A photograph of Sweden

Country guide

Up to 1 hour in Sweden

Sweden runs from 55°N to 69°N — long enough that its north and its south keep different weather and different daylight in the same week. Of its 450,295 km², bui...

Photograph · Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0

2,967 Places
1Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Sweden runs from 55°N to 69°N — long enough that its north and its south keep different weather and different daylight in the same week. Of its 450,295 km², built-up land accounts for 1.5 per cent, and 88 per cent of the 10,610,485 people counted in October 2025 live in towns concentrated in the south and the centre. That is the practical division for a visitor: the southern counties hold Stockholm and most of what fits into a weekend, while the rest of the 21 counties trade density for distance. Choose by how far you are willing to travel between two things.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Swedish
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+46
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Swedish krona (SEK)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Municipal drinking water is subject to Swedish food-safety controls

Planning a visit

Seasonal closures come from recorded opening hours.

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Riddarholm Church Riddarholm Church
    02 45 min

    Riddarholm Church

    Riddarholmskyrkan

    Riddarholm Church, or Riddarholmskyrkan, is a medieval church on Riddarholmen in central Stockholm. It serves as the burial church of Swedish monarchs and now functions primarily as a royal mausoleum and heritage site.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Stockholm
  2. Storkyrkan Storkyrkan
    03 30 min

    Storkyrkan

    Storkyrkan, Stockholm’s Great Church, is the oldest church in the city’s Old Town and serves as Stockholm Cathedral. The medieval brick building includes later Baroque additions and stands beside the Royal Palace in Gamla Stan.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Stockholm
  3. Parliament House of Sweden (Riksdagshuset) Parliament House of Sweden (Riksdagshuset)
    04 45 min

    Parliament House of Sweden (Riksdagshuset)

    Riksdagshuset

    The Parliament House of Sweden, known locally as Riksdagshuset, serves as the seat of the Swedish Parliament. Located on the island of Helgeandsholmen in central Stockholm, the building houses the unicameral legislative assembly of Sweden.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Stockholm
  4. Kungsträdgården Kungsträdgården
    05 1 hour

    Kungsträdgården

    Kungsträdgården is a central public park in Stockholm, situated between Hamngatan and Strömgatan in the Norrmalm district. The name translates to King's Garden, reflecting its historical origins as a royal kitchen garden established in the fifteenth century.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  5. Royal Swedish Opera Royal Swedish Opera
    06 1 hour

    Royal Swedish Opera

    Kungliga Operan

    The Royal Swedish Opera, known locally as Kungliga Operan, stands as Sweden's national opera house and a prominent performing arts institution in Stockholm.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  6. Millesgården Millesgården
    07 45 min

    Millesgården

    Millesgården is an art museum and sculpture garden located on the island of Lidingö near Stockholm. It was the former home and studio of sculptor Carl Milles and his wife, artist Olga Milles.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Stockholm
  7. Junibacken Junibacken
    08 1 hour

    Junibacken

    Junibacken is a family cultural attraction on Djurgården built around children's literature, especially the story world associated with Astrid Lindgren and Pippi Longstocking.

    • Must see
    • Family attraction
    • Stockholm
  8. Stockholm Olympic Stadium Stockholm Olympic Stadium
    09 45 min

    Stockholm Olympic Stadium

    Stockholms stadion

    Stockholms stadion is a historic sports arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Built for the 1912 Summer Olympics, it remains one of the world's oldest active Olympic stadiums.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Stockholm
  9. Drottningholm Palace Theatre Drottningholm Palace Theatre
    10 45 min

    Drottningholm Palace Theatre

    Drottningholms Slottsteater

    Drottningholm Palace Theatre is a historic court theatre located on the grounds of Drottningholm Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site near Stockholm. Built in 1766, it is one of the best-preserved 18th-century theatres in Europe.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Stockholm
  10. Bergian botanic garden Bergian botanic garden
    11 1 hour

    Bergian botanic garden

    Bergianska trädgården

    Bergian botanic garden, or Bergianska trädgården, is a botanical garden in northern Stockholm beside Brunnsviken. Connected with Stockholm University, it combines public garden displays with botanical research and education.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  11. Stockholm Observatory Stockholm Observatory
    12 45 min

    Stockholm Observatory

    Stockholms gamla observatorium

    Stockholm Observatory, also known as Stockholms gamla observatorium, is a historic astronomical facility in Stockholm. It belongs on a city walk for travellers interested in science, architecture and the intellectual history of Sweden.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Stockholm
  12. Chinese Pavilion at Drottningholm Chinese Pavilion at Drottningholm
    13 45 min

    Chinese Pavilion at Drottningholm

    Kina slott

    The Chinese Pavilion at Drottningholm, called Kina slott in Swedish, is a royal pleasure pavilion on Lovön near Stockholm.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Stockholm
  13. Rosendal Palace Rosendal Palace
    14 45 min

