Stockholm is the official capital of Sweden, one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in Europe.
Sometimes called “The Venice of the North,” the city’s filled with tranquil green spaces and some of the largest companies in the world.
This quick primer will answer “What is the capital of Sweden?” and run down many of Sweden’s best attractions and where you can put your feet up.
All You Need to Know About the Capital of Sweden
The borders of Sweden are near the Northern Baltic Sea, similar to other Nordic countries like Finland and Denmark.
Slightly further inland atop Lake Malaren lies the Stockholm archipelago, home to the capital of Sweden; Stockholm!
A significant portion of the Swedish GDP comes from Sweden’s bustling and modern capital; this contributes to Sweden’s high living cost and world-class standard of living.
What contributes to Sweden’s living costs are factors like electricity prices, taxes, and others!
As one of the most tolerant cities in the world, the Swedish capital has hosted the annual Stockholm Pride festival since 1998. Stockholm Pride is attended by tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ visitors every year.
Stockholm City Hall also hosts the annual Nobel Prize ceremony and accompanying Banquet, honoring Alfred Nobel’s legacy. The City Hall tower is adorned with three crowns, Sweden’s national symbol.
If you seek nature, you can survey the Stockholm skyline at Skinnarviksberget, over 170 feet above sea level.
History of Stockholm
Dive deeper into Stockholm’s rich history with this brief section.
Stockholm’s Early History
The area where the city stands has been inhabited for a very long time, as early as 8,000 years after the Ice Age.
Swedish Vikings originally settled in the community that would become the largest city in Sweden.
A very old Nordic region, the city’s site was formerly known as Agnafit, similar to the legendary king Agne.
Despite being far removed from its current state, Stockholm, as we know it, was established by statesman Birger Jarl to protect Sweden.
Following its establishment, the city established trade relations with the nearby city of Danzig and the German city of Lübeck, among others. This arrangement saw Stockholm grow in wealth.
Though the Kalmar Union temporarily brought together the various Nordic countries, it was disrupted by strife over iron production in the mineral-rich Bergslagen region.
Stockholm’s Growth Over Time
The city’s various islands are mostly scattered around Lake Mälaren or Malar in English. As an archipelago, Stockholm proved to be a great trading partner.
Its importance in trade is evident from its city council at the time, half of which were also members of the Hanseatic League, a German trading coalition.
After some time, the city was under Danish rule, specifically that of King Christian II. King Gustav Vasa, I gained Stockholm’s independence and seceded from the Kalmar Union.
The Swedish Empire reached the height of its power by the mid-17th century, and the then-recently-rebuilt Stockholm Palace became the royal family’s summer home. It’s been the seat of royal power for the last few decades.
By the 19th century, this city near Salt Bay had developed into a splendid metropolis, further bolstered by the establishment of Stockholm University in 1878.
When Did Stockholm Become the Capital?
Stockholm was officially regarded as Sweden’s capital in 1634 and has continued modernizing and adapting.
Today, Stockholm City rivals Silicon Valley as a haven for start-ups and tech companies. It’s also the financial capital of Sweden; the city hosts major insurance companies like Deloitte.
It’s also home to some of the best universities in Sweden, like Stockholm University. The Norrmalm district also houses the Royal Dramatic Theatre and Royal Palace.
Visitors can also see the gallery at the National Museum, which was recently renovated for improved security and to display more of the collection at once.
As the capital of Sweden, Stockholm follows Central European Time, or UTC +2. The entire country shares a single time zone.
Stockholm’s Climate and the Best Time to Visit
As the capital of Sweden, Stockholm experiences four distinct seasons throughout the year, but visitors typically taper off toward the colder months.
The best time to visit Stockholm city is around mid-July, during the height of summer. Visitors can expect average temperatures of 68-71°F throughout their stay.
If you prefer colder weather, Stockholm gets plenty cold during winter, with freezing temperatures reaching 27-30°F (-1 to -3°C.)
Springtime is much better for visitors, with daytime temperatures hitting 60°F (15°C) at most.
Reaching Stockholm
As one of the most welcoming cities in the world, there are many ways to visit Stockholm, be it by plane, train, or boat.
