Maddy Savage

Welcome to Stockholm, where its terrific ABBA Museum barely scratches the surface of all the incredible things there are to do here (obviously, you should still visit the ABBA Museum. It’s great). This city is full of great shopping opportunities, brunch spots, galleries and more; you just have to know where to look.  Once you get into what Stockholm’s really about, you’ll find this city’s attractions range from cold water swimming and hidden gardens to lakeside food markets and indie cinemas doing breakfast screenings. You heard us! Whatever you’re into, Stockholm’s got it. Read on for its best things to do right now.  RECOMMENDED:🍽️ The best restaurants in Stockholm🍷 The best bars in Stockholm🏘️ Where to stay in Stockholm🏛️ The best museums in Stockholm🏠 The best Airbnbs in Stockholm🏨 The best hotels in Stockholm This guide was last updated by Phoebe Egoroff, 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. 

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 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

What is it? An island in Stockholm that’s a must-do when you’re visiting the city. Is it worth visiting? Like museums? You’re in the right place. This island is where you’ll find ABBA The Museum, which combines nostalgic memorabilia with quirky interactive exhibits, Vasa Museum, which is home to a giant 17th century salvaged ship, and the open-air Skansen, visitors can stroll through five centuries of Swedish houses and farmsteads and observe wild Nordic animals. Where is Djurgården and how do I get there? Although Djurgården is easy to access from the city centre by tram or on foot, it’s well worth hopping on a public ferry from Slussen (you can use a regular SL transport card), for dazzling views across Stockholm’s historic Old Town and the capital’s most expensive, yacht-packed street, Strandvägen.  Time Out tip Food options on Djurgården are pricey and there’s no proper supermarket. Pack a picnic and tuck in on the waterfront behind the Vasa Museum, or find a spot off one of the grassy trails. This guide was fact-checked and updated in 2024.  📍 Discover the best restaurants in Stockholm

You probably won’t be able to nap on the giant double bed or homey sofas inside Laika, a loud industrial-vintage venue with a focus on live acts and DJs. Offering everything from techno and indie to spoken word and stand-up comedy, it’s one of creative Södermalm’s most sociable spots, pulling in twenty and thirty-somethings from across the capital. Be prepared for long queues after 11pm on weekends. During quieter evenings, there are retro board games to keep you occupied. You’ll find Laika on the second floor of a sprawling angular glass building known as Hornhuset, which also houses a tapas restaurant, a pizza-joint-slash-sports-bar and a small rooftop terrace. Don’t be put off by the fact that it’s an offshoot of a shopping mall, but do be aware this is a place beloved by bearded hipsters, in case that’s not your thing. There are tasty locally-brewed beers on tap, although the wine list is more limited. Time Out tip: The giant swing next to the DJ booth is worth queuing for.

Cosy nostalgia envelopes this intimate spot named after it’s owner’s grandparents, who lived in the bar’s formerly working class neighbourhood, Hornstull, back in the 1930s. Bertil was a glassblower, while Judit had grown up on a farm. The pair met at a dance on Stockholm’s Djurgården island. Their names beam out from art deco neon lights on the building’s facade, while inside you’ll find the food and drink menu crafted from magnetic white letters stuck on a retro black letter board. There’s a fair wine and spirit selection, though don’t expect detailed suggestions from bar staff during weekends, when Judit and Bertil can lose a little of its rustic charm and get uncomfortably packed. Expect old skool hip hop or chilled electro on the stereo, alongside frequent appearances from live DJs. Time Out tip: If you’re peckish and fed up of Stockholm prices, Judit and Bertil is just around the corner from one of the city’s most underrated budget grub spots, Daisy’s. It’s a fast food cabin with waterside views, specialising in wraps, burgers and hot dogs. Find it at Hornstulls Strand 2.

