17 Wonderful Things to Do in Stockholm in Winter [2024-2025]

If you don’t mind a little cold, Stockholm is one of Europe’s best winter destinations. This urban paradise in Sweden is the definition of coziness (as the Swedes would call it, mysigt — don’t call it hygge here, that’s Denmark’s domain!).

From exploring the museums, stopping for coffee breaks with tasty Swedish pastries (fika), visiting Christmas markets, and enjoying scenic boat rides through Stockholm’s archipelago, there are plenty of fun things to do in Stockholm in winter!

My very first trip to Sweden, I visited Stockholm in February. I was expecting it to be frigid, but honestly, it was actually warmer in Stockholm than in New York City, where I was coming from!

And honestly, while Stockholm isn’t that cold in the winter, it’s still likely that you’ll want to spend some of your time indoors warming up and exploring the museums and indoor markets. 

If you have a few days in Stockholm and want to spend much of it indoors enjoying the city’s cultural scene, it makes the most sense to buy a Stockholm Pass. This gives you access to all of the city’s best museums and public transportation and you can buy it in 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5-day intervals.

This post will go over all my favorite things to do in Stockholm in winter, as well as some bonus tips for planning a winter trip to Sweden.

17 Best Things to Do in Stockholm in Winter

Stroll through the Christmas Markets in Stockholm

If you are planning to visit Stockholm in late November or December, I strongly suggest you try to time your vacation around the Christmas markets. The soft glow of the Christmas lights makes the short and dark Swedish days feel brighter!

For the most charming Christmas Market in the city, head to Stortorget (Big Square) in the heart of the Old Town of Gamla Stan, one of Stockholm’s 14 islands. Here, you can browse through the festive red-painted wooden stalls that sell all manners Christmas crafts and handmade ornaments, as well as Swedish food and hot mulled wine.

Mulled wine (known as gløgg in Sweden and glühwein outside of it) is a Christmas market favorite in all of Europe, but it’s especially popular at markets in all of its Nordic neighbors like Helsinki, Copenhagen and Tallinn, as well.

2024 Update: As per the official Visit Sweden website, the Christmas market in Gamla Stan will be open every day from November 23rd to December 23rd, 2024.

See the Vasa Museum’s incredible restoration work.

Let’s not beat around the bush: winter in Stockholm is pretty dang cold. You won’t want to spend that much time outdoors, so make the best use of your time by going to some of Stockholm’s coolest museums.

One of the city’s standout indoor landmarks that’s perfect for escaping the cold is the iconic Vasa Museum. The centerpiece of the museum is the ill-fated Vasa ship, which met its watery demise in 1628, just mere minutes (yes, minutes!) after its maiden voyage began. Even the Titanic had more sea time than this ship!

What’s astonishing is that even after languishing beneath the water for almost three centuries, the ship was salvaged and found to be remarkably preserved — thanks to Stockholm’s distinct brackish waters.

This resulted in a near-perfect preservation, almost fossilized. The Vasa ship actually is 99% in its original state, which is utterly remarkable for how long it spent submerged underwater.

This captivating museum delves deep into the ship’s history, offering engaging exhibits, videos showing the history and restoration of the ship, and guided tours. There’s also a surprisingly delightful and affordable restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat before continuing your day.

It’s an incredibly unique experience that can only be had in Stockholm, so make sure you add it to your winter itinerary. You can buy the Vasa Museum ticket with a guided tour or you can buy the Stockholm Pass, as it is included in the pass.

Marvel at the awe-inspiring Stockholm Palace.

Wanting to escape the cold? The pastel-colored Royal Palace (also known as the Stockholm Palace) stands out like a jewel against at the snowy streets, located in the heart of colorful Gamla Stan.

While its exterior is impressive, its interior is even more gobsmacking. With over 600 rooms, it’s easily one of Europe’s largest palaces. Draped in intricate Baroque detailing, gold accents, and opulent interior design, the palace’s staterooms are extremely impressive.

