A cultural guide to Stockholm

Built over 14 interconnecting islands, Stockholm is Sweden’s capital city and the archetypal Scandinavian destination: snow-covered winters and long bright summers, a minimalist, modern design aesthetic paired with ancient buildings and heritage, progressive social attitudes alongside an unusually high quality of life.

Like many of its neighbors, the city transformed radically in modern times with the arrival of technology and industrialization, but traces of its ancient history remain. Stockholm isn’t huge, but it does sprawl, so pace yourself and don’t try to cover everything in one weekend—it’s a place you’ll want to return to again and again.   

Christmas markets

As you’d expect from a beautiful Scandinavian city, Christmas is a big deal in Stockholm with several specific markets taking place over the festive period. Stortorget Market is the oldest and most traditional, dating back to 1837 and situated in Gamla Stan (old town). The Skansen market takes place in the grounds of the Skansen open air museum. There’s also a Christmas fair that takes place at the Royal Stables, usually for just one weekend. Dates for all markets can move each year, so confirm before booking. 

Music

Sweden’s biggest cultural export in recent years has been the stadium-filling house of Avicii and Swedish House Mafia, and there’s plenty of that kind of thing on offer at vast multi-level clubs like Sturecompagniet. For a more intimate experience, try “listening bar” Hosoi, with an audiophile soundsystem in its 350-capacity room along with a wine bar (there’s also a spin-off Hosoi festival planned).

To maximize the longer days, Trädgården is an outdoor club located under the Skanstullsbron bridge, with live acts and DJs during the summer months. A good starting point for musical exploration is the hipster area of Södermalm: Orient yourself around the main thoroughfare, Hornsgatan, where it meets the square at Mariatorget, and follow your ears.  

Watch before you go

For historical views of Stockholm, several classics will show you the city as it was: Thrilling police drama The Man on the Roof (1976) reaches its explosive climax in Vasastan, while Bergman fanatics will find the locations for The Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries (both 1957), among others, close by. Both the Swedish original and American remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) were filmed in Stockholm, while early Studio Ghibli animation Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) conjures up a fantasy version of the Swedish capital. And vampire fans will recognize the streets of the Blackeberg suburb from 2008’s Let the Right One In.