Guide to Summer in Stockholm - Fotografiska

What's on at Fotografiska this summer, including exhibitions by Shepard Fairey and Jeff Cowen.

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Veranda restaurant at Fotografiska

Seasonal treats abound during summer in Stockholm, when the days are long (like really, really long), the crayfish are in season, and city-center beaches fill up with sun-seeking, ice-cream toting tourists. It’s also a great time to visit Fotografiska – Stockholm’s premier museum of contemporary photography, art and culture – when it’s eye-catching Veranda restaurant is open and boat rides operate between Strandvägen and the Fotografiska dock. Read on for our guide to visiting Fotografiska this summer, including what’s on and ticket options…

What is Fotografiska?

Fotografiska exterior
Image courtesy of Fotografiska

Set in a striking former customs house on the Södermalm waterfront, Fotografiska is *the* destination for contemporary photography, art and culture in Stockholm. First established here in 2010, Fotografiska has since opened sister museums around the world: in New York, Tallinn, Shanghai and Berlin, curating hundreds of exhibitions from the likes of Annie Leibovitz, Robert Mapplethorpe, Sebastião Salgado, Ren Hang, and Sally Mann. Fotografiska’s mission is to inspire a more conscious world through the power of photography, fostering a safe haven of innovation, inclusivity and self-expression within its walls, and beyond.

Entry to Fotografiska (and dozens more tours, activities and attractions) is included with a Go Stockholm pass. Find out how you could save up to 50% and get yours here.

What’s on at Fotografiska this Summer?

Shepard Fairey artwork
Shepard Fairey artwork. Image courtesy of Fotografiska.

Fotografiska’s ever-changing roster of visiting exhibitions has thrown up some absolute summer sizzlers for 2024. Here are some of the highlights…

Shepard Fairey: Photo Synthesis

Perhaps best known for his breakthrough ‘HOPE’ portrait of Barack Obama, Shepard Fairey has become one of the planet’s best-known street artists, with well over 100 murals all around the world and the launch of his popular OBEY Clothing range. This will be Shepard Fairey’s first solo exhibition in Sweden, showcasing some 200 pieces, from early works to iconic portraits of David Bowie and Joan Jett, plus a selection of brand-new pieces created specifically for the exhibition.

Daily until October 13

Jeff Cowen: Berlin Works

In what is photographer Jeff Cowen’s first Swedish exhibition, the New York artist will showcase his unique approach, with more than 100 handmade silver gelatin prints capturing some of the most important work from his transformative Berlin period. Created in his Kreuzberg studio, these pieces explore Cowen’s innovative photo-augmentation techniques using brushwork, mark-making and various chemical processes, to walk the line between reality and Surrealism.

Daily until September 8

Markos Kay: Nature Portals

Markos Kay’s dreamlike digital artworks tread the liminal zones between art and science, philosophy and technology. ‘Nature Portals’ represents a peaceful and immersive journey through the human imagination, taking in fantastical creatures, mystical plantlife and more. This family-friendly visual feast can be experienced in all its immersive, kaleidoscopic glory inside Fotografiska’s largest exhibition hall, with a projection area of some 200 square meters.

Daily until August 11

Eli Eli: Oceanic Feelings

Part of Fotografiska’s Emerging Artist Initiative, this installation from Swedish choreographer and multi-disciplinary artist Eli Eli uses projections, textiles and a giant pillow to highlight the frightening impact of climate change on the planet’s oceans.

Daily until August 18

Prix Pictet

The world’s leading award for photography and sustainability, Prix Pictet, is spending summer at Fotografiska Stockholm. This exhibition features work by the 12 shortlisted artists from 2022’s ‘Human’-themed cycle, including that of eventual winner Gauri Gill.

Daily until August 18

Find out more about summer exhibitions and events at the official Fotografiska website here.

Summer Dining at Fotografiska

Blink and you might miss it: Fotografiska’s visual feast of an al fresco restaurant – The Veranda – opens for just a few short weeks each summer, promising fine food, delicious drinks and sunny views of the Royal Palace, Djurgården and Gröna Lund. Tuck into fresh, seasonal dishes and cool off with a refreshing frozen strawberry daiquiri or limoncello spritz – the true taste of summer. The Veranda is open daily between 11AM and 11PM from June to August.

