Things to Do in Stockholm, Sweden: Solo Girl’s Guide to Stockholm

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This Stockholm solo travel guide highlights the best things to do in Stockholm and answers questions like, “Is Stockholm worth visiting?”.

Stockholm is the ideal place for solo female travelers because it’s safe, progressive, beautiful, walkable, and diverse. Every time I stepped into a restaurant, café, or shop, I was greeted with a friendly “hey hey” and immediately felt at home.

If I had to describe Stockholm in one word, I would say “quaint.” It’s also a great base to be able to travel from, as there are many day trips from Stockholm you can take.

Have you been asking yourself, “Is Sweden safe for women traveling alone?” The answer is yes! Let’s dive into this guide to the best things to do in Stockholm.

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?

The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing

Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.

Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies. 

Stockholm Solo Travel Guide: Top Things to Do in Stockholm, Sweden

Airports in Stockholm

There are four airports in Stockholm, the main one being Stockholm Arlanda Airport. The Arlanda Express is a train that leaves every 15 minutes from Arlanda Airport and takes 20 minutes to get into Stockholm city center. This is how I recommend traveling to Stockholm from the airport.

You can also take the Flygbussarna Airport Coach, which departs about every 15 minutes from Arlanda Airport and takes 35 to 45 minutes to reach the city.

What’s the Best Neighborhood to Stay in Stockholm?

Stockholm (and most of Scandinavia) is known for being expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! Just steps away from the main train station is City Backpackers Hostel, one of the best I’ve stayed at. At only $30-35 per night, it’s truly a steal. The hostel is clean, well-organized, and has full amenities, including a sauna—plus, guests receive unlimited free dry pasta!

If you’re willing to cook some pasta every day, you could theoretically eat for free during your entire trip. City Backpackers was one of my favorite hostel experiences because my entire dorm room (seven people) went out for drinks together and had an amazing time. While I’ve met plenty of lovely people on my travels, this was the first time that every single person in my dorm room hung out together.

The answer to the best neighborhood to stay in Stockholm depends on how you like to travel and your vacation priorities. Other popular areas to check out include:

1. Gamla Stan (Old Town): Gamla Stan is the historic heart of Stockholm. Staying here offers a charming, medieval atmosphere with narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and easy access to major attractions like the Royal Palace and Nobel Museum, and excellent dining options. Keep in mind that accommodations in this area can be more expensive.
2. Södermalm (Söder for short): Södermalm is a trendy and vibrant neighborhood known for its bohemian atmosphere. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy hip boutiques, eclectic cafes, and lively nightlife.
3. Norrmalm: Norrmalm is the city center and is close to shopping districts like Drottninggatan and major attractions such as the Royal Opera House and the Central Station. It’s a convenient location with a wide range of hotels and restaurants.

Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress. 
Best Stockholm Tours: Click here to check out the top Stockholm tours
Best Stockholm Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Stockholm
Best Stockholm Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Stockholm

Where to Eat Solo in Stockholm

If you decide not to take advantage of the free pasta at City Backpackers Hostel, there are plenty of other places to eat in the city. I would highly recommend trying Laxpudding, a traditional Swedish dish consisting of salmon and potato. I tried Laxpudding at a cozy café in Old Town, and it was so delicious.

Not far from there is another restaurant called Café Sten Sture, which is full of character and serves traditional Swedish meatballs. Café Sten Sture is a former prison that’s since been converted into a restaurant and café. The cafe features a heavy metal door that leads down to the “dungeon,” where you’ll find historical artifacts. Some may say it’s a bit gimmicky, but I enjoyed my experience there and all the history behind the restaurant.

If you’re solo traveling on a budget, I recommend staying away from Old Town for meals as it tends to be an expensive area. Instead, head to Söder, a cool, hip neighborhood with more reasonable prices. I also found the architecture and design of Söder to be beautiful and picturesque.

Getting Around Stockholm Alone

In terms of transportation, I loved how easy it is to get from place to place throughout Stockholm and how easy it is to see a lot of the city in a short period of time. I love to walk and didn’t need to use public transport once during my trip. However, Stockholm does have a safe and efficient public transportation system that’s incredibly easy.

Quick Tip: View my full Europe packing guide here including a downloadable checklist. And check out my Europe Essentials shopping list here.

Best Things to Do in Stockholm, Sweden

• Explore Old Town: Wander through the historic heart of the city, where you can stroll through narrow, cobblestone streets, admire colorful buildings, and visit famous attractions like the Royal Palace and the Nobel Museum.
• Visit the Vasa Museum: This museum houses the 17th-century warship Vasa, which is incredibly well-preserved. You can learn about its history and explore exhibits about Swedish maritime history.
• Take a walk in Djurgården: Djurgården is a beautiful island with parks, museums, and picturesque walking paths. You can visit Skansen, an open-air museum, and Gröna Lund amusement park, or simply enjoy a peaceful walk.
• Explore Moderna Museet: If you’re into contemporary art, the Moderna Museet is a must-visit. It houses an impressive collection of 20th and 21st-century art from both Swedish and international artists.
• Enjoy a fika: Experience a Swedish coffee break tradition called “fika.” Head to a cozy cafe like Vete-Katten or Café Saturnus to savor coffee and pastries.

FAQs: Top Things to Do in Stockholm

Is Stockholm Worth Visiting?

Stockholm is definitely worth visiting, and it’s a popular destination for many reasons. From the scenic beauty to the rich history and countless museums, there’s a lot to see and do.

Is Sweden Safe for Women?

Sweden is generally considered a safe and gender-equal country with a strong commitment to gender equality and women’s rights. The Swedish government and society have made efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals, regardless of gender.

Is Stockholm Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Stockholm is generally considered a safe city for solo female travelers. Sweden, in general, has low crime rates, and Stockholm is no exception. However, like in any other major city, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings and secure valuables.

Stockholm Travel Guide Planning

🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Stockholm?

Yes! I have created a whole packing guide to Stockholm which you can read here and you can also check out my packing list for Stockholm on Amazon here.

👩‍⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?

I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance. I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here

✈️ Any flight recommendations?

WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise, Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.

🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Europe?

I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options available!

🚗 Where can I book rental cars or private transportation?

I strongly recommend using RentalCars. They are available in more than 60.000 locations and customer service support in more than 40 languages.

📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?

I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.

With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using either Airhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.

🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?

The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia. They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.

🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?

I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.

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Stockholm Solo Travel: Final Thoughts

I truly believe Stockholm is the perfect place for solo female travelers—if you’re planning your first solo trip, consider Stockholm. Not only is it easy to navigate, but the people are friendly and respectful. I hope you enjoy this beautiful city as much as I did!

This is a guest post written by Diana Chen and is part of my best places for solo female travelers. All images are credited to Diana and her MVMT blog. If you liked this post, please check out Diane’s blog MVMT. Make sure you are following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This post was proofread by Grammarly.