The stylish Swedish capital of Stockholm comprises an archipelago of fourteen interesting islands; each with their own unique charm, depth of culture and history. Made up of winding waterways, green parklands and wonderfully well preserved medieval architecture, the city is a happening, fashionable and vibrant capital, steeped in infamous modern Swedish design combined with a stylish way of life.

Stockholm is a small city scattered with captivating sites, world-famous restaurants, and a buzzing nightlife scene. Take ambling walks along tranquil waterfronts, jump on a boat to the next island, or choose to take the accessible metro system to see the Stockholm’s top attractions.
Map of Stockholm’s top neighborhoods
Whether you stay in chic, upscale hotels, spend a weekend in a designer hotel, or perhaps a week on the water in one of the city’s eccentric houseboat hotels, the accommodation options in Stockholm are varied and plentiful. Each area has its own unique charm, style and culture, so here is a guide to some of the best places to stay in Stockholm including the city’s most attractive areas.
Normalm
Swirling Norrmalm is a modern business district which comes fully packed with a bustling city life. Commercial, contemporary, and great for those who love a spot of shopping, there are plenty of sites for visitors to explore; including the cutting-edge architecture of the Kristallvertikalaccent glass obelisk building and the central landmarks of the Hötorget Buildings. Not just about urban modern life, Norrmalm is also where you can find the Royal Opera, St. Jacob’s Church, and the ornate Sweden House.
Big international hotel chains make up many of the hotels in this district and offer a high standard of service; they are also within walking distance of most of the top amenities. Staying in this central area is perfect for those who want to be downtown amid the vibrance of city life It is also great for travelers who only have a couple of days to see what the city has to offer.
Norrmalm Central Train Station and access to the T-Centralen metro makes visiting the various other top areas of Stockholm speedy and straightforward.
Where to Stay in Normalm
- At Six – This cool design hotel, located just a 10-minute walk from Stockholm central station, is an enclave of style (with a touch of luxury) in a city that’s already all about design-led style.
- Hotel C Stockholm – Home to Stockholm’s world-famous Ice Bar, Hotel C is a fun and comfortable place to stay. The cocktails are served in glasses made of ice as you sit on seats made of ice at a bar – you guessed it – made of ice.
- Scandic Klara – This eco-friendly 4-star hotel features rooms decorated in a simple and modern style, with a cafe downstairs.
Vasastan
If you are looking for a busy, bustling area of the city, then you should stay in vibrant Vasastan. This is the area where the locals live, along the stunning streets of what is nicknamed the ‘Stone City’. Vasastan stands out from the rest of Stockholm with its mix of German styled architecture set along wide streets. The best place in the district to see this funky design style is along Rörstrandsgata.
Cute cafes with chic locals line the streets, cool kids wander around antique furniture shops and relaxed families enjoy days out in Vasaparken Park or browsing at the Stockholm Public Library. There are also many fashionable bars and restaurants; visitors to Vasastan really must try these out in order to get a good understanding of life in the area.
Stay in one of the many charming mid-range hotels and travel around the city via the new commuter rail station.
Where to Stay in Vasastan
- Hotel Birger Jarl – This hotel is well located if you like the nightlife as well as the highlife; it’s just a 10-minute walk away from Stockholm’s nightclub and shopping district.
- Hotel Hellsten – This charming hotel also offers a buffet breakfast every day in its conservatory, and live jazz every Thursday in the bar.
Ostermalm
If you want to spend time in the Swedish capital wining and dining, then the central and sophisticated Östermalm area is for you. Perfect for those who are visiting on business, there’s quick and easy access to transport to get around the rest for the city, and great shopping with upmarket global labels and boutiques around Stureplan Square.
Exclusive and elegant, this area of this city is all about the high-end lifestyle. Classy nightclubs and busy bars serve expensive cocktails and decadent dishes to Stockholm’s late night party-goers.
Take a trip to the Östermalmshallen Food Market for a chance to sample some more traditional Swedish food before walking off your lunch at one of the many green parks. Humlegården park is entrancing as it encircles the Royal Library, and there are also numerous museums along Strandvägen Boulevard to explore. This is the area with the most expensive real estate in Stockholm, so perhaps not the ideal district for travelers on a budget.
Where to Stay in Ostermalm
- Hotel Diplomat Stockholm – This impressive hotel is set in an incredible Art Nouveau building which dates back to 1911. You can taste modern twists on local Swedish cuisine in the chic hotel restaurant, or on a sunny day, eat al fresco on the waterfront terrace.
