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District of Stockholm
Photo: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Norrmalm [nɔrˈmalm], also known as City, is the central borough of Stockholm, bordering to Östermalm to the east at Birger Jarlsgatan, the Old Town to the south, Kungsholmen to the south-west, and Vasastan north-west of Tegnérgatan. The small Skeppsholmen island can be reached across a bridge.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
[ˌsærgəlsˈtɔrj], nicknamed Plattan ("the slab" or "the tile")
Stockholm's busiest city square. The black-and-white Harlequin concrete floor was laid in the 1960s, and while the design remains controversial, and the place used to have bad reputation for drug-dealing and violence, it attracts thousands of people daily for meet-ups, political demonstrations, flash mobs, and merchant stands. In 2018, a renovation was completed, reclaiming pedestrian space from car lanes.
Klara kyrka, S:ta Clara kyrka
Close to the Sergels Torg square, and one of the few buildings in the district to survive the 1960s redevelopment, this large redbrick church was built in the 16th century, following the demolition of a 13th-century nunnery. The 116-metre steeple is the second tallest in Scandinavia and one of the ten tallest buildings in Sweden, making it a significant landmark. The artwork inside includes an 18th-century altarpiece. In the cemetery, a stone commemorates the 18th-century songwriter Carl Michael Bellman. As of 2013, a building between the church and Vasagatan has been torn down, temporarily making the church visible from the Central Station, until obscured by a newly built hotel.
Adolf Fredriks kyrka
Adolf Fredrik's church, named by King Adolf Fredrik, was built in 1768-1774. The exterior is quite intact, while the interior was radically changed in the 1890s. In the church, there is a monument to the philosopher René Descartes, who spent his last years in Stockholm tutoring Queen Christina, until dying of pneumonia. The church is known for the grave of Prime Minister Olof Palme, who was assassinated in 1986. The grave can be found just to the south of the church building.
On February 28, 1986, Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme and his wife Lisbeth made a spontaneous plan to go to the Grand cinema with their son and his fiancée, without calling in their bodyguards. On their way home, an unknown man came up behind Palme, shot him to immediate death with a revolver, and escaped along Tunnelgatan. The street nearby was renamed Olof Palmes gata to commemorate the victim. The police led several failed investigations; as Palme was a well known world leader, known for his pathos for human rights and his harsh criticism against oppression, the suspects included South African spies, the Kurdish resistance movement, and the police themselves. In 1989, the lone criminal Christer Pettersson was found guilty by the Stockholm City court; though the Svea Court of Appeal later found reasonable doubt and acquitted him. During the following decades, the murder has inspired novelists, crime enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists. In June 2020, the police closed the case, presenting their final suspect: graphic designer Stig Engström, dead since 2000. Engström worked for insurance company Skandia in the office building on Sveavägen, and was one of the few witnesses. See Stockholm labour tour for context.
Nationalmuseum
Sweden's national museum for European art opened in 1866. A renovation for accessibility and climate control was finished in 2018. The museum exhibits works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, Renoir, Degas and Gauguin, as well as well-known Swedish artists such as Carl Larsson, Ernst Josephson, C F Hill and Anders Zorn. The museum also has a collection of applied art, design, and industrial design. The museum has a nice café in its atrium.
Kulturhuset
Kulturhuset, a 1970s concrete building in the middle of the modernist city centre, is operated by the city, and a venue for art exhibitions and performances. The building also houses the Stockholm City Theatre, a library (with a comic book department), a teen activity centre, and a scale model of Stockholm. On ground level there is an Internet café.
Medelhavsmuseet
Contains ancient artefacts of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, with a distinguished collection from Cyprus, and an Egyptian mummy exhibition.
the Dance Museum
Displays objects related to concert dancing.
Dedicated to fin de siècle writer August Strindberg. Closed Monday.
Konstakademien
Free entrance. Holds several works from Nationalmuseum. At the same address you can find Galleri Magnus Karlsson (M-F 12:00-17:00, Sa Su 12:00-16:00), a small, local gallery showcasing local artworks.
A square which was built in the 19th century, creating a traffic hub for steamboats to Stockholm archipelago, as well as trams. Sweden's first traffic light was set up at Nybroplan in 1924. A statue commemorates Swedish inventor John Ericsson, who designed one of England's first steam locomotives (the Novelty) as well as the USS Monitor (which was decisive in the American Civil War).
Inaugurated in 1870.
A monument near the Stockholm Synagogue commemorates Raoul Wallenberg, a diplomat who had 10,000 Jews in Budapest rescued from the Holocaust. Sweden was neutral during World War II, and made many concessions to Germany, including iron export and passage of German troops. As the Axis atrocities became well known, Sweden had to mend its reputation through humanitarian missions. Raoul Wallenberg travelled to Budapest, issued diplomatic passports to Jews, and housed them in Swedish embassy buildings. Wallenberg was detained by the Soviet Union in January 1945, was never found again, and was long rumoured to be alive. He was declared dead in 2016.
