Visiting Stockholm on a budget: what to see and do?
Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is known for being an expensive city, but many travelers don’t realize that there are also many free things to do in Stockholm. We’re going to take a look at the best activities and attractions in Stockholm that won’t cost you a penny.
1. Galleri Kontrast
Galleri Kontrast is a beautiful little gallery devoted to documentary photography. Housed in a former bank with high glass ceilings and intimate underground vaults, it’s well worth a visit even if only to admire its stunning architecture.
2. Hellasgården
Located just 15 minutes from Slussen in the Nacka nature reserve, Hellasgården is the ideal place to go if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Stockholm. Here you’ll find a lake, endless stretches of forest, an inexpensive sauna, and plenty of space for walking, running, cycling and cross-country skiing.
3. The Katarina Elevator
Katarinahissen (the Katarina elevator) offers superb panoramic views of Stockholm, revealing the city’s true beauty. Although the elevator is out of service, you can still reach the viewpoint by taking the stairs.
Flickr – Ulrich Latzenhofer
4. Långholmen Beach
Långholmen beach is a family-friendly strip of sand that attracts crowds of all ages. The fact that the beach is located on Långholmen, a former prison island, lends the place a mysterious atmosphere.
5. Moderna museet
Moderna Museet (Museum of Modern Art) boasts one of the world’s finest collections of 20th and 21st century art, and even a photograph dating back to 1840. Admission is free on Fridays between 6 and 8 p.m., so make sure you’re on time to get the most out of your visit.
6. Djurgården
As well as being home to many of Stockholm’s famous museums and attractions, Djurgården offers the perfect area for peaceful picnics and long walks. Extensive forests and parks also make it a favorite leisure spot among locals.
Flickr – Ulf Bodin
7. Skogskyrkogården Cemetery
Skogskyrkogården is a picturesque cemetery set in a pine forest, only a 15-minute subway ride from the city center. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a perfect combination of functional architecture and breathtaking nature.
8. Södermalm
Once the neighborhood of the working class, Södermalm (aka Söder) is now a hipster’s paradise. With its vintage clothing boutiques, cool independent galleries and intimate bars, it attracts locals and tourists alike.
Wikimedia – Batintherain
9. Stadsbiblioteket
Stadsbiblioteket (Stockholm Public Library) is Sweden ‘s largest public library, with over half a million books. Not only is it a comfortable place to work and study, it’s also an architectural masterpiece.
10. Vitabergsparken
Vitabergsparken, one of Stockholm’s most popular parks, attracts locals with its peaceful, green setting. It’s an ideal spot for picnics, people-watching or simply sunbathing. What’s more, it offers impressive views over the city.
11. Changing of the guard
The Swedish Royal Family Guard consists of 30,000 guards. Watching this 40-minute event for free in front of the King of Sweden’s residence is very interesting and a very popular attraction in Stockholm.
Flickr – jmanteau
12. Swim
Stockholmers love summer and they love to swim. There are a number of places where you can swim, but the most popular would be Rålambshovsparken or Rålis. Don’t forget to take some sandwiches with you for a picnic by the lake.
How to get to Stockholm
Cheap flights to Stockholm are available mainly from Paris. Find a cheap flight on the website of our partner Ulysses.
Where to sleep in Stockholm?
As we’ve said, Stockholm is an expensive city, and the question of accommodation will weigh heavily on your budget when you’re there. However, it’s important to choose the right area to stay in Stockholm. To find a cheap hotel in Stockholm, use our hotel comparator.
Have you visited Stockholm? What did you prefer: free or inexpensive activities, or did you have no budget for them?
Map of hotels and accommodation – Stockholm,se