Stockholm charms with its versatility – why you should visit the Swedish capital
Maaret, who has worked as our cabin crew member for 30 years, has seen plenty of the world. In recent years, she has realised that Stockholm is a city break destination that sits close to Helsinki.
"Stockholm is a wonderfully vibrant, international and colourful city. I have only now realised how large the city is. There’s always a variety of events happening here, and you can hear languages from all over the world around you," Maaret describes.
Maaret knows what she is talking about because Stockholm is her second home.
"I have lived in both Stockholm and Helsinki for several years now. So, I fly a lot between these cities. It is easy, because Finnair has so many daily flights to Stockholm. From Stockholm’s Arlanda airport, you can also get to the city centre so easily, by train or taxi."
Arlanda airport is 41 kilometres north of the city, and the train reaches the centre in about 20 minutes.
"It's a shame that tourists often stay in Stockholm only for a day or two. You could very well stay here for five days, there's plenty to do," Maaret hints.
Off to Stockholm? Start with these
Travelling to the largest city in the Nordic countries is easy, as Finnair flies to Stockholm several times a day from Helsinki and the flight time is only about an hour. Whether you’re new to Stockholm or a returning visitor, Maaret highlights places worth your time.
The Royal Palace
No visit to Stockholm is complete without a touch of royal atmosphere. So, head towards the old town “Gamla Stan” and the Royal Palace. Behind the facade, there's much to discover, such as the Tre Kronor Museum, the Treasury and the Royal Chapel.
"The classic attraction at the Royal Palace is the Changing of the Guard ceremony. If you want to plan your visit by its schedule, the ceremony takes place on weekdays at 12.15pm and on Sundays at 1.15pm. The duration is about 40 minutes," Maaret says.
Saturdays follow the weekday time, and outside the summer season the parade runs only on selected days, so it is worth checking the current schedule before you go.
Many of the Swedish royal family's official engagements take place at the palace, so with luck you may catch a glimpse of them.
Allsång på Skansen - singing together
If you're heading to Stockholm in the summer, the Skansen open-air museum on Djurgården is an easy choice. Skansen opened in 1891 and is the world's oldest open-air museum. There is plenty to do and see for adults and children alike: history, lush gardens and traditional farmhouses.
Summer Tuesdays are a good time to visit, when Allsång på Skansen, the traditional Swedish singalong, is held there. The singalong dates back to 1935 and has been broadcast on television since 1979. The season runs on Tuesdays from midsummer to mid-August.
"Nothing says Swedish summer quite like singing together. You can also watch the show on television, and it is one of Sweden's most viewed broadcasts," Maaret says.
Ocean Bus City Tour
"This hour-long Ocean Bus tour, combines a city tour and a cruise on an amphibious bus. The tour is a convenient and quick way to get an overall picture of the city," Maaret says.
The tour starts on Strömgatan by the Royal Opera and runs from spring through December.
China Theatre and musicals
"Stockholm has a wonderful variety of exhibitions and concerts. I usually go to see musicals once a month and there is always plenty to choose from," Maaret says.
China Teatern opened as a cinema in 1928 and seats around 1,230 people. It stands by Berzelii Park, next to Berns.
"Sweden is known for its good music, and the musicals in Stockholm are of very high quality. There are talented performers on stage, both young and old," Maaret enthuses.
Gamla Stan with new eyes: details worth a second look
If you’ve already spent time admiring the streets of the Old Town, Gamla Stan, make sure to pay attention to details the next time you visit.
"Behind the Royal Palace, in the courtyard of the Finnish Church, you can find Stockholm's smallest statue, “Järnpojke” meaning “Iron Boy”, which is looking at the moon. It is only about 15 cm in size and easily overlooked. A must-photograph spot in the Old Town is also the narrowest alley in the area, along which only one person can walk at a time," Maaret hints.
The alley is Mårten Trotzigs gränd, which narrows to 90 centimetres at its tightest point.
Museums for many tastes
Stockholm has museums for many tastes. Maaret listed some of her favourites for your trip.
Fotografiska opened in 2010 at Stadsgårdshamnen and shows contemporary photography. Each year it hosts around four major exhibitions and 15 to 20 smaller ones.
"Fotografiska is a great museum and there are many changing exhibitions. Definitely worth a visit."
Don't miss the Vasa Museum on Djurgården, built around the warship Vasa, which sank on her maiden voyage in 1628 and was raised in 1961. You can get to know Nordic lifestyle and cultural history in the Nordiska museet and children (and kids at heart) will love the Toy Museum.
Stockholm Toy Museum on Skeppsholmen reopens in September 2026 after a renovation.
