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, Stockholm is a metropolis with all the European charm, but with a modern appeal. 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 gems and discover the best things to do in Stockholm. There are wonderful night-time strolls through its picturesque neighbourhoods and unique experiences such as the Icebar or the jazz clubs for lovers of elegance and good music. Are you up for discovering 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 Stockholm's old town, known as 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 cobbled streets and colourful houses become even more enchanting, with the contrast between light and shadow. You will be able to admire monuments such as the Cathedral, the Royal Palace or the Nobel Museum. You will also enjoy the nightlife atmosphere of its bars and restaurants.

Discovering Stockholm by night means visiting the official residence of the King and Queen of Sweden, one of the city's most famous attractions. At night, you'll have a privileged view, as the palace is illuminated, highlighting its majesty and elegance. You can gaze at 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 world's first permanent ice bar, which will surprise you with its modern and futuristic style.

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

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

However, for the more demanding and foodies, my best recommendation is to join a culinary tour of Stockholm with a culinary expert, including, for example, a three Michelin-starred restaurant with innovative and creative cuisine. One such example is Frantzén restaurant, where chef Björn Frantzén combines local ingredients with European and Asian influences.

Nightlife lovers will feel right 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 scene is extensive, with some of the best places in Europe for a night of fun and music in the city centre.

Stureplan is the most chic and exclusive area. Here you will find the trendiest and most expensive clubs, bars and discotheques. You can dance to the music and maybe bump into a celebrity. Some of the most popular places are Spy Bar, Sturecompaniet, Tweed or Berns Salonger.

Stockholm's nightlife continues with Södermalm, the more alternative and bohemian quarter. There are bars and clubs with music of all kinds, and prices are more affordable than in other areas. As a side note, if after this experience you are enthusiastic about the alcohol culture in this region, then I recommend you visit the Museum of Spirits in Stockholm.

Another option to integrate yourself into Stockholm's nightlife is to go to Gamla Stan, because it breathes history and charm. Here you can enjoy a quieter, more romantic night out in one of the pubs or cafés with a cosy 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's home to a fascinating history, but also one of the darkest and most chilling secrets. For those who live on the edge and seek thrills, getting to know the mysterious side of the Swedish capital through a ghost tour of Stockholm may be the best option.

It's a different and fun way to explore the medieval streets of Stockholm, illuminated by the light of a lantern. 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, as 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 sceptical of people's hair stand on end.

Now, it's not all horror, you can also learn about the beginnings of Stockholm and how it developed over the centuries. So there's some culture and history with a sensory bonus, because you'll 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.

Kayaking around Lake Mälaren or the archipelago after dark is another great way to explore the city. You'll enjoy a breathtaking view as the sun slowly melts into the Baltic Sea. In addition, you will see the lights on the facades ofthe old town's buildings light up in the distance, creating a contrast between the natural and the urban.

This is a popular guided activity along with the best boat tours in Stockholm. You'll meet with a guide who will give you some basic tips for safe paddling on these calm waters.

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

• The historic centre or Gamla Stan, with its colourful 16th century houses and medieval style.
• Langholmen Island, which is notable for housing a museum dedicated to the memory of the musician Carl Michael Bellman.
• Kungsholmen Island, which houses the City Hall with its historic tower over 100 metres high.

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

This is a scenic boat ride through the canals and out into 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 in Stockholm, because it is surrounded by parks, palaces and mansions. You can admire the island of Djurgården, home to the Vasa Museum, the ABBA Museum and the Gröna Lund amusement park. And, if you wish, you can visit some of the other best museums in Stockholm.

The boat trip under Stockholm's bridges offers a different perspective. You will see the Old Town, the City Hall, the island of Södermalm and the ecological island of Hammarby Sjöstad. All in all, it is an experience to discover and capture the best and most beautiful panoramic views of the archipelago at night.

Useful information

• Price: Usually 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's no more authentic way to get to know a city than through its markets. And that's exactly the case in Stockholm, where you'll find a number of 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 Hötorgshallen underground market is located on Hötorget Square. You can access it via an escalator and enjoy a cosy atmosphere among dozens of picturesque stalls with fresh produce.

You will have the opportunity to buy sausages, vegetables, meats, seafood, exotic fruits, nuts and much more. There is also an area for wines and other alcoholic beverages.

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: from 10:00 to 19:00.

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 centre). There, you will have access to a large number of national and international restaurants, cafés, fresh produce shops and more.

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: 9.30am-7pm. 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 sights. 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. You will also find some guided activities in the city with a photography expert, which could be favourable if you want to get some basic tips on how to get high quality images.

Whichever option you choose, you will have to wander 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 purchasing 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.

A trip up the Katarina Elevator is another night-time activity for your 2-day stay in Stockholm or longer. This historic metal structure, built in 1881 and rebuilt in 1935, gives you a bird's eye view of the entire city, which after sunset is illuminated by hundreds of lights.

This observation deck is located on the island of Södermalm (southern part of the city) and can be accessed via Urvädersgränd Street. You will reach a height of approximately 38 metres and 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 harbour and the immensity of the Baltic Sea, which merges with the sky in the distance. You'll also get a panoramic view of Djurgarden Island, home to Stockholm's Skansen open-air museum, and the colourful medieval buildings of Gamla Stan, or Old Town.

Useful information

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

Although this is an experience 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 be treated to a magical natural scene, led by a dreamy, moonlit winter landscape. 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 are completely frozen during the winter period and open to the public for skating. You also have the option of joining an introductory tour of natural ice skating in Stockholm and, if it's your first time on the ice, you can get expert advice.

Whichever option you choose, you'll have an unforgettable time connecting with nature and the tranquillity of the night. All this, while you contemplate the different panorama of the city. Without a doubt, this is an activity that should not be missing in your itinerary. However, because these are natural ice rinks, you will only be able to enjoy them if you are visiting Stockholm in winter.