pinterest pin The Christmas Markets of Stockholm

Prologue

During the Christmas of 2019, we decided to set off for a marathon road run, A Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas | A 7000 km Cruise and Road Trip across Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden from the Netherlands | Travel Itinerary, Tips, and Tricks, that turned out to be one of the most memorable trips of our lifetime. So based on our experience, today I’m going to take you along with me on a ride across the top 5 things to see and do during Christmas in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Let the journey begin!

About Sweden

Sweden is a country in northern Europe that is located on the Scandinavian Peninsula. The word Sweden comes from the Svear, or Suiones, a people described by the Roman author Tacitus as early as 98 CE. Svithiod was the old name for the country. Since 1523, Stockholm has served as the permanent capital.

Sweden, together with Norway, occupies the majority of the Scandinavian Peninsula. From the high mountains near the Norwegian border eastward to the Baltic Sea, the ground dips gently. It is one of the oldest and most stable portions of the Earth's crust geologically. The receding glaciers of the Pleistocene Epoch affected its surface structures and soils (about 2,600,000 to 11,700 years ago). Thousands of islands create archipelagoes over more than 1,300 miles (2,100 km) of rugged, rocky coastline, dotting the relatively flat landscape.

The country has a continuous 1,000-year history as a sovereign state, but its borders shifted frequently until 1809. It is now a constitutional monarchy with a long history of parliamentary democracy dating back to 1917. Although recent immigration has brought some social diversity, Swedish society is ethnically and religiously fairly homogeneous. Sweden has progressed from a backward and impoverished society to a highly developed postindustrial society and sophisticated welfare state with among the greatest living standards and life expectancies in the world.

Welcome to Stockholm

Stockholm is Sweden's capital and largest city. Stockholm is situated on the Baltic Sea's Salt Bay (Saltsjön), opposite the Gulf of Finland, at the confluence of Lake Mälar (Mälaren) and Salt Bay (Saltsjön). The city is built on 14 islands as well as the Uppland and Södermanland mainlands. Because of its position, Stockholm is recognized as one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world.

Stockholm, Sweden's capital, is obscenely wealthy in terms of cultural assets. Take, for example, Gamla Stan. The city's oldest area is like something out of a fairy tale. It's one of Europe's most charming, immaculately kept old centers, complete with the obligatory royal palace, gabled buildings, and razor-thin cobblestone streets. World-class museums and galleries abound across the city, housing everything from glittering Viking relics and a doomed vessel to Abba props and subversive contemporary art. It's an energizing, motivating mix in which the past, present, and future constantly collide, discuss, and engage.

Top 5 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Stockholm

This map was made with Wanderlog, for itineraries on iOS and Android

1. Visit the Christmas Market at Stortorget

Christmas in Stockholm is a time of coziness, shimmering lighting, copious amounts of food and drink, and a few unique traditions ranging from solemn to hilarious. Stockholm's Christmas markets await exploration, with a million Christmas lights adorning the streets and a chill in the air filled with seasonal cheer.

Stockholm offers a number of separate Christmas markets, each with its own set of dates. The Stortorget Christmas Market is the most popular and longest-running. Stortorget is the city’s main square in its Gamla Stan (Old Town) located at the original site of the village that expanded to become Sweden's capital. Although the name translates to "Big Square" in English, it is actually one of Europe's smallest Old Town squares. It is adorned with beautiful pastel-colored buildings on one side and the Nobel Prize Museum on the other. Stortorget hosts the country's oldest and most famous Christmas market, which has been running since 1837. Over 40 vendors set up around a giant Christmas Tree, serve delectable delicacies, souvenirs, and delightfully warming glögg at this intimate market, which is nestled in one of Stockholm's most enchanting settings.

Christmas Market at Stortorget stockholm sweden

lady standing in Christmas Market at Stortorget stockholm sweden

man standing in Christmas Market at Stortorget stockholm sweden

2. Wander through the Gamla Stan (Old Town)

The Gamla Stan (Old Town) of Stockholm, which dates back to the 13th century, is rich in medieval alleyways, cobblestone streets, and ancient architecture, all of which bear a strong North Germanic influence. A leisurely stroll through Gamla Stan will bring you across the Royal Palace, the Riksdag (Parliament) Building, the Museum of Medieval Stockholm, and the Nobel Prize Museum.