With art and tapestries adorning basically every square inch of wall, it’s hard to stop taking in detail at the Stockholm Palace, making this a great place to kill quite a bit of time on a cold day. You can also visit the Treasury to see the royal regalia as well as the Palace Church, which is a quiet little place of peace.

Visit the Skansen Open Air Museum.

The lovely Skansen Museum and Zoo stands proud as the world’s first open-air museum, showcasing historic Swedish homes and native Nordic animals like the moose and brown bear.

Set against the backdrop of Stockholm’s breathtaking archipelago on the island of Djurgården, Skansen offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands. During a visit, you can immerse yourself in Swedish history, discover local wildlife, and appreciate traditional goods and crafts.

Don’t let the idea of a chilly Stockholm winter deter you from the concept of an open-air museum; the Swedes have mastered the art of coziness in the winter! With crackling fires and steaming beverages on offer in warmed huts, Skansen provides a warm environment to escape to, even on the colder winter days.

I suggest purchasing tickets to visit Skansen online to bypass long lines, especially during busy weekend visits when this is an especially popular spot for local families!

Eat your heart out at one of Stockholm’s food halls.

The Östermalms Saluhall is a great place to dine when in Stockholm. This traditional Scandinavian covered market hall has such incredible variety. Here, local vendors sell all sorts of traditional Swedish dishes as well as prepared goods like spread salads, smoked fish, cured meats, and other favorites.

While Östermalms Saluhall is great any time of year, it’s especially delightful in the winter. Since it’s always cozy and warm indoors, you can stroll around leisurely, snacking and shopping for different Swedish delicacies.

If you want to check out another market hall, there’s also the beloved Hotorgshallen, filled with vendors selling fresh fish, meats, cheeses, teas, and coffee. Besides traditional Swedish goodies, it offers a wide variety of international snacks such as falafel, sushi, French cheeses, and more.

Take a Nordic food tour.

Want more guidance than just being told about two of Stockholm’s food halls? There’s a Nordic food tour that also encompasses these traditional Swedish market halls!

Starting at Östermalmshallen, Stockholm’s old market hall, you’ll try local cold cuts and cheeses to get you started on a 4-hour food odyssey through Stockholm, tasting both classic and innovative Swedish dishes.

You’ll also try a plate of different Swedish seafood presentations and other small bites, followed by a few different sweets, like local chocolates and Swedish candies.

Your tour ends in a lovely Gamla Stan courtyard, enjoying a cup of coffee with the city’s best cinnamon roll!

Book your Swedish food tour here!

Explore history at the Nobel Museum.

Stockholm is chockful of excellent museums, and even in spite of that, the Nobel Museum stands out as one of the city’s most unique offerings. I mean, every city has an art museum, but how many cities can say they’re the birthplace of Alfred Nobel, the man who lent his name to the most prestigious awards one can ever hope to win?

Visiting the Nobel Museum is not just a way to escape the winter cold and learn about the inventor, but also to learn the history of some of the most groundbreaking achievements in various fields, each awarded this prize.

So, why Nobel Prizes? Upon his death in 1896, Nobel’s will dictated that most of his wealth should be used to gift prizes to who benefited humanity: namely, in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace.

The museum honors all the Nobel laureates of every field, sharing the stories of the laureates through words as well as objects they’ve donated: a little glimpse into the ordinary life of these extraordinary people.

Plus, the rotating exhibits feature different laureates and celebrate particular advances in detail, making it a fun way to learn more about some of humanity’s sharpest minds.

Go on a Gamla Stan walking tour.

Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s Old Town, which still preserves its medieval roots in great condition — one of the best in Europe, in fact! Stockholm was founded here allllll the way back in 1252, and you can feel the history in each one of its winding streets.

So taking a walking tour of Gamla Stan is the perfect way to unwind nearly 800 years old history! As a bonus, in winter in Stockholm you will definitely find it to be much less crowded than in the summer.

