Walking Around Stockholm: My 4 Self-Guided Walking Routes
Is Stockholm Walkable?
Stockholm is an exceptionally walkable city, making it an ideal place to explore on foot. I first visited in March 2016 and returned in August 2026. During both trips, I spent most of my time walking around Stockholm, using public transportation only a few times.
According to Visit Sweden, Stockholm is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges. This layout makes it easy to explore the city’s historic neighborhoods, waterfronts, and smaller islands on foot. During my 2026 visit, I explored eight of Stockholm’s 14 islands almost entirely on foot: Stadsholmen, Helgeandsholmen, Djurgården, Södermalm, Kungsholmen, Riddarholmen, Skeppsholmen, and Kastellholmen.
Table of Contents
- Is Stockholm Walkable?
- My Stockholm Walking Routes at a Glance
- Map of My Stockholm Walking Routes
- Walking Around Gamla Stan and Parliament House
- Walking From Djurgården Along Stockholm’s Waterfront
- Walking Around Södermalm and Its Viewpoints
- Walking Around Stockholm City Hall and Riddarholmen
- Walking Around Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen
- Visiting SkyView and Avicii Arena on My Final Morning in Stockholm
- Practical Tips for Walking Around Stockholm
- Stockholm Walking Tours
- Walking Around Stockholm – Video Highlights
- Related Content
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My Stockholm Walking Routes at a Glance
During my 2026 visit, I divided my time walking around Stockholm into several routes covering eight islands, historic neighborhoods, and scenic waterfronts.
Day 1
Gamla Stan and Parliament House
- Highlights: Royal Palace, Stortorget, Nobel Prize Museum, Storkyrkan, German Church, and Parliament House
- Islands: Stadsholmen and Helgeandsholmen
- Best metro station: Gamla Stan
Day 2
Djurgården and the Stockholm Waterfront
- Highlights: Vasa Museum, Nordic Museum, Strandvägen, Dramaten, Nationalmuseum, and Kungsträdgården
- Island: Djurgården, followed by mainland waterfront neighborhoods
- Best metro station: Karlaplan; Tram 7 to Nordiska museet/Vasamuseet is an easier alternative
Södermalm and Its Viewpoints
- Highlights: Sofia Church, Vita Bergen, Fjällgatan, Mäster Mikaels gata, and Monteliusvägen
- Island: Södermalm
- Best metro station: Skanstull to start; Mariatorget near the finish
Day 3
Stockholm City Hall, Riddarholmen, and Gamla Stan
- Highlights: City Hall, Norr Mälarstrand, Evert Taubes Terrass, Riddarholmen Church, and Gamla Stan
- Islands: Kungsholmen, Riddarholmen, and Stadsholmen
- Best metro station: T-Centralen
Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen
- Highlights: Skeppsholmsbron, af Chapman, Eric Ericsonhallen, waterfront viewpoints, Skridskopaviljongen, and Kastellet
- Islands: Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen
- Best metro station: Kungsträdgården; Bus 65 also serves Skeppsholmen
Day 4
Optional Visit to SkyView
- Highlights: Avicii Arena, 3Arena, and SkyView
- Location: Johanneshov, south of Södermalm
- Best metro station: Globen
Map of My Stockholm Walking Routes
The interactive map below shows the routes I followed while walking around Stockholm. Each walk appears as a separate layer, covering Gamla Stan, Djurgården, Södermalm, Stockholm City Hall, and the smaller islands of Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen.
I also included a bonus route showing my short walk around Avicii Arena and my visit to SkyView, located south of central Stockholm.
Walking Around Gamla Stan and Parliament House
I began this part of my Stockholm walking tour near Parliament House after walking from Stockholm Central Station. Parliament stands on Helgeandsholmen, a small island connected to Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s historic Old Town.
After crossing onto Stadsholmen, Gamla Stan’s main island, I walked toward the Royal Palace. I toured the palace during my first visit to Stockholm in 2016, so I did not go inside again. Instead, I watched the palace guards change shifts and explored the viewpoints around the building. Lejonbacken offered my favorite view across the water toward the Grand Hôtel, while Slottsbacken provided another great view downhill toward the Nationalmuseum.
