Where to Stay in Stockholm (Best Places & Areas in 2026)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Stockholm | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQ

Stockholm was my first city in Scandinavia, and it has made me a massive fan of Sweden. The city comes straight out of a fairytale with its hundreds of islands, castles, national parks, and waterfront restaurants. And having spent over a week exploring the place, I am here to help you navigate this archipelago.

First-timers should stay in Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town and city center. Hôtel Reisen is the overall best choice. It has a central location and offers luxurious rooms overlooking the water. 

But if you have visited Stockholm before and would like to explore its local side, then stay in Södermalm or Vasastan. Södermalm is trendy and creative, with romantic design hotels like the NOFO Hotel. Vasastan is residential yet vibrant, and perfect for an extended stay. Book an apartment like Scandi Style Stockholm Apartment to feel like a local for a week. 

Want to do a little more research before deciding? Then scroll down to discover the eight best places to stay in Stockholm.

Best Places to Stay in Stockholm

If you’re short on time, these are my top hotel picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Hôtel Reisen
• 📍 Best Location – Scandic Gamla Stan
• 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – Hotel DiplomatorVilla Dagmar
• 👪 Best for Families – Scandi Style Stockholm Apartment
• ❤️ Best for Couples – NOFO Hotel
• 🛎️ Best Boutique – Hotel Skeppsholmen
• 🍃 Best Near Nature – Hotel Hasselbacken
• 📅 Best for an Extended Stay – Stay Inn Apartments
• 🛏️ Best Budget – City Backpackers Hostel

Ok, now scroll down for a deep dive into the pros (and cons) of each area of Stockholm: 

8 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Stockholm

Water is omnipresent in Stockholm, as it is part of an archipelago of over 24,000 islands. But don’t worry, you will only have to navigate eight of them. 

The city clusters around its central island, which is Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town. This island lies in the main waterway that divides the city into its northern and southern parts. 

While this body of water makes the city look hard to navigate, getting somewhere is generally super quick and easy with public transport. So, to keep exploration simple, aim to stay within the C-shaped highway that circles the city. 

Gamla Stan

👉 Best Area For First Timers & History Buffs | ✨ Best Gamla Stan Hotels: Hôtel Reisen • Scandic Gamla Stan • Victory Hotel • Castanea Old Town Hostel

Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s old town and city center, and the best area to stay for first-timers and history buffs. It contains most of the city’s main sights, and its central location makes the other areas easy to reach. Furthermore, traditional restaurants abound here, making Gamla Stan a great place to try Swedish food. 

Stockholm’s 17th-century city center is also its most photogenic place to stay. The area sports cobblestoned streets with boutique shops, sights like the royal palace, and water all around. Splurge at Hôtel Reisen if you want your stay to match the area’s atmosphere.

If you are traveling on a budget, however, stay at Castanea Old Town Hostel, which has numerous cozy dorms. And if you’re looking for something in between, Scandic Gamla Stan has simple but comfortable rooms.

Pros of Staying in Gamla Stan:

• Central location and close to main sights
• Quieter at night
• Many great restaurants and bars

Cons of Staying in Gamla Stan:

• Can be very busy in high-season
• Hotels can be pricey

Djurgården

👉 Best Area For Nature & Museum Lovers | ✨ Best Djurgården Hotels: Backstage Hotel Stockholm • Hotel Hasselbacken • Villa Källhagen 

Home to over 15 museums and a national park, Djurgården is the ultimate place to stay for nature & museum lovers. Its most notable museums are the Vasa Museum and Skansen, which both tell of Stockholm’s history. 

But the island’s modern art museums like Liljevalchs Konsthall or the Spritmuseum on alcoholic beverages are a must-see too. ABBA fans can even stay within its namesake museum at the Backstage Hotel, which has an incredible bar and restaurant as well. 

The rest of the island is dedicated to the first national city park, Ekoparken. The park offers great hiking and biking paths, and hosts greenhouse cafés like Rosendals Trädgård. 

You can stay on the island at the classic Hotel Hasselbacken, or in the northern area of the park at the well-designed Villa Källhagen. 

Pros of Staying in Djurgården:

• The national park makes it a quiet stay 
• Good public transport
• Lots of green space
• Over 15 museums to explore

Cons of Staying in Djurgården:

• Limited hotels, so best to book months in advance
• Limited restaurants and bars

Skeppsholmen & Kastellholmen

👉 Best Area For Unique Stays | ✨ Best Skeppsholmen & Kastellholmen Hotels: STF Stockholm Skeppsholmen Vandrarhem • Hotel Skeppsholmen 

Located between Stockholm’s center and the Baltic Sea, Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen were once the city’s eastern defense system. You can still spot the military castle, but the area is now known for its four museums and unique stays.

Skeppsholmen & Kastellholmen only boast two hotels, due to its small size. You get to experience a tranquil side of Stockholm you don’t often get to see, thanks to this.

Hotel Skeppsholmen is a historic boutique hotel dedicated to sustainability. With a farm-to-table restaurant and waterfront terrace, it is one of Stockholm’s most endearing stays. For travelers looking to save on money, STF Stockholm Skeppsholmen Vandrarhem offers dorms and private rooms.