Getting to Fotografiska

The Fotografiska boat
Image courtesy of Fotografiska

Getting to Fotografiska is a doddle at any time of year – just hop on the red or green metro line to Slussen, rent a bike, or take a bus to Södermalmstorg. But it’s never more fun between June and August, when the Fotografiska boat comes back into service to make the best of the summer weather. Every day from 11AM-6PM, the city’s only fully electric passenger boat (powered by old Tesla batteries, fact fans) shuttles between Strandvägen and the museum, taking a leisurely 15 minutes each way. You can buy your tickets on board.

Getting In

  • The museum is open daily from 10AM to 11PM in summer, so plenty of time to catch all those ace exhibitions!
  • The Stockholm pass from Go City includes entry to Fotografiska plus dozens more top attractions, tours and activities, like Gröna Lund, the Royal Palace, Skansen, Stockholm Cathedral and many more, all for one money-saving price. Find out how you could save up to 50% and get your Go Stockholm pass here.
  • Your Stockholm pass also entitles you to 10% off a single purchase at Fotografiska's shop OR 50% off a poster. Shop for cool goodies bearing images and motifs from current and past exhibitions, plus books, homeware and more.

Check out our guide to Stockholm’s other summer attractions here.

Shepard Fairey artwork. Image courtesy of Fotografiska.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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kungsholmen waterfront views on a sunny day
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The Top Things to See and Do in Kungsholmen

