Maddy Savage

Spring 2025: As the körsbärsträd (cherry blossom trees) in Kungsträdgården begin to bloom, the Swedish capital comes alive. After a long, dark winter, Stockholmers are desperate for sunlight and the outdoors, and the city is always eager to oblige. The clack of joiners’ hammers building new uteserveringar seasonal terraces in front of bars, cafes and restaurants is the soundtrack to spring. Plus, events such as Valborg Fire festival (April 30), Stockholm Art Week (May 13-18) and the start of open-air concert season at Gröna Lund amusement park (May 9-September 11, gronalund.com) are all great excuses to get out and explore.  IMy love affair with Stockholm stretches back two decades (even though I’ve lived here only two years) – as long as I’ve had a Swedish significant other in my life. In that time, my relationship with the city has evolved and deepened in all sorts of interesting ways. As a young man I remember feeling dumbstruck by how cool and beautiful everything in Stockholm seemed to be, from its seemingly endless waterfront and elegant architecture to its abundance of hip design shops, cafes, bars and clubs. These days, as a dad-of-two, I’m simply grateful for the excellent standard of living the Swedish capital supports. But the rest is still pretty cool too. Here are the best things to do in Stockholm. How to have the perfect day in Stockholm Start your perfect day in Stockholm with posh eggs on bread at one of the city’s most popular breakfast cafes Pom & Flora (b

It can get a little cold in Stockholm, but its restaurants? They’re hot. The Swedish capital has long been a haven for those with curious appetites, and the city’s ever-increasing diversity has made space for new restaurants and pop ups everywhere you turn. Now, the city is rich with both trendy and traditional spots – you just have to know where to look.  Here you’ll find Michelin-starred New Nordic spots, Middle Eastern gems, seafood and veggie neighbourhood joints. Oh, and you’re in Sweden. You have to sample the meatballs (even if you claim you’ve already tried them in IKEA). Here are the best restaurants in Stockholm right now.  RECOMMENDED:🛍️ The best spots for shopping in Stockholm📍 The best things to do in Stockholm🍽️ The best restaurants in Stockholm🏘️ Where to stay in Stockholm Words, restaurant reviews and photos by Stockholm-based writers Malcolm Jack and Maddy Savage. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

In Stockholm, you get what you pay for. And it’s the same for the drinks. Yes, you’ll likely find a (much) higher price point here than other European cities, but the bar scene here is absolutely top notch.  From huge, sprawling beer gardens to quirky little basement cocktail bars, Stockholm’s got it all. And all against a backdrop of beautiful scenery, elegant bars, cobbled streets and blue lakes. Whatever your vibe, here are the best bars in Stockholm right now.  RECOMMENDED:🛍️ The best spots for shopping in Stockholm📍 The best things to do in Stockholm🍽️ The best restaurants in Stockholm🏘️ Where to stay in Stockholm  This guide was updated by Maddy Savage, a writer based in Stockholm. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Stockholm is pretty much great all year round, but depending on which trip you want, you might want to think a little bit about the time of year you’re visiting. Come in summer for your boat trips, and in winter for your cosy bar crawls. That sort of thing.  So we’ve laid out the ultimate guide to when to visit Stockholm, including everything from when festivals are on to when it gets dark. Whether you’re a winter, summer, spring or autumn kinda person, read on for when to visit Stockholm.  RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Stockholm🛍 The best places to go shopping in Stockholm🏞 The best day trips from Stockholm

When it comes to camera-ready sights, you could hardly do better than photogenic Stockholm. With its 14 island coastlines, the majestic parks and gardens that cover a third of the city, and excellent cultural things to do every which way you turn, this compact metropolis crams in top attractions like Swedish Surströmming (herring). Best of all, many of the most awe-inspiring outdoor landmarks can be taken in for absolutely nada – from Old Town square Stortorget’s rainbow-hued townhouses to the 27-square-kilometre Royal National City Park on Djurgården island. Public museums stopped charging entry fees in 2016, but unfortunately the city’s most cutting-edge cultural attractions still come at a price. Art and photography galleries Artipelag and Fotografiska earn their spots on our list with accessible, carefully-curated exhibitions and fantastic food offerings. And the cringe stakes were high for Abba The Museum, which opened in 2013, but the tech-savvy Swedes behind it have created an unmissable interactive experience that shines a spotlight on the nation’s biggest musical export. Not to mention all manner of pioneering bars and restaurants that have become tourist magnets in themselves (you could spend your whole trip pretty much just hopping from meal to meal). Foodie or not, and whether you’re here just for the weekend or much longer, these top attractions in Stockholm are sure to fit your bill.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Stockholm This article in

