Part of my Scandinavia trip in early September 2024 which included Copenhagen, Bergen and Stockholm. (Links to trip reports)
Stockholm was not on my initial plans, but I would have had to fly back to CPH to fly back home. So I decided to modify and extend my trip one day and fly home from Stockholm instead (which ended up cheaper than flying from CPH). With only 1 & 1/2 day, I knew I had to pick just a few places to see/visit.
Thursday: I left Bergen to Stockholm on a morning flight. Because of my limited time, I opted to take Arlanda Express to city and stayed at the Nordic Light Hotel right next to the stop in city center. A fantastic hotel at really good price. Dropped bag and headed straight to the Vasa museum while still open. I took the tram 7 and had a beautiful ride. Weather was great (60s and clear). On my rush, I entered the Nordiska museum thinking it was the Vasa. It took me a bit to realize I was in the wrong museum! It was interesting but I didn't have time for it. I rushed out and made it to Vasa (right behind it) in time. After my museums visit, I wandered back to hotel walking by waterfront. I stopped for food at a random restaurant. Then kept walking back to hotel since weather was nice (chilly and bit windy by water but not cold like Norway). And I watched the most beautiful sunset during my walk as I was approaching City Hall. When I got back to hotel, I had a cocktail at the bar downstairs and off to bed.
Friday: It was my only full day in Stockholm and I started with the best hotel breakfast during my trip! Then walked from hotel to City Hall for the morning tour I had pre-booked (thank goodness, as it was sold-out) and which I highly recommend. I arrived much earlier so explored the surrounding area a bit before my tour. From there, I walked to Gamla Stan and spent a good amount of time on that island just strolling around, taking photos; I didn't follow a designated path or tour map. I ended up at the palace during the change of the guard by accident! Then I had a lovely lunch at Restaurant Tradition. I took a ferry to Skansen and stayed about 90min there. In hindsight, maybe I should have visited something else, but I did get beautiful handmade jewelry by local artisan. I took the ferry back to Gamla (I really loved those ferry rides!) and walked back to hotel with a few stops along the way for some souvenirs.
Went back to hotel early to pack since I had an early flight next day. I wanted to get dinner somewhere nearby, and I found a review for Basta Italian restaurant near Central Train Station. It took me a while to figure out it was on the top level of Ahlens shopping mall. As I was mumbling "I can't believe those reviews" going up the mall escalators, I understood the hype. The place was packed (I got a seat at the bar), had fantastic pasta and drink, and fun ambience for my last evening in Stockholm. (They had a special QR code for English menu). The mall was closed by the time I left; I was directed to this back elevator (it had security guards managing it). Once down, the elevator opened up to this plaza that was full of youngsters (teens/early 20s). I was a little lost trying to figure out the direction to my hotel, but a few police officers around quickly helped me. Yes, I had Google Maps but I was at level below street level at open plaza, and map wasn't helpful. But it was a fun scene for a Friday night, witnessing the local young life.
Saturday: Grabbed a quick to-go breakfast at hotel, 2 minutes walk to Arlanda Express stop, and off to airport.
I am so thankful I switched my plans and got a taste of Stockholm. I'll sure be back again but with more time to explore.