Europe

City break in Stockholm: the heart of Scandi style

A Stockholm city break blends some of my favourite things: awesome architecture, funky attractions and seriously tasty cuisine.

There’s a number of ways to spend your time in this soul-stirring Scandi city. Wander glamorous Strandvägen – one of the world’s finest boulevards, visit an old nuclear reactor some 25 metres underground or stroll the lavish Royal Palace to explore hundreds of rooms and artefacts.

My last visit to the Swedish capital featured breakfasts of lingonberry-smothered raggmunk (potato pancakes) and ferry rides to the various islands. Short breaks to Stockholm can be whatever you want them to be – my selection of sizzling sights is just the jumping-off point to planning your own adventures.

What to see in Stockholm

1/3

From grand palaces to funky hipster districts.

Hotels - Stockholm

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Where to stay in Stockholm

From waterside decadence to an ABBA-themed retreat.

A waterfront hotel stay

For old-school grandeur in an unbeatable waterfront location, this hotel is top of my list. Breeze past the 18th-century edifice of this Gamla Stan gem and you’ll find elegant rooms and suites, some with their own sauna. There’s a luxury spa in the vaulted antique cellar, while the onsite restaurant serves up Swedish delights such as dill-baked Arctic char with lobster sauce.

Hotell Reisen in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

Top rated
Stockholm
9.2 Excellent (1484 reviews)

Affordable luxury in Stockholm

Nestled among the designer shops of Stockholm’s swish Stureplan neighbourhood is this surprisingly affordable hotel. The rate includes a vast buffet breakfast – think artisan breads, meats, creamy yogurts, fresh fruits and cereals. If your budget will stretch, bag the Victoria Suite for an in-room sauna, chandeliers and a balcony with city views. Take time out in the hotel’s decadent library with old books and fine wines, then visit the onsite jazz club for live music and delicious cocktails.

Hotel Kung Carl, Worldhotels Crafted

Top rated
Stockholm
8.7 Excellent (3146 reviews)

Perfect Stockholm hotel for sightseeing

This four-star Stockholm hotel is a stone’s throw from Gamla Stan, making a great base for sightseeing. Its light and airy rooms are easy on the purse strings, while a fitness suite can help counterbalance all those hearty Swedish treats. Start your day with a hot buffet in Panorama Restaurant – I recommend the meatballs, hash browns and pancakes – and wind down later in the Eken Bar. Its vodka-laced ‘Unzipped’ cocktail is not to be missed.

Hilton Stockholm Slussen

Stockholm
8.3 Very good (6277 reviews)

An ABBA-themed weekend away in Stockholm

Looking to indulge? This glittering Djurgården hotel should do it for you. Rooms are swathed in plush fabrics and feature bespoke handmade beds for ultimate comfort. Slip into the robes provided and raid the minibar before nurturing your inner foodie in the hotel’s pizzeria. Located right by the ABBA Museum, the hotel even has a couple of ABBA-themed suites for die-hard fans. You’re also just a few minutes’ walk from the Museum of Spirits and other popular attractions.

Backstage Hotel Stockholm

Top rated
Stockholm
9.3 Excellent (579 reviews)

Where to eat and drink in Stockholm

1/3

From refined eateries to meatball-lovers’ heaven.

Hotels - Stockholm

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