Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Stockholm?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Stockholm?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Stockholm, Sweden? Most people spend two to seven days in Stockholm during their visit. After all, the coastal city will let you learn about the history of the town, admire the wonderful scenery, enjoy the live music scene, and tour the famous sights and museums.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. It's a unique city in that it's spread out over 14 islands that are connected by many bridges. The are many quaint streets and a beautiful and colorful old town that you can explore. The city has many ferries and sightseeing boats that will take you by some of the most significant landmarks.

Do you have one or two days to visit Stockholm? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Stockholm?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the coastal city of Stockholm, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to learn about the history of the town, admire the wonderful scenery, enjoy the live music scene, and tour the famous sights and museums. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Stockholm

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. Right in the middle of the city is Gamla Stan. It's spread out over a hill and filled with character, cobblestone streets, cafes, and historical sights.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Unique walking tour Stockholm ($54)
  • Old Town Stockholm Gamla Stan, Historic Walking Tour, small group ($47)
  • Walking Tour of Stockholm Old Town ($22)

Stockholm is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. This is among the cleanest and most beautiful cities in Europe.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Unique walking tour Stockholm ($54)
  • Old Town Stockholm Gamla Stan, Historic Walking Tour, small group ($47)
  • Walking Tour of Stockholm Old Town ($22)

Stockholm is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The city has actively worked to create a walkable environment that is safe and pleasant. There are restrictions on vehicles as well as pedestrian-only areas.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Stockholm?

To do everything that Stockholm has to offer, you'll need more than a weekend, but two or three days does allow you a bit more time to explore. You'll have a chance to experience at least some of the highlights. In addition to the great charming old town and fun beautiful scenery, visitors can enjoy the museums and landmarks, big city activities, and nightlife. By staying a night or two, you'll be able to take advantage of the most interesting activities found here, and we have some suggestions below.

Stockholm Stockholm

How to spend 2 days in Stockholm

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Stockholm will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Don't miss Gamla Stan (the old town) during your trip to Stockholm, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

Live music is very popular in Stockholm, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. The city has an amazing music scene that includes international groups and DJs, local venues, and popular festivals.

Public transit in Stockholm is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The system is efficient with bus lines, metro, commuter rails, trams and ferries.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Stockholm, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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