Stockholm has been built across 14 islands, which are connected by 50 bridges. And it’s surrounded by 24,000-or-so other islands in a sparkling archipelago. It’s painted in warm shades of yellow and orange, and arranged around a medieval centre of cobbled, un-planned streets, which fan out to a more orderly collection of harbours, green spaces and more recent architecture. Stockholm has to be one of the world's most beautiful capitals. Our recommendations for Stockholm hotels feature a couple of very conservative properties, but most celebrate Sweden’s love affair with modern design. Long before Ikea, Swedish designers excelled at furniture — particularly chairs. And we also think the best places to stay in Stockholm are those with the best views of Stockholm.
As well as its spectacular setting, there’s a thriving cafe culture and plenty of foodie experiences to be had, the opportunity for lively evenings out and, in summer, you can swim in the sea, sail, walk, hike and take full advantage of the extra long days. Stockholm in winter is as romantic a destination as you could imagine.
Stockholm is an easy city to explore with kids. All the stations have lifts, and buses and trams have spaces for several pushchairs. Plus travel is free for under sevens. Small ships and ferries dart in and out of the islands and docks ready to transport you to other parts of the city, or out into the archipelago. There's also a lot of colour to this city and plenty of variety to keep little ones going. Many people speak English and the vibe is friendly.
Where To Stay? Which Neighbourhood?
- Stockholm’s Old Town, on the island of Gamla Stan, and often called that, is the wonderful maze of cobbled streets and tall, colourful, closely packed buildings. Stay here and you’re close to the Royal Palace, Sweden’s Parliament, the cathedral, Riddarholm, and several beautiful churches, a number of excellent museums and, at Christmas time, the Christmas Markets, plus its cafes, boutiques and tucked-away bars. Getting from Gamla Stan to the rest of the city is easy, there are foot bridges to Norrmalm and Södermalm, and there are ferries to the islands of Skeppsholmen and Djurgården. So Gamla Stan is a good choice if you want to be in the thick of things too.
- South of Gamla Stan is Södermalm, which is where you’ll find some of Stockholm’s most beautiful old houses, but also its hippest modern residents. if you want mini beaches and floating bars, the freshest cuisine and the coolest cafes, then this might be the best place to stay in Stockholm for you.
- Bustling Norrmalm is the commercial and business-y part of town, but don’t cross it off your list, it’s right in the thick of things, and home to many of Stockholm’s art galleries and museums, so it's a great choice if you’re not here for long, or if you’re looking for a large, approachable hotel. And even if you’re not staying here you’ll undoubtedly want to wander along Drottninggatan, a fully pedestrianised shopping street, or check out the lively market stalls at Hötorget.
- Odenplan is another downtown district, and worth mentioning here because it’s where you’ll find the commuter rail station, so it’s a convenient base if you want to travel out of Stockholm as well as explore the capital. Odenplan is also known for vintage boutiques and cafes. And it’s where you’ll find the National Library and the Stockholm Observatory.
- With its impressive architecture and high-end stores, elegant Östermalm is often compared to New York's Upper East Side. This is a district of tree-lined avenues and colourfully painted townhouses, museums, galleries, parks and cafes. Even if you don’t stay here we recommend you take a long stroll through the lovely Humlegården park before visiting one of the area's many museums. Our Guru’s also recommend Östermalm for families.
- Whilst not as centrally-located as other neighbourhoods, Vasatan is still a terrific spot for visiting Stockholm. It's got a lively buzz to it, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and antique shops to enjoy — plus, it's relatively inexpensive.
- The islands of Skeppsholmen and Djurgården are lovely areas if you’re looking for somewhere relatively peaceful. They’re both close enough to the centre for all your sightseeing needs, whilst also offering a fair degree of tranquillity with their waterfront parks and gardens. Djurgården is just a footbridge from Östermalm, and yet its royal parkland, picturesque harbours and colourful, traditional Swedish cottages make it feel a lot further away.
This city is not cheap, but all of our recommendations on our list of the best places to stay in Stockholm will offer you good value for money, whether you're looking for an elegant grand-dame or chic little B&B.