[ˈkɵŋsˌtrɛˈgoːɖən] Opened in 1977, and is known for its art, with elements from the former palace Makalös and other demolished buildings in the neighborhood. Due to the 1971 protests, construction was delayed, and the eastern exit was finished in 1987.
Hallwyllska Museet
A museum of antiquities, many of them owned by Swedish royals and nobles. Guided tours in Swedish and English available. Note that some parts of the museum can only be accessed on a guided tour.
A small, local gallery showcasing local artworks.
Moderna Museet
Stockholm's museum of modern art is headed by Lars Nittve, formerly of London's Tate Modern. These museums have several works by famous artists - Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Salvador Dalí and Irving Penn, an American photographer. Although its Stockholm counterpart might not have as vast a collection, there is still enough to satisfy both the modern art buff as well as the curious amateur. Also, the building, by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo, is a sight in itself. Admission 80 kr (60 kr reduced price).
World-class collection of modern art, free for the main collection and paid for temporary ones. There are also several outdoor sculptures in the park around the museum.
Exhibits and models including the annual gingerbread house competition. Cafe with good views outside.
Östasiatiska Museet
Displays ancient, classical and contemporary East Asian culture.
Kungliga konsthögskolan
Panoptikon
A gallery of contemporary photography.
Several heritage ships, with information plaques.
A park with frequent stage performances, and ice skating during winter.
A classical bath-house in one of Stockholm's most beautiful art nouveau buildings, this is a place where you can go for a swim, have a beer in the sauna bar or enjoy a full spa treatment. Rather expensive and sometimes crowded on weekends. Adults 130 kr (F after 15:00 and all day Sa 180 kr), includes entrance to pool, jacuzzi, gym and saunas. University students and seniors 70 kr Su–F until 15:00. Most spa treatments 350–700 kr.
Operan
This 1898 building, stages classical operas in original language or Swedish, as well as classical ballets and concerts. The first opera house was built in 1782, commissioned by King Gustav III; 10 years later he was assassinated at a masquerade ball in the same building (which was torn down in 1892). The Opera House offers daily guided tours in English. Strömterrassen is a café with an astounding view of the Royal Palace. Within the same building is Operakällaren and Café Opera (see below).
This 1850s building houses a 1920s cinema designed by the Stockholm Public Library architect Erik Gunnar Asplund. A beautiful and intimate setting.
Stockholms konserthus
The home stage of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the place of the annual Nobel Prize ceremony.
An art nouveau playhouse opened in 1906, which usually stages Swedish and international musicals.
A stage for classical and modern ballet.
A 200-year-old stage restaurant which has hosted world-renowned artists such as Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli and Rod Stewart.
Formerly a naval church, this is today a concert hall, mainly used by the many choirs in Stockholm.
An interactive exhibition dedicated to the Swedish music producer Avicii, also known as Tim Bergling.
A waterfront park renovated in 2023.
Kulturhuset's 5th floor (T T-Centralen). A large café with large windows and a nice open terrace overlooking the lively Sergels torg.
Well-known pastry- and coffeeshop with historic interiors, dating back to 1928.
A small three-restaurant food court in a central location between the Gallerian shopping center and the NK department store. Fattoush has tasty Lebanese fast food, Roppongi has decent sushi, and Panini offers a selection of sandwiches and salads.
Deli market in the basement of the cinema Filmstaden Sergel. Here you can get everything from sushi via meze to Swedish meatballs. Most places offer good value for money.
Food court in the basement with a wide variety of ethnic foods, across the street from Hötorget. Mostly good value. Prices around 60-120 kr (dinner).
Hamburgers Swedish style. Free Wi-Fi.
An Asian restaurant at the centre of Stockholm, on the ground floor of the culture house Kulturhuset. The location is easily found in central Stockholm. Serves a mixture of cuisine from various Asian countries, including Japan, Korea and Thailand. 100 kr-140 kr.
A chain of Mexican fast-food restaurants. The restaurants are spacious and have a trendy decor. The service is based on automatic signal devices (no table service) and is very fast - getting your order ready usually takes about five minutes from when you walk in. Try the burritos, that's what the chain is known for. Five restaurants in Stockholm and four elsewhere in Sweden.
Vegetarian restaurant with different types of salads (large servings), sandwiches (not that large) and a variety of coffees, juices and craft beers.
An 1897 restaurant which serves traditional Swedish dishes in fine dining style, as well as some French bistro classics, all in a very nice setting. Mains 225-395 kr.
