Grand Hotel Stockholm

Stockholm is one of Europe's top shopping destinations with everything from malls and big department stores to retail chains and independent boutiques. In other words, a great place to find gifts for your loved ones.

Beautiful nature, great local food, and exciting adventures. Just 20 minutes away from the city the Stockholm Archipelago, a world of 30,000 islands, begins. The Stockholm Archipelago is the largest of its kind in Sweden. With over 30,000 islands it covers an area of more than 650 square miles; from the city-close Fjäderholmarna Islands in the west to the Svenska Högarna islets in the east, and from the abandoned fortifications on Arholma in the north to the lonely lighthouse on Landsort in the south. Being such a vast area there’s certainly something to discover for everyone; serene nature seemingly untouched by civilization, cozy and accessible camping grounds, idyllic villages and coastal towns, hiking trails for both experienced and amateur outdoorsmen, great food, and fantastic culture. Oh yeah, and water. Lots of water. Discovering a destination that National Geographic named one of the 25 best in the World in 2025 is a no-brainer. However, it covers an area twice the size of New York City, so you might be wondering where to start. In Stockholm on a tight schedule? Then Fjäderholmarna, Vaxholm, Gustavsberg, and Värmdö might be up your alley. All are easily accessible by local transportation or ferry, within an hour's reach from downtown Stockholm. Great day trips that don’t require too much preparation, while at the same time offering a sample taste of what the archipelago has to offer. The islands of Sandön, Möja, Nåttarö, Utö, Finnhamn, or Grinda, on the other hand, are perfect destinations for explorers who have more time on their hands. They might be a couple of hours away but they offer a welcome respite from the busy inner-city streets of Stockholm. Being further away from the city, a trip might require more careful planning. And if you’re not in a hurry and want to spend a night or two at a cozy hotel or camping site, there are several options.

The Royal Palace and Old Town (Gamla Stan) – The current Royal Palace was finished in 1754, having been constructed after a fire destroyed the previous one, "Tre Kronor", in 1697. Open to the public, it has over 600 rooms and 5 museums. The palace's location is in Stockholm's oldest district, Gamla Stan (Old Town), making it a perfect destination for a whole day of historical exploration.

Drottningholm Palace – Drottningholm, built during the latter half of the 17th century, is the best-preserved palace of its kind in Sweden. The baroque palace overlooking Lake Mälaren is a popular day-trip attraction and the official residency for the royal family. Highlights include the palace, the surrounding park, and the well-preserved palace theater; one of the few 18th-century theaters in Euorpa still in regular use.

The City Hall – The City Hall is an iconic part of Stockholm's skyline. Built from over 8 million red bricks, City Hall has been the seat of power in Stockholm since 1923. The building was designed by Ragnar Östberg and is a prime example of Swedish national romanticism in architecture. Most notably, the televised Nobel banquet is held here each year in December.

Stockholm's metro system – One of Stockholm's most visible attractions is its subway system, with artfully decorated platforms and ticket halls. Although the blue line has probably the most visually striking stations, most stations in the system feature some kind of artful decoration. Some of the most photogenic stations are Kungsträdgården, T-Centralen, and Stadion.

Nationalmuseum – The premier museum of Swedish art and design. Nationalmuseum's collections span over 600 years and include paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, furniture, classic designs of everyday objects, and more. The Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum is a branch of Nationalmuseum, perfect for those who want in-depth knowledge about Swedish ceramics and pottery.

Moderna Museet – Housed in a building conceived by Rafael Moneo, Moderna Museet features one of Europe's foremost collections of modern and contemporary art. Moderna's permanent collection includes works by Dalí, Picasso, Derkert, Christo, Duchamp, and many more. It also features regular programming of thought-provoking temporary exhibitions and a sculpture park surrounding the museum.

For centuries, Djurgården has been a beloved destination for recreation and entertainment. Nowhere in Stockholm will you find a higher concentration of popular attractions and museums. During the 16th century, Djurgården was King Erik XIV's private weekend hideaway for recreation and hunting. Over the course of history though, the island gradually opened up to the public. Today it's a popular family destination with several attractions, like Skansen, ABBA The Museum, and Gröna Lund, surrounded by the Royal National City Park.

Royal National City Park – The island of Djurgården has been a destination for recreation and entertainment for centuries. A big portion of the Royal National City Park (established in 1995; the first of its kind in the world) is located here; its lush, green nature contrasts with inner city Stockholm's busy streets just a short walk away. On the entertainment side, many of Stockholm's most popular attractions and museums are located in Djurgården as Gröna Lund, The National Museum of Science and Technology, Nordiska Museet, and more.

The Vasa Museum – Arguably the most famous failure in Swedish military history, the warship Vasa sank during her maiden voyage in 1628. The Vasa was rediscovered in 1950, mostly intact due to the brackish waters, salvaged, and put on display in a temporary museum. The current museum opened in 1988 and is one of Sweden's most popular tourist attractions, with over 1 million visitors annually.

Skansen Open-Air Museum – Beloved by visitors and locals alike, Skansen is the world's oldest open-air museum. Founded in 1891, Skansen is a time machine to the Sweden of yesteryear. Its many historical buildings, dwellings, and farmsteads have been transported here and rebuilt, brick-by-brick, log-by-log. Skansen also has a zoo with Nordic animals, and two aquariums; one focused on the Baltic and one with tropical fish and amphibians.