Stockholm is a visitor’s dream when it comes to public transportation. The city’s subway network is intuitive and efficient and runs through the night on weekends. Buses, trams, commuter trains and ferries also connect the capital’s 14 islands – and all their top attractions. Almost all these options are operated by the same company, Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL), so you can easily switch between different transport modes. Paper or mobile tickets cost 44 SEK for a 75-minute journey. But it’s usually better value to buy a plastic SL card for 20 SEK and top up with credit, or buy a 24-hour, 72-hour or weekly pass if you’re planning frequent trips. Whether you’re finding your way to your hotel or just want to get lost in the city – and then find a great bar or restaurant along the way – we’ve got you covered. RECOMMENDED: Your essential Stockholm travel guide

What’s the vibe? In the heart of Stockholm’s Brooklyn-inspired SoFo district, the legendary basement venue Ugglan is where locals literally seek out fun and games during gloomy winter evenings. Packed with twentysomething vintage-clad creatives, Ugglan is the place to indulge in table football, darts, boule, shuffleboard and air hockey, play the arcade machines or join in with a game of round-the-table ping pong. What should I order? There’s locally brewed beer on tap and street food to soak it all up with.  What are the prices like? There are heaps of package prices on offer, so it all depends on how many people and how long you plan to stay. Package prices come in hourly blocks (starting at 449 SEK), and drink tickets start at 88 SEK. If you just want one match without committing to the buffet, prices start at 199 SEK, with an extra 100 SEK per match. Time Out tip If you’re in a big group and keen to stay for the whole evening, the food and activity package deals are worth the money, giving you fixed time slots for up to three games and access to an all-you-can-eat buffet. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025. 📍Discover the best bars in Stockholm

What is it? With views sweeping over the glistening waters of Lake Mälaren, the spires of Stockholm’s medieval Old Town and one of the city’s prettiest, tree-lined boulevards, Norr Mälarstrand, this scenic trail offers perhaps the best panorama in the Swedish capital. Is it worth visiting? It’s a plum spot for watching the sunset and is a favourite haunt for local snappers when the Northern Lights are visible from Stockholm. The wooden path can be tricky to find, tucked above the charming cobbled streets that link the Slussen and Mariatorget neighbourhoods. But breathing in the cityscape from one of the benches dotted along the cliff path is an unforgettable experience well worth the effort. Just watch out in wintertime when sections can get scarily icy.   Time Out tip Evenings in Stockholm are chilly, even during summer, so bring up a hot drink from one of the indie coffee houses in nearby Slussen. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025. 📍Discover the best things to do in Stockholm

What is it? More than a hundred allotments and brightly painted tiny wooden cottages tucked away on Tantolunden’s hillside make this one of the city’s most colourful parks year-round. Is it worth visiting? The plots, called kolonilott, are a world away from the make-do-and-mend vegetable patches and ramshackled sheds that can typify community gardens in other parts of Europe. Instead, think perfectly-manicured flower beds and terracotta-red miniature homes that you can even cook or nap in. Elsewhere in the park there’s mini golf, two outdoor gyms and plenty of benches from which to watch passing boats during summer. In winter, it’s a well-trodden spot for a Sunday stroll, or even a toboggan ride when the snow falls.   Time Out tip Hike up the mound in the centre of the park to get some great panoramic photos over the water towards the shiny new Liljeholmen development. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025. 📍Discover the best things to do in Stockholm

What’s the vibe? Off the beaten path for many travellers, this former industrial wasteland turned award-winning urban eco-district is worth a visit to check out its impressive energy-saving modern architecture (designed to reduce heat consumption) or to bike along its pristine waterfront cycle lanes. If you don’t hire a city bicycle (note they’re only available during the summer), pick up the three-minute free ferry over from Södermalm or jump on a tram from Gullmarsplan station to get there. What should I order? To quench your thirst, make a stop at craft beer bar Nya Carnegiebryggeriet. Run by a team trained by the iconic Brooklyn Brewery in New York, it specialises in seasonal releases and limited-edition experiments. What are the prices like? Snacks and small plates cost between 45kr and 155kr, while main meals range from 205kr to 255kr. A guided tasting tour of the brewery costs 395kr (450kr on Fridays and Saturdays). Time Out tip If you’re not in the mood for a beer, soak up the atmosphere for free with a stop on the curved wooden seating deck on the waterfront next to Lugnets Allé. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025. 📍 Discover the best things to do in Stockholm

