Four days in Stockholm

I was there many years ago - and in November - but I remember loving the Vasa Museum and the Skansen. We also took a boat ride around bay? harbor? whatever the water there is officially called. This was great because the boat was heated. Just walking around Gamla Stan is magical. We had bowls - not cups, bowls - of hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls as big as your head at Kaffekoppen (Stortorget 20). There was also a pretty good Thai place on Gamla Stan but there's no way I would be able to find it now; this was also in 2009 so it's likely closed.

I loved everything about my recent 7 night Stockholm visit:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/7-august-nights-in-stockholm-during-kultur-festival

My favorite aspect was getting out on the water: once a 3 hour archipelago tour, once on a Stromma ferry to Drottningholm Palace, and informally by catching a public transit ferry to see where it would take me.

I enjoyed the Vasa Museum much more than I had anticipated, and loved the small Hallwyl Museum every bit as much as I expected.

We were just in Stockholm in September for 4 nights. We stayed at Hotel Diplomat on Strandvagen with a view of the water. We also enjoyed the food at the Glasshuset or Glass House restaurant near the water. One of our favorite things to do was taking a boat ride on the Cinderella II to the town of Vaxholm in the archipelago. It has a lovely harbor area and you can walk to see the red and white Swedish cottages and enjoy a cake buffet by the water.

In Stockholm the guided tour of the City Hall was very interesting and worthwhile. The Nobel prize banquet is hosted there each year, and the architecture is stunning. There is also a wonderful lunch buffet in the cafe there.

Walking around the Old Town area of Gamla Stan and touring the Vasa Museum are good choices also. Have a wonderful trip!

Top tip for seeing Vasa - check the cruise ship schedules! I got there at opening time to be faced with a huge queue of people from a cruise ship! Opted to go to nearby Skansen for the morning then returned to Vasa after lunch when it was pleasantly quiet.

Go for a boat trip - we did the Under the Bridges tour by Stromma which was excellent if just a tad too long. https://www.stromma.com/en-se/stockholm/sightseeing/sightseeing-by-boat/

Another vote for the Skansen, the city hall and for taking the transit ferries to see different islands of the archipelago. I also highly recommend visiting Skeppsholmen to see the fascinating marina filled with antique ships that have been repurposed to serve as pleasure crafts or even houseboats. It's on the northeast corner of this small island. The Stockholm Kastellet is also on the island and worth a gander. Finally, ABBA fans (I'm definitely not one) will likely enjoy the museum dedicated to the musical group.

To do:

1. Another vote for the Vasa Museum - I liked it a lot more than I thought I would
2. Walking tour of Gamla Stan - we did a free tour (just tipped afterward) and it was great
3. City Hall - we did the tower climb, as well as the guided tour.
4. Royal Palace

Eat and drink:

1. Beirut Cafe
2. Omnipollus Hatt - really good for a casual pizza dinner
3. A Bar Called Gemma - highly recommend reservations, especially if you are going on a weekend night
4. Lucy's Flower Shop - cool cocktail bar
5. Portal - this was my favorite dinner we had in Stockholm

Thank you all! These recommendations and ideas are wonderful!