Stockholm has its share of headline acts, but if you want to see where locals unwind, eat well, and soak up the city’s playful vibes, set your compass for Kungsholmen. Just a short hop from the buzz of the city center, this picturesque island blends leafy parks, glimmering waterfronts and an under-the-radar food scene. Whether you dream of lazy picnics, unique museums or fika breaks on sun-drenched patios, Kungsholmen’s got your back. Ready for the inside scoop on Stockholm’s most relaxed neighborhood? Let’s dive in!  Look out for our favorite things to do in Kungsholmen:  Stockholm City Hall  Norr Mälarstrand Waterfront Promenade  Rålambshovsparken  Fika at Systrarna Andersson  Skinnarviksberget  The Stockholm Toy Museum  City Hall Canal Boat Tour by Strömma  Kungsholmen’s Local Eats & Hidden Gems  Hornsberg Strand Boardwalk  Catch some sun at Smedsuddsbadet  Norr Mälarstrand Waterfront Promenade: Where Locals Stroll  If you ask any Stockholm local to name their favorite evening walk, there’s a good chance they’ll point you to Norr Mälarstrand. This leafy promenade runs along Kungsholmen’s southern edge, following the shoreline with unbeatable views of City Hall and Södermalm across the water. The path comes alive at sunset with joggers, dog walkers and friends picnicking on the grass.  What makes it such a delight isn’t just the scenery; it’s the cheerful, neighborly atmosphere. Cafés and food trucks set up shop along the way, so you’re never far from an ice cream cone or a summer spritz, and in good weather, outdoor terraces fill with Stockholmers lingering over drinks. There’s always something happening: open-air art, buskers, and outdoor workouts. If you want a sense of genuine city life, stroll a stretch, snag a bench with a view—and just watch the world go by.  Rålambshovsparken: Kungsholmen’s Lively Green Heart  When the sun shines in Stockholm, everybody heads for Rålambshovsparken. This sprawling park is Kungsholmen’s social backyard—think sprawling lawns, a sandy little beach, basketball courts, skate park and a laidback open-air café. On weekends, the grassy knolls overflow with groups tossing frisbees, grilling, or just enjoying the city’s most effortless picnic scene.  Love watersports? Rent a kayak and paddle along the shoreline, or simply dip your toes in at Smedsuddsbadet nearby. Weekday afternoons tend to be a shade quieter, perfect for a coffee and people-watching session or a nap by the water. In winter, locals lace up skates or take part in cold-weather yoga on the lawns. The mood is always upbeat—a mini festival of Swedish summer, whenever the weather allows.  Skinnarviksberget: Sunset Views Made for Dreaming  For travelers hunting Stockholm’s best viewpoints, Skinnarviksberget is a must. Strictly speaking, it’s on Södermalm, but we’re including it because it’s a stone’s throw from Kungsholmen and offers unbeatable views of your new favorite island. It’s the highest natural point in inner Stockholm—a rocky outcrop with 180-degree views stretching from City Hall to the Old Town and beyond.  Climb up in the late afternoon with snacks and drinks (there are grocery stores nearby), and join the locals for a laidback sunset picnic. The ambience is easygoing, with musicians strumming guitars, kids scrambling over boulders, and groups toasting the day. Stay till dusk and watch Stockholm light up below—turning city, water and sky into a painter’s palette.  The Stockholm Toy Museum: Playful Nostalgia for All Ages  Parents and big kids alike should carve out time for the Stockholm Toy Museum (Bergrummet), located just across the water in Skeppsholmen. This quirky spot is a treasure trove of vintage toys, model trains, comic books and playful surprises. It’s housed in a series of atmospheric old tunnels—part museum, part adventure.  You’ll wander through hundreds of themed displays: Swedish dolls from every era, action figures, sci-fi props and miniature railway setups that bring out everyone’s inner child. There’s something delightfully hands-on about the space—visitors are encouraged to press buttons, play, and reminisce together. Whether you’re after rainy-day fun or need a break from sightseeing, the Toy Museum delivers nostalgia, laughter and a uniquely Swedish take on the art of play.  City Hall Canal Boat Tour by Strömma: Stockholm from the Water  One of Kungsholmen’s greatest pleasures is its connection to the water—and the City Hall Canal Boat Tour lets you experience it all without breaking a sweat. This breezy journey takes you around Kungsholmen’s shore, gliding through narrow canals and out into wide-open lake views. The narration is light-hearted and informative, mixing stories about the City Hall’s construction with entertaining snippets of Swedish history.  Boats are comfy, open in summer and cozy in cooler months, making this a year-round favorite. We love waving to locals sunbathing along the banks, spotting bridges and historic buildings from angles you just can’t get on land, and snapping photos of the city’s famously colorful facades as you drift by. It’s a relaxing, fresh perspective on central Stockholm.  Kungsholmen’s Local Eats & Hidden Gems: Dine Like a Stockholmer  Kungsholmen’s food scene is one of Stockholm’s best-kept secrets. Skip the city-center chains and head to neighborhood gems like Mäster Anders—a classic brasserie known for its hearty Swedish meatballs and elegant 19th-century décor (think white tablecloths, flickering candles, and vintage mirrors). For those seeking spice, Indian Garden brings award-winning curries and a cozy, bustling vibe just steps from the water.  Looking for something snacky? Petite Baker on Fleminggatan wins fans with its sourdough breads and cardamom buns, and the charmingly old-school Petters Konditori is a favorite for princess cake or a slice of mazarin with your coffee. Don’t miss the after-work buzz at Lokal Izakaya, where sushi meets Swedish tapas, served alongside standout sake cocktails and a view over the leafy streets.   Hornsberg Strand Boardwalk: Urban Seafront Energy  On Kungsholmen’s western edge, you’ll find Hornsberg Strand, a modern waterfront that’s become a favorite gathering spot for city dwellers. Take a stroll along the wide, car-free boardwalk as joggers, cyclists, sunbathers and sunset-watchers create a steady, happy buzz. The vibe is equal parts city-sleek and breezy beach town, with well-designed loungers, floating piers, and even the occasional brave swimmer leaping into the water on summer days.  Families toss frisbees on the grassy lawns, groups wheel out barbecues, and laid-back restaurants offer everything from sushi to brunch. Växthuset is a highlight if you’re after fantastic plant-based dishes, while Piren attracts visitors with great seafood and a terrace that puts you right out over the water. This is the place to linger and watch the sky change color—with Stockholm’s skyline forming the perfect backdrop.  Catch Some Sun (or a Swim) at Smedsuddsbadet  When Stockholmers crave a dip without leaving the city center, Smedsuddsbadet delivers. This sandy, clean urban beach sits just beside Rålambshovsparken, blending the ease of a city park with all the classic swim-spot vibes. In summer, families spread out picnic blankets, friends cluster around ice cream carts, and lifeguards keep a watchful eye over enthusiastic (and occasionally chilly) bathers.  Facilities here are stellar for an urban spot: showers, changing cabins, a small café, even wheelchair-accessible ramps down to the water. Trees ring the beach, offering dappled shade, and you might spot adventurous kayakers gliding past the swimmers. It’s both peaceful and sociable—stand with your feet in the sand, gaze at the boats drifting by, and you’ll quickly see why this is a favorite local tradition.    There you have it—our favorite reasons to make Kungsholmen part of your Stockholm adventure. Whether you come for the water views, parks, playful museums or simply to embrace the art of Swedish ‘lagom’ (balance), Kungsholmen promises relaxation, flavor, and a gentle local vibe that’s hard to beat. See you by the water!    Enjoyed this? Check out our picks of the best day trips out of Stockholm, and discover the best time to visit the city.   Step up your sightseeing with Go City®  We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.  See more, do more, and experience more with Go City®– just choose a pass to get started! 
New Year's Eve fireworks over Stockholm's old town.
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New Year's Eve in Stockholm

