Where To Stay In Stockholm: 5 Best Areas & Neighborhoods

Stockholm isn’t just one city sitting on a chunk of land. It spans 14 different islands connected by over 50 bridges. Water makes up a third of the city, and parks take up another third. That layout means every single neighborhood has its own distinct personality and flow.

Stay in Gamla Stan, the Old Town, and you’ll walk on cobblestone streets so narrow you can touch the buildings on both sides. But you’ll also navigate massive crowds of tourists snapping selfies outside the Royal Palace. Cross a short bridge over to Södermalm, and suddenly you are surrounded by vintage shops, indie coffee spots, and a decidedly artsy crowd.

Fun fact: Stockholm’s subway system doubles as the world’s longest art gallery. Over 90 of the 100 stations feature mind-bending murals, sculptures, and cave-like painted ceilings. So even your morning commute feels like a museum run.

Getting around is ridiculously easy, but picking the right area to stay makes all the difference for your vibe, budget, and daily plans.

In this travel guide:

Gamla Stan

Best area for: history, picturesque, tourists

Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s Old Town. It sits on an island in the middle of the city and dates back to the 13th century. Most of the buildings we see today are from the 1600s and 1700s. Narrow cobblestone streets, colorful facades, little squares, and hidden courtyards give the area plenty of character.

We usually start at Stortorget, the oldest square in Stockholm. Its bright yellow, orange, and red buildings make it one of the city’s most recognizable spots. The square also has a darker history. The Stockholm Bloodbath took place here in 1520, when Danish King Christian II ordered the execution of Swedish nobles.

From here, it’s an easy walk to the Royal Palace. You can explore the grand rooms, royal collections, and the Royal Armoury, or watch the Changing of the Guard. Stockholm Cathedral is just around the corner too. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is home to the famous St. George and the Dragon sculpture.

For something a little more modern, we head into the Nobel Prize Museum on Stortorget. It tells the stories of Nobel laureates and the ideas behind their work.

When we need a break, we grab a coffee and something sweet at Chokladkoppen on Stortorget. It’s a great place to sit outside and watch Gamla Stan go by.

Best place to stay in Gamla Stan

Collector’s Victory Hotel. Address: Lilla Nygatan 5, Gamla Stan, 11128 Stockholm, Sweden.

Odenplan

Best area for: shopping, food, central stay

Odenplan gives you an authentic slice of everyday Stockholm life. You get striking historic architecture, peaceful parks, and fantastic food spots away from the heavy tourist rush of the old town.

Located in the heart of the Vasastan district, this lively square acts as a major transport hub and neighborhood gathering spot.

The area transformed from rural farmland into a bustling urban center during the late nineteenth century. Its imposing centerpiece, Gustav Vasa Church, was completed in 1906 and features a stunning baroque dome inspired by Roman architecture.

The vibe around Odenplan is energetic, local, and effortlessly cool. Beautiful 19th-century residential buildings line the surrounding streets. You can browse independent boutiques, visit the nearby Stockholm Public Library with its famous cylindrical reading room, or stroll through Observatorielunden park for panoramic views of the city. Culture lovers can check out the nearby Bonniers Konsthall, a top-notch gallery showcasing cutting-edge contemporary art.

The coffee culture in this neighborhood is incredible. For a proper Swedish fika, we always head straight to Café Pascal. Located just off the main square, it serves world-class specialty espresso, incredible cardamom buns, and fresh open-faced sourdough sandwiches in a bright, brick-walled space.

Best place to stay in Odenplan

Hotel Miss Clara. Address: Sveavägen 48, 111 34 Stockholm, Sweden.

Sundbyberg

Best area for: shopping, art

Sundbyberg sits just northwest of central Stockholm, and it feels a little more local than the city center. There are old apartment buildings, small shopping streets, parks, and plenty of cafés. Yet Stockholm’s center is only a short ride away. The area is also unusually well connected, with the metro, commuter trains, buses, and tram all serving Sundbyberg.

The neighborhood has an interesting past. Sundbyberg grew rapidly in the late 1800s after the railway arrived in 1876. Factories and workshops followed, turning what had been a mostly rural area into an industrial town.

Our favorite stop is Marabouparken. Yes, it is connected to the chocolate brand. Marabou established its factory here in 1916, and the company later created a beautiful landscaped park for its employees. Today, the park has sculptures, green spaces, and the Marabouparken Konsthall, which focuses on contemporary art.

