boys in sweden — 24 Hours | Sweden

The perfect launching pad for your next Euro-trip...

Well, this is interesting... I'm actually creating a post about a place I've visited. We could call this a travel blog. Gasps cue the shock and awe. My goal is to share a little information about a beautiful destination and provide you with some recommendations if you find yourself wanting to visit this awesome place. Additionally, Michael's and my travel vlog from the city is above! Please take a look to see our experience firsthand! It’s a handy primer for one day in Stockholm.

I've visited Sweden on 4 separate occasions throughout my life, and I've always thought of the country very fondly - a home away from home, even. It was actually the first country I visited outside of the US (not even Canada was first! I know, I'm a terrible North American). So, whether you're visiting during the incredibly warm summers or venturing in during the wonderfully chilly winters, Sweden is filled to the brim with great food and an incredible culture to experience. The time of the year does not matter; the nation is practically exploding with cultural yet comfortable experiences for you to enjoy. Think lots of great food, cheaper prices, incredible museums, shopping, and nightlife. Here are the best things to do in Stockholm, Sweden, even on a quick visit.

Flying into Sweden in March of 2017, it was my first time visiting during a winter month, and though the temperature was consistently chilly, my plane tickets were only $450 round-trip from PDX, on Delta. By far, this was the cheapest round-trip major airline ticket I've ever purchased to Europe. And that's the thing, if you're traveling to the Nordic companies over the winter months, you are much more likely to score a great deal. In fact, I've noticed this week that both WOW Air & Norwegian have great promotions running on their website now! Some with round-trip tickets from US Destinations for $300. That value helps plan 24 hours in Stockholm without breaking the bank.

Stockholm, Sweden, is a port city. It's accessible by many ship routes across the Baltic Sea (perfect for experiencing a summer cruise to nearby Finland, Denmark, Poland, or Estonia!). There are also direct routes with Eurail connecting to Copenhagen and the rest of mainland Europe. Possibly its biggest convenience is its major airports, including Arlanda International (ARN) and Skavsta (NYO) - a popular budget-friendly RyanAir hub. Nearly without fail, every time I have searched for flights to Europe from the US, Stockholm is close to the top of the list for the cheapest places to fly during the winter months. If you're looking for a cheap flight and an awesome city to your Euro-trip from, consider Stockholm as your launching pad. It also simplifies what to see in Stockholm on a tight schedule.

TO EAT:

You honestly cannot go wrong. I might be biased, I'm obsessed with Swedish food. A trip across the Atlantic is never complete without trying a good Svenska Köttbollar Swedish Meatballs. However, flying into Sweden in the dead of winter can be... COLD. The first thing that I wanted to do upon arriving in the city was to find myself a big, hot meal. My friends and I made our way to Aifur Krog & Bar, a magical little dungeon restaurant that serves authentic VIKING FOOD. Yes, they sing and they dance. They serve you reindeer, huge mugs of beer, traditional mead, and if reindeer isn't your thing, you can try virtually any other kind of meat ever. A bit pricey, but definitely worth the experience and the show. If you're looking to splurge for your first or last meal in Sweden, this is the place. Dinner here tops many of the top things to do in Stockholm lists for food lovers.

Other fantastic restaurants within the old city include a cozy restaurant by the name of Slingerbulten serving traditional Swedish fare, and a delicious ramen stop by the name of Café Stiernan. There are all kinds of tasty stops near the best sites to see in Stockholm when wandering around the old streets.

For a quick breakfast bite, try Snickerbacken 7 on the lower side of the downtown bridges. They serve some of the best coffee I've had in Stockholm, and a ton of healthy options both for mornings and early afternoons. And seriously, if you ever get the chance to try a Swedish Chocolate Ball, do it. You will not be sorry. It’s a sweet refuel during any kind of Stockholm one-day itinerary spent sightseeing.

TO STAY:

It can be difficult to find great, affordable options near Gamla Stan. The best economical hostel option that we found close to the city center was Generator Stockholm. Just 10 10-minute walk from Stockholm's Grand Central Station, Generator Hostel is extremely clean, quiet, modern, and the most convenient place to spend a night or two, especially if you just have one day in Stockholm.

Alternatively, we looked at a variety of Airbnbs in the area and found plenty of options. However, for us, we couldn't deny ourselves the hostel atmosphere and the opportunity to meet other travelers, a fun choice for 24 hours in Stockholm, running around the city.

Many appreciate staying in Södermalm (the southern island), a growing and bustling neighborhood with many great restaurants and bars. While others would like to stay close to the shopping, clubs, and Grand Central Station in Norrmalm. Just keep in mind when looking that Gamlastan is really the center of the city with the greatest density of historical sites. With fewer accommodation options and less public transport on the small island, you may sacrifice paying a higher price as well as hiking up a bit of cobblestone. Extending out from the center of the city, Stockholm has a fantastic subway system that will help you along your way when planning what to see in Stockholm.

TO EXPERIENCE:

There is so much to experience and see in Stockholm. With only 24 hours, your time will be limited, but your options will be limitless. The most fantastic thing I can recommend that is completely free is walking around Stockholm's Gamlastan. See the Royal Guard change at the Royal Palace. Stop into a cafe and enjoy a proper Swedish fika (Swedish term for coffee-break or snack time). There are also many free small museums around the city, like the Wooden Horse Museum. Suppose you find yourself with a little extra time. In that case, it's absolutely worth catching a bus to the Vasa Museum, where you will learn a ton about Sweden's history as well as see one of the greatest ships, and greatest fails known to man (it's a crazy story, you can read it on Wiki...or just go to the museum and see it for yourself). And of course, don't forget to visit the narrowest street in Stockholm, Mårten Tratzigs Grand. You'll likely find other tourists walking through and stopping for photos, so join in on the obscure sight to behold. It’s a great route to incorporate, no matter what things to do in Stockholm you have on your list.

Take advantage of the mass of shopping on Drottninggatan. We loved even just purchasing a variety of Swedish candies in one of the many candy shops on this street and gawking at all of the high-end fashion displayed in the windows throughout the shopping district during sightseeing in Stockholm, Sweden.

In the evening, it's best to check out the lively nightlife around Kungsgatan, especially at the intersection with Birger Jarlsgatan. You'll know you're in the right place when you're standing under a giant structure that resembles a mushroom. Did I mention I love Sweden? Down Kungsgatan, you'll find a plethora of bars and clubs. Saturdays and Wednesdays (also referred to as small Saturday) are the most lively, but be sure to check out this region any night of the week for an authentic Swedish bar-hopping experience. It’s amongst the best things to do in Stockholm, Sweden, at night.

Stockholm's infamous narrow street, Mårten Tratzigs Grand!

The Nordic countries may be cold in the winter, but the extreme dip in prices and the friendly faces more than make up for the temperature disparity. One of my favorite things about the city is the vibrant color of many of the buildings near the historic center. It makes the area beautiful to photograph any time of year. From Stockholm, you can take the train to Copenhagen and further South, or hop on one of the many flights to other European destinations. Whether you're flying in just for a pit-stop before the rest of your trip, or if you're looking to experience all of what Sweden has to offer, you will not be disappointed spending a little time here, a smart finale to any Stockholm one-day itinerary.