of day has its pros and cons, but to avoid the crowds of tourists I suggest heading here in the early AM. The main square – Stortorget – is most beautiful with fewer people! But a great place to get lunch and admire the stunning architecture.
Gamla Stan is also where two other Stockholm attractions that are on this list are located; Storkyrkan cathedral and the Royal Palace. This makes finding them and seeing as much as possible in a limited amount of time a lot easier with only one day in Stockholm. It is also one of the best places to visit on a European girls trip!
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is located in Gamla Stan and is the official home to the king of Sweden. The palace was rebuilt in the 1700s due to a fire that destroyed the previous one. Here you will find an ornate exterior and a beautiful interior.
The palace has over 700 rooms and spending a few hours exploring the beauty inside is a great way to spend some time in Stockholm. Keep on the lookout for the Queens Silver Throne and the State Rooms. The State Rooms are full of period artwork pieces that are priceless.
At the Royal Palace, you can opt for a guided tour or walk around on your own. A guided tour is nice to see and hear as much as you can with your limited time during your one day in Stockholm.
Royal Chapel (Slottskyrkan)
The Royal Chapel is located inside the Royal Palace grounds and is a stunning church, to say the least. It was opened in 1754 and is still in use today. Due to its located beside the Royal Palace this church is often hosting ceremonies for the Royal family, as it has been for centuries. As a result, this is not only a beautiful church but also a very historically significant one.
Riddarholmen Church
Riddarholmen Church is one of the oldest churches in Sweden. It is a beautiful church and the burial place for various Swedish Monarchs. Inside the church, you will find carved crypt slabs on the floors and walls covered in colorful shields for notables who have been knighted into the Swedish Order. Although you can’t go right up to the crypts and coffins you can look through the gates for a glimpse. With one day in Stockholm, this is a must-see!
Abba Musuem
You can’t go to Sweden without doing something ABBA related. Therefore a visit to the famous ABBA museum is a must-visit during your one day in Stockholm. This museum is interactive and immersive and shows exhibits with the artist’s actual costumes and dressing room replicas. This museum is the perfect place to spend some time learning about music history and having fun. Plus there is an ABBA themed bar in the museum for drinks afterward.
The City Library in Stockholm
If you are a literature lover a quick stopover to The City Library in Stockholm is a must. Beyond the wide array of book options if offers, the library is a stunning architectural masterpiece just waiting to be explored. The library was designed by architect Gunnar Asplund in a unique cylinder style that is very rare and unusual. Due to its beauty, The City Library in Stockholm has been rated as one of the most beautiful Libraries in the world and a must-see when in Stockholm.
Stockholm Subway Art
A tour along the Stockholm subway line will bring you on one of the cheapest and most interesting art tours in the world. Various stations along the subway lines in Metro are completed covered in unique works of art. This ranges from paintings to installations to sculptures and more! You can easily spend a few hours riding underground and stopping at the marvelous stations to admire the ark works.
This is something truly unique and a wonderful way to experience the artistic side of Stockholm. Since you only have one day in Stockholm you have to know what lines to take and which stations to stop at to avoid getting lost along the way. The top stations are:
- Station Stadion (Red Line)
- T-Centralen (Intercepts all lines)
- Solna Centrum (Red Line)
- Tekniska Hogskolan
- Odenplan
Read More: Stockholm Metro Art Tour
Fika
Fika is a way of life for Swedish people, and when in Stockholm you must do as they do! It is a concept that means taking some time to sit with a good company and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and a small bite to eat. Engaging in this Swedish tradition is the perfect excuse to eat a fresh pastry and enjoy a warm drink. Fika allows you to step back and be present and enjoy the moment. Although your one day in Stockholm may be a little rushed, you can always find the time for Fika!
Östermalm
If you are a fast traveler or find yourself wanting to explore a different and less traveled side of Stockholm than a visit to Ostermalm is in order. This is an old area full of stunning architecture and beautiful surroundings. It is known for its charming bars and restaurants and boutiques! If you find yourself here you can spend a few hours wandering around and enjoy a beautiful side to Stockholm that attracts fewer tourists than other popular areas.
How to get into Stockholm
The best way to get from Arlanda Airport to the city center of Stockholm is via public transport. The best option is to take one of the city bus transfers that run from the airport to the City Terminal. The two bus options are Flygbussarna and Swebus and these busses run a few times a day and take around 40 minutes. The final stop is right beside T-Centralen so you can take the metro if you need to go anywhere else in the city.
A second, more pricy option is the Arlanda Express. This train brings you right to T-Centralen in around 20 minutes and runs every 15 minutes. With only one day in Stockholm every minute counts and if you are strapped or time, this is an easy and efficient option.
How to get around Stockholm
The quickest ay to get around Stockholm is with the metro called the Tunnelbana. This is an easy and quick transportation option perfect for seeing as much as possible in a limited time. You can buy single use tickets, 24 hour tickets or 72 hour tickets. If you plan on using the metro often during your one day in Stockholm a 24 hour ticket will end up being cheaper than continuously buying single use tickets.
Taxis are also an option in Stockholm, however, they are quite pricey. With the convenience and low cost of public transport, it is best to stick with those and only use a taxi if you need it.
Where to stay in Stockholm
It is best to stay in the city center / central area with a limited amount of time in Stockholm. This way you don’t waste time moving all around the city and can walk to the major attractions. Below are some accommodation options.
Stockholm Travel Tips
- The currency used is the Swedish krona
- Most places in Stockholm take card only, so don’t take out a ton of cash
- There are tons of healthy and vegan eatery options in Stockholm
- Happy hour begins at 4:30 in Sweden and this is when you can find some deals on drinks
- Avoid taxis by using public transport to its fullest
There is so much to see with one day in Stockholm and so little time. Use this post to guide your Stockholm adventures and don’t worry if you can’t do it all. Theres always next time!
Like this post PIN IT!
Love,
SSW
We had one day in Stockholm. We scrambled to a few spots in the drizzle. And were not dazzled because of the weather. Maybe if we had visited the Abba Museum we would have at least left tapping our toes. We did however find great coffee and a Fika stop. But we would definitely give the city a second try. It does look like there are lots of indoor spots to see too.
Stockholm looks like the perfect city. I have not been there but I am impressed by how clean and new the buildings look. I also love the subway art installations. A visit to the Abba museum would be a must for me.
We hesitated between Stockholm and Copenhagen a few years ago, and ended up visiting Copenhagen, which we liked a lot. So Stockholm is still on our bucket list. We’d love to see the subway art and of course the wonderful library, as we’re both book lovers! By the way, since we like exploring cities by foot, do you think it’s doable in Stockholm or better take the subway and/or taxi?
You can walk to a lot of the main attractions but a subway might be useful if you want to venture out to further places or to view the subway art. Taxies are really expensive in Stockholm so stay away from those if you can 🙂
Beautiful photos! We would love to visit Stockholm sometime. The Royal Chapel looks incredible!
Facade of Gamla Stan look so similar to the ones I saw in Arras. 700 rooms! I am so keen to explore the palace now. The City library looks amazing! Amazing display of books! Great place to spend a vacation. Hope it happens soon for me.