Event venues in Stockholm

Getting Around Stockholm

Stockholm has four airports, and Flygbussarna Airport Coaches connect them all. Flixbus and Nettbus can take you to the city from Arlanda airport.

A taxi from Arlanda takes 40 mins, and 15 mins from Bromma airport. But a word to the wise; taxis fared aren’t regulated in Sweden. So prices can vary quite a bit depending on who you ride with.

Public transport is well organised in Stockholm. Trams, metro, buses, trains, and ferries are all integrated into one system and one ticket system: one ticket = peace of mind.

A single ticket will be valid for 75 mins and will cost you 44 SEK. You can also buy 24 hr, 72 hr and 30-day tickets. Make sure to buy them in advance though, because you can’t buy tickets on board!

It’s value for money as well; the metro stations are major tourist attractions. There are more than 90 decorated stations with some exceptional art. So you can enjoy them as you happen to go past, or go out your way and spend the day enjoying it.

The Best Areas to Stay in Stockholm

You’re not going to corner us into saying which is the best area to stay in Stockholm. It’s honestly just too hard to choose. To make amends, we created a guide to Stockholm hotels. In the meantime, read our guide to the areas and decide which one suits you best?

Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan is the best area in Stockholm to stay if you like living in history. Gamla Stan is Swedish for the old town, and that’s what it is. Its medieval credentials are top-notch. It’s as central as it comes, with the parliament and the Royal Palace next door.

You’ll also find Christmas markets when the time comes, museums, colourful churches, and magical cobbled streets. It’s all explorable by foot and will leave a serious impression on you.

You have to remember that our medieval ancestors didn’t consider street patterns when building their towns. There’s no order, but that just makes it all the more charming.

Södermalm

Södermalm is Swedish for Southern Island. The City museum, Tantolunden Park and Långholmen Island are just nearby. You’ll find the rest of the city come to explore on the weekend too.

This island is the place to be for luxury boutique hotels, nice apartments, superb restaurants, cafes, bars, art galleries, and offbeat shops.

The coolest area of this cool area is Hornstull, in the very west of the Southern Island. You’ll find the youngest and coolest of Stockholm’s population here. It’s worth the trip for the free spirit, and independent cafes, markets, bars clubs and gig venues.

Djurgården

Djurgården is for those that want to indulge in some wholesome tourism and stay away from city life. It's a location to choose if you're up for museums, open space, walks in nature, and picnics. The ABBA Museum, Skansen, Vasa Warship and the Nordic Museum are all within striking distance. There are good links to the city by ferry and tram, so there's no excuse not to visit.

Östermalm

Östermalm (Eastern City-Borough) is to the northeast of Gamla Stan, just east of the centre. This neighbourhood is for the high rollers. A more elegant and exclusive area of the city would be in an alternate universe. The large spacious parks and museums are the big-ticket here.

The Östermalm Market Hall is a must-see. Why not try some reindeer while you are there?

It’s also known for the Stureplan nightclub district. The many shops and restaurants will keep you occupied until the clubs open, so at least 24 hours of your stay here is already organised.

Norrmalm

Norrmalm is the very centre of Stockholm’s mainland. It’s just to the north of Gamla Stan. You can get there on all metro lines from Stockholm central station and easily to the airports.

Due to its central location, hotels here can be a bit more pricey. However, you’ll get the Royal Opera House, the National Museum of Sweden, Oceanbus and the Centre for Culture for your money. It really is the best location to get to know the city on a short trip.

Swedish Cuisine

I think we can all agree that the food at IKEA is very underrated. Okay, we’ll say it: it’s one of the best parts of the trip there. So now imagine trying that cuisine from where it’s actually from. Yes, we’re hungry now too.

Swedish Cuisine feels like a secret we can’t believe more people don’t know. Like most northern European cuisine, it’s very potato heavy, which is just fine with us. They also love their meat and really love their fish. Especially pickled herring!

Jansson’s Frestelse (Jansson’s Temptation) is a Christmas dish that all Swedes know well. But you don’t have to wait until Christmas to try it! It’s a casserole with creamy potatoes and anchovies. The name comes from Pelle Janzon, a famous Swedish opera singer of the last century and a major foodie.

