2 days in Stockholm: must-see museums and royal gems

Step back into the Viking Age at The Viking Museum in Stockholm. This immersive attraction brings history to life with guided tours, live craft demonstrations, detailed reconstructions of Viking life and a narrated story ride.Explore fascinating archaeological objects and discover the myths, legends and everyday realities of this remarkable era. A must-visit for history lovers and curious explorers alike.

Visit the Vasa Museum and experience one of the biggest cultural attractions in Stockholm, Sweden - the warship Vasa - which sank in 1628 on its maiden voyage from Stockholm. Learn about the history of the ship through fascinating exhibitions and see the restored wreck that was salvaged from beneath the water.Along with incredibly detailed exhibitions, you can join a guided tour and learn about the sinking of this magnificent ship, the years it took to salvage it, and then the long restoration process to turn Vasa into what we see today.While you're here, stop off at the museum's cool café and enjoy Fika (the Swedish concept of unwinding with a coffee and cake) afterwards.

This living-history museum showcases five centuries of Swedish tradition, innovation and craftsmanship across 75 acres.Set on Stockholm’s Djurgården island, Skansen boasts over 150 buildings that have been collected from all over Sweden, dismantled and reassembled here. Step back in time to meet the people who would have lived and worked in them in centuries past. There’s even a full-scale replica of a 19th-century Swedish town to explore, where traditional craftspeople ply their trades and demonstrate their skills as cobblers, tanners, glass-blowers and more, in full period costume.Stroll through pretty gardens, visit the old-fashioned fairground with its charming swings and carousels and head to the open-air zoo to spot Nordic wildlife including brown bears, moose and otters.Children will adore the kids’ zoo, where there’s a range of domestic animals including rabbits and guinea pigs, as well as a classic car track.Skansen also plays host to a huge number of seasonal events and activities. Visit in summer for traditional folk dancing, plus jazz concerts every Monday through August. There's a traditional 18th-century-style Autumn harvest festival on the last weekend in September. In winter, the central square twinkles with fairy lights and the air is filled with the delicious smell of mulled wine and roast chestnuts as the popular annual Christmas market gets into full swing. Expect unique local handicrafts, festive church concerts and much dancing and merry-making around the Christmas tree.Skansen's annual program of events is subject to change. Check their website for the most up-to-date information.

A perfect sightseeing tour where you get to see the beautiful city of Stockholm from the water on this memorable boat tour!Experience Stockholm from the water on this complete sightseeing tour under the bridges of the City. You will also pass through the locks which is connecting Lake Mälaren with the Baltic Sea.What's more, you'll pass many sights of the city and the different parts of Stockholm. The Islands of Södermalm, Stora and Lilla Essingen, the new area Hammarby Sjöstad and the nature of Djurgården is some of the places you will see outside the window of this boat as well as the inner city and the Old Town.For more information on the tour timetable, please visit the Stromma website.

Visit one of the most impressive palaces in the world, the Royal Palace of Stockholm. The palace dates back to the 18th century and is one of the most interesting historic buildings in Stockholm. Uncover the rich past of the Swedish royal family and learn about the day-to-day lives of the modern monarchy.See how the Swedish Royals live and the secrets of this stunning royal residence and marvel at the beautiful baroque architecture of the palace's 600 rooms and 11 floors.

Fotografiska is the internationally renowned destination for photography, founded in Stockholm in 2010 and expanding globally – first to Tallinn and New York City, and in 2023 to Berlin and Shanghai.a0It is also known as the Museum of photography in Stockholm.Guided by the principle of inspiring a more conscious world through the power of photography, Fotografiska has built a safe haven of innovation, inclusivity and self-expression.The museum showcases the greatest photographers, whether they’re emerging artists or already established internationally. The presentation of photography is powerful and unparalleled, with over 220 exhibitions to date globally, including Annie Leibovitz, Zanele Muholi, Albert Watson, Ren Hang, Sebastião Salgado, Bettina Rheims, Sally Mann, David LaChapelle, and Robert Mapplethorpe.The Veranda (open June to August from 11AM-11PM)At Fotografiska's outdoor restaurant The Veranda, you can enjoy delicious dishes, a summery drinks menu, and last but not least, beautiful views over the water, the Royal Palacea0Djurgården and Gröna Lund.

Get the North Pole experience in the heart of Stockholm at this unique bar that's carved entirely out of ice. Every year ICEBAR Stockholm is rebuilt with a new theme using over 40 tons of natural ice from the Torne River.You'll be given a cosy cape and gloves to use during your 45-minute visit. Enjoy the cool crisp air and take in the gorgeous, carefully-carved interiors as you sip a drink from a genuine ice glass.Step Into an Icy Archipelago at ICEBAR Stockholm Each year, ICEBAR Stockholm unveils a brand-new theme, transforming its frozen interior into a stunning work of icy art. For 2025, designers Wouter Biegelaar and Viktor Tsarski have drawn inspiration from the Stockholm Archipelago, creating a breathtaking world where land meets sea and myths come to life. Titled “Archipelago”, this year’s theme blends nature, architecture, and urban legends into a shimmering, ice-cold tribute to Stockholm’s waterscapes. Towering lighthouses stand watch over jagged cliffs, jellyfish drift across frozen walls, and sea monsters battle ships in dramatic frozen scenes straight out of maritime folklore. It’s an immersive, one-of-a-kind experience that captures the spirit of Stockholm’s iconic waterways—carved entirely from ice.