    Rosendal Palace

    Rosendals slott

    Rosendal Palace, known locally as Rosendals slott, is a royal palace situated on Djurgården island in central Stockholm. The palace was constructed as a pleasure palace for King Karl XIV Johan in the 1820s.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Stockholm
  14. Stockholm Concert Hall Stockholm Concert Hall
    15 1 hour

    Stockholm Concert Hall

    Konserthuset

    Stockholm Concert Hall, or Konserthuset, is a major concert venue at Hötorget in central Stockholm.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  15. Mälaren Mälaren
    16 1 hour

    Mälaren

    Mälaren is Sweden’s third-largest lake and one of the geographical features that defines Stockholm. Fresh water reaches the capital from the inland lake through a landscape of bays, islands and wooded shores.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  16. Ulriksdal Palace Ulriksdal Palace
    17 45 min

    Ulriksdal Palace

    Ulriksdals slott

    Ulriksdal Palace, or Ulriksdals slott, is a royal palace in Solna, north of Stockholm city centre. The palace belongs to Sweden’s royal heritage and sits within extensive parkland and gardens.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Stockholm
  17. Saint John's Church Saint John's Church
    18 30 min

    Saint John's Church

    Sankt Johannes kyrka

    Saint John’s Church, known in Swedish as Sankt Johannes kyrka, is a working place of worship in Stockholm. It forms part of the city’s ecclesiastical heritage and urban character, offering travellers an architectural landmark as well as a religious space.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Stockholm
  18. Katarina Elevator Katarina Elevator
    19 20 min

    Katarina Elevator

    Katarinahissen

    Katarina Elevator, or Katarinahissen, is a historic vertical transport landmark in Stockholm’s Södermalm district. It links the lower area around Slussen with the higher ground near Mosebacke.

    • Must see
    • Viewpoint
    • Stockholm
  19. The House of Culture The House of Culture
    20 45 min

    The House of Culture

    Kulturhuset

    The House of Culture, known locally as Kulturhuset, is a prominent cultural centre located in central Stockholm. It occupies a significant position within the city's cultural infrastructure, serving as a multi-purpose venue for artistic and community activities.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Stockholm
  20. Berwald Hall Berwald Hall
    21 1 hour

    Berwald Hall

    Berwaldhallen

    Berwald Hall, or Berwaldhallen, is a Stockholm concert hall and the home venue of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Named after composer Franz Berwald, it is a significant destination for travellers interested in orchestral music and Swedish cultural life.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  21. Edsviken Edsviken
    22 1 hour

    Edsviken

    Edsviken is a sheltered inlet of the Baltic Sea in northern Stockholm, where coastal water, rocky Scandinavian terrain, vegetation, and residential surroundings meet.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  22. Theater Confidencen Theater Confidencen
    23 45 min

    Theater Confidencen

    Confidencen

    Theater Confidencen is a Stockholm theatre whose identity is created by live performance rather than by a permanent exhibition. Its character comes from the meeting of performers and audience, the production chosen, and the particular occasion announced in the programme.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Stockholm
  23. Adolf Fredrik Church Adolf Fredrik Church
    24 30 min

    Adolf Fredrik Church

    Adolf Fredriks kyrka

    Adolf Fredrik Church, or Adolf Fredriks kyrka, is an active Church of Sweden parish church in central Stockholm’s Norrmalm district.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Stockholm
  24. Karlberg Palace Karlberg Palace
    25 45 min

    Karlberg Palace

    Karlbergs slott

    Karlberg Palace, or Karlbergs slott, is a historic palace complex in Stockholm’s Karlberg district beside the water.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Stockholm

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Sweden be?

Seven to ten days gives Stockholm three or four days and allows one rail-linked city, archipelago stay or northern extension. A journey into Swedish Lapland needs extra nights and should be planned as a distinct leg.

What entry documents are needed for Sweden?

The Swedish Migration Agency sets visitor and short-stay requirements. Check whether the passport needs a visa and which Schengen state should process an application for the complete itinerary.

What is the best way to travel around Sweden?

Stockholm Arlanda is the largest gateway; Gothenburg and the Copenhagen–Malmö route provide alternatives. Long-distance trains link the principal cities, while ferries, regional buses and domestic flights reach the wider country.

When is a practical time to visit Sweden?

May through August brings long daylight and the broadest summer access. Winter aurora or snow travel is a separate seasonal product, particularly in the north, with different transport and clothing requirements.

What money and payment basics apply in Sweden?

Sweden uses the krona (SEK), not the euro. Current cash and card acceptance is Not recorded in this file; check the operator’s stated payment method, particularly for unmanned or rural services.

What practical safety details should I save for Sweden?

Call 112 for emergencies in Sweden. Type C and F sockets operate at 230 V, and the recorded guidance says mains tap water is safe.