Tourist in Stockholm - your complete guide

One of the most important factors when travelling is where to stay, and Stockholm really delivers on the accommodation front in all categories. One place that has emerged as a favourite is the Nobis group's beautiful boutique hotel Miss Clara which is centrally located in a former girls' school on Sveavägen. A short walk away towards Hötorget you'll find Hotel With - a super-modern underground hotel. The popular Urban Deli restaurant is in the same building, as is a fantastic rooftop bar with views over the city. If you're into design and are looking for a unique, home-from-home base from which to visit Stockholm, check in to Ett Hem - a former private home from 1910 where luxury is the watchword in everything from the decor (by Ilse Crawford) to the personal service. You'll also find elegance at the Lydmar hotel on Blasieholmen. With views of the castle and the archipelago ferries in the harbour, the location is hard to beat. If you want to stay in Parisian luxury in the heart of Stureplan, choose Hotel Kung Carl. There's a jazz club with live music and a romantic restaurant. It's also worth checking availability at the larger hotel chains, both Scandic and Clarion have signature hotels that stand out. Downtown Camper by Scandic combines natural elements with an urban location. On the top floor of the hotel you'll find their wellness area The Nest, with an outdoor pool that's open all year round, as well as the rooftop bar The Nest Cocktail Lounge. Coming to town for a big event? You'll find Quality Hotel Friends in the heart of Arenastaden in Solna, next to Friends Arena and Mall of Scandinavia.

A welcome hostel trend has swept over several of the world's cities. Youth hostels need no longer be dull and basic, these days they can even provide a design experience. The much-lauded Generator hostel group can be found in several European cities, and in 2016 they opened in Stockholm. Choose between a private room, shared dorm or a luxurious suite - the rooms are decorated in a nordic, urban style and the prices are reasonable. In the same area you'll also find City Backpackers Hostel, which has been welcoming visiting travellers since the middle of the Nineties. There are some slightly more quirky budget options too. Why not check into the hostel ship Af Chapman? This full-rigged ship has been at anchor alongside Skeppsholmen since 1937 and has front-row seats looking out over the Old Town and an unbeatable walking distance to most things in town. Another option is to stay at Långholmen's youth hostel. Stay in old (but renovated) prison cells with a wonderful swimming beach right outside. Don't miss having a morning dip in Lake Mälaren before you head out into town!

History, photographic art, geological exhibitions and contemporary art - in Stockholm there's something for all tastes. Fotografiska on Stadsgårdskajen is a firm favourite, despite only having been around since 2010. The posters sold in their shop have been framed and hung on the walls of thousands of Swedes over the years and their exhibitions are generally well-regarded and visited. Moderna Museet on Skeppsholmen is one of the world's leading museums for modern and contemporary art and another must for art-lovers visiting the city. If you're interested in the history of Stockholm, Stockholms Stadsmuseum is an excellent place to hear exciting stories about how life in the capital has changed over time. They also organise excellent city walking tours. Another slightly hidden gem is the Medelhavsmuseet (the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities) on Gustav Adolfs torg. The interior is impressive and the exhibitions relate to areas of the world that are more topical than ever. In one of the most impressive buildings in Stockholm you'll find the Naturhistoriska riksmuseet (Museum of Natural History), a biological and geological museum founded in 1819. Find out more about dinosaurs, the human body, space or watch a film in Cosmonova, Sweden's only dome-shaped IMAX cinema.

Is a massage, facial or relaxation on your to-do list when in Stockholm? If so, here are some tips for really lovely oases to visit. First up is an architectural gem with a history going back to the 19th century - Sturebadet. Work out, have a treatment or swim in the pool. Another spa with a long heritage is Centralbadet, which was designed in the Art Nouveau style more than a hundred years ago. The bathhouse has gone through several renovations since then, but these days they provide modern treatments in a beautifully restored setting. A short distance from Drottninggatan you'll find the Selma City Spa at the top of the Clarion Hotel Sign by Norra Bantorget. The rooftop pool, one of very few in Stockholm, has an unbeatable view. The Grand Hôtel's Nordic Spa & Fitness is just as luxurious as the hotel, and the strong emphasis on both the nordic and nature is reflected in everything from the choice of materials to the treatments. If you want to get out of the city centre and get closer to nature, the Skepparholmen Nacka Spa is outside town in Nacka and has a view over the water towards the entrance to Stockholm harbour.

