Is Stockholm Worth It? What To Know Before Visiting Stockholm For The First Time

Sweden is a place you’ve seen in photos and heard a lot about, but it ends up being nothing quite like what you’ve imagined. And nowhere did I think was the country’s singularity more apparent than in Stockholm.

For all of its wealth, fame, and elegance, Stockholm doesn’t quite resemble any of the other important Nordic cities. 

But when so much of the world now looks and feels exactly the same, this was just the dose of frosty exoticism that we needed on our trip. 

Would I holiday in Stockholm again? In a heartbeat! Would I move there? Well, erm, only in the absence of alternatives, who knows? 

Here’s my personal overview of the Swedish capital and why I have such strong feelings about Stockholm. 

Why We Travelled to Stockholm? 

Stockholm seemed like the place to go. I’d fixed upon this idea in my teenage years. Europeans generally have a fascination with all things Scandinavian. And, if there’s one epicentre of Scandi ideas, it’s always seemed to be Stockholm. 

Sweden is a century-old country that was also the grand empire of the North. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it controlled the majority of the territory of its neighbours, plus parts of Poland, Germany and the Baltics.

And, in many ways, it never stopped being an Empire, influencing from afar. Its companies like IKEA, Volvo, and Spotify that are global powerhouses. Its pop music and movie stars are known all over the world. And most sensible countries would like to live like the Swedes because of their progressive values, great human rights record, and high standards of living. 

We didn’t just go to Stockholm in order to check it off our list and make sure that we visit all European capitals. We wanted to immerse ourselves in the culture and find out if Sweden is really the forward-thinking, egalitarian paradise we imagined. 

We got more than we bargained for. And we got a little confused and shocked in the process. 

But I am glad that we spent nearly two months soaking up what Stockholm and the rest of the country are really like. 

How to behave in Stockholm

Sweden isn’t boring. But that’s despite being one of the most straight-laced and conservative places that you’re ever likely to visit.

You’ll want to make notes on how to behave in Sweden. 

While it is a liberal paradise and a haven for progressive thinkers, it is also not a place where you necessarily want to stand out. Certainly, you won’t want to do that if you hope to be mistaken for a local. 

You’ll want to tread carefully. Think of Stockholm as an old mansion in which your rich, sophisticated friends live. They’ll ask you over, sure. But you’ll need to be on your best behavior if you want to return. 

Nice clothes? Bring some if you can. Some Swedes may dress as slobs around the house. But the center of Stockholm is as filled with fashionistas as London or Milan. 

Maybe get in shape first? That’s not a must. Remember, Swedes are required by law to be incredibly polite on the off-chance that they speak to strangers. But know that most of them are in excellent shape. Adults routinely look like they possess the same body as they did at 15 years old. 

Learn some Swedish phrases? Won’t need them! Everyone speaks English perfectly. Besides, you’re much more likely to strike up a conversation with a tourist than a Swede. 

Thank God for booze! But more about that later. 

How NOT to behave in Stockholm

Remember when I mentioned politeness? Swedes have that, yes. But they’re also extremely shy. And, if alcohol is not involved, they’d prefer watching Finland win the Hockey World Cup to making friends. 

If you’ve ever been to a Latin country, you’ll know that people like smiling, chatting, and the occasional physical contact. There’s a real warmth in every conversation. 

When preparing for Stockholm, switch all of those ideas around. Swedes are independent, well-educated and motivated. That can also be translated to wanting their space, not needing anyone’s help, and desiring to spend their time alone. 

Swedes will answer questions helpfully… provided you sit a few metres away. 

I remember one instance of going to the Gym on a Sunday to find it closed. Everyone in Sweden goes to the Gym on the weekends. Soon, other sports enthusiasts gathered near the door. 

“Why is the Gym closed?” people would ask. We would answer them. But as we did, we made sure to keep 2-3 metres distance from each other. Soon, we had occupied the whole sidewalk. We were all together, and all of us were alone. 

Thank God for booze! Speaking of which…

Systembolaget

Systembolaget brings everyone together so that everyone can drink alone at home. 

You see, for very practical reasons, Sweden’s government has a monopoly on alcohol. 

Now, that in itself is not unusual for Nordic countries. Norway and Iceland also have this system. Denmark does not which makes Copenhagen a source of bitterness and jokes for the sober Stockholmers. 

You’ll notice the Systembolaget franchise across Sweden. They’re the officially licensed booze shops of the country. 

For foreigners, the stores are a wonderland where any type of alcoholic beverage can be purchased from a smiling employee. For Swedes, this is a cruel form of monitoring. 

I liked the stores. They were a solution to not being able to buy alcohol that has a higher than 2% alcohol content in stores and it being quite expensive in restaurants. 

Once the Czech beer we’d brought over had run out, me and Julia were making supplies of beers from around the world from Systembolaget. 

