Things to do in Stockholm in the Morning

Stockholm’s medieval old town – aka Gamla Stan – is one of the city’s most charming and picturesque spots. We realize that’s quite a claim in this photographer’s dreamland of idyllic islands, bonnie bridges and swoonsome skylines, but trust us when we say there really is no better place to while away your morning in Stockholm. Start in Stortorget, a fairytale cobbled square that’s home to some of the city’s most Instagrammable eye candy. We’re talking gabled townhouses that look good enough to eat – all luscious yellows, gorgeous greens and ravishing reds, with tiny lose-yourself lanes that lead off to the likes of Stockholm Cathedral. This medieval gothic confection boasts magnificent vaulted interiors and a must-see copper-green bell tower.

The nearby Royal Palace (pictured) – baroque official residence of the Swedish monarch – is no shrinking violet either. Then there’s Mårten Trotzigs Gränd, a comically narrow alley that tapers to a mere 90 centimeters across and is best squeezed through before rather than after that massive plate of meatballs you were eyeing for lunch. Eyes peeled too for Gamla Stan’s many other extraordinary sculptures, gargoyles and carvings, not least the one over the entrance to Skeppsbron 44. This unusual decoration depicts the contorted features of a cuckolded husband weeping over the, um, lady parts of his errant wife.

Now you’ve scratched that selfie itch all over Gamla Stan, it’s time to reward yourself with a traditional Swedish breakfast. Stockholm’s cardamom and cinnamon buns are the stuff of legend and you’ll see stacks of these sticky, still-warm treats in bakery windows all over the old town. These are best served with a hot coffee and eaten out on the cobbles. But if you’d prefer a sit-down feast, there are also plenty of cafés in and around the square, serving up irresistible Swedish specialties like pancakes and waffles topped with fresh fruit, lingonberry jam and buttermilk syrup. Yum.

Many major Stockholm attractions are already open by 9AM. But here’s the thing: most vacationers will still be filling their faces with pancakes and cinnamon buns at this hour. You don’t have to be a math whiz to work out that this makes morning prime time for dodging lines and crowds at some of the city’s most popular attractions. The pretty island of Djurgården is a treat at any time of day, but it’s perhaps especially magical in the morning when it’s still relatively quiet. Chief among its many attractions is Skansen. This absolutely extraordinary open-air living history museum contains dozens of authentic historic buildings painstakingly imported from all over Sweden. Explore its full-scale replica of a 19th-century Swedish town and stop to say hej (hello) to traditional tanners, glass-blowers and cobblers in full period costume. Wander the picture-perfect gardens and visit Skansen’s mini zoo where you can encounter ferociously cute Nordic critters including otters, brown bears and moose.

And if you think that sounds Swedish, wait until you hear about Djurgården’s other attractions. There’s the quiet excellent Vasa Museum, home of the best-preserved 17th-century warship in the world; a museum dedicated to the story of the Vikings; and the fairytale kids’ amusement park that is Junibacken, where attractions are based on classic characters from Swedish literature, including Pippi Longstocking and the Moomins. Heck, there’s even an ABBA Museum, where dancing queens (and kings) can bust their best moves alongside holographic avatars of Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anna-Frid.  

Elsewhere, top picks include the (free!) Nationalmuseum, with its collection of treasures from artists including Dalí, Duchamp, Degas, Rembrandt, Rubens and Renoir, and the fine Fotografiska, a thoroughly modern center of contemporary photography, art and culture set on the Södermalm waterfront.

Did you know you can save up to 50% on admission to Fotografiska, Skansen, the Vasa Museum and dozens more bucket-list Stockholm attractions with a Stockholm pass? Hit the buttons below to find out how and choose yours…

At the risk of being labeled as food-obsessed, it would be remiss of us not to recommend indulging in the Swedish tradition of fika. A bit like hygge elsewhere in Scandinavia, fika is practically a way of life in Sweden and, loosely speaking, involves taking time out for coffee, cake and a chat with friends. Perfect the art in a cozy café overlooking Stortorget’s cobbles and candy-colored houses, or go it alone with an espresso as you contemplate life, the universe, and a second cardamom bun. Swedes often make time for fika in both the morning *and* the afternoon, so there’s really no reason not to let your calorie intake run wild.

Perhaps the only thing that beats fika for pure Swedish indulgence is a morning sauna, and Stockholm of course has loads of them. Join perspiring locals at the nearest bathhouse for your fix. The art nouveau kitsch of Centralbadet in the Norrmalm district is one of the city's most popular. Or go full Scandinavia mode at Hellasgården’s lakeside retreat with its as-Swedish-as-meatballs traditional wooden saunas, lush green landscapes and open-air swimming lake. You can even go swimming during the freezing Swedish winter, when hardy souls are invited to take the plunge via a hole in the ice. A very cool experience, in every sense of the word.

One of the best ways to explore Stockholm in the morning is via a cruise along the archipelago, which gives a fresh perspective on its various islands, as well as photo opps near waterside attractions like Grona Lund, Drottningholm Palace and the impressive City Hall. Longer cruises strike out for the pretty port town of Sigtuna and the formidable fortifications on Vaxholm.

There are a number of boat tours and day trips included with the Stockholm pass. Want to discover more things to do in Stockholm in the morning, and save up to 50% on admission to top tours, activities and attractions? Click here to find out more and choose the Stockholm pass that’s right for you!