Swedish food culture is so much more than just smörgåsbords and meatballs. Stockholm has everything from small Michelin-starred restaurants with long waiting lists to larger establishments with food that's almost as good. It's well worth checking out the little sister restaurants attached to several of the fine-dining restaurants, which are often a bit more relaxed and easier to get a table at. Meat-lovers shouldn't miss Restaurang AG in an old silversmith's workshop on Kungsholmen. On the same "industrial theme", Farang in Vasastan is also a good choice. Southeast Asian flavours and an impressive locale which used to be home to the Stockholm Electricity Board. If you want to sample the famous Swedish meatball, Meatballs for the People serves meatballs in several varieties, both meat and vegetarian. If you want to go back home feeling like you've had a truly out-of-the-ordinary restaurant exprience - then Punk Royale on Södermalm is the place to go to have all your senses, not just your tastebuds, stimulated. It's impossible to leave this restaurant feeling indifferent. And don't miss Eden, housed in an old wooden villa on Smedsudden. There are several bars and terraces that draw in crowds of Stockholmers during the summer months. 

Restaurant experiences and long dinners with endless courses are all well and good - but sometimes you just want to get something tasty and filling in your belly. So it's good to know that Stockholm's fast food culture has really taken off in recent years. If you're not lucky enough to come across one of the city's food trucks by accident it's good to have a few addresses for permanent holes-in-the-wall and larger establishments where you know you can get decent food - fast. Falafelbaren by Mariatorget has been feeding hungry Stockholmers with freshly-fried falafels, homemade börek, dips, fool and salads since 2012. If you like hamburgers, a visit to the popular Flippin' Burgers in Vasastan is a must and if you're a french-fry fan, you should definitely hit up Pom Friterie. Kebab aficionado? Then steer a course towards Meat on a Stick which many regard as serving Stockholm's best kebab. 

Swedes are huge fans of "fika" coffee breaks and there are masses of places in Stockholm where you can stop and partake of a little something. It's well worth dragging yourself out of bed for breakfast, "the most important meal of the day", too - a nice way to get the feel of the city waking up. Here are a few surefire café tips. First up, two places which ooze classic, old-school charm and tempt shoppers of all ages to stop and take a break. Vete-Katten on Kungsgatan is excellent for cakes, pastries and crisp biscuits. You'll find a more modern menu at Pom & Flora, which serves inspiring breakfasts, lunch and tea at several spots around town. Their avocado sandwich and colourful bowls must be some of the most Instagrammed breakfasts in Stockholm. Another spot everyone's talking about (and worth a detour) is Café Pascal near Odenplan. Try their coffee or huge sandwiches and you'll understand why. A few brisk steps away, on lively Rörstrandsgatan, you'll find Mellqvist, which has become a popular spot among Birkastan regulars. Coffee connoisseurs should definitely make their way over to the café mecca of Södermalm and drink their way through the menu at the much-lauded Drop Coffee on Mariatorget. If you happen to be in the city, you're not far from Under Kastanjen, a café hidden away among the cobblestones of the Old Town with its own gluten-free bakery. If you don't mind taking a little detour, you'll be rewarded with award-winning pastries at Fosch Artisan Pâtisserie, a modern konditori close to Stadion which also serves breakfast and lunch. While you're in Östermalm, drop into Stora Bageriet which is housed in a building where they've baked bread for hundreds of years. They also have a branch in Vasastan.

Exciting cocktails, craft-brewed ale or a glass of wine - whatever you're thirsty for after a day in town Stockholm has plenty of places which take the bar epithet extremely seriously. Södermalm's best bars include Hernö Gin Bar and Brännerian, where you can drink gin from the Stockholms Bränneri distillery under the same roof. A bit further up on Hornsgatan, stop by popular Häktet, which, among other things, boasts an unusual cocktail menu and a cosy inner courtyard. If you follow Hornsgatan all the way down to Hornstull you'll find the equally popular Södermalm concept Tjoget, with a prize-winning cocktail bar, Continental restaurant, wine bar and beer cafe all under the same roof. If you want to sip award-winning cocktails, check out Lucy's Flower Shop, Röda Huset or A Bar Called Gemma. Fancy a beer? Head for classic Akkurat or historic Kvarnen. Cosy wine bars include Tyge & Sessil in Östermalm, Ring Katarina in Södermalm and Savant in Vasastan.

