5 neighbourhoods to explore in Stockholm

With nicknames like 'Venice of the North' and the capital of Scandinavia, there should be no doubt: Exciting experiences await both young and old in Stockholm! Whether you want to go shopping, eat good food, party all night or enjoy history and culture, you’re sure to find something you like. 

Stockholm is made up of 14 islands connected by more than 50 bridges. It’s easy to explore on foot and has good public transport, with a metro, trams, buses and ferries.

Our partner hotel Thon Partner Hotel Kungsbron is centrally located in the Norrmalm district close to Stockholm central railway station and is a great starting point for exploring all that the city has to offer.

We've put together some tips for things to see anbd do in five of Stockholm’s best neighbourhoods:

Hip and trendy: Södermalm

Distance: Around a 30-minute walk from Thon Partner Hotel Kungsbron metro stop: Slussen, Medborgarplatsen, Mariatorget, Zinkensdamm or Hornstull, red or green line.

Södermalm, popularly known as Söder, is definitely Stockholm’s hippest and trendiest neighbourhood. This is where you go to shop, browse galleries, eat good food and have a drink or two – or simply take in the creative, bohemian vibe. 

Start your day at Fotografiska, located in the northeast part of the neighbourhood facing Skeppsholmen. You don't need to be interested in art or photography to be fascinated by the collection and the museum is definitely worth a visit when in Söder. 

If you're interested in finding something unique to take home with you, head for Hornsgatan, Götgatan and Folkungagatan. Check out Judits Second Hand, said to be the best vintage shop in the city, and Brandstationen for home interior and unique design items. 

In the heart of the neighbourhood, you'll also find the SoFo area. It’s packed with vintage shops and cool cafés and a bit reminiscent of Shoreditch in London. Check out the classic vintage shop Lisa Larssons Second Hand and the shops Keramikerna and Grandpa. Here you'll also find the fun bar Ugglan Boule & Bar, which the owners claim is a kind of mix between a Swedish rec centre and traditional club as found in Berlin, where you can play everything from boules and darts to table football, ping pong and board games – and everything in between. 

If you get hungry, try the Pom & Flora café for breakfast, Urban Deli on Nytorget for a delicious brunch, Omnipollos Hatt for great pizza and Alba for natural wine, champagne and a mix of French and Italian cuisine. 

And make sure to visit one of Stockholm’s best outdoor restaurants! At Mosebacketerrassen, located on top of Södra Teatern, you can indulge in good food and drinks while enjoying beautiful views of the entire city. You can also take in fantastic views at Fåfängen at the eastern end of Söder, where you'll find both a restaurant and café, in addition to the viewpoint. Or you can go for a walk on the Monteliusvägen hiking trail along the hills of Mariaberget and take in views of the city’s bright green domes and sparkling waters of Riddarfjärden from the top.

Green and scenic: Djurgården

Distance: Around a 35-minute walk from Thon Partner Hotel Kungsbron 
Tram stop: For example: Nordic Museum/Vasa Museum, Skansen or Bellmansro, grey line.

Stockholm’s green heart is the place to go when you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and spend a few hours relaxing in beautiful nature. Here you will find both scenic hiking and bike trails (check out 'Djurgårdsrundan'), nice swimming spots and great locations to enjoy a picnic and a day spent outdoors. 

The delightful Rosendals Trädgård is located approximately in the middle of the island and is definitely worth a visit. This cosy greenhouse café, which also has an outdoor dining area, offers an organic and seasonal menu that includes fresh pastries and bread from the café's own wood-fired bakery and vegetables and herbs from its biodynamic garden. The perfect stop for a delicious lunch or coffee break. Also make sure to check out their plant and farm shop. 

Djurgården is also great for those who love museums and amusement parks. Here you'll find plenty of them, such as the Vasa Museum, the world’s oldest outdoor museum of Skansen, the Nordic Museum, ABBA Museum and Astrid Lindgren's fairytale world of Junibacken. And if you like the feel of butterflies in your stomach on a roller coaster ride, playing competition events or enjoying a concert, the Gröna Lund amusement park is the place to be. 

Tip! Perhaps the best way to explore Djurgården is on two wheels. Rent a bike at Djurgårdsboden near the Skansen tram stop or from Rent a bike, located on Strandvägen right across from Djurgårdsbron.

Elegant and festive: Östermalm

Distance: Around a 20-minute walk from Thon Partner Hotel Kungsbron 
Metro stop: Östermalmstorg or Karlaplan, red line.

You’ve probably heard of the famous Stureplan square. Stockholm’s elegant and festive neighbourhood is perfect for those who want to party long into the night and together with fashion heavyweights. Here you'll find several of the city’s most famous bars and nightclubs, such as Sturecompagniet, Riche and Spy Bar.

