Things to do in Stockholm during the winter
Stockholm is a beautiful city located in the south of Sweden. Stockholm is a quiet city, but one that is rich in culture. Its location on the water and the combination of history and contemporary life make Stockholm a unique city. Stockholm is ideal for a city trip, as there are various activities to do and many beautiful things to see. Wander through the old town of Gamla Stan, cruise the rivers on the Hop-On Hop-Off boat or visit various museums. Curious about what you can do in Stockholm in winter? Keep reading to find out!
Hop-On Hop-Off boat tour
A fun winter activity to do in Stockholm is to discover the city with the Hop-On Hop-Off boat. Since Stockholm is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, it is the ideal city to explore by boat. During the winter Hop-On Hop-Off boat tour, you will sail past 7 hotspots. The captain of the boat will take you past famous places such as the Royal Palace, Nybroplan Square, the ABBA Museum and the Fotografiska Museum. Audio guides are available on the boat in various languages, telling you everything about the hotspots. The great thing about the Hop-On Hop-Off boat tour is that you can choose which stop to get on and off at. Take a seat, sit back and enjoy the beautiful city of Stockholm. Book your tickets for the Hop-On Hop-Off boat here!
ICEBAR Stockholm
If you can't get enough of the cold temperatures in Stockholm, the ICEBAR Stockholm might be just the thing for you. This is the first permanent bar in the world where cold and ice take centre stage. The temperature in the ICEBAR is always -5 degrees Celsius, but no worries, you won't freeze because you'll get a coat and a pair of gloves. The ICEBAR serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in glasses made of ice. How cool is that? Every year, the ICEBAR has a new theme, brought to life by beautiful, hand-carved ice sculptures. Despite the winter temperatures, the ICEBAR in Stockholm still has a warm and cosy atmosphere. A visit to the ICEBAR is a unique experience that you should not miss during your visit to Stockholm.
Museums in Stockholm
Stockholm has several museums that showcase Sweden's history and culture. Walk into the Skansen open-air museum and you'll find yourself in historic Sweden. At Skansen, you can see how Swedes used to live and learn about their traditions. In addition to being an open-air museum, Skansen is also a zoo with animals such as moose, bears, wolves and reindeer. Or visit Fotografiska, the largest photography museum in the world. Fotografiska hosts changing photography exhibitions throughout the year by photographers from all over the world. Well-known artists who have exhibited their work at Fotografiska include Anton Corbijn, David LaChapelle, Annie Leibovitz and Jimmy Nelson. Another fun museum to visit is the ABBA Museum. After all, when you think of Sweden, you think of this world-famous pop group! At the ABBA Museum, you will be immersed in the world of ABBA. You can see their costumes, music instruments, gold records and other materials up close. You can also test your knowledge of ABBA and take part in karaoke with fun, upbeat songs such as Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia and Voulez-Vous! In addition to these three museums, the following museums are also worth visiting: the Nobel Prize Museum, the Vasa Museum, the Royal Arsenal and the Swedish History Museum.
Our favourite museums in Stockholm
More fun winter activities
Typical winter activities include ice skating, skiing and snowboarding. In Stockholm, you can skate at Kungsträdgården. Rent skates or bring your own and let the fun begin! Skiing and snowboarding are possible at Hammarbybacken, a ski slope in Stockholm. It is not a large ski slope, but it is special because it is located in the centre of Stockholm. Or take a winter walk through Gamla Stan, the old centre of Stockholm. Gamla Stan is known for its 17th-century buildings in ochre and orange colours. During your walk, you'll come across various sights such as the cathedral and the Royal Palace. In winter, the narrow streets and atmospheric lighting create a beautiful atmosphere. And when it snows, it turns into a real winter wonderland!
Must try: Fika
Last but not least, something you really shouldn't miss on your city trip to Stockholm is fika. This is a typical Swedish tradition where you take a break to drink coffee or tea with a tasty treat. It's a social moment to chat with family, friends or colleagues and often takes place several times a day. Recommended places to go for fika are: Vete-Katten, Stora Bageriet and Café Pascal. Must-try Swedish sweet snacks include cinnamon buns, cardamom buns and princess cake!
In addition to the above activities, there are many other fun things to do in Stockholm in winter. For example, explore the city with the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour or spend an afternoon shopping. Stockholm offers fun for all ages, from cultural sights to cosy winter fun, a city trip to Stockholm is always worth it.
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