For something more historical, we’d check out the Sundbyberg City Museum. It traces the town’s story from prehistoric times through its industrial years.

When we need coffee and something sweet, Bageri Passion was an easy pick. For lunch or dinner, Bazaar Sundbyberg brings some Indian flavor to the neighborhood. Sundbyberg works well if you want Stockholm close by without staying right in the middle of the tourist action.

Best place to stay in Sundbyberg

Best Western Plus Grow Hotel. Address: Landsvagen 30, 17154 Solna, Sweden.

Djurgården

Best area for: nature, families, museums

To see a much different side of the city, go to Djurgården. This area combines rich maritime history, world-class museums, and peaceful green spaces. You can easily spend an entire day here and never run out of things to see.

It sits right in the middle of the city on its own lush island. King John III claimed the land back in the sixteenth century as a royal hunting park. Today, it remains part of the Royal National City Park, keeping its dense green woods and historic royal legacy intact.

The island houses some of the best attractions in Sweden.

You should check out the Vasa Museum first. It displays an intact 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage and was salvaged centuries later. Right down the road, ABBA The Museum offers a super fun look at Swedish pop history. You can also visit Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum, featuring historical wooden homes and native Nordic wildlife like moose and brown bears.

When hunger hits, we head straight to Rosendals Trädgård. This organic garden café sits inside a set of working greenhouses surrounded by apple orchards. They bake fresh sourdough bread and pastries right on site using organic ingredients from their own soil. Grabbing a card cinnamon bun and eating under the fruit trees is unmatched.

Best place to stay in Djurgården

Pop House Hotel. Address: Djurgårdsvägen 68, 11521 Stockholm, Sweden.

Hornstull

Best area for: LGBTQ+, hipster, nightlife

Hornstull sits at the western end of Södermalm, and it feels a little removed from central Stockholm. That’s part of the appeal.

You get water, green spaces, old streets, and a lively local scene without having to go far. The area was once a city toll. People arriving from the countryside had to pay to enter Stockholm here. The toll disappeared in 1810, but the name Hornstull stuck.

Our favorite part is Hornstulls strand. The waterfront runs along Årstaviken and is great for a walk, bike ride, or lazy afternoon outside. In summer, Hornstulls Marknad takes over the area with vintage finds, crafts, food, and plenty of people watching. The 2026 market runs on weekends through late September.

We also make time for Långholmen. The island is just across the bridge and has walking paths, rocky swimming spots, and an unusual history. It was home to Stockholm’s main prison for much of its past. Today, the old prison buildings house a hotel and the From Crime to Chains museum.

For coffee, we’d stop at Fern & Fika on Långholmsgatan. It’s an easy place to settle in with a coffee and something sweet. For dinner, Barbro on the waterfront is a good pick if we’re in the mood for Asian-inspired dishes and a livelier evening.

Hornstull is also home to Bio Rio, a classic neighborhood cinema, plus plenty of bars and small restaurants.

Best place to stay in Hornstull

STF Hotel Zinkensdamm. Address: Zinkens Väg 20, Södermalm, 117 41 Stockholm, Sweden.

Where travel experts stay in Stockholm

Want to know where travel critics from publishers like The New York Times, Frommer’s, Fodor’s and Lonely Planet stay in Stockholm? Check out our overview of all recommended hotels, hostels and B&Bs in Stockholm.

Budget

City Backpackers Hostel.

“This city-center hostel melds practicality and style, with cozy public spaces and facilities ranging from the commonplace – laundry and free Wi-Fi – to the eccentric – sauna tours, buckets of free pasta and ice skate hire.” — Telegraph.

Address: Upplandsgatan 2a, Norrmalm, 111 23 Stockholm, Sweden.

Mid-range

Hobo Hotel.

“If you can forgive the name, consider the Hobo, a 201-room hotel that opened in March 2017 on Brunkebergstorg, a central square currently undergoing a complete overhaul. Compact rooms employ clever design features geared toward sociable young travelers who value a lively scene, from the buzzy lobby cafe to the popular rooftop bar and restaurant, Tak.” — New York Times.

Address: Brunkebergstorg 4, 111 51 Stockholm, Sweden.

Luxury

Grand Hôtel.

