During a city-trip to the Swedish capital, the question of where to stay in Stockholm is an important one. Stockholm is made up of a mainland and several islands, and there are many areas where you can find accommodation.
To get the most out of the city, you need to know the alternatives in the areas you’re targeting. With their advantages and disadvantages. In this guide, we’ll point out the main areas to stay in. We’ll break them down by location, practicality, atmosphere and what you can do. We’ll also share our accommodation recommendations, for all budgets.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Stockholm, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Stockholm:
- $ this youth hostel, one of the best-known places to stay in Stockholm. As well as being attractively priced, it’s also conveniently located.
- $$ this establishment, of the chain Sandic.
- $$$ this luxury hotel which combines good location, the charm of a beautiful building and the services of a 5-star hotel. It’s one of the best places to stay in Stockholm if your budget allows.
Map of different areas to stay in Stockholm
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Stockholm
Areas where to stay in Stockholm
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Stockholm. And our recommendations by budget.
norrmalm south: the ideal place to stay in stockholm
Norrmalm is considered Stockholm's city center. To stay here is to be in a central location for the duration of your stay. Geographically, it lies to the north of the Old Town, on the other side of Riddarfjärden Bay.
In concrete terms, if you choose to stay in the southern part of Norrmalm, you'll cover almost all of Stockholm's points of interest. This is within a radius of around 2 km, if you head east, south-east or south.
Lodging here means you can make almost all your trips on foot, which saves you the cost of subway and streetcar tickets. For your information, and converted from the Swedish krona, an independent ticket costs around €5.
This district is made up of avenues and shopping streets, some of them pedestrianized, such as Birger Jarlsgatan, Smålandsgatan, Drottninggatan and Mäster Samuelsgatan. As you may have guessed, “gata” means street in Swedish! They're all lined with stores, cafés and restaurants, as well as small side streets.
It's a pleasure to stroll these lively streets in the evening. To stay allows you to make the most of this atmosphere, while still being well located for exploring the city.
As well as being shopping-oriented, the area's tourist attractions include:
- the Kungsträdgården park, bordered by the Church of St. James
- the modern glass sculpture of the “Kristallvertikalaccent”.
Norrmalm is also home to the city's train and bus stations (“cityterminalen”). If you're arriving in the Swedish capital via one of its airports, you'll be disembarking in the city at this point, except by cab. Arlanda International Airport, one of the 3 airports serving the capital, has a direct line to the railway station (the Arlanda Express).
It should be noted that only the southern part of Norrmalm is really interesting geographically and in terms of accommodation. Indeed, when you look for accommodation to the north of the district, you end up in less charming, more out-of-the-way residential areas.
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This youth hostel is one of Stockholm's best-known. It offers rooms with different numbers of beds. An inexpensive solution for those on a tight budget, it's nevertheless well located to make the most of the city and its bustle. It's a great place to stay if you're looking for cheap accommodation in Stockholm !
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Ideally located in the heart of Norrmalm, and right next to the metro, this hotel is housed in a large, beautiful building that combines old and new. This establishment is a very good compromise between location in Stockholm and quality of accommodation.
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Quietly located to the east of Norrmalm, a stone's throw from the Nybroviken inlet, this luxury hotel offers elegantly decorated rooms. Another highlight is the lovely view of the city from the rooftop and the fully equipped bar. This is a very good 5-star hotel in the Swedish capital.
book accommodation in gamla stan, the historic center
Gamla Stan is Stockholm's old town. It is made up of 3 islands, one of which is the main, central island (called Stadsholmen), and 2 smaller ones. Accommodation in Stockholm is found on the main island, while the other two are mainly home to Swedish institutions.
This old town is made up of squares and cobbled streets, often pedestrianized. The district is bustling with shops, cafés and restaurants. There are also a number of hotels and apartments for rent.
It's a particularly pleasant place to stay if you enjoy this kind of atmosphere. However, because of its limited size and attractiveness, it's best to book early to stay in this area.
From a tourist point of view, the island is home to :
- the Royal Palace, which can be visited in its own right, as well as the various museums it houses. The changing of the Royal Guard takes place here every noon.
- Stortorget square, famous for its colorful buildings.
- museums, including one dedicated to the Nobel Prize
It is served by Stockholm's two main subway networks (Red and Green). As well as the ferry network.
With its central location and authentic feel, staying in Gamla Stan means you're ideally placed for sightseeing. And at the same time, enjoy a particularly pleasant atmosphere. What's more, you can stay here on a relatively affordable budget.
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Located right next to the Nobel Prize Museum, this establishment offers comfortable, sober rooms. When you stay here, you're looking for both location in the heart of the historic center and value for money.
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Located in the heart of Gamla Stan, this establishment offers stylishly decorated rooms of all types and sizes. For the more discerning, and for a more substantial budget, some are even equipped with a sauna.
