Heidi You’re travelling to Stockholm for the first time but you only have a few hours? A bit of a shame actually because Stockholm is really worth more of your time! But a few hours in Stockholm is still enough to fall in love with the city 🙂 And thanks to these tips for 12 hours in Stockholm you can make the most of it!
We assume you arrive at Centralen (= the main train station where both Flyggbussarna and the Arlanda Express etc arrive and depart). If you have luggage, you can leave it in the locker area. There are several locker area’s throughout the building.
Gamla Stan
From Centralen we immediately set foot for Gamla Stan. This is the old town centre of Stockholm where the Royal Palace is amongst the things you can visit. Stroll through the narrow streets of Gamla Stan and enjoy the typical (and colourful) architecture.
Do as the locals do and stop off at one of the many spots to have a fika. Café Kladdkakan and Chokladkoppen are very popular. Although those are very touristy, you still get a pretty authentic experience and may even spot some locals, as these spots are amongst the favourite ones of the locals.
We continue our walk in Stockholm towards Prästgatan. Hit for Mårten Trotzigs Gränd. This alley is only 90 cm wide and thus the narrowest alley in Stockholm.
Södermalm
Via Slussen we go on to Södermalm. This is the hipster island of Stockholm. Walk towards Fjällgatan. Here you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city. Moreover, it has a great lunch hotspot: Hermans.
Hermans serves a vegetarian buffet and tasty pastries. When the weather is nice, you can sit on the terrace, overlooking Stockholm. This is one of the best views of the town!
Djurgården
After lunch take the stairs back down to Slussen and take Djurgårdsfärjan to Djurgården. This boat trip will cost you 45 kronor and it is a perfect way to do some sightseeing from the water.
Djurgården is the greenest island of Stockholm and is also known as the island of the museums. Even if you’re not a museum-goer, you still should visit Vasamuseet. You ain’t seen a thing like it!
Feeling hungry? The best cardemom buns of Stockholm can be found in the museum café of the Vasa Museum.
Stockholm is perfect to explore on foot. After the visit to the Vasa Museum we walk back via Djurgårdsbron and Strandvägen (which is a delightful promenade along the water, with among others, the Grand Hotel) towards the center.
Shopping
There is just some time left for shopping (eg around Stureplan, in the NK shopping center or at Hötorget and the nearby Drottninggatan) before dinner time. I don’t know about you but I’m crazy about Scandinavian design!
A nice suggestion for dinner: B.A.R. It’s an affordable spot that will even convince high demanding foodies. Enjoy an evening stroll “Stockholm by night” after diner, before you’re leaving the city again. I bet you will be dreaming of a return visit!
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