If you want to make the most of your visit to Stockholm you can't let the day end after dinner. You've got to get out into the nightlife and experience the city well into the small hours. Café Opera on Kungsträdgården is a legendary spot which has been around since 1980. A stone's throw from there, on Berzelli Park, you'll find Berns, which draws huge club crowds to the historic 19th century building. Here you'll find dance floors and DJs playing hiphop and techno, among other genres. Another tip in the '"historic" catergory is Södra Teatern with views over the entire city from Mosebacke above Slussen. With several club nights in different genres "Södran" has something for most tastes and if you want to keep partying until 5am, Under Bron is a popular spot among R&B-fans and techno-heads alike. During the summer months Under Bron becomes Trädgården, a large, fun outdoor club that draws in thousands and thousands of visitors each season. On Stureplan you'll find perhaps the most well-known party square in Sweden. Within a small radius you can walk between famous nighclubs such as Sturecompagniet, Spy Bar and Hell's Kitchen, to name just a few.

On the fashion front you'll find everything from large department stores to small showrooms and multi-brand boutiques in Stockholm. If you want to get a good overview of the different brands there are several boutiques worth checking out, depending on what you're after. The well-known boutique Nathalie Schuterman on Birger Jarlsgatan, a stone's throw from Nybroviken, has provided Stockholm with a cherry-picked selection of the best designers in the world for more than two decades. Lund & Lund stores can be found at several Stockholm locations and have made a name for themselves as a gentlemen's outfitters with a focus on quality and fit. Progressive Scandinavian fashion is embraced at Aplace, which sells women's and men's clothes. If you head up to Södermalm, don't miss Nitty Gritty, an independent boutique which has been offering a personal mix of brands and lifestyle products since the early Nineties. If you want to find Swedish brands such as Sandqvist and Hope under the same roof, aim for the Grandpa store. Don't miss the big department stores and shopping centres in the city either: NK, MOOD, Åhléns City, Sturegallerian or Bruno on Götgatsbacken. If you're on the hunt for Scandinavan fashion, check out the Bibliotekstan shopping district, where you'll find brands such as Filippa K, Acne, Rodebjer, Marimekko, Ganni and Axel Arigato. If you'd rather bag some second-hand bargains, head to Arkivet Second Hand Odenplan and Arkivet Second Hand Östermalm, where in-the-know Stockholmers hunt for carefully curated women's clothes and accessories, often from well-known Scandinavian designers.

Scandinavia is world-renowned for its design and in Stockholm you'll find several boutiques that bring together the very best under one roof. Svenskt Tenn on Strandvägen is something of a byword for classic, Swedish design with fabric and furniture designed by icons such as Josef Frank. Contemporary, Nordic design can be found at Asplund on Sibyllegatan, while down on Birger Jarlsgatan Norrgavel is another store worth a visit for its everyday objects made from natural materials and own-designed furniture. A thoughtful selection with a focus on sustainability. There are DesignTorget stores around the country, six of which are in Stockholm. This is the place to go to find clever board games, fun books, design classics or natty design objects you didn't know you needed. At Nordiska Galleriet you can shop for selected and exclusive interiors by well-known designers.If you'd rather treasure-hunt for vintage furniture and objects, head for Brandstationen near Mariatorget in Södermalm. It may not be the most budget-friendly antique shop in Stockholm, but it's definitely one of the most inspiring.

For some visitors the typical tourist things, like eating, shopping and exploring, just aren't enough. Luckily there are plenty of ways to keep busy with more unusual activities. If you're interested in joining a walking tour, check out Historiska Vingslag who lead spooky historic tours in the Old Town. Play minigolf at Golfbaren and boules at Boulebar, both of which have several branches around town, with activities indoors and out. Another activity most would enjoy is the pentathlon at Gröna Lund. Get a gang together and challenge each other in events such as dart throwing, slingshot or water pistol. Even more action and somewhat sweatier events are on offer at O'Learys Event Center Tolv at Tele2Arena a short underground journey from the city. 

