Stockholm, Sweden

1. Fotografiska

Fotografiska is a museum of contemporary photography and one of the world’s largest meeting places for artists and photographers. Housed in a former customs house, the museum presents a world-class contemporary photography exhibition program with four large annual shows and around 20 smaller exhibitions taking place each year.

The museum is also home to an award-winning restaurant run by the acclaimed chef Paul Svensson, which focuses on green seasonal dishes, as well as a photo gallery and book and souvenir shops. The café on the top floor of the museum boasts some of the finest views in the city.

Fotografiska, Stadsgårdshamnen 22, 116 45 Stockholm, Phone: +46 (0)8-50-900-500

2. Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum (Vasamuseet) is a museum dedicated to Stockholm’s maritime history. Located on the green island of Djurgården, the Vasa opened in 1990 and is one of the city’s most visited museums. The institution’s most famous exhibit is the almost entirely intact 64-gun warship Vasa that had the misfortune to sink on her maiden voyage in 1628 and one of the only ships from this period to have been salvaged and restored.

There are numerous exhibits and models around the ship showing the construction, sinking, location, and recovery of the ship as well as exhibits on the history of Sweden in the 17th century. The museum also features four other ships moored outside the building, namely the light vessel Finngrundet (1903), the icebreaker Sankt Erik (1915), the rescue boat Bernhard Ingelsson (1944), and the torpedo boat Spica (1966).

Galärvarvsvägen 14, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden, Phone +46-8519-548-00

3. Swedish History Museum

The Swedish History Museum (Historiska Museet) is dedicated to showcasing the archaeology and cultural history of Sweden from the Mesolithic to the present day. Founded in 1866, the museum dates back to the 16th century, when it began as a base to house collections of art and historical objects gathered by Swedish monarchs.

Today, the museum presents several permanent exhibitions and special exhibitions tied to current events throughout the year. The museum has a concrete vault beneath the central courtyard known as the Gold Room, which features on display a variety of 3,000 gold and silver objects weighing between 52 and 200 kilograms.

Narvavägen 13-17, 114 84 Stockholm, Sweden, Phone: +46-8-519-556-00

4. Stockholm City Hall

One of Sweden’s most famous buildings, Stockholm City Hall is the building for the city’s municipal council. Standing on the eastern tip of Kungsholmen Island with beautiful views of the Riddarholmen and Södermalm islands, the city hall complex is built on a roughly rectangular ground plan around two open spaces – the Blå Hallen (Blue Hall) to the west and an open-air piazza called Borgargården on the eastern side.

Stockholm City Hall is home to magnificent grand ceremonial halls and unique pieces of art as well as ceremonial halls, offices, and the elegant restaurant Stadshuskällaren. The city hall hosts the annual Nobel Prize banquet each December.

Hantverkargatan 1, 111 52 Stockholm, Sweden

5. ABBA The Museum - Startsida

ABBA The Museum - Startsida is an interactive exhibition dedicated to the famous pop group ABBA. Despite its name, it is not a museum as it does not have any collections, but rather showcases a range of collected works about the group in a contemporary, interactive setting at the Swedish Music Hall of Fame in Djurgården.

Memorabilia in the museum include gold records, members’ traditional stage costumes, and other personal items from the band. Visitors can experience the feeling of being the 5th ABBA member through interactive displays such as 3D avatars, singing at the Polar Studio, and entering the stage together with the band.

Djurgårdsvägen 68, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden, Phone: +46-8-121-328-60

6. Stortorget

Stortorget (The Big Square) is the oldest public square in Stockholm and one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Located in the old town central of Gamla Stan, the historic center was built in the 13th century and formed the heart of the old town of Stockholm.

The square was used as a market square and a central meeting place and was known as the political heart of the city until the city hall moved to the Bondeska Palace in 1732. Today, the square is bordered by beautiful patrician houses and is occasionally the scene of demonstrations and performances. It is also renowned for its traditional Christmas market, which presents local cuisine and handicrafts.

7. Nobel Museum

The Nobel Museum is dedicated to providing information about the renowned Nobel Prize, the life of Alfred Nobel (1833–1896), the founder of the prize, and Nobel laureates from 1901 to the present day.

Located in the former Stock Exchange Building (Börshuset) along with the Nobel Library and the Swedish Academy, the Nobel Museum showcases essential information about the most prestigious prize in the world through interesting and informative exhibits and displays, artifacts, and personal life stories. Visitors can enjoy guided tours and films and there is a café-style bistro that serves light meals and drinks.

Stortorget 2, 103 16 Stockholm, Sweden, Phone: +46-8-534-81800

8. Grona Lund

Grona Lund is an amusement park on Djurgården Island in Stockholm. Built in 1883 by James Schultheiss, this fairly small 15-acre park has over 30 attractions and hosts concerts and performances in the summer.

Sweden's oldest amusement park, Gröna Lund has three different entertainment venues and features an array of attractions common to amusement parks, including a fun house, a tunnel of love, and seven roller coasters. Famous artists who have performed at Gröna Lund in the past have included Bob Marley and upcoming concerts will feature The Cardigans and Elton John.

Lilla Allmänna Gränd 9, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden, Phone: +46-10-708-9100

9. Drottningholm Palace

Part the Royal Domain of Drottningholm, Drottningholm Palace is the permanent residence of the Swedish royal family and a magnificent example of an 18th-century north European royal palace.

Inspired by the Palace of Versailles, Drottningholm Palace stands on an island in Lake Mälar in a suburb of Stockholm and is surrounded by a Chinese pavilion and imposing baroque gardens and a beautifully preserved theater dating back to 1766. One of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city, the palace features fine salons from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, and both the palace and gardens are open to the public all year round.

178 02 Drottningholm, Sweden, Phone: +46-8-402-6280

10. The Royal Palace of Stockholm

The Royal Palace of Stockholm is the official residence of the Royal Family and the setting for most of the monarchy's official receptions. The Royal Palace is also the daily place of work for the king and queen and the various departments that make up the royal court, creating a unique combination of a royal residence, workplace, and culture-historical monument.

Built by the architect Nicodemus Tessin in the baroque style, the palace echoes the form of a Roman palace with more than 600 rooms over seven floors and a state apartment. The Royal Palace of Stockholm is open to visitors all year round and offers a variety of fascinating things to see, from the royal apartments to three outstanding museums.

107 70 Stockholm, Sweden