Art depicting rainbows and blue skies on the platform of Stockholm's Stadion metro station

Things to do in Stockholm When it Rains

By Stuart Bak

If you're filled with dread by the idea of trudging through even the most beautiful of medieval European old towns during a torrential downpour, tearfully clutching your ineffective umbrella, fear not! We’ve put together the top things to do in Stockholm when it rains, meaning there’s no need to let a little thing like a downpour ruin your vacation. Highlights include:

  • Nordiska Museet
  • Covered boat tours
  • The Swedish art of fika
  • Steamy saunas
  • A super (trouper) ABBA museum
  • Stunning subway art
  • Meatballs!

Nordiska Museet

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What better way to spend a rainy day than exploring the numerous educational exhibitions at the magnificent Nordiska Museet? Sweden's Nordic Museum houses an impressive one-and-a-half million exhibits telling stories of life and culture in the Nordic region.

The museum's latest exhibition 'The Arctic - While The Ice Is Melting' offers a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of the rapidly changing Arctic region. Investigating the effects of climate change, immersive installations, stunning visuals and interactive elements shine a spotlight on the Arctic's fragile ecosystem and its inhabitants. Seamlessly combining scientific research with personal narratives, you'll gain a deep understanding of our responsibility to protect and preserve this precious region for future generations!

See Stockholm by Boat

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When wet weather messes with your plans... take to the water! With 14 main islands and many thousands more scattered along the length of its archipelago, Stockholm's no slouch when it comes to boat excursions. There’s a huge variety to choose from, ranging from straightforward guided tours of the city center that take in attractions including the old town and pretty Djurgården island to full-throttle three-hour voyages into the archipelago with expert commentary from your guide along the way.

Fika Like the Locals

To the Swedes, fika is so much more than a mere coffee break. It’s an art, a concept, a state of mind way more nebulous than any mere cup of espresso could ever accurately convey. We foreigners can merely study the locals carefully then do our best to emulate this fine tradition. Our recommendation: find a cozy café – ideally in the medieval old town with beautiful views of, say, a cobbled alley or that amazing rainbow of gabled townhouses on Stortorget square – order coffees and sweet treats like warm cardamom or cinnamon buns, and chat about nothing in particular to your companion as rain drums against the window outside. Perfection.

Tom Tits Experiment

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Don’t be put off by the slightly unusual name (it’s named after an obscure 19th-century French cartoon character): Tom Tits Experiment is an exciting extravaganza of interactive science experiments to suit all ages, and is sure to add some sparkle and sunshine to any rainy day in Stockholm. We’re talking hundreds of mind-bending things to do, from cycling along a tightrope, finding out how a slinky behaves on a treadmill, defying gravity in a centrifuge and getting lost in the mirror maze. Don’t forget to bag more cool puzzles and experiments in the shop on your way out.

Östermalms Saluhall

Mosey on over to the hip and happening Östermalm district where a lovingly restored Victorian food hall holds enough delights to keep you occupied until long after the skies have cleared. Inside this hugely Instagrammable red-brick market, stalls groan with fresh fruit and vegetables, colorful homemade cakes, fish fresh from the Baltic Sea and meat farmed in and around Stockholm County. Pick up armfuls of supplies for lunch back at your Airbnb, or leave the cooking to the experts and settle in for an afternoon of gourmet Nordic treats at one of the fine restaurants here.

Steamy saunas

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When in Stockholm, do as the Swedes do and treat yourself to a traditional sauna experience. One of the best and most popular in the area, Centralbadet is an art nouveau-style bath house located a few minutes north of the old town, offering aromatherapy herb saunas amongst other treatments. Or head out to Hellasgården for lake swimming (assuming you’re hardy enough to brave the chilly water) and lovely views of the lush green landscape from the comfort of the hot sauna. Note that it’s the norm to go nude in Swedish saunas (and bathing suits are actually forbidden in some), so remember to leave your towel (and prudishness) at the door.

ABBA The Museum

So guaranteed are ABBA to lift the spirits that their music should probably be available on prescription. Step out of the rain and into ABBA the Museum on the pretty island of Djurgården and you’ll soon see what we mean. Sure, there are amazing stage costumes, photographs, gold discs and other memorabilia to check out here, but what you really came for was the chance to get inside a karaoke booth and belt out Mamma Mia, right? Dancing queens can even bust out their best moves alongside holographic avatars of Benny, Björn, Frida and Agnetha.