Mamma Mia! Dinner takes it all
Immerse yourself in the world of the popular musical Mamma Mia! with this dinner concept. In addition to a four-course dinner, the show includes dancing, singing, circus performances and, of course, ABBA music. The show runs at Tyrol on Djurgården and marked its tenth year in 2026.
"This concept is often sold out, so book your tickets well in advance. I recently tried to find tickets, but I couldn't get any, so, this experience will still haunt my "must see" list," Maaret says.
ABBA The Museum, also on Djurgården, is worth a stop for fans of the band. Here, you can learn about the band's history through interactive games, karaoke and various instruments.
"It has been very popular, and I have visited the museum twice because it was changed again."
Second-hand shops
If you are interested in second-hand shops, head to Maaret’s recommended spots in Stockholm.
"Hornsgatan in Södermalm has many wonderful galleries, exhibitions and second-hand shops. Arkivet is a neat second-hand shop in the city centre. The clothes are nicely displayed."
You can also find bargains at Apans Andra Hand near Slussen, or at Hornstulls Marknad, an outdoor market held on Södermalm's waterfront at weekends from April to October.
For jazz lovers: Glenn Miller Café
"If you want to enjoy jazz music and good French food, head to the Glenn Miller Café club. There are always different bands and musicians playing and the gigs can be enjoyed while dining in this very intimate restaurant", Maaret says.
The club is at Brunnsgatan 21A in Norrmalm.
Art goes underground
Stockholm's metro is often called the world's longest art exhibition. As you travel through the metro stations, glance up at the ceilings and walls to see the murals and installations.
Art appears at 94 of the metro's 100 stations, along roughly 110 kilometres of track. T-Centralen, Kungsträdgården, Tekniska Högskolan, Stadion and Solna centrum are among the most striking.
Fika: coffee and a bun
Ska vi ta en fika? Shall we go for coffee? Even though Finns have the highest per capita coffee consumption worldwide, Swedes love their coffee too. The Swedish “fika” revolves around coffee and a sweet treat, but above all it’s a moment for socialising. Maaret's picks for a proper fika, and remember to try the classic cinnamon bun.
Stora Bageriet: cinnamon buns in Östermalm
"Swedes make the best buns in the world! The best ones in Stockholm can be found at Stora Bageriet. The café and bakery in an old industrial building is so popular that in summer, there is often a queue all the way out. Definitely worth a visit."
Stora Bageriet is at Sibyllegatan 2, with a sister café on Sankt Eriksgatan in Vasastan.
Vete-Katten – classic
“Vete-Katten is a very popular classic café. The old-fashioned café offers good buns and other snacks."
Skroten café on Djurgården
"You don't accidentally end up in the Skroten café in Djurgården, you need to know where to go. The café is a popular stop for Stockholmers on a weekend stroll. The place is also fun in terms of décor. It might even feel that you walk into a small marine warehouse: a variety of intriguing items cover the walls."
Skroten sits at Beckholmsvägen 14, behind the old shipyard, and is open year-round.
Restaurants for all tastes
What should you eat in Stockholm? Swedish meatballs, of course. Beyond that, a city that passed one million residents in 2026 has options for every taste and budget.
"Stockholm has a lot of high-quality restaurants, and thanks to the international atmosphere, the selection of restaurants is diverse. Most restaurants require a reservation, and dinner is often reserved for two hours," Maaret describes the restaurant life in Stockholm.
Here are Maaret's tips for both lunch and dinner:
Östermalm Market Hall – options for lunch
”Östermalm Market Hall is a place of attraction in itself. There are several lunch spots available. You must eat meatballs at least once during your visit, and here you can also find classic “toast skagens”, shrimp sandwiches.”
The hall dates from 1888 and reopened in 2020 after a four-year renovation.
Trendy places for partygoers
"At Strandvägen 1 you will find trendy Milles and other popular places for young people. Nybrogatan also has a good selection of restaurants. I could recommend these places to partygoers: Operakällaren, Berns, Apo and Olli."
Prinsen – classic restaurant
”Prinsen is a prestigious and very classic restaurant. The menu is French-inspired and is well suited for a fancier dinner. You can also get good meatballs from here."
Prinsen has been at Mäster Samuelsgatan 4 since 1897.
Papà - authentic Italian
"This is one of my favourite restaurants in Stockholm. Papà is a truly authentic Italian restaurant. When you step inside it feels like you are in Italy instead of Sweden. I recommend making a reservation."
Strandbryggan - trendy summer restaurant
"If you're heading to Stockholm in the summer, go to Strandbryggan's trendy terrace to spend the evening and watch the sunset. The bar is beautifully built over the sea."
Strandbryggan sits on a pier off Strandvägen and has been there in one form or another since 1989.
Can’t wait to visit the city? Finnair flies to Stockholm from Helsinki several times a day.