Discover Stockholm from Old Town Charm to Royal Palaces

A Guide to Discover Stockholm and the Swedish Archipelago

Discover Stockholm and its fourteen islands that are connected by more than fifty bridges. Stockholm is one of those rare capital cities where the water is never more than a few steps away. One-third city, one-third parks, one-third water is the ratio that makes Sweden's capital feel spacious. Even when you're standing in a crowd of tourists in the middle of Gamla Stan in July.

I stayed at the Sheraton Stockholm, a few hundred meters from Gamla Stan's main gate. I used a Marriott elite upgrade to land a room overlooking City Hall and the lake. It's a good reminder that Stockholm rewards a little points strategy just like anywhere else. From there, nearly everything worth seeing in the city center is walkable.

The tower is 106 meters tall and offers a spectacular panoramic view of central Stockholm.

Featured Travel Guides & Day Trips

Gamla Stan: A Walk Through Stockholm's Old Town

If you only have one day to discover Stockholm, spend it in Gamla Stan, the medieval Old Town. Cobblestone lanes, 17th-century merchant houses, the Royal Palace, the Nobel Prize Museum, and Stockholm's narrowest alley are all packed into a walkable island that takes maybe twenty minutes to cross end to end.

→ Read the Full Gamla Stan Walking Tour Guide

The Vasa Museum on Djurgården

Located on Stockholm's museum island of Djurgården, the Vasa Museum houses a nearly fully intact 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and sat at the bottom of the harbor for over 300 years. It pairs perfectly with a ferry ride past Gröna Lund and a stop at ABBA The Museum.

→ Read the Full Vasa Museum Guide

Gripsholm Castle Day Trip

Located about an hour outside the city on Lake Mälaren, Gripsholm is a red brick castle with copper domes that has guarded portraits of Swedish royalty for nearly five centuries. It is a rewarding half-day escape if you want to experience Sweden beyond the capital.

→ Read the Gripsholm Castle Guide

Sigtuna Day Trip from Stockholm

As Sweden's oldest town, Sigtuna sits inside Stockholm County and is covered entirely by regular SL public transit — a single ticket runs about 42 SEK (roughly $4.50). It's proof that some of the best day trips from Stockholm don't require renting a car.

→ Read the Sigtuna Day Trip Guide

Royal Highlights: The Changing of the Guard

No first trip to discover Stockholm is complete without seeing the Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace, held most days around 12:15 pm.

Pro Tip: The main ceremony happens in the inner courtyard, not the outer one. Show up at least 30 minutes early and head straight in — I learned this the hard way and had to go back a second day to see it properly!

The full ceremony, the following day, from the inner courtyard.

Practical Notes to Discover Stockholm

• Getting Around: Stockholm's public transit (SL) is excellent, covering the city center, ferries, metro, and surrounding county destinations like Sigtuna.
• Where to Stay: Hotels near Gamla Stan put you within easy walking distance of the historic core. If you have hotel points, look for elite upgrades, like a lake or City Hall view.
• Best Time to Visit: Summer brings long daylight hours (and crowds); shoulder season (late spring, early fall) is quieter and still comfortable for walking.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes: Between Gamla Stan's uneven cobblestones and walking between the islands, you'll log significant mileage on foot.

Stockholm rewards patience and a good pair of shoes. Start in the Old Town, then let the islands pull you further out.

Related Travel & Points Articles

• Where to Stay: Sheraton Stockholm Review — Our full review of using points and upgrades near Gamla Stan.
• Flying Air France Business Class on Points — How we booked our transatlantic flight to the Nordics.
• Gamla Stan
• Exploring Stockholm
• Sigtuna Day Trip from Stockholm to Sweden’s Oldest Town
• Day Trip to Gripsholm Castle from Stockholm
• Stockholm Vasa Museum on Djurgården
• Sweden Travel Guide