A Perfect Day: Stockholm in One Day

I start the day off right with avocado toast at Grain Café. This small spot in the Kungsholmen district, popular among young locals, is still relatively undiscovered by tourists despite its central location. The café is also known for its variety of porridge with different toppings.

I walk along Norr Mälarstrand, heading toward the iconic City Hall by the water. On the way, it’s worth taking a look at the Västerbron bridge, nearly 2,000 feet long, which arches over the small island of Långholmen. There, you’ll find a beach and even a hotel set in a former prison.

The City Hall, whose tower is adorned with the Swedish coat of arms with three golden crowns, is world-famous because the Nobel Prize banquet is held there. From here, you can cross one of four bridges to the island of Stadsholmen, where Stockholm’s old town, Gamla Stan, is located with its many medieval buildings. There, I like to sit with friends in Café Chokladkoppen on Stortorget square and enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate with a kanelbulle, a typical Swedish cinnamon bun.

It may be a bit touristy, but the two-hour “Under the Bridges of Stockholm” boat tour is highly recommended. You glide under twelve different bridges and really get a sense of how many islands make up this city. The audio program (also in English) gives you a wonderful overview of the geography and history of the city.

I usually hop off the boat at Nybrokajen, the second-to-last stop, where Stockholm’s finest shopping street, Strandvägen, begins. Here, I take a peek into Svenskt Tenn, a Swedish design haven offering furniture, textiles, fashion, and wallpaper by well-known designers like Josef Frank, Estrid Ericson, and Signe Persson-Melin. Fun fact: Svenskt Tenn is also an official purveyor to the Swedish royal family.

On this prestigious boulevard, you’ll see many people carrying shopping bags labeled “NK” - a bit of a status symbol in Stockholm. The initials stand for Nordiska Kompaniet, a luxury department store established in 1902. In the magnificent art nouveau building, which opened in 1915, you’ll find all the top names in fashion, beauty, and interior design, along with a great dining spot, Nordiska Kantinen.

Since I’m on a tight schedule, I grab a smørrebrød from the charming and cozy Stora Bageriet on Sibyllegatan and head to Djurgården. This peaceful island, partly wooded, always feels like a different world. Here you will find the Vasa Museum with a 17th century warship, Gröna Lund, one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe, the Nordic Museum, and Skansen, Stockholm’s open-air museum. All worth seeing, but my favorite on the island is the Abba Museum, which I have visited countless times. Even friends who aren’t fans of the band have enjoyed it. You can even record your own Abba song there or stay in the Gold Suite next door in the Backstage Hotel, which is decorated with the band’s gold records.

Ferry number 82 takes me back to the stop at Slussen between the old town and Södermalm. I take the Katarinahissen open-air elevator up to the Södermalm district and walk across the bridge to Mosebacke next to Södra Teatern, which offers a fantastic view over the city. One of the most beautiful places in Stockholm to watch the sunset.

At Gondolen, I always enjoy the 360-degree view over the city and typical Swedish delicacies such as Kalix caviar or lobster for starters and roast venison or steamed char with locally grown vegetables for the main course. Dining here really is a very special experience. Tip: Be sure to book a table in advance!

Admire the sights of Stockholm from the water on a cruise, bookable on GetYourGuide. The ship will take you under the bridges to the most important landmarks of the city. 

Gary Wilson, a long-haul purser, has been with Lufthansa since 1988 and could easily fill a book with his experiences. The inspiration and insights he gains from people all over the world make his job so rewarding. Although he’s seen much of the world, he's always curious about new things – and he finds plenty to discover in Stockholm, the city he’s called home for over 20 years.