←Sweden travel guide
Stockholm County, Sweden
Stockholm
A capital built across 14 islands, where water is never far away
ArchitectureCultureHistory & Heritage
Stockholm straddles the point where Lake Malaren meets the Baltic Sea, its medieval Old Town rising from a central island while modern neighbourhoods spread across the surrounding archipelago. Visitors move between centuries in a single afternoon, stepping from the cobblestones of Gamla Stan to the waterfront museums of Djurgarden.
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Best time to visit
May to September
Region
Stockholm County
Main airport
Stockholm Arlanda (ARN)
Discover
Top Things to Do in Stockholm
History
Gamla Stan, Stockholm
Gamla Stan is the medieval island at the heart of Stockholm, founded in 1252, where narrow cobblestone lanes wind between colourful merchant houses and lead to the Royal Palace and Stockholm Cathedral. The district retains its 17th-century street plan almost entirely, making it one of the largest and best-preserved medieval city centres in Europe. Visitors can wander freely through its alleys, browse independent shops, and explore the Nobel Prize Museum housed in the former stock exchange building.
Culture
Vasa Museum
The Vasa Museum in Stockholm houses the near-intact hull of a 17th-century Swedish warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and lay on the seabed for 333 years before being salvaged in 1961. The vessel, preserved to extraordinary detail including carved figureheads and painted ornamentation, is the only surviving warship of its era in the world and draws well over a million visitors annually. Surrounding galleries explore the ship's construction, the lives of its crew, and the remarkable engineering feat of its recovery.
UNESCO World Heritage
Beyond the City
Day Trips from Stockholm
UNESCO World HeritageHistory
Royal Domain of Drottningholm
Drottningholm Palace, located on an island west of Stockholm, is the permanent private residence of the Swedish Royal Family and Sweden's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated in 1991. The baroque palace complex includes formal gardens, a Chinese Pavilion, and an 18th-century court theatre that remains one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in the world. Visitors can tour the state apartments, stroll the landscaped grounds, and attend opera and ballet performances in the historic theatre during summer.
UNESCO World Heritage
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Plan Your Trip
Getting Around Stockholm
Tours, stays, transfers, and flights — curated partner options are on the way.
Tours & Activities
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and day experiences — curated partner options are on the way.
Coming soonWhere to Stay
Hotels, apartments, and guesthouses across every neighbourhood — booking options are on the way.
Coming soonAirport Transfers
Private and shared rides between the airport and the city centre — partner options are on the way.
Coming soonFlights
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Coming soonTravel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Sweden
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Sweden page at Yoogo.
Sweden uses the Swedish Krona (SEK). Card payments are almost universally accepted, including at small shops, cafes, and markets, and many venues are now entirely cashless, making it practical to visit without carrying physical currency.
Sweden is generally considered a very safe destination with low rates of violent crime. As in any country, travellers should take standard precautions in busy tourist areas, particularly regarding pickpocketing in Stockholm city centre.
Sweden has an extensive public transport network including trains, regional buses, and urban metro and tram systems. The national rail operator SJ connects major cities such as Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo, while Stockholm's T-bana metro and bus network covers the capital thoroughly. Domestic flights are available for longer journeys to the north.
Late May to September offers warm, long-lit days and is ideal for city breaks and outdoor activities, with the midnight sun visible above the Arctic Circle in June and July. Winter, from November to March, is the prime season for northern lights viewing in Swedish Lapland and for experiencing traditional Scandinavian winter landscapes.
English is spoken to a very high standard across Sweden and is widely understood by people of all ages, particularly in cities, tourist areas, and among younger generations. Swedish is the official language, and visitors will encounter it on signage and in rural areas, but communication in English is rarely a difficulty.
Sweden is a low-risk destination and no mandatory vaccinations are required for entry. Travellers planning outdoor activities such as hiking or camping, particularly in forested areas, should consult a healthcare professional about tick-borne encephalitis vaccination, as ticks are present in parts of Sweden during warmer months.
Tipping is not obligatory in Sweden, as service charges are included in prices by law. Leaving a small tip of around 10% is appreciated for good service in restaurants, and rounding up the fare is a common courtesy in taxis.
Sweden has excellent mobile coverage including widespread 5G in urban areas, and eSIMs are supported on most modern smartphones. Providers such as Airalo offer eSIM plans for Sweden that activate instantly via QR code, allowing you to arrive connected without needing a physical SIM card.