An Italian market hall and food court inside the Röda Kvarn cinema.
A restaurant from Gothenburg, serving shrimp and other seafood. The tables are around a pond, on which a model boat delivers the shrimp servings.
In the building of the Royal Opera, Café Opera has for long been the place if you want to be seen with celebrities. Offers good food and drinks. Dress code applies, entrance fee 220 kr. In the same building you'll find a beautiful dining room of the formal and extremely expensive Operakällaren. If you want a less costly option, consider the other two restaurants at the Opera: Operabaren and Backfickan (see Mid-range above). Mains: Café Opera 195-325 kr, Operakällaren 210-450 kr.
The stylish F12 (short for the centrally located address) is regarded as one of the best fine dining experiences in Stockholm by most critics, including White Guide, the most ambitious Swedish restaurant guide. Mains 270-520 kr, 7-course tasting menus 1095 kr.
Only restaurant in Stockholm awarded with three Guide Michelin stars.
There is one English-style pub in the Bishop's arms chain close to the Central station.
The bar is made of ice. You have to wait a long time before you can get in, because there are only 30 people allowed at a time.
A British-style pub.
Radisson SAS Royal Viking Hotel
Not the most elevated sky bar in the world, in any sense of the word, but if you want a panoramic view to go with your drink this is the only option in the Norrmalm area (although Gondolen's Bar on Södermalm probably has better drinks).
A three-floor nightclub opened in early 2013. Usually free entrance.
Boasts a broad assortment of Belgian beer. Offers beer tasting events.
A three-floor nightclub with 1980s and 90s music and karaoke.
Renowned jazz club in Stockholm serving French cuisine. There is a live jazz concert in the late evenings, Wednesday through Sunday. Reservations are available for dining guests and the concert fee is a minimum of 50 kr per set and per person. Guests can also enjoy the concert with a drink in the bar. You can enjoy a variety of jazz music by artists like Max Agnas, Niklas Barnö, Kjetil Mulelid, Anders Chico Lindvall and so on.
Not just a three-floor nightclub with a karaoke bar, but also a stage for dinner shows with pop music. Guests of all ages.
Asian cross-cooking, funky music, and ethnic diversity hardly seen at any other nightclub in central Stockholm. Open until 03:00 every night, but gets crowded, so go there well before midnight. Dress code may apply.
A dance club dominated by juniors. Hit music.
Rooftop bar with astounding view of Stockholm in all directions.
An indoor skybar.
Rock'n'roll bar with occasional live performances.
A small vodka bar with a schlager (Eurovision Song Contest) playlist, regularly visited by gay men and opera fans.
Inside the Grand Hôtel, this is one of the more upscale places one can find in Stockholm. It has been refurbished, and offers a modern yet classic atmosphere and really good drinks at that.
Berns Bar is one of the trendier hangouts in the city centre, with a nice lounge and several dancefloors. You can eat a late dinner here to avoid the high entrance fee. Otherwise, make sure to show up early (before 23:00) in order to get in with minimal hassle. 300 kr entrance and mixed drinks costing as much as 150 kr. Can be overcrowded late at night.
Close to the central station. Clean and friendly, with free wireless internet and computers. Plenty of common areas to meet fellow travellers in, including a great café at reception.
Opened in 2010.
A full-rigged ship, known as Af Chapman for short, and an adjacent building, 15 minutes walk from the central station. You can specify whether you want to stay in the ship or on land, and it really is a spectacular place to stay.
A low-cost hostel.
A super clean and well managed hostel with a small cafe and bar. From about 155 kr/night for a shared room, and they also have more expensive ~650 kr private rooms and suites.
A large, mid-range hotel in the northern section of central Stockholm. Approximately 1 km from Central Station, 500 m from Hötorget metro station on the Green Line.
At the Skeppsholmen waterfront, combines central location with seclusion.
The classical department store PUB has been converted to a 1920s style hotel.
An outdoor-themed hotel in an urban location.
A Grand Old Hotel considered to be one of the most luxurious hotels in Scandinavia, overlooking the Royal Palace. A bastion of elite hospitality, this is where the top level celebrities and political leaders stay, in fact room No 702 is the astounding Nobel Room, where the literature prize winners stay overnight. Its old world luxury and sense of style is well maintained in every room, with some in the Royal Gustavian style, others are intriguing traditional/modern mixes. The rooms are quite pricey but you get what you pay for in terms of service and comfort. The best rooms overlook the water, although these are highly sought after and invariably are booked out. The facilities include a fitness centre, several banquet halls, an upscale bar (the Cadier Bar), and a restaurant which gives an excellent Swedish smörgåsbord, one of the very few establishments in Scandinavia that still does so. Even if you aren't staying here, it's an experience to check out the piano bar, a delightful end-of-the-evening place to get a sophisticated drink.
