Where to Stay in Stockholm – The Best Neighborhoods and Hotels

Deciding where to stay in Stockholm is not as easy as it sounds. The Swedish capital is big and pretty diverse. That said, you don’t have anything to worry about. Stockholm has some of the best neighborhoods in Europe.

The entire city is safe and so much fun. We believe that you should base your decision on your tastes and fancies. Stockholm is cosmopolitan and offers just about everything. No matter what you like, you will find it here.

In addition, Stockholm has some of the best hotels in Europe. We’ve been to the city countless times. Since we like hotels, we always try somewhere new. We are happy to report that there is no wrong choice. You will love it!

Gamla Stan (The Old Town)

The old town or Gamla Stan lies in Stadsholmen, one of the smallest islands of the Stockholm archipelago. Actually, Gamla Stan, the old town in Swedish, also includes two nearby tiny islands, Riddarholmen and Helgeandsholmen.

This is the oldest part of the city, dating back to the 13^th Century. The German influence in its architecture is pretty strong. No wonder, since its first inhabitants were Germans! Its narrow cobbled streets still bear the atmosphere of medieval times.

Gamla Stan’s center point is the pretty Stortorget Square. The Swedish Royal Palace, the National Parliament, and the three main churches are also part of this lovely neighborhood. We believe Gamla Stan is the best area to stay.

The Best Hotels in Gamla Stan:

Victory Hotel

Our favorite hotel in Gamla Stan is the Victory. The elegant property is in the heart of the neighborhood. The rooms are extra plush and feature premium furniture. It’s got a sauna and a plunge pool! The service is in a class of its own.

Malardrottningen Yacht Hotel

You can stay on a yacht docked on the sea! The Malardrottningen Yacht Hotel has breathtaking views of the seafront. Besides, the hotel is within walking distance of the metro station. The complimentary breakfast is superb. Stay here for an unforgettable experience.

Djurgården and Skeppsholmen

To us, Djurgården is Stockholm’s nicest island. The city’s nicest parks and museums are on this large island, east of Gamla Stan. Since the 15^th Century, Swedish monarchs kept their deer, reindeer, and elk. Later on, it became a popular park, and today it’s the number one park in the city.

There are several interesting historic buildings on the island. Some are world-renowned museums, such as Vasa, Nordic, ABBA, or Skansen Open Air Museum. Other museums are on the small island of Skeppsholmen, west of Djurgården, including the Modern Museum and the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design.

If you are into culture, stay in Djurgarden or Skeppsholmen. When you get tired of art, spend some time in nature. You can walk along the coast and inside the Royal Gardens for hours.

The Best Hotels in Djurgården and Skeppsholmen:

Hotel Hasselbacken

The Hotel Hasselbacken is full of history. The hotel’s restaurant burned 7 times! The one we can see today is from 1925. The hotel is stunning and worth every penny. It’s got a sauna, plunge pool and gym.

Hotel Skeppsholmen

The historic Hotel Skeppsholmen occupies two buildings from 1702! It’s in the middle of gorgeous gardens. Every room is uber luxurious and offers garden or sea views. Book a suite and you will never want to leave.

Norrmalm

Stockholm was basically the area of Gamla Stan for four centuries. The city expanded towards the north and south after the great fire of 1625. Norrmalm, the area north of the island, soon became the new city center.

After World War II, the large central area was completely redeveloped. Though some architectural circles consider it a success, to us, it looked like a giant shopping mall. Stockholm’s main street, pedestrian Drottninggatan, crosses the area.

The area is full of life. Everyone in the city visits to socialize, have a bite, and shop. All types of eateries and shops line the pedestrian street. Book a room in of the hotels near the central station if you are short of time.

The Best Hotels in Norrmalm:

Bank Hotel

If you have the money to splurge, do so at the Bank Hotel. The 1910 building was the headquarters of the Sverige Bank. The lobby has 20 feet ceilings! The rooftop bar and restaurant offers epic views over the city.

Radisson Collection Strand Hotel

The Strand Hotel opened in 1912 for the Olympic Games. It’s a traditional brick building in the heart of Norrmalm. Thus, you can walk everywhere. All of the rooms come with a coffee machine. The best ones have sea views.

Östermalm

East of Norrmalm, the residential Östermalm neighborhood is the fanciest neighborhood in the city. The neighborhood is mostly residential. The city’s best bars and restaurants are here. Stureplan square is the epicenter of the neighborhood.

Humlegarden, north of the plaza, is a park that used to be part of a 16th-Century castle. The National Library is here. From there, walk along Karlavagen Boulevard admiring the mansions to the Karlaplan roundabout. The Maxim Theatre is a block south.

Walk south along Narvavagen Boulevard to the Swedish History Museum. The collection inside will leave you speechless. Walk east to Diplomatstaden, an area full of embassies and trees. Keep walking east to the Museum of Technology. The park to the north is huge!

The Best Hotels in Östermalm:

Hotel Diplomat

The Diplomat is a fantastic luxury hotel. The 5-star hotel has everything you ever dreamed of, including a fantastic spa. It’s a seafront building from 1911. The king rooms with balconies offer memorable views over the sea.