They were fairly priced because of a tactic of discouraging Swedes from drinking vodka and other booze. They were plentiful. And they were one of the things keeping us relaxed through a Swedish Summer where we never saw nightfall.

Ah, just as a reminder. If you’re going to Stockholm in the summer, bring your sleeping mask. The light practicality never goes away. It’s daylight all the time. While that’s wonderful, it also means that wintertime is accompanied by never-ending darkness and gloom. Oh, cruel irony!

Public transport

So, how exactly do you get to this wonderful and mysterious land? And how do you move about? 

Pretty easily as it turns out. We turned our adventure into a road trip, hence the Czech beer I mentioned earlier. 

But you can just easily jump on a flight. Stockholm is one of the more visited European capitals, although not quite on the scale of its neighbors in Copenhagen or the Norwegian fjords, a fact that drives Swedes crazy. Seriously, one Stockholmer confessed to having no interest in visiting Norway, saying: “We probably have the same things here.”

We lived on the fancy island of Lidingö in the Stockholm archipelago. Before you start shedding tears for our daily commute, know that Lidingö is an area inhabited by Swedish superstars. Did we see any? Don’t be silly! Swedes stay indoors and have robot lawnmowers to save them the trouble of walking through their yard in their slippers. 

We took the bus into town daily. That was easy. So was taking the ferry, and much more enjoyable with the cool Summer air blowing in your hair. Trains and a light rail are also options across and near the city. It’s all very well organised. But, no, the buses don’t arrive on time. This isn’t Germany, a fact that further increases the average Swede’s sadness. 

SL day pass 

The most efficient way to get around Stockholm is to use public transport. From my personal experience, all the buses, trams, metro and ferries work great in Stockholm, and you can reach almost any attraction in and around the city using just public transport. 

I used the SL pass for my first month in Stockholm, and I loved it. As with everything else in Scandinavia, this pass can be bought and used through a mobile app called SL (SL-Journey planner and tickets). Firstly, install the app on your phone, and then you can purchase your tickets or pass from within the app. Then, when you use public transport, open the app and scan the QR code, and that’s it. It’s very easy to use, you just need to make sure you never run out of battery on your mobile device. 

The weird thing about Swedes and public transport is that they never sit next to each other, so if there are free seats, don’t sit next to somebody who’s already sitting. I’ll get more into these Swedish cultural things on a future occasion. 

Things to see and do in the Swedish capital

The fact of the matter is that most of the things of note that happen in Sweden happen in Stockholm. Sorry Gothenburg! 

Like London, or Paris this is a hub for culture, politics, or sports events. They just serve fish snacks at every stand, and you can’t get regular beer for most events. 

Yeah, Stockholm is endlessly entertaining. You could spend months or years discovering its many sights, clubs, and underground rock clubs. 

Here are a few of my sightseeing highlights:

Museum

Stockholm certainly has some of the best curated museums in the world. In fact, I’d argue their only serious rivals are Copenhagen (sorry again, Swedes) and London. 

The famous Vasa Museum is more than just the celebration of a catastrophic shipwreck. It’s a shipwreck presented in amazing detail. The museum was quite impressive. 

Sweden’s always fancied itself as a bit of a cradle of art and civilisation. The National Museum is their strongest claim on the matter. We enjoyed it, and were happy with the good luck of paying no entry fee. Hooray for Swedish socialism. 

There was more shipwreck action at the VRAK Museum, making me want to speed up the process of getting a boating license. And there was more bling-action at the Royal Palace, desperately making me want to find some bloodline connection with crown-wearing royals. 

And, yes, when stepping into the impressive Army Museum, I heard a woman saying in perfect English while looking at a map of Northern Europe: “All of this used to be ours!” 

Yet, all of this pales in comparison to an exhibit about Sweden’s most cherished sons and daughters – the members of ABBA. 

Yes, the ABBA Museum draws hundreds of thousands of people every year. And, we were among the giddy fans who visited, had a good time and blogged about it. Make sure to check the dedicated article about the ABBA Museum to get the full picture. 

Birka

Birka was a real highlight of our trip. In fact, the trip might’ve been worth it for the Viking Island alone. 

We rode the boat, which sadly was not a longship, to the island. We talked to Swedes playing Vikings very convincingly. 

Some of them were making boats. Some were shooting arrows or taking a break behind the main building. And, most memorably, I got to eat some black cherries off of some guy’s cherry tree! Thank you, dear Swedish socialist. 

Who doesn’t love the Vikings? And while many claim some kind of connection to them, you’re likely to find more information in Stockholm than in almost any other place. Anyone up for some pillaging? 

Grona Lund

Visiting Gröna Lund amusement park deserves a separate mention. It’s the thing that usually solves all of the Swedes’ entertainment needs. 

Gröna Lund is one of the best amusement parks in Europe and the world. It’s in an age-old competition with Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens. And, honestly, it includes some of the most impressive rides we have ever witnessed. 

