5 Things Do in Stockholm in Winter

From the narrow streets of Old Town to the trendy Södermalm District, visiting Stockholm in the winter was more than I could have ever hoped for. Stockholm is colorful, charming, green and clean. Since I was only in town for the weekend, I decided to make the most of my short trip by finding the most scenic spots around the city. Mind you, it wasn’t very hard. If you’re looking for things to do in Stockholm in winter, head over to these five Stockholm attractions.

Things To Do in Södermalm

1. SkyView

Have 30 minutes to spare? Visit SkyView to see Stockholm from way up high.

Aboard a glass gondola, climb 425 feet (130 meters) to the top of the Ericsson Globe. The Ericsson Globe is the largest spherical building in the world. At the top, take in panoramic views of Stockholm’s suburbs. This is absolutely worth the visit if you’re in this part of town.

2. Hammarby sjö

A few minutes away from my hotel, Motel L, I discovered Hammarby sjö while looking for a bite to eat. Hammarby sjö is a canal that separates the city center from South Stockholm. Along the water, there’s a walkway that offers gorgeous skyline views of the nearby semi-urban neighborhoods. There are also lots of boats on the canal.

If you’re hungry, there are a ton of restaurants, bars, and cafes on this strip.

There’s even a brewery and brewpub called New Carnegie Brewery.

Hammarby sjö is a great place for an afternoon stroll.

Things To Do in Gamla Stan

1. Walking Tour of Old Town

Gamla Stan is a must-see while sightseeing Stockholm. Founded in the 1200s, the Old Town is Stockholm’s original city center. One of the best ways to discover Gamla Stan is to go on a walking tour. With many important historical sights to see at nearly every corner, you won’t miss a thing on this walking tour.

I toured Gamla Stan with Free Tour Stockholm. No need for reservations. All you have to do is show up. I recommend touring with Connie. She was funny and down to earth.

The “Old Town Tour” was a great introduction to the city because it provided context. In a short amount of time, I learned so much about the city’s history including the city’s darkest hours and some of its brightest moments.

One of my favorite stories was about the ghost that haunts Stockholm Palace. I wouldn’t want to meet the “White Lady” in the middle of the night! I also enjoyed learning about how the narrowest street in Stockholm got its name from a wealthy German merchant.

Don’t forget to bring cash to tip your guide. You can tip in any currency you like.

It’s the little things about a destination that will stick with you.

2. St. George and the Dragon

St. George and the Dragon depicts a young knight. St. George is raising his sword and he is about to deliver the final blow to kill the dragon. A few feet away, the princess waits in her bridal veil. This represents the epic fight between good and evil. Some say that this scene also marks the victory over the Danes in 1471. The princess represents Stockholm. The dragon represents Denmark.

I thought this was a very interesting statue because it had two scenes. Even though St. George and the Dragon can technically stand on its own, the princess added another element to the piece. St. George had someone to fight for. He had someone special that he wanted to come home to. His princess waits patiently for his triumphant victory.

This makes for a great photo spot because the statue is ornate. I would even say that it’s dramatic – there’s a lot going on.

You can see the bronze replica of the original wooden statue for free at Köpmanbrinken in Gamla Stan. The original statue inside Stockholm’s Cathedral, Storkyrkan is from 1489. Admission to the cathedral costs 40 SEK or $4 USD.

3. Stortorget

Lastly, visit Stortorget. This was one of my favorite stops on the Old Town walking tour. I loved it so much that I returned the next day at dusk.

Stortorget is the oldest public square in Stockholm. There are lots of notable buildings bordering the square but my favorite were the colorful patrician houses. They reminded me of Amsterdam.

Here’s another fun fact.

Stortorget no. 20 commemorates the Stockholm Bloodbath. In 1520, the Danish King Kristian II promised a truce with Swedish nobility. He organized a large banquet and at the end, he flipped. He decided he didn’t trust the Swedes after all.

On Stortorget no. 20’s façade, there are 92 white stones. They represent those executed during the Stockholm Bloodbath.

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What are favorite things to do in Stockholm in Winter?