Sensational Subway Art

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Stockholm has a plethora of fine art galleries, including Fotografiska and the (free) Moderna Museet and National Museum. Descend beneath the streets to experience yet more eye-popping contemporary art. Down here, the subway network has been dubbed ‘the longest art gallery in the world’ thanks to the paintings, sculptures and mosaics on display in around 90% of the stations. Grab yourself a ticket and ride the metro to Rådhuset (pictured) for the unheimlich experience of being in the deepest bowels of the earth, to Odenplan for delicate fluorescent light tubes modeled on the cardio patterns produced by a newborn child’s heartbeat, and to Stadion for spirit-lifting blue skies and rainbows.

Stockholm Public Library

Hands down one of the best things to do in Stockholm on a rainy day is a visit to the city's vast Public Library (Stadsbibliotek). Fans of literature and fine architecture will be in clover inside this huge orange-red rotunda, where curved shelves crammed full of novels, poetry, reference books and more soar skywards in the cylindrical reading tower. There are plenty of English language titles here, so grab a selection, find yourself a cozy nook and get settled in until the storm outside passes.

Vasa Museum

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You can’t miss the Vasa Museum on Djurgården island – it's the building with sails that protrude from its roof and rise high up above the treetops! Step inside to discover the forbidding royal warship that sank on its maiden voyage from Stockholm in 1628, lying untouched until its recovery centuries later in 1961. Discover the ship’s fascinating history, including why it sank and how it was salvaged, and learn about life on board through the various artifacts discovered inside the Vasa when it was raised from the harbor’s murky depths.

Meatballs!

Anyone who has ever spent an afternoon in IKEA will know that meatballs are as much a part of Sweden’s national identity as flat-pack furniture, ABBA, schnapps and summer crayfish parties. You’ll find these delicious little spheres of meat in any Stockholm café or restaurant worth its salt, but the aptly named Meatballs For The People in trendy Södermalm is as good a place to start as any. You can also, should you so desire, catch the complimentary bus from the city center to the world’s biggest IKEA store, a magical place where meatball dreams are made.

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View of central station in Stockholm
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Getting around Stockholm