Flying Into Stockholm
You’ll skip many of the wooden houses and more scenic sights the city offers, but it’s easy to find a flight to Stockholm, especially if you’re departing from a nearby European country.
Bromma Airport is near the city’s centre, and Stockholm-Arlanda Airport is just outside Stockholm’s outskirts. Both airports serve international and domestic flights.
Getting to Stockholm by Train
Whether you’re coming from Malmo, Gothenburg, or another one of the best cities in Sweden to visit, several trains pass through the capital.
Catch a train at Stockholm Metro or any of SJ’s rail stations nationwide. You can even take a train from Hamburg to the capital!
Taking the Bus to Stockholm
If you’d rather skip the rails, head outside the Metro to grab a bus at the nearby Cityterminalen.
Flygbussar buses from Arlanda and Skavsta airports also head directly to the capital.
Reaching Stockholm by Boat
Stockholm’s journey to becoming Sweden’s largest city came from its importance as a trading town, so it’s no surprise you can reach it by boat.
Visitors in Latvia can take a ferry from Riga to Stockholm, quickly and conveniently bypassing the Baltic Sea.
You can also book a trip from Helsinki to Stockholm on the Viking Line service.
Driving to Stockholm
Despite being spread across fourteen islands, driving to Stockholm is very easy! Simply take European route E18 from Ireland or route E4 from Finland. Prepare for traffic!
Stockholm’s Top Attractions
This Swedish city has plenty of well-visited spots, from art galleries to museums.
Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan is Swedish for “Old Town,” As you’d expect, this area is famed for its historical buildings.
Gamla Stan was Stockholm’s original city centre and remained a thriving and culturally-significant part of the city.
While visiting the Old Town, don’t forget to stop by the royal residence Drottningholm Palace and Skogskyrkogarden, or “Woodland cemetery” in English.
Nordic Museet
Located on the island of Djurgården in central Stockholm is the Nordiska Museet or “Nordic Museum.”
This museum’s collections are dedicated to Sweden’s culture and history.
Vasa Museum
The Vasa Museum takes its name from the Vasa, a remarkably well-preserved 17th-century ship. You can watch a film detailing her recovery besides the Vasa herself.
This historical museum enjoys many visitors from other Scandinavian countries and abroad.
Fotografiska
Situated on Söder island in Central Stockholm lies this charming art gallery-cum-bistro-cum-events space.
Grab a bite and admire the art!
Skansen
This open-air museum has several preserved buildings that give visitors an idea of Sweden’s history, culture, and architecture.
Djurgården
Like much of Sweden, Stockholm has many natural areas allowing for a brief respite from city life.
Near downtown Stockholm is Djurgården, a national urban park under the administration of the Royal Djurgården Administration and owned by the Swedish monarch.
Eating Out in Stockholm
As one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, the Swedish capital is filled with restaurants and bars that show off the best that Swedish cuisine has to offer.
- Fotografiska – This gallery offers food and drinks tailored to vegetarians, but meats are also available.
- Rutabaga – Enjoy a lighter meal at this vegetarian-based restaurant.
- Nosh and Chow – As you’d expect, food is the focus here, and you can grab cocktails too.
- Barrels, Burgers, and Beer – Chow down on hearty burgers and wash them down with some beer!
- Café Pascal – This bustling cafe has killer sandwiches, but expect a crowd!
Places to Stay in Stockholm
The city of Stockholm has various places where a weary traveler can stay, as befitting Sweden’s capital. It’s also one of the best places to live in Sweden, thanks to its great air quality!
Grand Hotel
This 5-star hotel houses Chef Mathias Dahlgren’s Rutabaga restaurant and offers amenities like a bar and spa.
Sandhamn Seglar Hotel
Hugging Stockholm’s coastline is this lovely 4-star hotel equipped for everything from conferences to quiet getaways.
Hobo
This chic hotel is near the central parts of Stockholm, featuring a weekend club, some bars, and a restaurant!
City Backpackers Hostel
If you’re traveling around Sweden on a budget, this place is for you. Choose between private rooms or mixed dorms for your stay.
Hotel Langholmen
The most unusual option on this list, Langholmen Hotell, is a former prison converted into a cozy hotel.