Östermalm is home to one of the city’s most posh residential districts and if the weather is nice, you can take a relaxing stroll along Strandvägen and the waterfront by the harbour. It’s also easy to find plenty of retail therapy in this neighbourhood, with everything from stylish brand stores like Prada, Chanel and Louis Vuitton to more popular favourites like Urban Outfitters, COS, H&M Home and &Other Stories. Check out Birger Jarlsgatan and Biblioteksgatan. 

Östermalm’s Saluhall is the perfect destination when you've worked up an appetite. Here you’ll find an abundant food market with everything from fresh fish and perhaps the best meat in town to inviting sandwiches, cheeses, delicious bakery products and sweets. A paradise for foodies! You can always buy something good to eat and enjoy it outdoors in the popular nearby Humlegården. Nybrogatan 38, located adjacent to Östermalmstorg, is another local favourite for lunch. It's also a great choice for dinner and delicious cocktails in the evening, while Tyge & Sessil on Brahegatan is a discreet and trendy natural wine bar. 

If you're in the mood for a cultural experience, visit the famous Dramaten, Sweden’s national stage for theatre, located in Östermalm, or check out the Swedish History Museum if you'd prefer to learn a bit about Sweden’s history from the Ice Age to today.

Central and shopping-friendly: Norrmalm (and City) 

Distance: O min, Thon Partner Hotel Kungsbron is located in Norrmalm
Metro stop: T-Centralen (all lines) or Hötorget and Rådmansgatan, green line.

Norrmalm, and the area called City, is perhaps Stockholm’s most vibrant district, what you might call the centre of the city centre. Here you’ll find a bit of everything – something for diehard shoppers, food enthusiasts, party animals and culture lovers alike.

A great place to start is Drottninggatan. This street stretches all the way from Gamla Stan through the centre of Norrmalm and up to Vasastan in the north and is packed with shops, bars and restaurants. You’ll find a number of famous chain stores here, such as Zara, H&M, Weekday and Arket, while the Vete-Katten cafe on the side street of Kungsgatan is a great tip if you want to quench your thirst for coffee and enjoy pastries in good old-fashioned 1920s style. Hamngatan is also great for shopping enthusiasts and for those who prefer shopping centres, check out Gallerian, Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) and Mood Stockholm.

Among the must-see sights in Norrmalm are Gustav Adolfs Torg, Klarakirken and Sergels Torg, and if you want to enjoy a bit of culture in the area, the Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm Concert Hall and National Museum are great options. 

When dinnertime approaches, head to Mathias Dahlgren – Matbaren, Misshumasshu or Calle P. The latter has one of the city’s most charming and lush outdoor dining areas, and afterwards you can spend the rest of the evening at the famous Berns nightclub right across the street.  

The green heart of the neighbourhood, perhaps in all of Stockholm, can be found in Kungsträdgården park, the ultimate destination for relaxing and enjoying a break from city life. There is a skating rink here in winter and in the spring, you can enjoy all the cherry trees in bloom. 

Charming and historic: Gamla Stan

Distance: Around a 15-minute walk from Thon Partner Hotel Kungsbron 
Metro stop: Gamla Stan, red and blue line.

Narrow passageways, cobblestone streets and a real small town vibe – Stockholm’s Old Town is not only the city’s heart and oldest neighbourhood, but also its most charming one. Here you can stroll down picturesque streets, take in the unique atmosphere and learn more about Stockholm’s history. 

Founded in the 1200s, Gamla Stan, also known as the 'town between the bridges', is one of Europe’s oldest preserved mediaeval towns. In addition to its historic charm, the streets are also filled with cosy cafés, restaurants, handicraft and souvenir shops. You'll also find several of Stockholm’s most popular sights and tourist attractions here, such as Parliament, the Royal Palace, House of Nobility, Nobel Prize Museum and Stockholm Cathedral. 

If you've worked up an appetite, you can enjoy lunch or dinner at Den Gyldene Freden, which serves traditional Swedish homecooked meals with a modern twist. Founded in 1722, it is Stockholm’s oldest tavern and was a favourite of the cultural elite in the 20th century. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, head to Gamla Stan’s Polkagriskokeri, where traditional sweets are made by hand like in the old days and you’ll find everything from candycane to fudge and caramel in all kinds of flavours. 

Bonus tip: Foodie? With its numerous good and exciting restaurants and cafés, the neighbourhood of Vasastaden is well worth exploring. Check out Babette, Svartengens, Etoile, Flippin' Burgers, Lillebrors bageri, Grus, Grus and Lilla ego.