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Located in a building dating back to the 17th century, this hotel is decorated in an antique style with period objects. It is part of the Scandic chain, the largest in the Nordic countries.
to stay in södermalm: the south island with good metro links
Södermalm is the large island in the southern part of the capital, below Gamla Stan. It is, however, much larger than the Old Town. So staying on Södermalm can be a bit of a hassle if you don't choose the right area.
It's a pleasant, mostly residential area, which is becoming increasingly trendy. More than just a place to stay on a city-trip to Stockholm, it also has a few points of interest for tourists. Not as many as in the northern districts, but you can still :
- stroll along the watercourse (which is actually an arm of Lake Mälar) on the Mälarstrand
- in the same area, climb the hill of Skinnarviksberget, the best-known viewpoint over Stockholm
- stroll through the narrow streets to the north, such as Pryssgränd, Bastugatan and Bellmansgatan, famous for their colorful houses
- visit the Fotografiska city museum and photo gallery to the north
- enjoy the central Sofo district, with its vintage boutiques, bars and restaurants, and Nytorget square
- for families in search of green space, or for joggers who like to run while traveling, enjoy the Tantolunden and Vitaberg parks.
As you'll have gathered, despite its many assets, Södermalm is best visited for its views over Stockholm, and to stroll through its narrow northern streets. Or, if you're a museum enthusiast, for the few museums it houses. But it's not the must-see district where you spend most of your time.
Even so, there are a few good places to stay, both hotels and rental apartments. Particularly in the vicinity of metro lines, via :
- lines 17, 18 and 19 of the Green network, which crosses the island from north to south.
- lines 13 and 14 of the Rouge network, which runs to the west.
To stay here means access to accommodation at lower prices than in Gamla Stan and Norrmalm. It's also served by the metro, and has a lively atmosphere, particularly in the Sofo district.
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Located on a ship moored north of Södermalm, this atypical boat-hotel offers comfortable rooms, furnished as if on a boat. It also boasts a lovely view over the lake. Despite these assets, it's very good value for money. A good place to stay in Stockholm if you're on a budget.
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This establishment offers rooms with a refined decor and a good breakfast. Located in the northern part of Södermalm, just 5 minutes from a metro station, it's also a 20-minute walk to the heart of Gamla Stan.
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Set in a late 18th-century building, 5 minutes from a metro station, this luxury hotel offers elegantly decorated rooms. It is located in a quiet street in the Sofo district, a stone's throw from bars and restaurants.
accommodation in östermalm: chic and close to the center
As its name suggests, Östermalm lies to the east. It's mostly residential, but there are a few hotels and rental properties to stay in, in the southwest, near Norrmalm.
With its international boutiques, especially on the Stureplan side, Östermalm is generally considered one of the best shopping areas in Stockholm. Stores can be found on the streets, as well as in shopping arcades such as Sturegallerian. It's also home to design stores, as well as the Saluhall covered food market. Here, you can mingle with the locals who come here to shop, and even grab a bite to eat.
As well as shopping, staying in Östermalm means being close to a number of tourist attractions, such as the historical and military museums. You can also take a stroll along the Strandvägen quayside, from where you'll enjoy lovely panoramic views of the islands to the south. There's also a beautiful view of one of the Norrmalm shores, on the other side of the Nybroviken inlet.
As for access, even though it's slightly off Norrmalm, it's served by the metro's Red Line network. Östermalm is home to the “Stadion” station, with its rainbow ceiling. It's one of the capital's most beautiful stations!
Staying in the western part of Östermalm also makes for easy shopping. Although there are a number of bars and restaurants, it's relatively quiet in the evening, and less touristy than the center and old town. In terms of accommodation, if you limit yourself to this area, staying here is a good way to discover Stockholm. Even on foot. For your information, it takes about 30 minutes to walk to Gamla Stan.
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Located a stone's throw from the Stadion metro station, this modern establishment offers rooms of various sizes. Among its assets, the inclusion of breakfast, but also a light dinner in its restaurant, and the Swedish coffee break. The famous “fika” break!
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This Östermalm establishment is located at the gateway to Stockholm's city center, at the foot of the Östermalmstorg metro station. In addition to its ideal location, the rooms are decorated in a typically chic and cosy style. Breakfast is included.
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This luxury establishment is set in a magnificent local building, in a quiet location. The hotel features a small landscaped courtyard, sauna, spa services, restaurant and bar. Also just a stone's throw from the metro, this is clearly a nugget to stay in central Stockholm if your budget allows!
to stay on kungsholmen: the residential island near the city center
Kungsholmen is another of Stockholm's islands. Located to the west of the city center, it is home to one of Stockholm's most emblematic monuments: the city hall (or Stadshuset). You can easily spot it from the other side of the lake, but you can also visit it and even climb to the top of its belfry to enjoy the view.