Full of restaurants, cafes, bars, and souvenirs shops, Gamla Stan has no shortage of cute places to peek into. It’s amazing to walk around the narrow streets led by an expert guide who will tell you all the enduring stories of this hallowed part of Stockholm.

Sweat the winter day away in a sauna.

One cool thing about visiting places like Sweden and Finland is just how common saunas are — they’re not purely for luxury hotels, and even some hostels have them, like the one I stayed at in Abisko!

Even if you’re not staying in a hostel or a hotel with a sauna, you can a wonderful sauna or public bathhouse around the city. Centralbadet (Central Bath) is one of the most beautiful, with Art Nouveau décor and plenty of saunas and heated swimming pools to choose from.

Check out their website here for more information; you can get a day pass for around 495 SEK ($45 USD) on Monday through Thursday or for 695 SEK ($63 USD) on weekends and Fridays.

The baths are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM (Saturdays, from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM).

You can also do this fun winter tour that combines a kayak on the Stockholm Archipelago, a fika break, and some sauna time — a classic Swedish winter day if there ever was one!

Book your winter kayak, coffee, and sauna tour here!

Take a Stockholm archipelago boat tour.

Stockholm itself makes up 14 islands, joined by 57 bridges, which makes water such an important part of any trip to Stockholm – even in winter.

Which is why taking a winter Stockholm archipelago cruise is a fantastic way to spend a winter day! Your guide will tell you all the stories and rich history of the landmarks you pass along the way.

As you traverse the mesmerizing waters of the Stockholm archipelago, the second largest set of islands in the Baltic Sea, you’ll be totally transfixed. You’ll cruise past the island of Fjäderholmarna, seeing highlights like Djurgården royal park and other historic landmarks.

If you get a little winter chill, you can warm up with traditional Swedish glögg or other refreshments from the onboard café.

Book your winter archipelago cruise here!

Go on a trip to Drottningholm Palace.

The dazzling Drottningholm Palace, a short distance from Stockholm, is a magical escape during the winter months.

Constructed in the late 16th century, this UNESCO World Heritage site — the current residence of the Swedish royal family — gets a beautiful coating of snow each winter, making its baroque facades stand out even more.

The expansive gardens surrounding the palace become even more lovely under a blanket of snow, not least the Chinese Pavilion. This ornate structure, a blend of East Asian architecture set against a Nordic backdrop, has a beautiful otherworldliness when surrounded by snow.

Visit the ABBA Museum.

If you’re a superfan of the Swedish musical group ABBA, you’ll have the time of your life dancing and singing your way through the ABBA Museum. And even if you’re not, you’ll still have a blast.

Not your average museum, the ABBA Museum is ultra-interactive with loads of photo opps and interactive experiences. Here, you’ll do more than just observe; you’ll virtually try on iconic costumes, participate in quizzes, star in your own music videos, and even take the stage alongside virtual ABBA members.

The hands-on activities are so immersive that by the end of your visit, you’ll feel like you’ve become the unofficial 5th member of ABBA!

The museum is a treasure trove showcasing the legendary group’s original costumes and memorabilia as well. There are video and audio recordings of your trip that you can access from the website after you go home, so you can have the ultimate Sweden souvenir!

The ABBA Museum is one of Stockholm’s most popular places to visit and as a result there are often lines – yes, even in winter. Book your tickets online in advance to skip the lines and jumpstart the fun!

Shop til you drop in Södermalm.

The funky Södermalm area is one of Stockholm’s trendiest neighborhoods and a great way to spend a cold winter day in Stockholm. Walk up and down the main street, Götgatan, and window shop… or actually shop, if you’re feeling flush (Stockholm is expensive!)

Swedish fashion is minimalist and focuses on quality rather than quantity, so it’s pricy but classic. Any piece you buy here is likely to last you a lifetime!