What is it? For most people, Stockholm doesn’t immediately conjure up images of tanning on an idyllic beach followed by an afternoon dip. But you can, in fact, do both, right in the city centre. Just a 15-minute stroll from urban Hornstull’s bustling coffee shops and bars is Långholmen island, one of the Swedish capital’s most frequented swimming spots. Is it worth visiting? With a modest sandy front, it’s surrounded by flat rocks and a grassy bank where locals love to picnic. Långholmen used to be the exact opposite of a place to chill out; from the eighteenth century until 1974 it was home to a prison. The buildings have now been converted into a smart hotel and hostel with a shady courtyard café—handy if you need a break from the sun.   Time Out tip There are good-quality outdoor cold showers at Långholmen’s bathing spot if you want to freshen up before heading back into the city. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025. 📍Discover the best things to do in Stockholm

What is it? Stockholm food hounds delight in hitting Hornstull’s waterfront on weekends between April and October, when it’s chock-a-block with independent vendors dishing up worldly gastronomic goodies from colourful trucks emblazoned with modish logos. Is it worth visiting? The roster changes from week-to-week, but recent seasons have served up vibrant vegetarian curries, gourmet American-style sliders and punchy Burritos. Tuck into your food on the large wooden seating platforms overlooking the water. Once your cravings have been satisfied, explore the rest of the bunting-strung market, which is a quaint mash-up of vintage clothes, knickknacks and vinyl, alongside contemporary arts and crafts produced by local designers.   Time Out tip To avoid the throng around the food trucks, take your pickings for a picnic in neighbouring Tantolunden Park. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025. 📍Discover the best things to do in Stockholm

What is it? This spacious airy gallery houses painstakingly-curated and frequently-changing exhibitions, inside an imposing red-brick former customs building. Recent collections include street photographer Bruce Gilden, contemporary artist Josèfa Ntjam and a striking exhibition on birthing stories by Emilia Bergmark-Jiménez.  What will I find there? The well-written exhibition guides are a welcome addition for novice photography fans. On the ground floor, the backroom exhibition is easily missed, but this wing frequently contains memorable and sometimes tear-jerking photojournalism, from clandestine images of war to celebrations of joy in the everyday. What should I eat? When you’ve had enough culture, head upstairs to The Bistro, an achingly stylish bar and café area which serves overpriced but very tasty snacks, fantastic coffee and a strong selection of quality wines. It’s open until 11pm most nights. For a proper sit down dinner, there’s also The Restaurant, serving up tasting menus for 650 SEK (£47, $58), excluding alcohol.  Time Out tip Jostle your way into a window seat in Fotografiska’s café for stunning panoramic views over Stockholm’s Old Town and Djurgården’s historic themepark Gröna Lund, open since 1883. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025.  📍 Discover the best things to do in Stockholm

What is it? While Stockholm’s city skyline is jaw-droppingly beautiful, the wider region’s jewel-in-the-crown is its dazzling archipelago, spilling out into the Baltic Sea. Here you’ll find thousands of islands, ranging from chic tourist spots boasting boutique hotels and sandy beaches, to deserted rocky outposts sprouting with pine trees. What should I see there? Navigating the area can feel overwhelming, and there’s less information in English than you’d expect online (perhaps a hint that Swedes want to keep this beautiful spot to themselves). But don’t feel the only answer is a package tour. Busses from Slussen station connect to the main commuter boat lines (yes, some Swedes are lucky enough to actually live in the archipelago), or you can catch slightly pricier direct ferries to popular destinations including Waxholm, Fjäderholmarna and Sandhamn from the city centre, run by transport companies Waxholmsbolaget and Cinderella Båterna. Time Out tip Head straight to the top deck as soon as you get on any ferry, to ensure you snag an outdoor seat. Booking on to the second crossing of the day can make for a less sardine-like journey in high season. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025.  📍 Discover the best things to do in Stockholm