This district is mainly residential, with few points of interest. With the exception of the town hall on the south-eastern edge. Accommodation in Kungsholmen is therefore rather limited. But good hotels are available, especially in the eastern part of the island, close to the center.
This area is also home to numerous bars and restaurants of all kinds, specializing in world cuisine among other things. The main streets are Hantverkargatan, Scheelegatan and Fleminggatan. They're all lively and lined with large, colorful buildings on either side.
Kungsholmen is served by the Blue and Green metro systems. This makes it easy to reach the city center, Gamla Stan, as well as Södermalm to the south. And if you choose to stay east of Kungsholmen, it's only a 15-minute walk to the center of Norrmalm. By taking one of the bridges.
The main attraction of this district is its calm, the presence of a few bars and restaurants, but above all its proximity to Norrmalm. Admittedly, you won't have the same experience as in the center, but staying here can be a good compromise when selecting accommodation in Stockholm.
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This youth hostel is located on the east side of the island, a ten-minute walk from the train station. It offers rooms with different numbers of beds, dormitories and a shared kitchen area. It's a good place to stay in Stockholm if you're looking for value for money.
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Just a few minutes' walk from both a subway station and the city center, this hoteloffers simply decorated rooms. It's good value for money in Stockholm, especially as it includes breakfast.
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Located more in the center of the island, this rather recent establishment is nevertheless just a 5-minute walk from the Fridhemsplan metro station. You'll also appreciate the lively surrounding area, with shops and several restaurants.
staying in other parts of stockholm: a good idea?
In addition to the Stockholm neighborhoods we've already mentioned, there are other options for accommodation in the capital. These, however, are marginal. In principle, they don't represent the areas that we target first.
However, if you want to find accommodation that better suits your criteria, the following alternatives are worth considering:
- north of Norrmalm, near Vasastan
- the island of Djurgården, to the east of the city
- the island of Skeppsholmen, south of Östermalm and east of Gamla Stan
- the north-western district of Nacka, east of Södermalm.
There aren't many accommodations in these areas, just a few scattered around.
The first (Vasastan) can be reached in around 20 minutes on foot. It is also served in part by the Green metro network.
The second (Djurgården) is mainly residential, with a large area of green space. But its western part is also home to a number of museums: the Vasa Maritime Museum, the museum dedicated to the music group ABBA, and Skansen, an outdoor museum on the history of Sweden. To stay in the far west is an easy ferry ride to the old town and city center.
The third (Skeppsholmen) offers accommodation not far from Gamla Stan and the city center as the crow flies, but remains isolated as an island. On the cultural front, Skeppsholmen is home to museums of Far Eastern antiquities, contemporary art and toys, among others. The ferry provides easy access to central Stockholm.
The last option (Nacka) is rather atypical in its distance from the center. Here, too, the ferry line provides easy access to the port of Nybrovkajen, just outside the center of Stockholm.
As you'll have gathered, staying in these outlying areas gives you access to a few extra accommodation options. But these are relatively poorly located for enjoying the lively evening life of the neighborhood, and for feeling at the heart of the city. We advise you to consider them for a second trip to the Swedish capital. Or if they suit your budget and, above all, your dates of stay.
The best, most conveniently located accommodations in Stockholm are often booked well in advance, which can lead to these fallback solutions.
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Located in Vasastan, just a stone's throw from a metro station, this Ibis hotel meets the usual criteria for establishments in this chain. Quiet, clean and with breakfast included in the room rate, it's a good place to stay for less in Stockholm.
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Located on the waterfront in northern Nacka, this luxury establishment offers an indoor swimming pool, as well as a hammam, jacuzzi, sauna, fitness center, etc... Services that are rather rare in hotels of this category in Stockholm.
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On the island of Skeppsholmen, in a verdant setting, this establishment offers rooms decorated in a chic, uncluttered style. It's just a 5-minute walk from the ferry terminal.
Summary
The question of accommodation in Stockholm can be summed up quite well.
For easy access to the city, the best place to stay is in a central location. In particular, you’ll be able to get around on foot most of the time, and avoid the not inconsiderable extra cost of subway tickets in the Swedish capital. Norrmalm and Gamla Stan clearly stand out, with a preference for the latter if you like the charm of a historic city center.
For a wider choice of accommodation, but also to be able to take advantage of good-value establishments, you can move away to stay in the surrounding districts. Either in the immediate vicinity, where you can still afford to walk (as in the east of Kungsholmen, the west of Östermalm, or the north of Södermalm). Or a little further afield, this time by metro or ferry.
This concludes our guide to choosing accommodation in Stockholm. We hope we have been able to assist you in your choice of hotel or tourist accommodation.