- Hotel Riddargatan – There are dumb-bells in the rooms and maps of jogging routes in the area – plus the breakfasts served up here are fresh and healthy.
Gamla Stan
The historic old district of Gamla Stan is the medieval center of Stockholm. The heart of the inner city, this is where important cultural and historic buildings are found. It is home to many of the iconic sites of the city, including the Swedish Parliament, Royal Palace, and popular Christmas markets and museums, all set along tiny cobbled streets.
Wander around this district and explore what’s on offer. The best thing to do is discover the town’s old secrets for yourself, stumbling across street cafes and beautiful bars next to bijou boutiques.
Gamla Stan boasts fantastic accessibility to the metro system, where two of the main metro lines meet, or you could take a walk; anywhere in the center of the city is within easy walking distance, or you can try out the commuter ferry. There is a plethora of accommodation in this charming quarter, which means you have a fun choice of sleeping in a quirky old building, a trendy modern hotel, or why not a cabin on a boat?
Where to Stay in Gamla Stan
- First Hotel Reisen – This place is fantastically set in a grand 17th-century building and is itself only 150 meters from Stockholm’s Royal Palace.
- Collector’s Victory Hotel – Two minutes’ walk from Gamla Station, staying in this hotel right in the heart of Stockholm is a comfortable and convenient experience.
Djurgarden
Family-orientated and laid-back, Djurgarden is popular with the people of Stockholm who come to this area to relax. The neighborhood is set on a small island which is made up of designated royal parkland and crisscrossed with pathways perfect for taking a leisurely stroll and enjoying the scenery of the city.
There are numerous attractions to take a look at in the district, including the fun ABBA Museum, the Vasa Museum, and open-air Skansen living museum. The unique island is sprinkled with colorful cottages and sweet cafes clustered around the streets and, along with the museums, celebrates the best aspects of life in Sweden.
There are many harbors on the island, which means ferries are easy to come by, or you can take the number seven tram from the island. Stay in old houses which are surprisingly affordable for such a popular destination, or one of the beautifully designed boathouses on the river.
Where to Stay in Djurgarden
- Pop House Hotel – Fans of Abba rejoice – this hotel is located in exactly the same building as the Abba Museum! You can easily tour yourself around the museum as many times as you feel like – depending on how big a fan you are.
Sodermalm
Another attractive island in the city is Södermalm. This is a fantastic place to stay in Stockholm for travelers who want to explore a more creative and trendy side of the Swedish captial. The open-minded, LGBTQ-friendly district is set downtown and is so popular it even has its own stop on the red metro line.
This alternative area is awash with concept cafes, independent clothes shops, busy bars and creative dining options. This is where the Swedish aesthetic and the creative imagination of Stockholm come to life in an animated, artistic area; where cutting-edge culture and historic architecture combine in happening Södermalm.
Stay in one of the cute and colorful Swedish cottages along the river, or in one of the many homely apartments that are situated along the tree-lined Tantolunden park. There’s also some affordable hostel accommodation in Södermalm, which is often based around innovative and fun design.
Where to Stay in Sodermalm
- Clarion Hotel Stockholm – Just 15 minutes from the Stockholm City Museum and a mere few minutes walk from the historic Old Town, staying at this 4-star hotel is a great option if you want to hit up the city’s sights.
Kungsholmen
Don’t miss out the delights of the Kungsholmen area of Stockholm. Made up of predominantly residential buildings, this island offers a secluded and relaxing place to stay in the busy city. Perfect for travelers who really want to get away from it all, this Stockholm summer holiday spot offers the chance to try out kayaking. It even has access to the beaches of Smedsuddsbadet and Fredhällsbadet, plus some chilled waterfront boardwalks.
Restaurants, bars and lakefront cafes invite you to sit and watch the local life of the neighborhood. It’s easy to spend a laid-back afternoon strolling along the waterside walks, stopping for lunch at one of the traditional eateries.
This isn’t a district for sightseeing, with the main landmark here being the City Hall, but the area is generally much more budget-friendly than the rest of Stockholm. Accommodation here is great for travelers who have a tight budget, and is often much cheaper than the more central districts. With access to Stockholm metro, the city’s tourist attractions are just a short train ride away.
Where to Stay in Kungsholmen
- Clarion Hotel Amaranten – With a delicious breakfast served up every morning, this is also a great place to stay with children – in part, thanks to the laid-back dining options on offer.
- Sky Hotel Apartments – Keeping costs down, there’s laundry facilities, a tasty buffet breakfast included in the room rates, as well as kitchenettes in every room. The terrace here is a cool place to hang out (when weather permits, of course).
Leave a Reply