Stockholm is cold in winter. Depending on where you’re traveling from, winters in Stockholm can be unbearably cold. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a trip to the capital of Sweden. Popular attractions aren’t as crowded during winter and there are plenty of things to do indoors.
If you want to stay warm and keep most activities indoors we have here what to do in Stockholm in winter, when it’s too cold outside!
Where to Stay
Everything on this list is easily accessible by foot if you’re staying at Hotel Kungsträdgården (The King’s Garden in English.) This includes being only a 10 minute walk from Stockholms Centralstation train station if you’re arriving by train. And its location also makes it possible to visit all of these places by foot if you just have 36 hours in Stockholm.
A hearty and wide ranging breakfast spread is included in the rate. And there’s a restaurant, Brasserie Makalös for delicious French cuisine and Crystal Bar, in the lobby of the hotel under a huge chandelier made with over 11,000 hand-bound prisms.
If it’s too cold and you feel like staying in instead of searching for a restaurant or bar around the city, these are two options. Plus, it leaves time to enjoy the hotel, which is a combination of a renovated modern space with bits of the original historic building built in 1764.
Address: Västra Trädgårdsgatan 11B, 111 53 Stockholm, Sweden
Things to Do in Stockholm in Winter
Vasa Museum
Vasa is a warship built in 1628 that sunk just around a thousand meters from its point of departure during its maiden voyage. At the Vasa Museum, the ship has been preserved to give the world a glimpse of life in the 17th century with exhibitions and artifacts from the ship. Don’t miss first seeing a short film about the history, then take a guided tour where you can ask any questions you may have.
Other Nearby Museums and Attractions
Museum lovers and those looking for things to do in Stockholm in winter when it’s too cold to go outside will love Stockholm. There are museums for all interests and many are located right next to each other near the Vasa Museum. Some to check out are:
- ABBA Museum – an interactive museum for ABBA fans
- The Nordic Museum – all about the Nordic lifestyle and history from the 16th century to today
- Junibacken – geared towards children who love fairy tales and stories
- Spritmuseum – the Museum of Spirits, an exhibition and also opportunity to add a Tasting Tray to your admission ticket
- Skansen – this one’s not indoors, it’s the world’s oldest open air museum showcasing how the Swedes lived in the past
- The Viking Museum – any questions you have about the Vikings can be answered here through exhibitions and knowledgeable guides
Eat Meatballs
Get a taste of Swedish food in the city center at Nomad Swedish Food and Bar located just off the main Drottninggatan pedestrian street, known for their meatballs with sides of potato puree, lingonberries and pickled cucumber. This restaurant and bar is cozy and can get bit busy so be prepared for tight seating but delicious food.
Address: Upplandsgatan 2, 111 23 Stockholm, Sweden
Explore Gamla Stan
See the streets and facades of Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm. Don’t miss the iconic buildings at Stortorget square and the narrowest street, Mårten Trotzigs Gränd. When it gets too cold, there’s still plenty of things to do in winter. Check out one of the cafes like Misteln at Stortorget, Café Nova on Järntorget, or Café FIKA STHLM on Österlånggatan. Also on the island are the Nobel Prize Museum or The House of Nobility to stop in, learn and stay warm.
Stockholm Palace
Also on Gamla Stan island is Stockholm Palace, the official residence of the Swedish monarch and is where most of the official royal receptions occur. Visitors are welcomed to see the impressive state rooms called the Royal Apartments.
Other Palaces to Visit
- Drottningholm Palace – where Their Majesties the King and Queen actually live and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (about a 25 minute drive from Stockholm Palace)
- Rosersberg Palace – see how King Karl XIV Johan and Queen Desideria lived in these well-preserved interiors from 1795-1860 (about a 30 minute drive north of Stockholm Palace)
Shopping at Drottninggatan
When you need some fresh air, take a walk along Drottninggatan, a pedestrian shopping street in Stockholm city center. All the major Swedish department stores and internationally known brands like H&M and Zara are all here so you can pop in a store whenever it gets too cold. Also, consider braving the cold and seeing the sun set along Strandvägen, a boulevard along the water that stretches from your hotel area, Kungsträdgården to Djurgården, the museum area where Vasa Museum and others are located.
Browse Swedish and English Bookstores
Stay warm in Stockholm in winter by browsing its various bookstores. You’ll find almost everyone speaks English in Stockholm so it’s no wonder that there’s always sections of books in English at these stores. Some have a small cafe so you can enjoy a hot beverage and find your next read.
Read More: Bookstores to Visit in Stockholm
Stockholm Public Library
Speaking of books, bibliophiles and architecture lovers have a chance to see the work of Swedish architect, Gunnar Asplund at Stockholm Public Library. Walk the full length of Drottninggatan pedestrian street north until you reach Observatorielunden park. The library is on the northeast corner of the park and upon entering, you’ll see its main rotunda lined with three floors of books.
Cafe Hopping
There’s cafes all over Stockholm so if you’re looking for things to do in Stockholm in winter, cafe hopping should be on your list. There are several Bröd & Salt locations around the city, which offer delicious pastries (including a gluten-free or regular kanelbullar, aka cinnamon bun!)
Hop On Hop Off Tour
If Stockholm’s winters are too cold for you to walk, consider taking a Hop On Hop Off bus. It stops at all the must-see sites and if something looks interesting, you have the ease of getting off whenever you’d like and keeping warm inside the bus with less walking to do outside.
Lunch With a View at Fotografiska Restaurant
Fotografiska Restaurant is one of Stockholm’s best museum restaurants and its unique feature is not just its sustainable philosophy, but it’s accompanying view out to the water. The menu is plant based with dishes changing based on what’s in season in Sweden. You do not need to visit the museum to go to the restaurant. But if you’d like, you can purchase tickets at a discounted price while ordering your meal.
If you’ve been to Stockholm already, what are some other things you’d add to this list? Leave a comment below!