If you find yourself on a grand tour of northern Europe or Scandinavia, or needing a weekend getaway somewhere that’s pretty as well as convenient, then Stockholm should be at, or at least very near, the top of your list. It’s charming, historic, full of contrast, and with around 100 museums covering everything from Vikings to vodka and architecture to ABBA, there truly is something for everyone. Best of all, it’s easy to get around, whether you’re traveling by air, land or water. The airport is only 20 minutes from Stockholm’s central Station, and once there you can get around by: Walking Hop-On Hop-Off bus or boat Cycling Metro Buses, trains and trams Boats and ferries Car or taxi Walk Stockholm is very compact, and most of the main tourist points in the center are no more than a half hour walk from each other. It’s a very pedestrian-friendly city, with well-maintained sidewalks, plenty of street lighting and good signposting. There are wide, expansive boulevards but also lots of cobbled lanes, particularly in the old town, so do wear sturdy shoes, or perhaps a neat pair of wedges in the evenings. If you’re feeling a bit lazy, you can also now hire e-scooters from several outlets around the city. They’re a great way of getting around while saving your legs – although the locals aren’t that keen on them, so use them courteously and have a care where you park them. Cycle The Swedish capital has more than 60 miles of bike lanes, making it a very accessible city for cyclists. It’s a mode of transport well supported by the city council, which takes care to grit the lanes in cooler weather and offers a free map of the lanes that anyone can use. Before you start, familiarize yourself with the road rules – remember you are not allowed to cycle on the sidewalks or in any pedestrian areas, and there are some restrictions on taking bikes on public transport. Always lock your bike when you’re not using it and carry wet weather protection at all times – you never know when it might rain in Stockholm! Hop-On Hop-Off buses and boats The Hop-On Hop-Off services are a great way to see Stockholm as a tourist, because your ticket is valid all day and you get audio commentary the whole way around. Travel between Gamla Stan, City Hall and Sodermalm in climate-controlled comfort on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus, hearing about the city’s history and famous characters as you go. Or if you prefer the wind in your hair and sea spray on your face, take to the water and use the Hop-On Hop-Off boat to get to the royal island of Djurgarden and back again. If you have time, you can enjoy the whole circuit in one go while you make a plan of what to come back to, or use them as a handy transport option to save time moving between one attraction and another. Metro Stockholm’s central metro station Tunnelbana – or t-bana to locals – connects the city’s three metro lines to more than 100 stations around the center and surrounding districts. The system is pretty easy to navigate – especially if you’re traveling within the zone before the lines split (if not, be sure to check the map and final destination of the train you’re boarding). They run regularly between 5am and 1am, and through the night on Friday and Saturdays, but the best thing about Stockholm’s metro system is the fantastically decorated stations, which collectively have been described as the ‘world’s longest art gallery’. Some of the best can be found at T-Centralen, with its whitewashed walls and blue painted vines all over the ceiling, Stadion, which is covered in rainbows, Kungstradgarden, a very retro mix of stripes, sculptures and a checkered floor, and Odenplan, decorated with a pattern of fluorescent lights. Buses, trains and trams Unless you’re staying out of town, or planning some day trips out of the city, you probably won’t use these very much, unless you need to travel very late at night when only the buses are running. The tram is also a handy way to get to Djurgarden, where you’ll find the Vasa, Skansen and Spirits museums. The really convenient thing about these transport options is that they are all operated by the same network, SL, and a ticket purchased for one is valid for 75 minutes on all three, plus the metro and ferry system. Keep in mind though that you can’t buy tickets from drivers – you can either get them in advance at subway stations, convenience stores or online, load a pre-paid card or tap your bank card as you board. Boats and ferries Stockholm is an archipelago of 14 islands, so getting around by water is both convenient and necessary. If you’re a tourist in the city, traveling by boat is an essential part of the Stockholm experience, and SL ferries operate between all the main islands. There are also many more comfortable options in the form of short cruises, which are a great way to learn about the city and its relationship with the water. Some of these include the Royal Canal tour, the Under the Bridges of Stockholm tour or the Archipelago tour, or if you want to make a day of it and explore the further reaches of the archipelago, you could make the trip out to Drottningholm via Lake Malaren or explore the rocky islands and traditional restaurants of Fjäderholmarna. Car or taxi If you plan to do most of your exploring in the city center it’s unlikely you’ll need a car while you’re in Stockholm. Everything is easily accessible on foot or via public transport, and there are very limited car parking spaces. Taxis are expensive, though they might be a good option for a large group, particularly at night or going to and from the airport. There are hire car options around, as long as you’re over 18, and this is a good option if you’re planning any day or overnight trips and don’t want to go by boat. Some of the most popular day trips include the museum and sculpture garden at Millesgarden, the theater at Drottningholm or an expedition to buy furniture from Ikea! Get around Stockholm with Go City It’s easy to travel between attractions in Stockholm. Whether you’re going by land, sea or air, skip the entrance fees with Go City, and be sure to see it all!
Karleen Stevens
Christmas market in Stockholm's old town
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Things to do in Stockholm