Scandinavian New Year is a cozy affair, all family dinners, steaming mugs of hot chocolate, and fireworks and fizz at midnight. And Stockholm is one of the very best places to experience it. Thinking of taking the plunge? To help you make up your mind, we’ve put together our top suggestions for things to do on New Year’s Eve in Stockholm, from munching freshly baked cinnamon buns in the old town to sweating out the festive toxins in a traditional Swedish sauna. Read on for our expert guide... In the Morning... Warm Buns in Gamla Stan There’s no better way to commence any morning in Stockholm than by greedily scoffing as many still-warm cinnamon and cardamom buns as you can, ideally washed down with a cobweb-blasting strong Swedish coffee or two. Hit up the old town’s perfectly preserved medieval main square (Stortorget) for some of the best buns – and IG photo ops – around. We’re talking rainbows of regal townhouses painted in fruity shades of lime green, lemon yellow and plum purple, with fairytale gabled rooftops that jockey for position with grand palaces, baroque cathedrals and several ornate statues and fountains. Almost, in other words, enough to distract you from your breakfast buns. Want second helpings? Find a traditional café for Swedish pancakes and waffles topped with fresh fruit, yogurt and tart lingonberry jam, or smothered in buttermilk syrup so good you'll swear it's heaven-sent. A Taste of Swedish Culture Stockholm’s veritable smörgåsbord of museums transports you to the very heart of Swedish culture. Take the Viking Museum, for example, with its immersive, time-traveling journey into the nation's origin story. Fast forward a few hundred years at ABBA the Museum, where the opportunity to belt out Dancing Queen in the karaoke booth or bust your best moves with Benny, Björn, Frida and Agnetha is just too good to miss. Learn about the country’s relationship with vodka at the Museum of Spirits, check out a beautifully preserved 17th-century Swedish warship in the Vasa Museum, and view masterpieces by Swedish artists and other European legends including Rembrandt, Renoir, Rubens and more at the exceptional Nationalmuseum. You can experience some of Sweden’s finest contemporary art absolutely gratis, simply by riding the subway! Dubbed ‘the world’s longest art gallery’, the network features show-stopping artworks in of 90+ of its stations. Don’t miss the delicate fluorescent ‘heartbeat’ lights at Odenplan and the extraordinary scorched earth hellscape at Rådhuset. But open-air living history museum Skansen may well be the best Swedish cultural experience of the lot, featuring, as it does, a replica 19th-century town that’s complete with craftspeople plying traditional trades like tanning, cobbling and glass-blowing. Keep it highbrow at Fotografiska, where contemporary photo exhibitions may well provide inspiration for your own holiday snaps and the eye-catching restaurant, with its splendid views across the water to the old town, is as good a place to pause for lunch as any. In the Afternoon... Bag a Bargain It may be New Year’s Eve, but you’ll still be able to pick up festive trinkets at Stockholm’s atmospheric Christmas markets, which don’t wind down until early January. Alternatively hit up the big-brand stores on Drottninggatan and in the grandly named Westfield Mall of Scandinavia for Boxing Day sale bargains. Over in trendy Södermalm, the area south of Folkungagatan is so achingly cool it’s even earned its own nickname: SoFo. This is where dedicated browsers of hip independent boutiques are rewarded with prizes including one-off vintage fashions, artisan jewelry, rare vinyl records, second-hand books and more. Do as the Swedes Do Can you really say you’ve been to Stockholm without experiencing a traditional Swedish sauna at least once? No, dear reader, you cannot. The lakeside sauna at Hellasgården is as Swedish as meatballs and flat-pack furniture, all natural oak paneling and forest views. There’s even a lake where, in the depths of winter, a hole is cut in the ice to permit hardier souls a rejuvenating dip. Or hit up the Norrmalm neighborhood’s popular Centralbadet complex, a kitschy art nouveau confection that contains several tiled saunas and a large swimming pool. Not Swedish enough for ya? Fika is the simple Scandinavian art of enjoying coffee and a sweet treat with friends. So: do as the locals do and cap off that epic afternoon of shopping and sweating with a well-earned sit-down and – yep, you guessed it – another face-sized cinnamon bun. In the Evening... Dinner with a Difference Stockholm has no shortage of superlative dining options, from down and dirty Swedish meatball joints (Bakfickan; Meatballs for the People) to upscale Michelin-star restaurants (Operakalleren; Gastrologik). Sweden’s traditional New Year’s Eve dinner tends to go heavy on the shellfish, so you’ll find langoustines and lobster on the menu in most restaurants worth their salt on the 31st. Try Knut for modern northern Swedish dishes like reindeer filet and Arctic char tartare, or bag some of the best views in town at Himlen, up top of the Skrapan skyscraper. Alternatively, while unlikely to offer the finest gourmet experience you’ve ever had, a dinner cruise around Stockholm’s picturesque waterways can be a fun way to see in the New Year – food, fizz, fireworks and all! Firework Frenzy New Year wouldn’t be New Year without a spectacular firework display, and Stockholm is no slouch when it comes to the midnight pyrotechnics. The aforementioned Skansen is one of the best spots. Indeed, this is the place from where the countdown is broadcast to the nation every year, so you’ll be in good company. Expect a busy entertainment program featuring some of Sweden’s biggest stars before, at midnight, witnessing a peculiar Swedish tradition: almost every year since 1896, a well-known public figure or celebrity has stood on this very spot and recited Alfred Lord Tennyson’s 1850 poem Ring Out Wild Bells (in a Swedish translation). The old town’s inner harbor is another great firework-watching location, and is particularly stunning and atmospheric by the Royal Castle or City Hall. Or join the crowds along busy Västerbron bridge for the win. Save on things to do in Stockholm Save on admission to Stockholm attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Group of friends celebrating a birthday by blowing out candles on a cake
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Things to do in Stockholm for a Birthday