Wherever you decide to stay, do make sure to visit the Moderna Museet, which showcases works of artists like Dalí and Picasso.

Pros of Staying in Skeppsholmen & Kastellholmen:

• Easy to walk to downtown
• Unique stay guaranteed 
• Beautiful views of Djurgården and Gamla Stan

Cons of Staying in Skeppsholmen & Kastellholmen:

• Very limited hotel options
• Limited number of bars and restaurants

Södermalm

👉 Best Area For Returning & Trendy Visitors | ✨ Best Södermalm Hotels: NOFO Hotel • Stockholm Stadshotell • STF Zinkensdamm Hostel • Hotel Frantz • Hotel Tre Små Rum

Södermalm is Stockholm’s largest and trendiest island. Drawing both local and international creatives on the hunt for inspiration, it is the best place to stay for returning and artsy visitors. 

On our latest trip, Södermalm also filled my creative cup. I loved the cinema, Bio Rio, and its breakfast screening as well as wandering through Fotografiska, the photography museum. 

But most of all I fell in love with SoFo, one of Södermalm’s districts. Here, locals love to hang out at hip and sustainable fashion boutiques, wine bars, and cozy cafés. The NOFO Hotel is thus my first choice in Södermalm. It not only has impeccably designed rooms, but is also only a stone’s throw away from SoFo’s buzz. 

Consider STF Zinkensdamm Hostel in the Tantolunden park if you’re staying on a budget. Like the park’s sheds, the hostel’s wooden structure is equally colorful.

Pros of Staying in Södermalm:

• Lots of great restaurants and (wine) bars
• A great diversity in activities and sights
• Great access to public transportation
• Hotels cater to many different budgets

Cons of Staying in Södermalm:

• Due to its size, finding your way around can feel daunting at first
• Attractions are more spread out than in other areas

Kungsholmen & Långholmen

👉 Best Area For a Relaxed & Quiet Stay | ✨ Best Kungsholmen & Långholmen Hotels: STF Långholmen Hostel • Långholmen Hotell • Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm Kungsholmen • VANDER Kungsholmen

Kungsholmen is largely residential, with Stadshuset being its only major attraction. Its laid-back streets are complimented by its neighbor Långholmen. This island consists of parks, gardens, and some amazing summer swim spots. 

A lack of tourist attractions means these islands often get skipped by travelers. Combine that with its lush nature and great number of restaurants and bageris (bakeries), and you’ve got yourself Stockholm’s most relaxed and quiet area to stay.

Opt for Långholmen Hotell if you prefer nature and unique accommodations. This former prison now offers comfortable beds instead of hard mattresses, and its restaurant serves traditional Swedish food instead of slop.

But if you wish to become a local for a while, then book a stay at VANDER on Kungsholmen. This hotel offers soft-colored apartments with all the amenities you’ll need. 

Pros of Staying in Kungsholmen & Langholmen:

• Lots of nature and water around
• Residential and family-friendly atmosphere
• Off-the-beaten-path stays

Cons of Staying in Kungsholmen & Langholmen:

• Limited public transportation on Långholmen 
• Will have to take public transport to see the rest of the city

Vasastan

👉 Best Area For Families & Extended Stays | ✨ Best Vasastan Hotels: Blique by Nobis • Villa Dahlia • Scandi Style Stockholm Apartment • Stay Inn Apartments in Vasastan

Vasastan is residential but vibrant. Locals love to hang out at shops like Acne Archive, low-key restaurants like Babette, and bakeries like Stora and Pascal. Its afterwork buzz especially proves that this is Stockholm’s most desirable area to live in.

The relaxed and local atmosphere also makes Vasastan perfect for families and extended stays. There are multiple parks for kids to play in, and its wide streets lined with classical buildings are often quiet.

Vasastan also has plenty of affordable apartments for rent. We stayed in Stockholm for over a week, at an apartment similar to the Stay Inn Apartments. But if you want more space, opt for the three-bedroom Scandi Style Stockholm Apartment instead.

And if you want to enjoy the area’s laid-back atmosphere without cooking your own meals, then splurge at Villa Dahlia. This hotel offers luxurious rooms and a killer breakfast.

Pros of Staying in Vasastan:

• Relaxed and residential, yet vibrant
• Public transportation will take you downtown in no time
• Lots of great restaurants and bars

Cons of Staying in Vasastan:

• Can feel far away for a shorter stay

Östermalm

👉 Best Area For Luxury & Foodies | ✨ Best Östermalm Hotels: Home Hotel Wellington • Villa Dagmar • Story Hotel Stockholm • Hotel Diplomat Stockholm • The Sparrow Hotel

Östermalm is Stockholm’s most luxurious district, with high-end fashion stores, chic cafés, and 5-star hotels. Travelers looking to be pampered will feel right at home among its stately buildings.

If luxury means having access to a spa and wellness center to you, Hotel Diplomat is the best place to stay. A daily sauna visit is not only great after a full day of exploring, but very Swedish as well. 

But you’ll also find many fine dining restaurants and smooth cocktail bars like Lucy’s Flower Shop here. Foodies will also want to stay in Östermalm, particularly for its Food Hall. Unlike most food halls, this one is rather fancy and offers sit-down restaurants.

Wish to combine great food with stunning design and a sauna experience? Then stay at Villa Dagmar, a hotel with a stellar restaurant, wine bar, and cocktail bar.  

Pros of Staying in Östermalm:

• Easy to walk to downtown
• Lots of great restaurants and bars
• Many museums and attractions around

Cons of Staying in Östermalm:

• Hotels can be pricey
• Restaurants also tend to be expensive

Norrmalm

👉 Best Area For Shopping & Convenient Location | ✨ Best Norrmalm Hotels: Grand Hôtel Stockholm • Sheraton Stockholm Hotel • Downtown Camper by Scandic • City Backpackers Hostel

Known as downtown Stockholm, Norrmalm has everything. Budget-friendly stays, five star hotels, department stores, local boutiques and a number of sights and attractions: it’s convenient and luxurious at the same time. 

And as it harbors Stockholm’s main station, this shopping area has the most ideal location for further exploration. From here you can take day trips to Uppsala or Tyresta Nationalpark, or simply discover the rest of the city. 

But if you don’t want to leave Norrmalm, you don’t have to, as the area hosts most major concert and theater venues. Classical music lovers can spend the night at the Royal Opera, while jazz enthusiasts will want to visit Fasching.

Norrmalm has something for each budget. You can choose to save money at City Backpackers Hostel, enjoy world-class service at Grand Hôtel Stockholm, or stay at a mid-range boutique hotel like Downtown Camper by Scandic.

Pros of Staying in Norrmalm:

• Wide variety of hotel options
• Easy to walk to downtown
• Lots of live music and theater venues
• Harbors Stockholm central station

Cons of Staying in Norrmalm:

• Can be busy and louder at night
• Might not be as romantic or atmospheric as other areas

Tips for Staying in Stockholm

Visit in Late Spring or Summer

The autumn and winter months in Stockholm get frigid and very dark. At its worst, the sun rises at 8:30 am and sets again at 3 pm, with heavy rain and snow in between. During this time, sightseeing gets very uncomfortable, and locals turn inward, both physically and socially.

But during spring and summer, Stockholm transforms. Days get longer and sunny weather compels everyone to go for a swim or a drink on a waterfront terrace. The best time to visit the city is thus from May to early September. 

Buy a Multi-Day PT Pass

Stockholm has a great public transportation system, with ferries, buses, trams, and metros. A multi-day pass is also shockingly affordable for how far you can travel. So, download the SL app and buy your ticket within the app to make sightseeing a breeze. 

Don’t Be Loud in Public Spaces

One thing we noticed when visiting Stockholm is that locals don’t speak loudly in public spaces. Even people who left bars late at night kept their voices down. To be respectful, try to be equally subdued in public spaces.

Explore Stockholm’s Surroundings

With many national parks, idyllic wooden homes, and historical cities nearby, it would be a shame not to explore Stockholm’s surroundings. We went hiking in Tyresta Nationalpark, which is an absolute beauty. But another popular day trip is Uppsala, the northern university town.

Save Up

Like the rest of Scandinavia, things in Stockholm are expensive, especially alcoholic beverages. So, if you’re a traveler who loves eating out and visiting as many sights as possible, it’s best to save up.

FAQs about Stockholm

How many days is enough for Stockholm?

Stockholm is a big and diverse city, and each island has something unique to cover. While three days will be enough to explore its main sights, I would spend at least five days in the city. This leaves enough room to be surprised, discover hidden gems, and potentially go on a day trip. 

👉 Pro tip: Extend your travels through Scandinavia by booking a direct 6-hour train to Copenhagen. Want to explore Germany? Then book the occasional night train to Hamburg instead.

What areas of Stockholm should I avoid staying in? 

Generally, Stockholm, like the rest of Sweden, is safe. The city does have higher crime rates than many European capitals, however. These crimes mostly happen in Tensta, Husby, and Rinkeby: neighborhoods you should avoid at all times. Luckily, they’re very far from the center.  

Crime in tourist areas thus stays limited to the occasional pickpocketing, like in most capital cities.

During our trip we stuck to the neighborhoods in this guide and felt incredibly safe. I even felt super carefree when walking around solo with my professional camera. So don’t let these areas deter you from visiting Stockholm!

What are the best parts of Stockholm to stay for a long stay? 

Vasastan is the best area for a long stay. As the most desirable neighborhood to live in among locals, there are plenty of supermarkets, cute restaurants and co-working cafés around. The area feels relaxed and residential, while still being close to the city center. 

What are the best parts of Stockholm to stay on a budget? 

The best place in Stockholm to stay on a budget is Norrmalm. While Stockholm is an expensive city, this area offers a couple of hostels that are not only affordable, but well-located too. And if you prefer a private room, you can also find budget hotel chains like Ibis and Best Western here. 

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And there you have it, my full guide on where to stay in Stockholm! If you have a question, ask me in the comments below. Enjoy your trip! Next, read my guide to 50+ things to do in Stockholm.