An unassuming 1960s former office block (that’s also currently home to student accommodation and a shopping centre) is the somewhat improbable location for one of Stockholm’s best-loved high-altitude drinking spots. Himlen is on the 26th floor of a skyscraper slap-bang in the middle of the artsy Södermalm district. The panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows take in the island’s most colourful park, Tantolunden, and the green nineteenth century spires of Sofia Church. You can also see the iconic Ericsson Globe (known to locals as Globen), the world’s largest spherical building, which hosts concerts and sports games. Himlen’s cocktails are fantastic: strong, well-balanced and presented with flair. The bar’s location away from Stockholm’s somewhat snootier districts typically draws a varied and interesting crowd. Time Out tip: Head up to Himlen at sunset for the best photo opportunities, or sneak a peek over lunch, when the normally pricey restaurant area offers great value daily deals.

Glowing pastel-coloured neon signs, exposed giant silver pipes and walls lined with chaffed white square tiles set the tone for this industrial-chic bar. Located in the on-trend Mariatorget district—packed with art galleries, thrift shops and up-and-coming Scandinavian fashion labels—it draws in edgy locals as well as creative types priced out of this increasingly gentrified former working class heartland. Drinks-wise there’s plenty of lagers and locally-sourced ales to choose from and a short but decent cocktail list. DJs are a frequent addition on weekends, playing to the crowd from a mini loft above the back bar area. Time Out tip: If you don’t feel well-groomed enough to blend in, there’s a boutique barber shop in Morfar Ginko’s basement.

This jetty bar is packed with blooming plants and flowers, string lights popping with primary colours and an unpretentious gay-friendly crowd. Floating on the water next to one of the city’s most stunning tree-lined footpaths, Norr Mälarstrand, Mälarpaviljongen also boasts incredible views towards Södermalm island (ook out for the iconic red-brick former brewery, Munchenbryggeriet). Sipping a glass of champagne or a rosé on the wooden sun deck at Mälarpaviljongen during a hot day is about as good as it gets during Stockholm’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it summertime. On cooler days, look out for the soft grey woolen rugs dotted around the venue and wrap up with a coffee and a slice of cake from the cafe area closest to the walkway. Note that Mälarpaviljongen is typically closed between October and April.  Time Out tip: The beautifully presented snacks lined up along the bar (think luxury nuts in hinged jam jars and strawberries stacked in giant wine glasses) look tempting, but they are well overpriced even by Stockholm standards.

Overlooking the cobblestones of Stortorget, Stockholm’s oldest square, this polished craft cocktail bar was once home to the city’s first pharmacy. In a nod to its medieval roots, the dark wooden walls are designed to look like a pantry of medicine drawers, each labelled with Latin words for traditional apothecary ingredients. A changing roster of creative drinks infused with herbs and spices are available from the green marble bar. Elsewhere, you’ll find a souq-style lounge area flanked by embroidered carpets and red-fringed armchairs. Expect a low-key, romantic vibe during the week, with live DJs encouraging a more sociable atmosphere over the weekend. Book ahead to guarantee a table. If you’re feeling hungry, don’t miss the snack pairings, specifically designed to complement individual cocktails. Time Out tip: While Pharmarium is hands-down one of the best winter venues in Stockholm, it opens up a cute wooden terrace during summer that often lacks the crowds of the city’s famed waterfront hangouts.

Swedes have a penchant for hotel bars and The Grand Hotel is, as its name suggests, a classic high-end choice for those after a decadent tipple. It’s a waterfront landmark, looking out towards Stockholm’s Royal Palace, so grab the perfectly-plumped oversized sofas by the windows in the light and airy front lounge section to get the best view. Alternatively, bed down in the moodier, mahogany-paneled back area where the bar itself is located. Unsurprisingly it’s all a little pretentious, so this place won’t be for everyone. But the Grand Hotel’s impeccable service reflects the fact that it’s been welcoming the city’s well-heeled elite, alongside global intellectuals, dignitaries and celebrities for more than a century. The sommeliers here really know their stuff, although beware wine and spirit prices are steep, even when compared to other swanky spots in the city. Time Out tip: The Grand Hotel’s waterfront bar is also one of Stockholm’s classic afternoon tea spots. If you don’t want to splurge on the full menu, a basic cuppa or a coffee is affordable and on weekdays you should have plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the view.