Gravlax, which is dill cured salmon, started life in France. But the Swedes took it, adored it, and improved it. Their modest adaptation? Mustard sauce. It’s a regular guest on a typical Swedish smörgåsbord. Otherwise, it’s served with potatoes and dill.

Shellfish season comes in August. Shellfish was originally the pursuit of the upper class from the 1500s. But slowly and surely, it’s become the property of everyone. Crayfish reigns supreme of all the shelled creatures here. If you can make it to a Swedish seafood celebration, they will treat you with a main course of crayfish and lobster. Delicious.

On the inverse, traditional working-class food was knäckebröd. Or simply, crispbread. It’s a 500-year-old tradition. It’s a trusty friend to Swedish dishes, or as the base to ham, cheese, or preferably, caviar for breakfast.

We’re entering familiar waters now. Meatballs. That reminds us, do we need new furniture for the office? Wait, we’re getting sidetracked. Where were we? Ah yes, Meatballs. Served with mashed potatoes, cream sauce, and lingonberries. Known colloquially - and very adorably - as Mom’s Meatballs.

And of course, no Stockholm city guide would be complete without mentioning the famous Smörgåsbord…

It’s a Swedish style buffet platter. You’re going to see a lot of familiar faces pop up when you experience Smörgåsbords across Stockholm. Meatballs, of course. Pickled herring, of course. Mini sausages, salmon, potatoes, sour cream, boiled eggs, and various garnishes such as onion, garlic, dill and mustard.

But now you’re probably thinking, what about something sweet? We hear you, and we say, Princess Cake. This Swedish delight gets its name from the cake Jenny Åkerström made for Princesses Margaretha and Märtha for their Birthdays. What makes Princess Cake unique is its green colour, and pink sugar rose.

The Swedish are also bun crazy. The most popular are Saffron Buns and Cinnamon Buns. Saffron Buns are typically a festive treat. But Cinnamon Buns are a year-round indulgence, most commonly with a coffee (fika).

When to Visit Stockholm

June to August are the best months for good weather in Stockholm. What you need to remember about summer in Stockholm is that the sun rarely sets. There are over 18 and a half hours of daylight!

The city is a nice mix of both tourists and locals. And there’s so much for you all to do: outdoor festivals, concerts, sports and island hopping. A highlight is swimming right in the middle of the city.

Autumn is a strong candidate for the best season because it’s so quiet and peaceful. The leaves are magical, and it’s an excellent time to experience fika (a concept to the Danish hygge). It’s a cosy time to enjoy warm drinks and to take it slow.

There is an eye-opening six months of winter in Stockholm. So if you’re going, wrap up warm because it is cold. But don’t let that scare you. The Swedes are cold pros. The city continues at its usual pace, and they have plenty of winter-friendly activities and sights.

If you go in December, you’re going to see a host of lovely Christmas markets. There are also many snug cafes to melt into, and you can try a legendary Swedish Christmas buffet, Julbord. If you go from January to March, you’ll get picture-perfect snow.

Spring is a funny old time in Stockholm. There’s a lot of sunlight, and it is beautiful. It won’t be hot enough to have a picnic, but it’s worth coming because it’s just you and the locals.

Archipelago

Just 30 minutes from the city you have an Archipelago of almost 30,000 individual islands, rocks, and islets. It’s a multifaceted landscape of rough and ragged islands, woodlands, sandy beaches, cliffs, and coves.

There’s uninhabited land to explore, and ancient villages to get familiar with. The best way to see them is by steamboats. They come out of hibernation in the summer and gently offer you the Archipelago at your leisure.

Vaxholm is the spiritual capital of the Archipelago. It’s old and full of pastel-coloured homes. The pier is the ideal place to enjoy ice cream and take stock of this fantastic spot.

Wrapping up

There is nowhere like Stockholm. It’s historically charming but is still as cosmopolitan as any other city. It has a village feel while being a business leader. This Stockholm city guide might seem rose-tinted, but it’s the truth, we promise.

It’s a city that puts a lot of stock in comfort and homeliness. And with the superb transport system, it’s stressless. Most importantly, you get the feeling you’re escaping the city when still you’re in the heart of it.

They are accustomed to hosting international guests for all sorts of events. So your corporate event is in safe hands when you pick this city. Just remember to pack for the weather!