A five-star hotel, and a terrace bar with view of the Palace and the National Museum.
Branded as "Stockholm's first contemporary luxury hotel", opened in 2009 in a 19th-century building. The building used to be a bank office, known for the 1973 hostage robbery which coined the term Stockholm Syndrome. The lounge is 28 meters tall.
Modern Scandinavian design. Each room features individual, specially designed light exhibits, which guests can adjust to suit their mood, and several have excellent views over the city centre. The hotel is in the city centre of Stockholm next to the shopping, nightlife and the express-train to Arlanda airport.
A business hotel opened in 2017.
Founded in 1912, previously owned by the Swedish Freemason Order, this waterfront hotel is a prominent example of Swedish architecture.
The Sheraton Stockholm Hotel is a five-star hotel in Stockholm's central business district, perfect for both business and leisure guests. The hotel offers stunning views of Lake Mälaren, City Hall, and Old Town, as well as the largest average room size in town.
Branded as a "design hotel", with bold architecture and timeless furnishings.
Its amenities include free internet and a health centre.
Stockholm's newest Radisson is a part of the Waterfront complex between the Central Station and the Town Hall across the water. The more expensive rooms offer fine waterfront views over Gamla Stan and Kungsholmen.
This hotel opened in spring 2016. Since it is integrated with Stockholm's new commuter rail station, which opened in 2017, parts of the building are still under construction. The 392 rooms have access to gym and sauna. Public areas include a restaurant, a lobby bar, and a terrace bar with an astounding view of Stockholm.
A large department store in a central location, with a good selection of designer clothing brands. Also beauty products, kitchenware, interior design, books, toys, and everything else you would expect from a major department store.
Nordiska Kompaniet
A large, upmarket department store opened in 1915, dominated by classic fashion. Has a big book department. Well known for its elaborate Christmas display window decorations, usually revealed in late November.
Stockholm's oldest shopping mall, where you can find many of Sweden's major mainstream fashion chains as well as some foreign brands such as Topshop/Topman, French Connection, Esprit and United Colors of Benetton. As of 2018, the building complex is under renovation. The whole passage is open, as well as many stores.
A large low-price electronics and DIY store. One of the cheaper options if you're looking for an electric adapter, a hair dryer or some batteries.
A high-end shopping mall opened in 2012, with prestige brands, contemporary art, a spa, and tree houses (!), as well as, on the practical side, free toilets that they unashamedly advertise - and rightly so, as the ones in competing establishments aren't.
Denim and some inventive young fashion.
Exclusive women's fashion.
Biblioteksgatan 2 (T Östermalmstorg), +46 8 611 88 03, Grev Turegatan 18 (T Östermalmstorg), +46 8 545 888 88 and Götgatan 36 (Man) +46 8 615 70 80/Götgatan 23 (Women), +46 8 556 985 85 (T Slussen). Everyday fashion with a broad appeal.
South Asian style: interior design and clothes. There's another store at Västerlånggatan 50 (T Gamla Stan).
T Hötorget
Olofsgatan 1 (T Hötorget), +46 8 411 51 50. M-F 11:00-19:00, Sa 11:00-17:00, Su 12:00-16:00. Götgatan 21 (T Slussen), +46 8 642 17 72. M-F 11:00-20:00, Sa 11:00-18:00, Su 12:00-17:00. Three stores (the Drottninggatan one being the largest) with a focus on young fashion and street wear. Large assortment of the popular Swedish jeans Cheap Monday, which, surprisingly, is rather cheap.
A small store for alternative youth fashion (rock, punk, hip-hop), simple accessories, and novelty T-shirts.
A pedestrian street with all kinds of alternative fashion stores, including punk, thrasher and Japanese street fashion.
Stockholm's largest bookstore, with a large selection of books in English as well as many international magazines.
Discount bookstore with a general selection, across the street from the Akademibokhandeln listed above.
Furnishing.
A well-renowned auction house for high-end art and antiquities, many of them on public display during daytime.
Interior design in cool retro style.
Flagship store for two of Sweden's most well-known glassware.
A design store specializing in smaller items, ranging from the beautiful to the useful to the downright eccentric.
A century-old store for party supplies, costume rental, and practical joke devices.
Stockholm Central Station
80 per cent of all passenger rail rides in Sweden pass Stockholm Central Station. The last redevelopment was finished during 2013, and most facilities are state-of-the-art.
The area is well served by public transport, and everything is within walking distance. Some streets (Malmskillnadsgatan and Regeringsgatan) are elevated, but there are staircases at most intersections.
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