“This is where the literati, glitterati and nobility call it a night. A waterfront landmark, with several exclusive restaurants and a see-and-be-seen piano bar, it remains Stockholm’s most sumptuous lodgings.” — Lonely Planet.

Address: Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8, 103 27 Stockholm, Sweden.

FAQ: Stockholm hotel tips

Looking for the best budget, boutique, or luxury hotel in Stockholm? Or maybe you’re a backpacker looking for an excellent hostel? Want to know which Stockholm hotel serves a great breakfast? Here are the answers to all those and other questions about where to stay in Stockholm.

Best time to visit Stockholm

For travelers keen on enjoying long sunny days and outdoor activities, the months of June, July, and August are the best time to visit Stockholm.

These summer months provide up to 18 hours of daylight and temperatures averaging around 20-25 °C (68-77 °F), perfect for exploring the city’s stunning archipelago, historic sites, and bustling outdoor festivals.

If you’re fascinated by the beauty of winter and don’t mind the cold, December to February could be the best time to visit Stockholm for you. While the temperatures can drop below freezing point during these months, the city is transformed into a winter wonderland with snow-covered streets and ice-skating rinks.

Plus, it’s a great time to experience traditional Swedish Christmas markets.

Best things to do & see in Stockholm

There are plenty of things to do in Stockholm and surrounding areas, including day trips, attractions, museums, sightseeing tours and many other activities. Here’s our list of things you should definitely do when you’re in Stockholm:

Royal Palace

This magnificent palace is the official residence of the Swedish monarch and offers visitors the chance to explore its opulent interiors and witness the daily changing of the guard ceremony. With over 600 rooms and multiple museums, the Royal Palace is a must-visit for anyone interested in Swedish history and culture. More info.

Stockholm: Land and Water Tour by Amphibious Bus

Discover the beautiful city of Stockholm aboard an amphibious bus. Your guide will tell you fun and interesting stories on the 75-minute tour. The bus always has a live guide onboard and about 70% of the tour is on the water. Price: $34. More info.

Vasa Museum

This unique museum is home to the Vasa warship, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was salvaged in 1961. The Vasa is the only preserved 17th-century ship in the world and provides a fascinating glimpse into Sweden’s maritime history. Visitors can marvel at the impressive size and intricate craftsmanship of the ship, as well as learn about the events leading up to its tragic sinking. More info.

Stockholm Archipelago Kayak Tour – 1 Day

Just under an hour outside the bustling city of Stockholm is a group of islands in the Baltic Sea, just waiting to be discovered. Spend the day in this peaceful atmosphere, stopping for provided lunch and snacks. Price: $181. More info.

Stockholm City Hall

The City Hall’s tower offers breathtaking views of the city’s skyline, including iconic landmarks such as Gamla Stan and the Stockholm Archipelago. Inside the City Hall, visitors can explore its grand halls and admire the stunning architecture, including the magnificent Golden Hall decorated with over 18 million mosaic tiles. More info.

ABBA Museum

This interactive museum pays tribute to one of Sweden’s most famous exports. Visitors can relive ABBA’s glory days through various exhibits and experiences, including singing and dancing along with holograms of ABBA members. If you intend to visit Stockholm’s ABBA The Museum, book your ticket online ahead of time and save yourself time waiting in the ticket lines. Price: $29. More info.

More things to do in Stockholm

Deciding where to stay in Stockholm

As a closing note, let’s summarize this travel guide. We covered the best areas of Stockholm so you can decide which part of town you want to stay in.

Top 5 areas to stay in Stockholm

• Gamla Stan
• Odenplan
• Djurgården
• Sundbyberg
• Hornstull

As you have seen in this article, there are many things to explore, and deciding where to stay in Stockholm is important. Whether you stay in Gamla Stan, Odenplan, Djurgården, Sundbyberg or Hornstull, all those neighborhoods are in good locations.

The atmosphere of the area, whether you travel for leisure or business, whether you travel with your family or friends, and proximity to the attractions you prefer to visit should probably be the deciding factors. Whatever your preference is, you’ll have a great time in Stockholm.

Stockholm overview

More Stockholm tips

See our other guides about the best places to stay in Stockholm:

Hotels in Stockholm

Hostels in Stockholm

Boutique hotels in Stockholm

Luxury hotels in Stockholm

Cheap hotels in Stockholm

Eco-friendly hotels in Stockholm