What is it? This tribute to the glitziest band in Swedish history is chock-a-block with all the gold discs, chunky platforms and quirky memorabilia you’d imagine. Plus, there are some seriously clever interactive exhibits that give visitors the chance to perform on stage alongside Abba and dress up in virtual versions of some of the group’s famous sparkly outfits. Is it worth visiting? You don’t need to be a die-hard fan to enjoy it, and although entry is pricier than many of Stockholm’s other top attractions, you can easily while away half a day here. Be warned, you’ll probably be humming ‘Dancing Queen’ for hours afterwards. Should I pre-book the Abba Museum? You don’t have to, but you’ll save heaps of queuing time by booking online in advance. Oh, and be aware that there’s no money, money money (see what we did there?) accepted at this cash-free venue.  Time Out tip More contemporary free live music is regularly on offer in the adjacent Pop House hotel bar (open for drinks to non-guests).  This review was fact-checked and updated in 2024.  📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Stockholm

What’s the vibe? Sampling Swedish meatballs, served with buttery mash, lingonberry jam and a rich beef broth sauce is a must for any foodie visiting Stockholm, so avoid the tourist traps in the Old Town and head straight to the mighty Meatballs for the People in the hipster Södermalm district. What should I order? Opened in 2013, it specialises in the classic dish, alongside some deliciously creative contemporary variations, including vegetarian options. The portions aren’t huge, but the decent selection of Swedish ales and European wines, alongside a bright interior with a sociable long wooden bench, all add up to a memorable experience.  What are the prices like? Opt for a main course for one for around 230 kr (£17/$22), or go ham on the chef’s sharing selection for two or three people where you’ll get eight different types of balls – the large is 331 kr per person (£24.30/$30).  Time Out tip You usually need to book a week in advance to guarantee an evening table for dinner, but it’s much easier to drop in for lunch. There’s also a small deli here that sells packets of takeaway meatballs, so if you live in Stockholm or have access to a local kitchen, you can save some cash and embrace your inner Swedish chef. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2024.  📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Stockholm

What’s the vibe? An open fire is the focus at the Michelin-starred Ekstedt. It’s owner, celebrity chef Niklas Ekstedt, has revitalised traditional Scandinavian culinary techniques, taking inspiration from the slow-cooked meals of his childhood living in a tiny mountain village in northern Sweden. The result is some of the most exclusive New Nordic cuisine in the Swedish capital, all cooked without gas, electricity or microwaves. What should I order? Ekstedt’s a haven for Scandi design fans too, with compact wooden tables, exposed tungsten lights dangling from a mesh ceiling and a rustic stone bar. The seasonal menu is always changing, but previously hyped dishes have included a birch-fired wild duck served with fennel and lovage, and hay-flamed mushrooms with sweetbread and Jerusalem artichoke. The menu can be made vegetarian or vegan if you let them know beforehand.  What are the prices like? It’s a treat, but you’re not getting ripped off here. The food is worth it. Ekstedt’s set menu comes in at SEK 2.600 (£195, $248), with the wine pairing at an additional 1.600 (£117, $149).  Time Out tip Ekstedt is perfectly placed in the middle of the buzzing Stureplan neighbourhood, if you’re after an aperitif before your meal. We suggest going fully-French and grabbing a glass of champagne at Grand Escalier (inside the fancy Sturegallerian mall) which has a year-round open courtyard. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2024.  📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Stock

What’s the vibe? One of Sweden’s most celebrated restaurants since opening in 2008, Frantzen reinvented itself in 2017 in a big-budget city centre venue more than five times the size of its original spot in Stockholm’s Old Town, yet sticking to just 23 seats. It’s now 2024, and the attention to detail is still off-the-scale; this is Sweden’s only three-star Michelin restaurant, don’t you know.  The ambiance comes from opulent interiors, calm music (from the moment you step in the elevator) and impeccable service.  What should I order? As far as the food goes, offerings have previously included Swedish pork marinated for a week in soy and mirin, smoked for 24 hours and hung to dry for 100 days, and a Rubik’s cube-inspired desert with rows of colour-popping garlic and lemon peel, arctic bramble, brown cheese and liquorice. What are the prices like? Unsurprisingly, all this comes at a price. Frantzen has one of the most expensive tasting menus in Scandinavia, starting at 4800 SEK, before you’ve had a single drink. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairings are available.  Time Out tip If you’re feeling bougie, you can hire out Frantzen’s entire private area for 8-14 guests, where the tasting menu will set you back an eye-watering 5500 SEK. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2024.  📍 Discover more of the best restaurants in Stockholm