If you’re not that into fashion, there are tons of home décor shops that have mastered the art of Scandinavian design. They’re nearly impossible to leave empty-handed from (I caved and picked up a few cute mugs).

Visit the Nordic Museum.

Another museum on the island of Djurgården, the grand Nordic Museum is a great place to while away a Swedish wintry day. Its majestic, Renaissance-style façade, inspired by Danish and Dutch architectural styles, is even more beautiful in the snow.

Once inside, you’ll travel through centuries of Swedish art, traditions, fashion, and objects of everyday life. After you’ve seen your fill, the museum’s café is a surprisingly good spot to grab a cup of coffee and a kanelbulle (Swedish cinnamon bun), admiring the view around you.

Fika your heart out.

The Swedes are some of the biggest coffee drinkers in the world! They love coffee so much that they have a word which can’t really be appropriately translated into English: fika.

Fika can be used as a verb – “to have coffee”, but it’s more than that. The word also implies the whole social setting and psychology behind it: resetting your mind during the day by snacking on pastries, enjoying coziness, and chatting with friends. Fika can also be used as a noun, as in “the act of having coffee and catching up.”

So whenever you need a break from the cold, pop into a cozy café — one is never far away — for a coffee and a pastry, preferably a cinnamon roll (kanelbullar)! Some of my favorite neighborhoods for fika are SoFo and Östermalm. You surely won’t be the only one pausing for a fika!

Learn Viking history on a day trip to Sigtuna and Uppsala.

Embark on a journey back a thousand years in time to explore the captivating Viking Age, brought to life by seeing historical sites paired with the tales of expert tour guides.

This 8-hour Viking history excursion starts with hotel pickup from Stockholm and takes you to crucial Viking landmarks, including the cities of Sigtuna and Old Uppsala. A few sites you’ll visit to learn about Sweden’s Viking history are Broby Bro, a prominent burial ground, and explore Jarlabanke Bridge with its enigmatic runes.

You’ll learn the intricacies of Viking society at the Arkil Assembly, a former meeting place of the Viking Parliament. Reaching Sigtuna, Sweden’s oldest town, you can stroll amidst medieval church ruins and charming alleys, imagining how it was probably similar even centuries ago.

Finally, you’ll end in Uppsala, where you can marvel at the towering Uppsala Cathedral, the largest church in the Nordic countries, before returning to Stockholm.

Ski at the Hammarbybacken ski resort.

Now, I’m not a skier — I hurt myself plenty without strapping myself to planks of wood and trying to fall down a hill, thanks — but Swedes love their skiing!

Hammarbybacken is a hotspot for locals and tourists alike during the winter season. You can find a snow park with numerous slopes to snowboard or ski.

There are places as well where you can rent equipment, enjoy the cafes and restaurants, or even stay in a hotel if you want to get outside of the city a bit.

The ski resort offers an incredible experience for all ages and levels on their slopes, while enjoying an astounding view of the city.

2024 Update: For the 2024-2025 season, Hammerbybacken is slated to open on December 21, 2024. To confirm, check their website here.

Where to Stay in Stockholm in Winter

Budget: For a fun, trendy hostel that won’t break the break, check out City Backpackers Stockholm. It’s one of the more affordable options in the city, plus it has a free sauna – enough said.

Check prices, ratings, and availability here!

Mid-range: You can get a great taste of Swedish décor by staying at one of the popular local chain hotels like Scandic Upplandsgatan, which infuses Nordic sensibilities with a traditional hotel experience.

Check prices, ratings, and availability here!

Luxury: If you are looking for the ultimate luxury experience in Stockholm, Grand Hotel Stockholm has the perfect location, a beautiful lobby, luxurious rooms — oh, and a restaurant with two Michelin stars.

Check prices, ratings, and availability here!

Allison Green

Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016, visiting 75+ countries in total. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. As a former educator, she merges her writing and educational experience to encourage ethical, sustainable travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and TBEX. Her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. When she’s not on the road, she lives in Bangkok, Thailand.