Some people love sightseeing tours - others prefer to discover a new place on their own. Although Stockholm is a relatively small capital city and easy to get around it can be a good idea to tick off the most important "must-see" places on a well-packaged sightseeing tour. Choose whether you want to see the town from the water, bus, segway or bike saddle. If you're visiting Stockholm for the first time you'll be struck by how the water snakes between the islands that make up the city. The historic Strömma company offers, among other things, circular boat tours in the archipelago, Lake Mälaren and hop-on, hop-off boats which run in central Stockholm. If you prefer to combine sightseeing with a little light exercise you can roll through the city's streets and bridges on two wheels. Another exciting mode of transport is Ocean Bus. As you might expect, it's a bus which also goes in the water. The tour begins and ends at Gustav Adolfs Torg and passes some of Stockholm's classic sights. Or why not test your knowledge of Stockholm with a Stockholm quiz on foot?  100 Point Challenge is a challenging and fun way to combine a city walking tour with a quiz, all year round. VerdeVerde Travel arranges sustainable city walking tours and guided tours both in the city and slightly outside town, meaning you can explore everything from city centre attractions to natural surroundings. If you want to discover the city's restaurants and food scent, check out Food Tours Stockholm.

Don't get too fixated on Stockholm's city centre - just outside the city limits there are green spaces and islands that make hectic city life feel like a distant memory. One stop away on the Roslagsbanan train from Östra station on Valhallavägen lies Bergianska trädgården, a botanical garden where you can stroll around among leafy trees or take a walk along the Brunnsviken waterfront. When hunger or sugar cravings kick in, it's not far to Gamla Orangeriet which serves organic food and homemade cakes and pastries. If you would rather experience the world-renowned Stockholm archipelago, take the ferry or bus to Artipelag on Värmdö island. A huge art gallery among the pines and rocky outcrops housing interesting exhibitions and two restaurants with wonderful sea views. You can also go for forest walks in the Nackaresarvatet nature reserve. Start at Hellasgården  and stop for lunch at Storstugan, where you can eat well-cooked meals and warm yourself in front of the open fire. At Vinterviken, south of the city, you can follow in Alfred Nobel's footsteps and walk along the waterfront nearby the old brick building which housed his dynamite factory around the turn of the last century. These days, chef Markus Aujalay runs a café there – perfect for coffee breaks both outdoors and in. Just across the bridge, Millesgården sculpture park attracts visitors from all over the world. Stop here and have something to eat at Lanthandeln just after you arrive on the island or on the way home. Don't miss taking the bus out to the island's green areas where you'll find ancient oaks, meadows and walking paths along the waterfront.

The green and pleasant island of Djurgården attracts both Stockholmers and tourists with its beautiful oaks, walks, museums and restaurants. You can get to the island easily in various ways, but the heritage tram line from Norrmalmstorg is our favourite. There's always a good reason to visit Rosendals Trädgård garden café, whatever the season. In late summer, the trees are heavy with apples and, inside the café, the garden's vegetable harvest informs the menu. In the winter you can enjoy coffee and a cake in one of the greenhouses and in the spring the meadows are filled with flowers which you can use to make up your own hand-picked bouquets later in the season. Skansen, too, with its mixture of cultural history and zoo, is always a lovely place to visit. A little further out on Blockhusudden you'll find Thielska galleriet, where you can admire art by famous names such as Edvard Munch, Carl Larsson, August Strindberg och Anders Zorn as well as have a coffee or a light bite. On the way back you can check out the always-popular Waldemarsudde and Liljevalchs konsthall. Round off your visit with a drink and snack at Skroten before you head back to Djurgårdsbron or hop on the ferry over to Slussen.

Södermalm

If you want to make the most of Stockholm's best vantage points and nicest neighbourhoods, all you have to do is put on your comfiest shoes and head out. Not surprisingly, the loveliest walks are to be found on the waterfront in this city, often called the Venice of the North. For unbeatable views, steer yourself over to Södermalm. Start from Kungsträdgården and walk along Skeppsbron. You'll get a perfect view of the castle and Skeppsholmen before you continue up above Slussen. Once you're up on Fjällgatan, you'll find the old wooden workers' cottages typical of Södermalm, a kaffestuga open in the summer and the most beautiful view in the city. Keep walking down towards Nytorget to find restaurants and bars for all tastes.

