10 Things to Do in Stockholm at Night

Stockholm is a city that offers many options for entertainment and fun when the sun goes down. From bars and nightclubs with live music, to museums and cultural shows. It's a metropolis with all the European charm, but with a modern appeal.

If you're visiting Sweden's capital, you'll want to explore its hidden spots and discover the best things to do in Stockholm. There are wonderful night walks through its picturesque neighborhoods and unique experiences such as the Icebar or jazz clubs for lovers of elegance and good music. Do you dare to discover this city?

Stockholm is a city that shines with its own light when night falls. Its historic buildings, canals and bridges are illuminated to create a magical and even romantic atmosphere. If you want to discover a different perspective of the Swedish capital, you can take a tour of the old town of Stockholm, the so-called Gamla Stan.

This is one of the most beautiful and emblematic places in the city, always included among the best tours of Stockholm. At night, its cobblestone streets and colorful houses become even more charming, with the contrast between lights and shadows. You can admire monuments such as the Cathedral, the Royal Palace or the Nobel Museum. In addition, you will enjoy the nightlife atmosphere of its bars and restaurants.

Discovering Stockholm by night means visiting the official residence of the kings of Sweden, one of the most famous attractions of the city. At night, you will have a privileged view, because the palace is illuminated and highlights its majesty and elegance. You can contemplate the exterior or visit some of its interior rooms, such as the Treasury Museum or the Three Crowns Museum.

On your evening stroll, you can also go to the Vasa Museum or the first permanent ice bar in the world, which will surprise you with its modern and futuristic style.

With a wide variety of dining options, Stockholm is a mecca for delighting the most discerning palates at night. You can find everything from traditional Swedish to international cuisine. A dinner in Stockholm can be very varied depending on the season. Although you can do this activity all year round, you should know that in March, May or April in Stockholm there is a great harvest and the options are more varied.

If you are looking for high quality gastronomy you can go to Wedholms Fisk, an elegant restaurant, specialized in seafood and fish. You can taste salmon with dill and beet, honey-glazed halibut or elderflower sorbet. On the other hand, if your idea is to get to know Swedish home cooking with a modern touch, I recommend Mom's Kitchen Nybrogatan. Here, you can enjoy typical dishes such as meatballs, sausages, herring or meatloaf, made with organic and seasonal products, which are a real delight.

However, for the most demanding and lovers of good food, my best recommendation is to join a gastronomic tour of Stockholm together with a culinary expert that includes, for example, a restaurant awarded with three Michelin stars for innovative and creative cuisine. One such example is restaurant Frantzén, where chef Björn Frantzén combines local ingredients with European and Asian influences.

Nightlife lovers will feel at home in Stockholm. There is a wide variety of venues to suit all tastes and styles. From sophisticated and elegant to bohemian and alternative bars. The nightlife and party area is extensive, with some of the best places in Europe for a night of fun and music in the center of the city.

Stureplan is the most chic and exclusive area. Here you will find the trendiest and most expensive clubs, bars and discos. You will be able to dance to the rhythm of the music and maybe meet some celebrities. Some of the most popular places are the Spy Bar, Sturecompaniet, Tweed or the Berns Salonger.

The Stockholm scene continues with Södermalm, the most alternative and bohemian neighborhood. There are bars and clubs with music of all kinds, and the prices are more affordable than in other areas. As an additional fact, if after this experience you are enthusiastic about the culture of alcohol in this region, then I recommend visiting the Museum of Spirits in Stockholm.

Another option to integrate into the nightlife of Stockholm is to go to Gamla Stan, because it breathes history and charm. Here you can enjoy a quiet and romantic night in one of the pubs or cafes with cozy atmosphere and live music. Some of the most recommended places are the Jazzpuben Stampen, the Tweed or the Corner Club.

Every city has a backstory, and in the case of Stockholm, it is home to a fascinating history, but also one of the darkest and creepiest secrets. For those who live on the edge and seek strong emotions, getting to know the mysterious side of the Swedish capital, through a ghost tour of Stockholm, may be the best option.

It is a different and fun way to explore the medieval streets of Stockholm, illuminated by the light of a flashlight. The night and an expert guide will accompany you into the narrow alleys and hidden courtyards of Gamla Stan.

The experience can be as frightening as it is interesting, because there will be no shortage of stories of poltergeists, plagues, public executions and murders. The good thing about doing it with a guide is that they will tell you authentic accounts of crimes, unsolved mysteries, myths and legends that will make even the most skeptical person's hair stand on end.

Now, it's not all scary, you can also learn about the beginnings of Stockholm and how it developed over the centuries. So there is some culture and history with a sensory plus, because you will experience what old life was like, with its smells, tastes and sounds. Definitely an option to include in your itinerary of at least 3 days in Stockholm.

Taking a kayak out on Lake Mälaren or the archipelago after dark is another great way to explore the city. You will enjoy an amazing perspective, where the sun gradually merges with the Baltic Sea. In addition, you will see the lights on the facades ofthe buildings in the old town light up in the distance, creating a contrast between the natural and the urban.

This is a very popular guided activity along with the best boat tours in Stockholm. You will meet with a guide who will give you some basic tips on how to safely paddle these calm waters.

