The capital of Sweden with 14 islands and more than 50 bridges along the Baltic Sea, Stockholm’s cobblestone streets, diverse areas, and colored buildings are beautiful year round. As a solo traveler, Stockholm was probably one of my favorite cities I’ve visited, and extremely easy to navigate alone. The city is filled with an array of hotels and hostels for every type of traveler, so choices will never be an issue.
Like any city, each neighborhood has its own vibe and something it’s known for, that’s why I’ve made a list of the best neighborhoods in Stockholm to visit!
Stockholm Trip Planning at a Glance
Neighborhoods to choose/Where to Stay:
1. Norrmalm – Downtown Camper or City Backpackers
2. Gamla Stan – Castanea Old Town Hostel
3. Ostermalm – Banks Hotel or Hotel at Six
4. Sodermalm – Hotel Frantz
What to Do in Stockholm:
1. Red Sightseeing Hop on and off Boat
2. Explore the Royal Palace
3. Photography Museums
4. Dine at Meatballs for the People
5. Wander around Gamla Stan
The Most Convenient Neighborhood in Stockholm: Norrmalm
Norrmalm is definitely one of the best areas to stay in Stockholm if you want the convenience of being near everything. The heart of the city, it’s lined with tall buildings, bustling restaurants, parks, and it’s where you’ll find most of the hostels and hotels.
If you’re arriving from the airport, chances are you’ll be taking the Arlanda Express straight into Stockholm. Honestly, this is one of the cleanest trains I’ve seen in awhile, and very easy to use! The journey takes around 20 minutes and will take you to the central station in the city.
Where to Stay in Norrmalm
Some people want a hotel just to sleep, others want a destination inspired by its surroundings. Downtown Camper by Scandic completely embodies the essence of Sweden in its interiors. Wooden interiors, nods towards the outdoors, swinging chairs, quirky co-working spaces, an inside campfire grill for smores, and a heated rooftop pool with a sauna inside a human size bird’s nest.
With daily activities from a running club to meditations, and two food and beverage spaces, it’s actually quite easy to meet people here too.
One of my first hostel experiences in Stockholm was actually in Norrmalm at City Backpackers Hostel. One morning I had a flight to Finland extremely early, and had to take the Arlanda Express from the central station (which is a 10 minute walk from the hostel). I was only here for one night, but the rooms were clean and the communal spaces were cozy.
There’s a pretty large outdoor area which I assume would be fun for drinks in the summer, but since I stayed here in September it was a little quiet. (Be sure to pop by next door to visit Nomad Swedish Food and Bar for traditional dishes and affordable prices).
The Old Town Neighborhood in Stockholm: Gamla Stan
Crossing the bridge to Gamla Stan from Norrmalm was everything I’d envisioned Stockholm to be. Old Town squares, churches, cobblestone streets that lead to hidden bars, charming buildings stacked next to one another, and vibrant colors everywhere. (The Royal Palace is also a short walk away!)
You’ll barely notice that this is one of the busiest neighborhoods in Stockholm, as there are so many narrow streets to escape the crowds. Essentially on its own island connected by bridges, it’s easy to walk to other parts of the city and find water-front views on every side. Gamla Stan is also one of the best areas to try Fika: the Swedish art of meeting up for a coffee and a piece of cake or pastry. There’s no shortage of quaint coffee shops here!
Where to Stay in Gamla Stan
If you’re staying in Gamla Stan, trust me when I say you’ll barely be in your hotel/hostel. Each evening, everyone ventures to the main square to people watch with a glass or two. Even in the chillier months, most of the restaurants here provide warm blankets to set the mood- nothing better than a warm soup and local beer to end a night!
A peaceful neighborhood in Stockholm with peaceful hostels to match, I decided to stay at Castanea Old Town Hostel. More of a co-living space, the rooms and communal spaces were exceptionally clean. There’s no restaurant or bar on site (only a small kitchen and dining room area), but there’s so much to see in Gamla Stan, it doesn’t make a huge difference. The hostel offers single rooms, family rooms, and dorms sleeping 4-16 people.
The Luxurious Neighborhood in Stockholm: Ostermalm
Known to be one of the more affluent neighborhoods in Stockholm, Ostermalm is best characterized by its slew of nightclubs, fine-dining restaurants, parks, and exclusive shops along Bibliotekstan. Many of the 50 museums dotted throughout the city can be found in Ostermalm, from the Swedish History Museum to the Army Museum. This neighborhood is also home to Östermalmshallen Market Hall, where you’ll find local delicacies and fresh foods.
Where to Stay in Ostermalm
With so many options available in the Ostermalm neighborhood of Stockholm, it’s actually quite difficult to choose a hotel. For the ultimate luxury steps from the waterfront, the Banks Hotel is a boutique stay that blends modern style in an early 19th-century setting. A cheaper option with an incredible rooftop area is Hotel at Six. This one also straddles the line between Norrmalm and Ostermalam, so you get the best of both worlds.
The Artsy Neighborhood in Stockholm: Sodermalm
The island just past Gamla Stan, Sodermalm is the southern district of Stockholm City known for its Bohemian and alternative culture. Each neighborhood in Stockholm really does feel like a different country, and you’ll immediately notice that when you venture from one part of the city to Sodermalm. While this area isn’t packed with museums like Ostermalm, it’s only a short walk to Gamla Stan and then the main parts of the city.
In my opinion, one of the best ways to explore is by using the hop on hop off boat by Red sightseeing Cruises. Ferries to Djurgården (where you’ll find many museums and Skansen Zoo) depart and arrive just a short walk from Slussen in Sodermalm. My two must-visits here are Meatballs for the People (they offer over 12 types of meatball varieties, from bear to reindeer) and Fotografiska Photography Museum (right next to where the boat drops off).
Where to Stay in Sodermalm
If you’re staying in Sodermalm, be prepared for a more local way of living. You won’t find too many tourists venturing this way- which isn’t a bad thing.. They just don’t know about it! What you will find are vintage shops, cute cafes, local dive bars, and restaurants. A family-owned boutique hotel located between Gamla Stan and Södermalm, Hotel Frantz is located in a building from 1647 with extremely cozy interiors.