Riddarfjärden/Old Town

Another lovely walk that also passes Slussen but in the other direction. Start the day at Mariatorget, where there are lots of charming cafés, restaurants, galleries and boutiques. Take your time wandering around the cobbled streets on the other side of Hornsgatan and peek down over Riddarfjärden bay from Monteliusvägen. From there you'll see both Stadshuset, Riddarholmen, Norrmälarstrand and the whole way over to Västerbron bridge which joins Kungsholmen and Södermalm. When you've had enough of this view, walk down towards the Old Town and explore attractions such as Stortorget and the nearby Storkyrkan church. Stop for a drink at Pharmarium (if there's room!) before finishing up with a meal at one of the many restaurants around Lilla Nygatan.

City/Vasastan

The area around Sergels Torg may not look too promising, but bear with us. Sergels Torg is an iconic spot in Stockholm with its graphic patterns and eye-catching glass obelisk. Avoid the crowds on Drottninggatan and instead walk down Sveavägen until you pass Urban Deli and Miss Clara before you duck onto Drottninggatan by Gustav Adolfs church. From there, the walk up towards Tegnérlunden park is more peaceful and packed with cafés and shops left and right as well as quotes from the famous Swedish author August Strindberg along the street. From Tegnérlunden it's a short walk to the vintage boutiques around Odenplan and Vasaparken where you'll find the "gold house", Sven-Harrys konstmuseum.

Östermalm/Djurgården

Many tourists don't get any further than Nybroplan, Strandvägen or Stureplan, but Östermalm has much more to offer. Wander round the streets around Östermalmstorg and the historic saluhallen food market, before you take the "back way" out towards Djurgården via leafy Karlavägen or peaceful Linnégatan until you reach Narvavägen and turn right down towards Djurgårdsbron bridge. Once you're there you can choose whether to hop on a bus or tram out towards Djurgården (and its Gröna Lund, Skansen and Waldermarsudde attractions) or take a left before the bridge and stroll along the picturesque Djurgårdsbrunnskanalen waterway. 

Tip! 
Did you know that the Stockholm underground is the world's longest art exhibition? So keep your eyes open as you explore the network and enjoy the exciting artworks on the platforms and in between.

Stockholm is fun and welcoming for even the youngest visitors. Several museums have impressive sections for children – here are just a few of them: Tekniska museet on Gärdet has a 2 000 square metre science centre where big and small can explore and experiment their way to smart new ideas. In contrast to the latest technology, Nordiska museet's children's area "the playhouse" is a totally different experience – here you are transported back in time to play in the same way as children did in the Swedish countryside in the 19th century. The river raft and old-fashioned country store are always very popular, even with tech-age children. On the same sort of historical theme is Junibacken, right behind Nordiska museet. Here you can take a fairy tale ride through Astrid Lindgren's well-loved stories, watch children's theatre performances or browse through countless children's books – Junibacken's aim is to kickstart children's imagination and encourage them to read. Another tip is to head out to Fjärilshuset in Hagaparken where you'll find a tropical rainforest in the middle of Stockholm, full of beautiful butterflies and colourful fish. Naturally, Gröna Lund amusement park is always a popular choice with children of all ages.

Whether you're interested in art, theatre, film, live music or dance, Stockholm has masses to offer culture-wise. As an alternative to cinema multiplexes, Bio Rio in Hornstull is one of Stockholm's few remaining single screens from the 1940s. The cinema shows excellent, often prize-winning, films from all over the world. Dansens Hus by Norra Bantorget is Sweden's oldest stage for guest performances of contemporary dance from Sweden and all over the world, and has performances several evenings a week. If you continue along Torsgatan towards Sankt Eriksplan you'll see Bonniers Konsthall come into view. Both Swedish and international artists are shown here. If you start from Norra Bantorget but head south instead on Vasagatan it won't be long before you'll cross Kungsgatan. There you'll find Fasching – a jazz club which has grown and grown since it opened in 1977 and is now the largest jazz promoter in Scandinavia. Next door is one of Stockholm's many private theatres, Oscarsteatern. Dramaten, too, is well worth a visit, as much for its beautiful interiors as its theatrical performances.