Stockholm in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Sweden's capital city , Stockholm, is a place with a history of more than 700 years. Its picturesque streets invite you from the first moment you walk through them to discover its museums, monuments, palaces and other destinations. You can also stroll along its canals and lakes, made up of approximately 50 bridges, which connect the islands of this town.

During your three-day stay you will find many places to visit. You'll just have to organise your itinerary and make the most of every minute. For example, some of the best things to do in Stockholm include exploring the Old Town or Gamla Stan, discovering the natural areas and nearby towns, visiting places like the Shipwreck Museum or the Viking Museum on Djurgarden Island, among other activities. Here's how to make the most of every day!

The aim of this day is to explore Stockholm's Old Town , better known as Gamla Stan. You will see the Royal Palace, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Riddarholmen Church, the Nobel Prize Museum, Marten Trotzig Grand Street, Stortoget Square and the Palace of Parliament.

Stockholm's Royal Palace

Your first day's adventure in Stockholm begins at the Royal Palace, located a couple of minutes' walk, approximately 170 metres, from the Old Town. It is an imposing 11-storey building with around 600 rooms, built in the 18th century and the official residence of the Swedish kings.

You can visit the interior of the palace on your own or take a guided tour of Stockholm's Old Town. You will be amazed by its architectural beauty, ornaments, works of art, furniture and more. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy the changing of the Royal Guard, which takes place just outside. It usually takes place at 12:15 pm, but this varies depending on the time of year.

• Price: Admission to the palace is around €13 (adults) and approximately €6 (children aged 7-17).
• Opening hours: 10am-5pm if you are in Stockholm in May and until mid-September. The rest of the year the palace closes one hour earlier (16:00) and is not open on Mondays.

Stockholm's St. Nicholas Cathedral

From the previous destination you will have to walk about 77 metres along Högvaktsterrassen, about 1 minute, to the next destination, St. Nicholas Cathedral. This church, built during the 13th century, was the first church in the city.

When you arrive you will be amazed by the Baltic Gothic architecture of the building. You will see its ochre-coloured brick façade and, inside, you will see great religious treasures such as the statue of St. George and the dragon, carved in wood and from the Medieval period. Also, the pulpit of the church with its French Baroque style from the early 17th century, among other things.

• Price: approximately 5€ per person.
• Opening hours: from 9:00 to 16:00 from October to April, from 9:00 to 17:00 from May to September, and from 9:00 to 18:00 from June to August.

Riddarholmen Church

Next stop is Riddarholmen Church. You will have to walk about 350 metres from St. Nicholas Cathedral in the direction of Storkyrkobrinken and Riddarholmsbron. This is a funerary and memorial church, where the Swedish rulers of history rest.

In this monastery you can see the tombs of medieval kings such as Magnus Ladulås, whose rule spanned from 1275 to 1290; Karl Knutsson Bonde, who first ascended the throne in 1448. Also, regents from King Gustav II (d. 1632) to King Gustav V (d. 1950).

• Price: about €4 for adults and about €2 for children aged 7-17.
• Opening hours: open daily from May to September from 10am to 5pm, from October to November only on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm and from December to April it is closed.

The Nobel Prize Museum

Once you have finished your tour of Riddarholmen Church, you will need to walk about 650 metres, a walk of about 9 minutes along Riddarhustorget to reach the Nobel Prize Museum. It was opened in 2010 to mark the centenary of this legendary award.

With tickets to the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm you can discover the history of the Nobel Prize and all the laureates, as well as the legacy they have left for peace, science and literature. In addition, if you are in Stockholm in December you can see temporary exhibitions on the occasion of the annual Nobel Prize award ceremony.

• Price: around €12 per person, reduced price of around €8 for over 65s and free for under 18s.
• Opening hours: open daily from June to August from 9:00 to 20:00, from September to May from Tuesday to Thursday from 11:00 to 17:00, Friday from 11:00 to 20:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.

Walk along Marten Trotzig Grand Street

Another must-see on your itinerary is Marten Trotzig Grand Street, at least 350 metres away from the Nobel Prize Museum. This is a rather curious destination, considered to be the narrowest street in the entire city, at just 90 centimetres wide.

