Islands, kings, ghosts and a square that remembers blood.
Stockholm sits on fourteen islands between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic, and within a few kilometres it packs in a castle that burned, a square that saw the worst massacre in its history, medieval alleys and the City Hall of the Nobel banquet. Three free routes to explore it on foot, from Gamla stan to the heights of Södermalm, at your own pace.
Choose your free tour
All routes are free and can be combined. If it’s your first visit, start with the mixed route.
From the church of kings to the pavement where Olof Palme was shot, five centuries that made Sweden.
Palace ghosts, omens in the sky, a Viking stone and a church marked by prophecy.
The Nobel City Hall, the modern square, the King's Garden, Gamla stan and the best sunset over the water.
The map
The routes cross in the old town. Tap a point to see which story awaits you there.
Filled points already have a published article; the rest are in the works.
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Itineraries
We’ve planned it day by day for you: which routes to walk and in what order, what else to see and where to eat.
All three routes in one full day: the highlights, the history and the legends at dusk.
See the itinerary 2A gentler pace: the three routes over two days, plus extra sights and where to eat.
See the itinerary 3The city in depth: one route a day, extra museums and neighbourhoods, and a day for good food.
See the itineraryWhat to eat
The dishes you can’t leave without trying, and the classic spots that have been serving them for years.
Hand-peeled prawns mixed with mayonnaise, dill and a hint of horseradish, piled on bread fried in butter and topped with fish roe. The restaurateur Tore Wretman created it in the mid-20th century, and it is a lunchtime classic in Stockholm's old-school dining rooms.
Where to try it
Real Swedish meatballs: small, handmade, served with cream sauce, mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam and pickled cucumber. In the old beer halls of Södermalm they still come the way they did a century ago.
Where to try it
A patty of finely minced veal bound with egg yolk and cream, coated in breadcrumbs and fried in butter, served with mash, peas and lingonberries. Its name is attributed to the Wallenberg banking family, and it is one of the gems of Swedish home cooking.
Where to try it
Strömming, small Baltic herring, opened butterfly-style, breaded and fried, served with mashed potatoes, melted butter and lingonberries. It is Stockholm's fish par excellence: humble and delicious.
Where to try it
Fika, the coffee break, is sacred in Sweden. Order a kanelbulle, the cinnamon bun sprinkled with pearl sugar, or a slice of prinsesstårta, the sponge, cream and custard cake covered in green marzipan. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
Where to try it
