Stockholm in 24 hours – what you can see and do in a day
Publish date: 25 February 2026
Visiting Stockholm for only one day? Here are some suggestions for getting the most out of your stay.
The Swedish capital is just the right size, surrounded by water and filled with richly diverse experiences – everything from medieval alleys to contemporary museums, traditional market halls, and a spirited nightlife. Thanks to short distances and ease of transportation, you'll be able to enjoy a surprising amount of what the city has to offer in just 24 hours. Here is how we suggest you get the most out of your stay in Stockholm.
Breakfast and planning your day
First things first: treat yourself to a hearty breakfast. Many cafés in Stockholm have breakfast specials. Pom and Flora, Greasy Spoon, and Nytorget 6 are some of the most popular on Södermalm. Kaferang and Campfire are good choices in central Stockholm. Pascal and Ritorno are great options in Vasastan. Further tips – sorted by district – can be found on our page on cafés.
If you're visiting during the weekend and would prefer a hearty brunch to kick off the day STHLM Brunch Club, Rival, and Berns Asiatiska are good choices. Find more brunch and breakfast restaurants in our brunch guide!
While enjoying your meal, now's also a good time to decide how you'd like to spend your day.
Gamla Stan and the historical Stockholm
If it's your first time in Stockholm and you're aiming to see some of the most famous attractions, City Hall is a good starting point. The Nobel Banquet is held annually in this beautiful building, a prime example of Swedish Grace in architecture. From the tower, you get a fantastic view of the entire city. Just a short walk from City Hall is Gamla Stan, the Old Town. It's Stockholm's oldest district and one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in the world. Among the more notable attractions in Gamla Stan are The Royal Palace and Stockholm Cathedral.
Lunch and culture on Djurgården
Many of Stockholm's most beloved attractions are located on the green island of Djurgården and can be easily reached by taking the commuter ferry from Gamla Stan. The Vasa Museum, Abba The Museum, Nordiska Museet and Skansen Open Air Museum and Gröna Lund's Amusement Park are all located here. If you'd rather spend some time in nature, you can take a walk along Djurgårdsbrunnskanalen or have a cup of coffee while enjoying the view of the water.
More Stockholm classics
Afternoon: Södermalm and the best view over Stockholm
For a more local feel – go to Södermalm. Here you'll find vintage stores, design, small art galleries and cafés. Make sure to visit Fotografiska, one of the world's most notable museums of contemporary photography, and its exhibitions, restaurant and view of the Stockholm inlet. Finish with a walk along Monteliusvägen, from which you can see one of the city's classic views over Riddarfjärden and City Hall.
Evening and night: Shopping, dinner and entertainment
Round off the day in Stockholm with dinner, shopping and entertainment in the city center. Gathered around Norrmalm, Bibliotekstan and Stureplan are several of Sweden's foremost design and fashion shops, with classics such as Svenskt Tenn and Carl Malmsten, as well as the more contemporary Norrgavel and Nordiska Galleriet. Swedish fashion brands Asket, Rodebjer and Hope have flagship stores in the area.
As the evening continues, modern Nordic restaurants, international cuisine, and lively cocktail bars await around Hötorget and Stureplan, while Östermalm offers a more classic setting. For culture, you can check what’s playing at the Royal Dramatic Theatre, the Royal Swedish Opera, or Kulturhuset Stadsteatern. If you’d rather have more energy, the night goes on with live music at Fasching, concerts and club nights at Nalen, or late DJ sets and dance floors around Stureplan — perfect when dinner is meant to turn into a full night out.
New restaurants in Stockholm
Experience Stockholm like a local
Many Stockholmers prefer taking the subway or bus, to driving a car in the city. Seeing as the metro often is described as the world's longest art exhibition you'll always have something interesting to look at while waiting for your train. Don’t forget to stand on the right when riding up the escalator — the left side is the passing lane for stressed-out Stockholmers! Here you can read more about traveling on public transport in Stockholm.
"Will I have time for the Stockholm archipelago?"
While the Stockholm archipelago is close to the City, just 20 minutes away by boat, some of its most popular destinations – like the islands of Sandön, Grinda, and Utö – are further away from the city, better suited for a whole day's worth of getting-too and exploring.
If you want a sample taste of the archipelago but are short on time Fjäderholmarna, Gustavsberg and Vaxholm are better options.
- The Fjäderholmarna islands are located just 25-30 minutes by boat from central Stockholm (depending on which ferry you take). Fjäderholmarna, visible from Nacka, Djurgården, and Lidingö spring up to life during the summer months when several restaurants, cafés, and craft shops open up in the former fishing cottages.
- Gustavsberg, on the island of Värmdö, is easily reached with several local transportation buses departing from Slussen (taking some 30 minutes). In the picturesque harbor, you'll find several restaurants, cafés, and shops. Located here is also the renowned Gustavsbergs porcelain factory. The factory is still in operation, although much of the production has been relocated abroad, and you'll find the Gustavberg Porcelain Museum close by as well as shops selling household ceramics and porcelain.
- Vaxholm can be reached by taking commuter ferry no. 83 from Slussen (an approximately 1-hour trip) or bus no. 670 from Tekniska Högskolan (45-50 minutes). Vaxholm is a charming and cozy town in the inner archipelago, with many well-preserved wooden houses from the turn of the last century painted in the archipelago’s typical delicate pastel tones. Its most notable feature though is the old fortress, now a hotel and museum open during the summer.