What NOT to Do When Visiting Stockholm
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re sharing some of the don’ts of visiting Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden. Mark studied in Scandinavia and has spent a lot of time in Stockholm.
While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to see in Stockholm, we also want to share what you should NOT do!
Don’t Bother with Cash
There is no need for cash in Stockholm; we never ran across a business that did not accept credit cards. Some places wouldn’t even accept cash. This may not apply to all cities in Sweden, but no cash is necessary in Stockholm. Just bring a credit card. Or three.
Don’t Worry About Speaking Swedish
The people of Stockholm are generally very well-educated, and most of them speak English quite well. Swedish is not a common language to speak outside of Sweden, so they don’t expect you to know anything other than English. Even if you try to speak in Swedish, they’ll switch to English pretty quickly.
Don’t Be Shocked if Nobody Speaks to You
Swedish culture is pretty reserved, so they aren’t super outgoing or chatty. If you get to know someone from Stockholm, they are great fun people, but getting to know them is the hard part. Don’t expect anyone to just strike up a conversation with you, and don’t take it personally.
Likewise, when you’re out and about, be sure to respect their personal space whether you’re on the train or bus, waiting in line, or grabbing a seat at the bar. It’s kind of taboo to sit right next to someone if there are other spots available. Don’t even try to make small talk!
This is reflected in the service in Stockholm as well. There’s no tipping, so the service can often seem indifferent.
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Don’t Miss Stockholm in Summer
Of course, summer is the best time to visit Stockholm. You’ll have tons of sunny days, and the parks of Stockholm come alive in the summer. Everyone eats dinner outdoors and savors the extended hours of daylight. Summer in Stockholm is unforgettable.
Don’t Visit Stockholm in Winter
If you have a choice, we don’t recommend visiting Stockholm between October and March. Winter in Stockholm is cold and dark, and usually rainy or snowy. The lack of daylight can really put a damper on your plans, as there’s just not enough daylight hours to do too much sightseeing.
If you don’t have a choice, then winter is a good time to visit some of the best museums in Stockholm. These are just a few:
- Abba Museum
- Moderna Museet, the Modern Art Museum
- The National Museum
- Fotografiska, the Photography Museum
- The Museum of Medieval Stockholm
- Nobel Prize Museum
Additionally, much of the Royal Palace is open to the public, even though it is still the official residence of the King and Queen.
Don’t Miss the Vasa Museum
The Vasa is a beautiful wooden warship that sank before it even left the harbor. In seafaring terms, it wasn’t much of a success. But once the ship was brought up from the sea floor, the Vasamuseet was built around it, and it’s one of the most popular things to see in Stockholm. It’s one of the best museums in the world. Mark has been to this museum on every single trip to Stockholm.
Don’t Forget to Explore the Surrounding Islands
Stockholm is part of an archipelago that is made up of 14 islands. There are ferries you can take between them, as well as sailing or sightseeing cruises. There are dozens of bridges so you can walk to some islands as well, but getting out on the water will really help you see the beauty of Stockholm.
Don’t Miss Old Town
While Stockholm is a modern city, they have preserved the Old Town so you still get that old European feel when you visit Old Town (Gamla Stan) Stockholm. Take in the colorful buildings and architecture which ranges from Medieval to Art Deco. The bridges are extra picturesque and you can easily fill a whole day just wandering through Gamla Stan.
Don’t Skip Skansen
Skansen is an open-air museum that recreates a village from past centuries. There are shops and businesses as you would have seen back in the day, as well as community gardens. This living museum is a great way to see the evolution of life in Stockholm. If you’re visiting Stockholm with kids, this is a must!
Don’t Pick the Wrong Airport
Stockholm has two main airports; they are not all close to the city but don’t take taxis from the airport. It’s super expensive. Arlanda is the main airport for international arrivals, and there’s a train that takes you straight to the city center in less than 20 minutes.
Don’t Worry About Safety in Stockholm
Stockholm is a pretty safe city, where there’s not much to worry about. If you’re out late at night you may see some drunken scuffles in the street, but it’s not a city that anyone would consider dangerous. Use your usual travel smarts, and you’ll probably be just fine.
Don’t Let Prices Scare You Away
Yes, Sweden is more expensive than many European countries, but it’s not prohibitively so. Prices are comparable to US cities and much more affordable than visiting London. You might spend a little more, but don’t let that keep you from visiting Stockholm. It’s totally worth it.
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Don’t Miss Fika
Fika is a Swedish tradition that is like a coffee break for your soul. It often involves coffee, conveniently. You might do Fika with a friend for a quick catch-up in the afternoon, perhaps with a pastry and coffee or tea. This is one time when you might actually get some locals to open up and chat.
Don’t Forget to Dress for the Clubs
If you’re here to enjoy Stockholm nightlife, you can’t assume you will get into the nightclubs. They have face control, so if you don’t look the part, they might not let you in. So, do your best to look the part and cross your fingers that you can get in.
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Stockholm is such a beautiful city, with the surrounding archipelago islands, beautiful museums and lovely people. Just don’t feed the seagulls and don’t walk in the bike paths! Want more tips for traveling in Scandinavia? Check out these blog posts: