Stockholm’s famous sights draw millions every year, but the city’s most memorable experiences often happen away from the obvious landmarks. There are tons of things to do in Stockholm for free, on a Sunday, alone, or for a quick day trip. This guide focuses on venues and activities Stockholmers actually recommend to friends — from a lakeside sauna built in the 1950s to a wine bar pouring biodynamic Swedish vintages.
Localsinsider checked coverage in Vogue Scandinavia, Time Out Stockholm, Eater, and Atlas Obscura, spoke with locals in Södermalm, Östermalm, and Djurgården, and verified all prices, hours, and details via official websites and site visits.
Oysters at Restaurang Sturehof
Restaurang Sturehof has served seafood on Stureplan since 1897. It was rebuilt after a 1985 fire but kept its original brass fixtures and wall mirrors. Brothers Daniel and Jens Ahlbom now run the restaurant, sourcing oysters from Sweden’s west coast and Brittany in France (SEK 45 each).
A seafood platter for two (SEK 995) includes lobster, crab, mussels, and prawns. Sturehof is open daily from 11 am to 1 am, with a terrace that fills in summer. Locals stop in for champagne and oysters before theater, while Sunday afternoons draw families.
Address: Stureplan 2. Metro: Östermalmstorg.
Eco Wines at Folii
Opened in 2016 by sommeliers Jonas Sandberg and Ellen Franzén, Folii is one of Stockholm’s smallest serious wine bars. The space, designed by Note Design Studio, seats just 30 and features pale oak tables and a changing weekly list of natural and biodynamic wines, including bottles from Skåne and Öland vineyards.
Glasses start from SEK 120, and half-pours are available for solo visitors. Small plates (SEK 95–165) include Comté cheese with honey or locally made charcuterie. The bar is open Tuesday to Saturday, 5 pm to midnight.
Address: Erstagatan 21. Metro: Medborgarplatsen.
Breakfast at Pom & Flora
Pom & Flora started in 2014 as a single café and now runs two busy branches, including this Södermalm location. Owners Anna Lindgren and Rasmus Axelsson serve a menu influenced by Australian and Californian breakfasts — avocado rye with chili flakes (SEK 135), coconut yogurt with seasonal fruit (SEK 125), and Drop Coffee Roasters brews.
Weekends are crowded, so weekday mornings are better for a relaxed meal. The space is bright, with white tiles and pine furniture. Open daily 7 am–3 pm.
Address: Bondegatan 64. Metro: Skanstull.
Tantolunden Park for Free
Tantolunden was laid out in 1885 and covers around 40 hectares along the Årstaviken waterfront. The park is famous for its allotment gardens, many dating back to the 1920s, with colourful huts and flower beds. In summer, locals swim at the small beach, play frisbee golf, or use the outdoor gym. Winter brings cross-country ski tracks maintained by the city. It’s a free space used year-round by residents of Södermalm.
Address: Ringvägen 29. Metro: Hornstull.
Hiking and Sauna at Hellasgården
Hellasgården, inside the Nacka nature reserve, opened in 1950 as a public recreation area. Trails range from 5 to 20 km, and in winter, the frozen Källtorpssjön lake is popular for skating.
The wood-fired sauna, built in the 1970s, costs SEK 75 per session, with separate and mixed hours. Canoes, skis, and bikes can be rented for SEK 150–250 per hour. The area is open daily, with hours varying by season.
Address: Ältavägen 101. Bus 401 from Slussen.
Design Shopping at Svenskt Tenn
Founded in 1924 by Estrid Ericson, Svenskt Tenn is Sweden’s best-known interior design store, famed for Josef Frank’s colourful textiles. The 1,200 sq m showroom on Strandvägen displays furniture, lighting, and tableware in styled room sets.
Many products are still made by Swedish artisans. Trays start at SEK 300; cushion covers at SEK 1,100. The on-site tea room overlooks Nybroviken. Open Mon–Fri 10 am–6 pm, Sat 10 am–5 pm, Sun noon–4 pm.
Address: Strandvägen 5. Tram: Nybroplan.
Champagne and Seafood at Lisa Elmqvist
Lisa Elmqvist has operated inside Östermalms Saluhall since 1926, specialising in Swedish seafood. The fourth-generation family business offers champagne by the glass (from SEK 190) alongside lobster, shrimp sandwiches (SEK 245), and herring plates. The current space was redesigned in 2020 when the historic market hall reopened after renovation. Open Mon–Sat 10 am–6 pm.
Address: Östermalms Saluhall, Humlegårdsgatan 1. Metro: Östermalmstorg.
Swim at Långholmen Beach
Långholmen, once the site of Stockholm’s main prison, is now a popular summer spot. The small sandy beach is free to use and has lifeguards in July and August. The surrounding park has walking trails and picnic areas, and the former prison building is now a hotel and hostel. Water quality is tested weekly in summer. The island is connected by pedestrian bridges from Södermalm.
Contemporary Art at Fotografiska
Fotografiska opened in 2010 in a former customs building dating from 1906. It is privately run and focuses on photography, hosting 20–25 exhibitions a year. Past shows have featured Annie Leibovitz and Sebastião Salgado. Admission in 2025 is SEK 179 for adults, free for under-18s. The top-floor café has harbour views and was among the first in Sweden to receive the KRAV organic certification. Open daily 10 am–11 pm.
Address: Stadsgårdshamnen 22. Bus 2 or 57.
Vintage Shopping on Hornsgatan
Hornsgatan in Södermalm has one of Stockholm’s highest concentrations of vintage and second-hand shops. Stores like Herr Judit focus on men’s tailoring, while Lisa Larsson Second Hand is known for 1970s dresses and Swedish wool coats. Prices vary from SEK 150 for shirts to SEK 2,000+ for designer jackets.
Many shops are closed on Mondays; Saturday afternoons are busiest. Metro: Mariatorget or Zinkensdamm.
Day Trip to Sandhamn
Sandhamn is an island in the Stockholm archipelago, reachable by ferry from Strandvägen in 2 hours. The village has 17th-century wooden houses, sandy beaches, and sailing clubs. In summer, there are daily departures; adult tickets are SEK 195 each way. Many visit for a day trip to swim, walk the nature trails, and eat smoked shrimp at the harbour cafés. The island is busiest in July and August.
LGBTQ+ Nights at Secret Garden Bar
Secret Garden, in Gamla Stan, is one of Stockholm’s most established LGBTQ+ venues. Open since 2007, it offers drag shows, DJ nights, and themed parties, with a heated outdoor courtyard open year-round. Entry is free on weekdays; weekend cover charges start at SEK 120. The bar is known for its Pride Week events and Sunday karaoke.
Address: Kornhamnstorg 59B. Metro: Gamla Stan. Open daily from 5 pm to 3 am.
Historic Hotel Cocktails at Cadierbaren
Part of the Grand Hôtel since 1874, Cadierbaren is named after founder Régis Cadier. Its 19th-century elegance — high ceilings, gold-framed mirrors, and chandeliers — has been preserved through multiple renovations. The bar is known for its classic martinis (SEK 230) and champagne by the glass (from SEK 210). In summer, the terrace offers views over the Royal Palace.
Address: Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8. Tram: Nybroplan. Open daily 11 am–midnight.
Street Art at Snösätra Graffiti Wall of Fame
Snösätra, in the Rågsved industrial area, became a legal graffiti space in 2014. Each spring, the Spring Beast festival sees artists from around the world repaint the walls, making it an ever-changing outdoor gallery. Many works cover entire warehouse facades. It’s free to visit and open daily, but best seen in daylight.
Metro: Högdalen, then a 10-minute walk.
Boat Trip to Fjäderholmarna
Fjäderholmarna is the closest island in the Stockholm archipelago, just a 30-minute ferry ride from Nybroplan. It’s home to craft workshops, a smokehouse, and small swimming coves. Ferries run April–October; return tickets cost SEK 175 for adults. It’s a popular half-day trip for both visitors and locals.
Kayaking at Långholmen
Once a prison island, Långholmen is now a leafy retreat with walking paths, a sandy beach, and kayak rentals (SEK 200/hour). The former prison is now a hotel and museum, and the island’s location between Södermalm and Kungsholmen makes it easy to reach. Metro: Hornstull.
Christmas Market at Skansen
Skansen, founded in 1891, is the world’s oldest open-air museum. Its Christmas market has been held every year since 1903, offering traditional handicrafts, live folk music, and mulled wine. Entry costs SEK 245 for adults. Hours vary by season. More Xmas markets in Europe here.
Address: Djurgårdsslätten 49–51. Tram: Skansen.
Midsummer at Vitabergsparken
Vitabergsparken in Södermalm hosts one of Stockholm’s most festive Midsummer celebrations, with maypole dancing, folk costumes, and live music. The park’s hillside setting offers city views, and the event is free. It runs from noon to evening on Midsummer’s Eve. Metro: Skanstull.
Practical Tips
- Things to do in Stockholm for free: Tantolunden Park, Snösätra graffiti, Midsummer at Vitabergsparken.
- Things to do in Stockholm on Sunday: Secret Garden, Pom & Flora, Skansen market.
- Things to do in Stockholm alone: Folii, Fotografiska, Svenskt Tenn.
- Things to do in Stockholm for a day trip: Hellasgården, Fjäderholmarna.
