Stockholm County, Sweden

Stockholm

Stockholm's medieval old town, Gamla Stan, sits on its own island at the heart of a city spread across 14 islands, with waterfront walks and museums in every direction.

Stockholm: Stockholm: Walking Tour of the Old Town
Featured walk: Stockholm: Walking Tour of the Old Town · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Stockholm is Sweden's capital, built where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea. It has been the seat of Swedish kings since the 13th century.

Gamla Stan, the old town, is small and car-free, with narrow lanes of ochre and red houses. Bridges link it to the other central islands, so most of the centre can be walked.

What makes Stockholm distinctive

  • The narrow lanes of Gamla Stan
  • The Royal Palace and the changing of the guard
  • The Vasa, a 17th-century warship
  • Fika: coffee and cinnamon buns

Walking tours in Stockholm

Hand-picked guided walks in Stockholm, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

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Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 28 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Food tours in Stockholm · History walks in Stockholm

Compare with other cities: Food tours · History walks · Night and ghost tours

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Gamla Stan

    The old town.

  • Södermalm

    A hilly island of cafés, vintage shops and views.

  • Djurgården

    A green island of museums and parks.

  • Östermalm

    Elegant streets and the Östermalm food hall.

Free self-guided walk

Gamla Stan, from the Royal Palace to Stortorget

A free self-guided walk through Stockholm's old town, from the Royal Palace through Stortorget and the narrow lanes to Riddarholmen.

1.7 km · 6 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Gamla Stan

    From the Royal Palace to Stortorget and the lanes around it.

  2. Monteliusvägen

    A cliff-top path on Södermalm with views over the old town.

  3. Djurgården

    Across the bridge to the museums and waterside paths.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Mostly flat, but Gamla Stan is cobbled and Södermalm is hilly.

  • Weather

    Mild summers; winters are cold and dark, with snow and ice.

  • Payments

    Almost everywhere takes cards only.

When to visit

  • Summer

    June to August, with very long days and outdoor life.

  • Midsummer

    Late June, a major festival, often celebrated outside the city.

  • December

    Christmas markets, including one on Stortorget.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Arlanda Airport is about 20 minutes from the centre on the Arlanda Express train.

  • By rail

    Trains reach Gothenburg in about three hours and Copenhagen in about five.

Local transport

  • Metro and ferries

    The tunnelbana metro covers the city; ferries cross to Djurgården and the archipelago.

Questions travellers ask about Stockholm

How many days do I need in Stockholm?

Two or three days covers Gamla Stan, the Vasa Museum, Djurgården and Södermalm.

Is Stockholm walkable?

Yes. The central islands are close together and linked by bridges.

What is fika?

A Swedish coffee break, usually with a pastry such as a cinnamon bun.

Stockholm: Stockholm: Walking Tour of the Old Town
Country overview

Sweden

An island capital of old lanes and waterfronts

Explore destinations

Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.