When you arrive, you will find a flight of 36 steps, which make up the picturesque alley. You will be able to take some photographs and observe the graffiti on the walls. Also, if you join one of the best Stockholm tours of Gamla Stan, you might discover some interesting facts about this place that was closed during the 18th century.

Stroll around Stortoget Square

From the narrow Marten Trotzig Grand Street you'll go to what might be Stockholm's oldest square, Stortoget. Walk back in the direction of Västerlånggatan for about 350 metres or 5 minutes. This is a very lively, picturesque place with a lot of history.

You will see the colourful houses surrounding the square, old buildings such as the one currently occupied by the Swedish Academy, formerly the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Also, if you are in Stockholm at Christmas time, you will find a flea market with decorations, lights and seasonal products.

Stockholm's Parliament Palace

Your day's tour ends with a visit to the Parliament Palace. It is a 600-metre, 8-minute walk from Stortoget Square along Slottskajen Street. The monumental building, erected between 1897 and 1905, occupies a large part of the island of Gamla Stan and has a neoclassical style, neo-baroque elements inside and a baroque Renaissance façade.

You can enter the interior of the palace and enjoy a free guided tour. You will tour the two wings of this building, immersing yourself in its history. You will then return to the city centre for a stroll through the streets and discover Stockholm by night, or perhaps take a culinary tour of Stockholm' s restaurants.

• Price: admission is free.
• Opening hours: from September to June weekends from 12:00 to 15:00, with tours every 60 minutes. Meanwhile, in summer (June to August) access is Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 15:00, with tours every 60 minutes.

The aim of this day is to disconnect from the city to visit the natural areas and towns near Stockholm through a guided activity. You can explore the Stockholm Archipelago, the Nacka Nature Reserve or the Viking villages of Uppsala and Sigtuna.

Option 1: Tour the Stockholm Archipelago

If you like adventures on the water then during day2 in Stockholm you can tour the city's archipelago by boat or, if you're more adventurous, by kayak. You'll sail through a labyrinth of beautifully scenic islands and can make a few stops to take advantage of the viewpoints.

There are several options for this day-long experience. For example, you can take one of the best boat trips around Stockholm, where you can just relax on deck and take in your surroundings. Or join a kayak tour of Stockholm and paddle in the company of an expert on these magical waters.

Useful information

• Price: boat trips start at around €30 per person, while kayak tours cost a minimum of around €60 per person.
• Duration: 5 to 8 hours (depending on the type of experience selected and your needs).

Option 2: Discover the Nacka Nature Reserve outside of Stockholm

Another great escape from Stockholm is to the Nacka Nature Reserve, located approximately 20 minutes' drive from the city centre. There, you will be in direct contact with nature for a whole day, leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind.

After meeting your driver-guide in Stockholm, you will travel to the reserve, where you will be able to do various activities:

• You will walk through dense forests with centuries-old oak trees, mushrooms and a variety of nature.
• You willsee local wildlife such as foxes, moose, beavers, deer and birds of prey.
• You will participate in a lunch and cook on a campfire.
• You will view the landscape of cliffs, blue-water lakes and vibrant green areas from viewpoints.

Useful information

• Price: around 93€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours.

Option 3: Visit the Viking villages of Uppsala and Sigtuna from Stockholm

Exploring Viking history and culture is an opportunity not to be missed on your visit to Stockholm. Embark on a one-day adventure from the city to the villages of Uppsala and Sigtuna to discover the hidden gems of both regions.

Together with a driver-guide you will travel to Uppsala (53 minutes from Stockholm). There, you will see a series of burial mounds from the 5th and 6th centuries, belonging to Viking kings; the cathedral of this town, erected in 1164 to replace a Viking pagan temple, and more. Next, you will travel to Sigtuna (36 minutes), where you will see the ruins of St. Olaf's Church and stroll through streets lined with cafes and shops.

Useful information

• Price: about 150€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 to 10 hours.

The proposal for your last day in the city is to visit some of the best museums in Stockholm located on Djurgarden Island. There, you can visit the Shipwreck Museum, the Nordic Museum, the Viking Museum, the ABBA Museum and the open-air Skansen Museum.

Stockholm Shipwrecks Museum

The third day's itinerary in Stockholm starts at the Shipwreck Museum, located approximately 15 minutes' drive from the city centre. Here you will see a 17th century ship, which sank in the Baltic Sea in 1628, the very day of its inauguration. It was salvaged in 1961 and a large part of it was reconstructed.