Connected by a whopping 57 bridges, Stockholm’s city center’s cluster of 14 islands are chock-full of amazing attractions, from baroque palaces and medieval churches to rickety rollercoasters and traditional meatball emporia. It’s a compact city, easy to get around on foot (or by tram, metro, bus and boat) and there are more than enough things to do in Stockholm to keep even the most jaded of sightseers busy for a good few days, perhaps even a week. Dive in for our guide to Stockholm’s must-see attractions... Gamla Stan There’s no better introduction to Stcokholm’s fairytale charms than a stroll through Gamla Stan, the city’s medieval old town. Start in Stortorget – the main square – location of the city’s most photographed buildings: a swoonsome row of gabled 17th-century townhouses in chili reds, turmeric yellows and mint greens. Delicious! Even more delicious are the still-warm cinnamon and cardamom buns you’ll see glistening in bakers’ windows here. Grab one (or two) for sustenance then get lost in Gamla Stan’s atmospheric cobbled streets. It’s along these narrow lanes that you’ll encounter such treats as Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyran), a medieval gothic confection with a beautiful copper-green bell tower, awe-inspiring vaulted interiors and artifacts that include a 15th-century sculpture of St George and the Dragon. The occasional candlelit concerts that take place inside are highly recommended, should your visit happen to coincide with one. Other highlights of a walk around Gamla Stan include the opulent Royal Palace (the Swedish monarch’s official residence, no less), where you can watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. And Stockholm’s narrowest alley, which tapers to a mere 90 centimeters across at one point and may make you regret that second cinnamon bun. Also not to be missed is the quite extraordinary carving over the doorway of Skeppsbron 44, which depicts the distraught face of a cuckolded husband sobbing over his wife’s... how do we put this politely?... lady bits. Apparently commissioned by the husband himself, it’s well worth a look, especially on rainy days when tears appear to pour from his eyes. Stockholm’s Best Museums You’re pretty spoiled for choice when it comes to fine museums and galleries in Stockholm. Chief among these is Skansen, an exceptional open-air living history museum on the verdant island of Djurgården, where craftspeople in period costume demonstrate what life was like in 19th-century Sweden. Also on Djurgården are a museum containing a 17th-century royal warship, an interactive museum charting the history of the Vikings and the fantastically fun musical extravaganza that is ABBA: The Museum, where wannabe dancing queens can jive with holographic avatars of Benny, Björn, Frida and Agnetha, and belt out their best Waterloo in the karaoke booth. Elsewhere, both Sweden’s National Museum and the diminutive Moderna Museet are free to enter and between them contain artistic treasures by the likes of Dalí, Degas, Duchamp, Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir and Picasso. Looking for things to do in Stockholm with kids? Interactive science museum Tom Tits Experiment is hard to beat. Once they’ve stopped giggling at the somewhat peculiar name, there are hundreds of hands-on experiments to get involved in, such as escaping a Houdini rope knot, seeing your shadow change color, becoming a human yoyo and getting all shook up in a simulated earthquake. Around 30 minutes by train from the city center, in Södertälje, it’s a little off the beaten track but well worth the effort. More Fun Things to do in Stockholm Old churches and musty museums a little too dry for you? Good news: Stockholm also has stacks of activities guaranteed to bring you joy and laughter. Take Gröna Lund on Djurgården. Here by the water in Sweden’s oldest amusement park you can scare yourself silly on 21st-century thrill rides galore, or enjoy the more sedate old-fashioned entertainments offered by the tunnel of love, amusement arcade and rickety old wooden rollercoaster. Young children will love nearby Junibacken, a fairytale theme park that brings characters from classic Swedish literature to life, primarily those of author Astrid Lindgren (best known for her Pippi Longstocking stories) and also, of course, the Moomins of Moominvalley. Since Stockholm is an archipegalo it is surrounded by water, therefore it makes sense to spend some time on the water during your visit. There are plenty of boat tours in Stockholm to take in the different city islands via the river. Most of these tours will offer some good food and drink options too. Ride Stockholm’s metro for a fun way to experience (free!) contemporary art and sculpture: the platforms and tunnels, particularly in and around the city center, are almost otherworldly. You don’t even need to have a specific destination in mind to do this: the metro network is an attraction all of its own. Expect burning hellscapes, beautiful blue skies and rainbows, and cute puffins perched high on ledges. Emerge blinking into the daylight at Globen station and hop aboard the SkyView – this 20-minute ride up the side of the spherical Avicii Arena building affords excellent views across the city, its lakes and the southern suburbs. Eat, Drink and Be Merry! All this activity making you hungry (and thirsty)? Culinary delights abound in Stockholm, from the legendary Swedish smörgåsbord to crayfish, pickled herring and meatballs. You’ll find some of the best meatballs in town at the aptly named Meatballs For The People on trendy Södermalm. Or, should you be so inclined, a free bus runs from the city center to the planet’s biggest IKEA store, almost as famous nowadays for its meatballs as it is for its flat-pack Scandinavian home furnishings. Afterwards, discover Stockholm’s boozy heritage and sample traditional schnapps, local craft gins and flavored vodkas at the magnificent Museum of Spirits. Skål! No list of things to do in Stockholm would be complete without mentioning the annual Christmas markets, which are among the best and most atmospheric in the world. Wrap up warm (temperatures don’t get much above zero in December) and make straight for Stortorget for the main event. Expect a heart-warming festive scene that includes a towering pine tree festooned with twinkling fairy lights and dozens of traditional wooden cabins hawking Scandinavian crafts, gifts, trinkets and sweets. Warm up with a hearty mug of spiced glögg (mulled wine) and a gingerbread cookie. Save on things to do in Stockholm Save on admission to Stockholm attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Family with teenage kids riding an open-top bus in the sunshine
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Things to do in Stockholm for Teens

Keep everyone happy with our teen-approved guide to Stockholm.
Stuart Bak

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