Villa Kallhagen

If you like nature, book a room at Villa Kallhagen in front of the sea. The hotel is in a splendid garden only 10 minutes from Strandvagen Boulevard. It’s a great place to stay if you are traveling with kids.

Södermalm

Until its development in the early 17^th Century, Södermalm Island used to be a rural area with cottages and farmland. Since then, working-class neighborhoods occupy the area. At the same time, rich locals built their summer houses here. The massive gentrification of the area of recent times has made it a hip place to live.

Södermalm’s central point is the large Medborgarplatsen Square. We loved strolling about the pedestrian Swedenborgsgatan near the square. Compared to its central counterpart (Drottninggatan), its architecture is much nicer, the street itself is much greener, and there are fewer flashy shops.

Södermalm is the best place to stay if you want an authentic experience. The Stockholm central mosque is here. You’ve got to visit the Stockholm City Museum and the Photography Museum. The latter is inside a refurbished customs office.

The Best Hotels in Södermalm:

Hotel Rival

Our favorite hotel in Södermalm is the Rival, directly on Mariatorget Square. Thus, you can walk to the center in no time. The art deco building is from 1930. However, it’s got modern rooms with extra-comfy beds.

Hellstens Glashus

Considering its class and location, the Hellstens Glashus is great value for money. The rooms are clean and spacious. It’s got a laundry for guests. Local bands play at the onsite bar on Thursdays. The complimentary breakfast is delicious!

Kungsholmen

The island west of Norrmalm, Kungsholmen, is another beautiful residential neighborhood, full of bars and parks. The star of the neighborhood is the City Hall. The 1923 brick building is a sight to behold. The Nobel’s are awarded here every year.

If you visit Stockholm in summer, stay in Kungsholmen. The area transforms into a popular hangout. You will mingle with the locals! Artists play music in several of the boats docked on the sea.

You can even go to the beach. There’s a tiny beach in Ralambshov Park. The park’s outdoor theatre hosts live concerts and events. You can walk for hours in the park. The views of Vasterbron from the park are epic.

The Best Hotels in Kungsholmen:

Sky Hotel Apartments

If you are looking to stay in an apartment, we strongly recommend the Sky Hotel. Every unit comes with a fully equipped kitchen. They have studios and one bedroom apartments perfect for families. Guests can use the onsite laundry.

Courtyard by Marriott

If you know the brand, you know what to expect from Courtyard by Marriott. You get plush rooms with international standards. The premium large rooms are extra big and have great views over the garden, a coffee maker, and a tub.

Vasastan

Vasastan is a 40-minute walk or a 15-minute ride to the center. The neighborhood is known in the city for its lovely parks. The most popular one is Vasaparken. During the summer, locals visit to play and picnic. An ice skating ring operates during the winter.

Bonniers Konsthall is a contemporary art museum next to Vasaparken. From there, it’s a short walk east to Karlberg Castle. Founded in 1792, it’s the oldest military academy in the world. The Stockholm Observatory is on top of a hill park.

Since Vasastan is mostly residential, you won’t find many tourists. That’s exactly why we like it. You will find restaurants and bars that cater to the local crowd in this neighborhood. Besides, it’s got the best-priced accommodation in the city.

The Best Hotels in Vasastan:

Hotel Birger Jarl

Our favorite hotel in Vasastan is the Birger Jarl. The contemporary building is close to the metro station that connects you to the entire city. The rooms are big and feature wooden floors. It’s got a gym and a very good onsite restaurant.

Best Western Plus Time Hotel

The French brand Best Western has a fantastic hotel next to the Stockholm Observatory. Every room has a french balcony. The top floor rooms come with a coffee maker and a fantastic terrace with views over the park and beyond.

How Many Days in Stockholm

Stockholm is so cool that you can spend months in the city and never have a dull moment. We’ve been in the city for weeks and had a blast. That said, we all have time constraints and a big planet to explore.

Therefore, everybody wonders how many days are needed in Stockholm to explore its architecture. We believe you should at least spend 3 nights in the city. If you only have 2 days in Stockholm, you will have to rush a bit, but you will visit most of the city’s attractions.

If you have a couple of extra days, you will see everything and get to experience the city’s vibe. Swedes are relaxed and easygoing. Take your time and enjoy. If you have an extra day, go to Vaxholm.

Moving Around Stockholm

The best way of moving around Stockholm is by walking. You can walk for hours admiring the city. Biking is another great option. There are dedicated bike lanes everywhere. Stockholm has a public bike sharing system that is easy to operate.

Stockholm has a developed network of public transportation that includes metro, suburban trains, buses, trams, boats, and a bike-sharing system. We highly suggest taking the Stockholm Metro, one of the nicest metro systems in the world. Its stations are works of art, some painted in live colors, some with sculptures, and others resembling giant caves.

The most impressive ones are Centralen, Stadion, and Kungsträdgården. Other than the metro, the best way to enjoy Stockholm’s highlights is to tour the city on a boat. You can either take a hop-on hop-off boat or a ferry. We took one to the gorgeous Island of Vaxholm, and can’t recommend it enough.