clock tower at Gamla Stan (Old Town) stockhom sweden

3. Take a walk along Norr Mälarstrand

On Kungsholmen in central Stockholm, Norr Mälarstrand (Swedish for "Northern Shore of Mälaren") is a boulevard. A walk along the lakeshore in beautiful weather, stretching 1.4 kilometers west from Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset) to Rlambshovsparken, was a really enjoyable experience.

boy standing at Norr Mälarstrand stockholm sweden

4. Cross the Vasabron (Vasa Bridge) to get outstanding views of the Gamla Stan

The Vasabron or the Vasa Bridge named after King Gustav Vasa (1496–1560), which was completed in 1878, connects the two districts of Gamla Stan and Norrmalm over the Norrström (one of Europe's shortest rivers, which connects Lake Mälaren with the Baltic Sea). Cross it to enter the Gamla Stan while relishing one of the best views of the Old Town.

gamla stan or old town Stockholm sweden at sunset

gamla stan or old town Stockholm sweden at moonlight

5. Climb up to Monteliusvägen for a bird’s eye view of Stockholm

Monteliusvägen, located on the northern shore of Södermalm island, is a quarter-mile-long walking path with a spectacular view of Lake Mälaren, Stockholm City Hall, and Riddarholmen, particularly at sunrise and sunset. On one side, the walkway is surrounded by attractive residences, while on the other, there is a romantic vista that provides stunning views of the Stockholm cityscape making it an ideal spot for first dates, nighttime strolls, morning dog walks, lunch breaks, and running.

Climb up to Monteliusvägen for a bird’s eye view of Stockholm sweden

Visiting Stockholm

Best Time to Visit: Normally, the tour brochures say that the best seasons to visit Stockholm are late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October), when the city is less crowded with tourists and the weather is moderate or while summer (July to August) when there’s warm weather, outdoor events, and extended daylight hours thanks to the Midnight Sun. That may be true but we think that another great time to visit Stockholm is during Christmas when quaint Christmas Markets and decorations adorn the city. The downside could be that the days are quite short but the Christmas Market lights bring the city to life even after sunset. So nothing to worry about! We visited Stockholm during Christmas.

Number of Days to Stay: Two to three days are perfect for sightseeing in Stockholm. During this time, you can see the main sights, and take in the local cuisine and culture.

Best Place to Stay: A stay in Gamla Stan, the Old Town, places you in close proximity to several of Stockholm's main attractions, such as Stortorget Square. Norrmalm is another district close to the center known for shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. If you want to stay in a more lively and bohemian district, Södermalm is a great option because of its fashionable vibe, artistic community, and exciting nightlife. Östermalm, an upscale neighborhood, is renowned for its exquisite eating options, high-end shopping, and elegant architecture. We stayed in Norrmalm.

Best Way to Arrive: Two significant airports serve Stockholm - Stockholm Bromma Airport, which is situated about 8 km west of the city center, and Stockholm Arlanda Airport, which is situated roughly 40 km north of the city center. Arlanda Airport offers flights to a number of foreign locations. Stockholm has good ferry links to neighboring Baltic Sea cities, including Tallinn (Estonia) and Helsinki (Finland). Travelers may find the ferry terminals to be a convenient option because they are close to the city center. Stockholm has excellent train connections to other important Swedish and European cities. There are also numerous domestic and international bus companies that run routes to Stockholm from the central bus station (Cityterminalen) adjacent to the main train station. You can also choose to drive to Stockholm, particularly if you want to explore the surrounding region. We sailed over the Baltic Sea into Stockholm from Helsinki along with our car on the ferry.

Best Local Mode of Conveyance: The SL (Stockholm Public Transport) operates an extensive and effective public transportation network in Stockholm that includes buses, trams, the metro (Tunnelbana), and ferries. In Stockholm, ridesharing services such as Uber are operational and taxis are easily accessible. Stockholm is a bike-friendly city, with designated bike lanes and rental services. Stockholm is also a very walkable city, particularly in Gamla Stan and the central districts. It's easy to explore on foot because many attractions are close to one another. If you want to explore the neighboring islands or other coastal regions there are regular ferry services run by Stockholm Transport and several other private companies.

Epilogue

So that brings us to the end of our journey across the top 5 things to see and do in Stockholm during Christmas. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article.

And if you wish to read the day-by-day account of our complete 7000 km road run across the Baltics and Scandinavia during Christmas 2019, please visit our article A Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas | A 7000 km Cruise and Road Trip across Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden from the Netherlands | Travel Itinerary, Tips, and Tricks. Until then, merry traveling and happy shooting!