So, today’s your birthday. Happy birthday! Another year younger. Better still, you’re in Stockholm, you lucky thing. But how to spend your day in this city of tranquil canals, romantic bridges, world-class museums, beautiful parks and swoonsome medieval squares? There are so many things to do in Stockholm for a birthday treat that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. But fear not: we’re here to help with a fun Stockholm itinerary that’s all-but guaranteed to make your day extra-special. Morning Did you know it’s traditional for Swedish families to sing the birthday boy or girl awake with a rousing rendition of the celebratory song Ja, må han leva? Knock this custom on the head by promising a slow and painful death to anyone who might attempt it, thus ensuring your special day begins right, i.e. with a lovely long lie-in. Suitably refreshed, take your sweet time to get ready before venturing out for a lazy breakfast. Further thrills and spills are on offer at nearby Gröna Lund, Sweden’s oldest amusement park. Brave the rickety old wooden rollercoaster or scare yourself silly on the latest hi-tech vertical drop rides. This verdant island is also home to several more museums, including the immersive Viking Museum and another that's dedicated to all things Benny, Björn, Frida and Agnetha, where you can bust your best dancing queen moves alongside holographic ABBA avatars and belt out your best Super Trouper in the karaoke booth. Evening Stockholm has no shortage of great dining options from upscale Michelin-starred restaurants (Gastrologik; Operakalleren) to down and dirty meatball joints (Meatballs for the People; Bakfickan), all of which are exceptional in their own ways. But if you’re looking for something truly memorable for your birthday, there are a few more quirky options out there...   Dining with a Difference Ok mateys, here’s another quirky dining option that might shiver your timbers. Lasse i Gatan is (in case you hadn’t worked it out from our labored pirate references) a pirate-themed restaurant in the old town, complete with staff in full seafaring costume and hearty sharing platters served in huge stone vaults. Dine at Norra Brunn for a giggle-tastic side serving of live stand-up (usually in Swedish, sometimes in English), or wrap up warm for cocktails in a traditional ice bar. Yes, that’s a bar made entirely of ice. Save on things to do in Stockholm for a birthday Save on admission to Stockholm attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info. Grab a Stockholm pass and save while you sightsee!
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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