Some folks do just stroll in for the junk food, the atmosphere, and the view from the pier. 

And, in the summer, Gröna Lund doubles as a concert venue. We very conveniently bought a ticket that, essentially, provides you with a big-name band or artist every week or so. Seeing John Legend or Pixies play their music while people screamed on the nearby rollercoaster felt surreal.  

Swimming in Stockholm

Yeah, there’s plenty of water around. Since we had the good fortune of arriving in summer, we got to take a few nice swims in the Baltic Sea. It’s a favourite pastime in Sweden. The water’s still cold. But how do you think people get ready for the 6-month-long winters? 

Concerts and events

Every important band passes through Stockholm. It’s on the route of every important tour. We got to see Queen with Adam Lambert at the modern Avicii Arena. It was great! 

Besides, there are plenty of important Swedish bands that play locally. 

Just don’t expect to have a good beer while watching it. It’s usually 2% ABV, not very good, and really expensive. 

Gym 

Everyone in Sweden goes to the gym, especially seniors. But like any other government-funded activity, you’ll need to have a Swedish national identification number.

The upside to having one is that your taxes make going to the gym or library nearly free. 

I used puppy dog eyes to ask, and was granted a kind of workaround. Going to the gym in Sweden was really something. Swedes may be polite and love a drink. But they’re also tremendously conscious about their health. 

Stores

There are plenty of interesting, specialised stores in Sweden. The Swedes are forced to spend much of their time indoors after all. That’s why, from music to board games, from the beloved soft candies to stinky fish markets, you’ll always find a store to help with a new hobby. 

Practical concerns about visiting Stockholm

Ok. Traveling to any of the Nordic countries involves a few practical concerns, a few things that left unchecked might ruin your trip. Here are some I remember. 

When to travel to Stockholm? 

Go in the summer! There’s no room for negotiation here. 

Remember when I mentioned the quasi-socialist state? Everyone in Sweden takes a holiday in the summer. It’s probably for the best. At any time of the year, you’d freeze your arms off. 

However, I might be a little dramatic. Stockholm, as opposed to other parts of the country, is warmer all year round because of the Gulf Stream and geography. 

How much money do you need to visit Sweden? 

While living in Sweden full time is a very expensive proposition, visiting it can be done on a budget. Now, don’t get too excited! You’ll still pay what will feel like a fortune for a sandwich, a taxi ride, or accommodation. 

But the good thing about Sweden is that it offers alternatives. Food can be affordable. So is public transportation, which runs well. And, if you’re lucky, like we were, some of the museums may be free. 

Don’t let Numbeo facts scare you off. You can certainly budget a trip to Stockholm. Just make a good plan beforehand. 

Is Stockholm Safe? 

Yes, Stockholm felt tremendously safe. The rural part of Sweden felt even safer. 

You might have read news recently regarding safety concerns. But those tend to be the exception to the rule. 

Swedes tend to be well-mannered and polite. We didn’t witness any violence throughout our stay, not even from inebriated parties. 

Frankly, Stockholm felt safer than the vast majority of major European capitals. Still, exercise a degree of caution, as you would in any crowded area.

What should you pack

Yes, summer in Stockholm is brilliant. But this is still northern Europe. The weather changes quickly. 

While I’d advise you to bring your regular summer clothes, make sure you leave some room in your luggage for a warm sweater and a waterproof jacket. 

Naturally, if you’re thinking of checking out some of the great Swedish landscapes outside of Stockholm, you’re unlikely to regret getting some hiking boots with you as well!

Why I love Scandinavia

I tend to goof on Scandinavia because of how unusual its culture is. The truth is, however, that it’s the nicest place I’ve ever visited. 

For all of its quirks, Sweden is a developed, highly civilised country. And you’re likely to feel that from the moment you arrive to the time that you leave. We spent quite a bit of time in it, and our opinion about that did not change. 

Besides, there’s always something to do in Stockholm. Just like being in Berlin or London, it’s impossible to run out of events, things to see, or simply nice streets to take a stroll on. Life in Sweden can be a blast, especially if you don’t have to spend your entire life there. 

Don’t get me wrong! Scandinavian countries are different from one another, although they also share some characteristics. Stockholm is the wealthy, chic, forward-thinking Scandi capital. Just as I mentioned, there’s nothing quite like it.

Where does Stockholm rank on my list of Scandi cities

Ok. Playing favourites isn’t nice. But it is very much needed for the purposes of this guide. 

I personally love Stockholm. Besides the relaxing countryside, it’s my favourite place in Sweden. 

However, I prefer the gentle beauty of Copenhagen or the carefree vibe of Oslo. Having said that, Scandinavia does have some of the very best cities.

Would I return to Stockholm?

In a heartbeat. Get me on a flight and pick me up a ticket to Gröna Lund, a Viking helmet and a voucher for Systembolaget. We’ll make this a party!