Once on the water, you will start this kayak tour of Stockholm, where you will be able to identify some iconic landmarks such as the following:

• The historic center or Gamla Stan, with its colorful houses from the 16th century and medieval style.
• Langholmen Island, which stands out for housing a museum dedicated to the memory of the musician Carl Michael Bellman.
• The island Kungsholmen, which houses the City Hall with its historic tower over 100 meters high.

Did you know that Stockholm is built on 14 islands? Yes, the city is connected by more than 50 bridges. So, to get to know its beauty and history, with the tone that only the sunset and moonrise can offer , you can venture on a boat ride under Stockholm's bridges.

This is a scenic boat route through its canals and the Baltic Sea. An experience that can vary depending on the weather, the sites you want to visit and the type of boat you prefer.

There are some tours that explore the Royal Canal, the most elegant of Stockholm, because it is surrounded by parks, palaces and mansions. You can admire the island of Djurgården, where the Vasa Museum, the ABBA Museum and the amusement park Gröna Lund are located. And, if you wish, you can visit other of the best museums in Stockholm.

The boat ride under Stockholm's bridges is certainly a different perspective. You will see the old town, the city hall, the island of Södermalm and the ecological island of Hammarby Sjöstad. In short, it is an experience to discover and capture the best and most beautiful night panoramas of the archipelago.

Information of interest

• Price: It usually ranges between 25 and 35 euros per person. However, it depends on the season, schedule and availability.

• Duration: It can take between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the route followed.

There is no more authentic way to get to know a city than through its markets. And this is precisely the case in Stockholm, where you will find several traditional markets. Take a stroll through these picturesque destinations and interact with the locals, buy fresh produce and delight your palate at the food stalls or restaurants.

Hötorgshallen Market

The subway market Hötorgshallen is located in the Hötorget square. You can access it via an escalator and enjoy a cozy atmosphere among dozens of picturesque stalls with fresh produce.

You will have the opportunity to buy sausages, vegetables, meats, seafood, exotic fruits, nuts and many more. In addition, there is a wine and other alcoholic beverages area.

• Price: free admission.
• Hours: from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Östermalms Saluhall Market

The Östermalms Saluhall market has a history dating back to 1880 and is located in the Östermalms district (about 10 minutes drive from the historic center). There, you will have access to a large number of national and international restaurants, cafes, fresh produce stores, among others.

• Price: free admission.
• Hours: 9:30 am to 7:00 pm. Closed on Sundays.

During your stay, you can take advantage of Stockholm's night scene to take some pictures. After sunset, the city is completely illuminated, giving you a different perspective of its streets, buildings, monuments and other corners. You will be enveloped in a magical atmosphere that you will want to remember forever.

This is an experience that you can do on your own at any time of the year. Also, in the city you will find some guided activities with a photographic expert, which could be favorable if you want to receive some basic tips to get high quality images.

Whichever option you choose, you will have to walk the streets of the Swedish capital in search of the most emblematic places. For example, some of them are:

• Riddarholmen Church, considered one of the oldest churches in the city and home to Swedish monarchs from 1632 to 1950.
• The Royal Palace, representative of baroque architecture.
• The Royal Opera House, present in the city since 1898.

In addition, if you are a photography enthusiast, you could complement this experience by acquiring tickets for Fotografiska in Stockholm. There, you will enjoy an important collection belonging to contemporary artists such as the American Sally Mann, the French Sarah Moon, among others.

Climbing the Katarina Elevator is another night activity for your stay of 2 days or more in Stockholm. It is a historic metal structure, built in 1881 and rebuilt in 1935, from which you will get a bird's eye view of the entire city, which after sunset is illuminated by hundreds of lights.

This viewpoint is located on the island of Södermalm (southern part of the city) and can be accessed through the street Urvädersgränd. You will access at a height of approximately 38 meters and you will have a glass-walled walkway, where you can walk freely while enjoying the magical scenery and, why not, take some pictures.

During this experience, you will have the opportunity to see the city's harbor and the immensity of the Baltic Sea, which merges with the sky in the distance. You will also get a panoramic view of Djurgarden Island, home to Stockholm's Skansen open-air museum, and the colorful medieval buildings of Gamla Stan, or Old Town.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance fee is approximately €1 per person.
• Hours: daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Although this is an experience that you can only do during one time of the year, I can't fail to mention one of the most popular activities in the Swedish capital, ice skating at night and in the open air. You'll enjoy a magical natural scene, led by a dreamy winter landscape surrounded by moonlight. Ideal if you are in Stockholm with children, friends or even alone.

To enjoy this experience you can visit the various lakes, ponds and rivers that are located throughout the city. These during the winter period are completely frozen and open to the public for skating. You also have the option to join an introductory tour to natural ice skating in Stockholm and enjoy the advice of an expert, in case it is your first time on the ice.

Whichever option you choose, you will live an unforgettable moment, in which you can connect with nature and the tranquility of the night. All this, while you contemplate the different panorama of the city. Undoubtedly, this is an activity that should not be missing in your itinerary. However, because they are natural ice rinks, you will only be able to enjoy them if you are visiting Stockholm in winter.