In the museum you will enjoy an extensive collection of some 40,000 objects preserved under the sea. There are interactive exhibits, holograms and much more. Basically, with tickets to Vrak, the Stockholm Shipwreck Museum, you will have access to the shipwreck finds and archaeological discoveries.

• Price: Tickets cost approximately €18 per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 17:00.

The Nordic Museum in Stockholm

From the Shipwreck Museum you walk about 230 metres or 3 minutes in the direction of Galärvarvsvägen and you will arrive at the Stockholm Nordic Museum. In this Renaissance-style building, you will find a historical and cultural record of Sweden, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary period.

In the museum's rooms you will learn about the lifestyle of the Nordic people. You will see furniture, jewellery, photographs, portraits, costumes, everyday objects, and more. You will also learn about the rituals they used to celebrate and about the northern European ethnic group, the Sami.

• Price: from €12 per person. Children under 18 are free.
• Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 17:00.

The Viking Museum in Stockholm

At the end of your visit to the Nordic Museum, you should walk approximately 550 metres or about seven minutes to the northwest of Galärvarvsvägen. There you will find the Stockholm Viking Museum, where you will have a unique experience: interactive areas, ancient artefacts, ships from the 9th century and the Viking train with its special effects.

With tickets to the Viking Museum in Stockholm, you will learn all about Viking culture up close and you will have the opportunity to feel like a Nordic warrior, trying on costumes and accessories from the time. Ideal if you are in Stockholm with children.

• Price: the approximate entrance fee is €19 per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 11:00 to 17:00 and Saturday to Monday from 10:00 to 18:00.

The ABBA Museum in Stockholm

For your next destination, you will need to purchase tickets for ABBA The Museum in Stockholm. This venue, considered one of the newest on the island, is at least 270 metres away from the Viking Museum. You will enter the universe of one of Sweden's most famous bands of the 70's, ABBA.

In this museum, you will see exhibits with the iconic costumes worn by Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid during their performances. You'll also find musical instruments, gold records and other awards, photographs, magazine covers in which they appeared, reproductions of stage sets and recording studios, virtual reality rooms, etc.

• Price: each person pays around €22 for their ticket.
• Opening hours: every day from 10:00 to 18:00.

The Skansen Open-Air Museum in Stockholm

To finish the tour of this third day in Stockholm, you will have to walk an average of five minutes from the previous destination. This way, you will find the Skansen Open Air Museum. This is a farm and zoo, where you will experience the life of the Nordic people before the advent of industrialisation.

With tickets to the Skansen open-air museum in Stockholm you will have a different time. You will see how some everyday jobs were done : shoemaking, glassblowing, butter, textiles and more. You will also see some animals: reindeer, moose and more. And before you leave, you will enjoy a typical dessert and coffee at the traditional Swedish fika or rest break.

• Price: Tickets to the museum cost approximately €18 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 to 16:00, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 to 15:00 and Friday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.

If you're wondering about ways to get around the Swedish capital, I have to tell you that the Stockholm sightseeing bus is the best option to discover the city at your own pace and cover long distances in one 3-day tour. You will be able to save time and money while moving from one attraction to another through its two routes, which operate from 10:00 to 16:00 hours.

You will have the red bus route at your disposal. With more than 25 stops, you can access places such as the Toy Museum, Gamla Stan or the old town centre, the City Hall, St. Nicholas Cathedral, among other destinations.

The green boat route will give you a perspective of the city from its lakes and canals. You'll have nine stops at your disposal , including the Vasa Museum, the Royal Palace, the Stadsgården cruise terminal, the Gröna Lund amusement park and more.

Another important fact is that the Stockholm Tourist Card is an ideal way to save on your 3-day itinerary. You will enjoy free access to dozens of attractions (museums, monuments, amusement parks and other experiences) and without queuing in most cases.

With the Stockholm All-Inclusive Pass you can take a boat trip on the canals, visit the Nordic Museum, the Fotografiska Museum, the Nobel Museum, Riddarholmen Church, the Royal Palace and more. Just scan the QR code on the pass from your mobile phone at the ticket office at each destination during the period of validity (1, 2, 3 or 5 days), depending on the card purchased.