My favorite part of this Gamla Stan walking route was wandering the narrow streets and seeing if I could get lost. Eventually, I reached Stortorget, the main square, where colorful buildings, a historic well, and groups of people relaxing created a lively atmosphere. Stortorget can get crowded, but it is still worth visiting. I also passed the Nobel Prize Museum and the German Church, although I did not go inside either building.
During a later walk through Gamla Stan, I visited Storkyrkan, also known as Stockholm Cathedral, for the first time. A short service was underway when I arrived, so I sat quietly for about 15 minutes before exploring the interior and taking photographs.
If you would rather not walk from Stockholm Central Station, Gamla Stan metro station is a convenient place to begin or end your visit.
Walking From Djurgården Along Stockholm’s Waterfront
My second walk began at the Vasa Museum on the island of Djurgården. Stockholm was part of my first trip outside North America in 2016, and the Vasa Museum was the first museum I visited during that trip. Returning 10 years later, I immediately recognized the familiar smell of wood and sea mud as I walked inside to see the ship again.
After leaving the museum, I passed the Nordic Museum and crossed Djurgårdsbron to the mainland. From there, I followed Strandvägskajen, the waterfront promenade along Strandvägen, retracing the same route I had walked during my first visit to Stockholm.
The promenade was one of my favorite parts of the walk. I enjoyed watching the boats and looking across the water, stopping to relax in one of the wooden lounge chairs. I also walked onto a pier for an even better view.
I continued past Dramaten and followed the waterfront around the bend toward Nationalmuseum and the Grand Hôtel. Although I did not go inside either building, the area in front of Nationalmuseum offered another great place to stop and enjoy the scenery.
My walk ended near Kungsträdgården, also known as the King’s Garden. I had visited the park during the winter in 2016, so I enjoyed returning in summer and seeing the flowers in bloom and the fountains running. Nearby Gustav Adolfs torg was under construction during my visit, so I did not spend much time there.
For visitors who want to begin this route near the Vasa Museum, Karlaplan metro station is the closest metro option. Tram 7 to Nordiska museet/Vasamuseet stops closer to the museum.
Walking Around Södermalm and Its Viewpoints
Unlike Gamla Stan and Djurgården, Södermalm was an area I had not explored during my first visit to Stockholm in 2016. Since I was staying at Clarion Hotel Stockholm, I decided to spend part of the afternoon exploring the island’s historic streets and viewpoints.
My walk began at the hotel and continued to Sofia Church, where I went inside to take photographs. The church stands in the Vita Bergen park area, where I also found elevated views and historic wooden houses that looked completely different from the buildings I had seen elsewhere in Stockholm.
From there, I followed streets including Klippgatan, Fjällgatan, and Mäster Mikaels gata. The older wooden houses were one of the most interesting parts of this Södermalm walking route. If I had the chance to do it again, I would research the neighborhood beforehand to find more of its best-known historic houses.
As I continued west, the elevated paths provided views across the water toward Gamla Stan and the surrounding islands. Near Klevgränd, I could look down toward Slussen without leaving the higher ground. I also noticed an elevator near Slussen, which visitors can check if they would rather avoid walking up or down the bluff.
The route continued past Ivar Lo’s Park and ended at Monteliusvägen, where the views stretched toward Gamla Stan, Riddarholmen, and Stockholm City Hall. It was one of my favorite places to photograph Stockholm from above.
For visitors following this route, Skanstull metro station is convenient for starting near Clarion Hotel Stockholm, while Mariatorget metro station is a practical option after finishing near Monteliusvägen.
Walking Around Stockholm City Hall and Riddarholmen
I began this Stockholm walking route by taking the metro to T-Centralen and walking through Stockholm Central Station before heading toward Stockholm City Hall on Kungsholmen. I explored the open-air courtyard and waterfront grounds but did not go inside the building.
From City Hall, I followed Norr Mälarstrand toward a row of colorful buildings that reminded me of a cross between Bruges, Belgium, and Brno, Czechia. Across the water, I could see Södermalm and the Monteliusvägen area, where I had walked the previous day. After retracing my steps toward City Hall, a brief rain shower convinced me to put my camera away.
The rain had stopped by the time I reached Riddarholmen, a small island next to Gamla Stan. Riddarholmen Church was undergoing renovations during my visit, so scaffolding covered part of its distinctive tower. I admired the church from outside but did not go inside.
At Evert Taubes Terrass, I found an excellent view back across the water toward Stockholm City Hall. Construction limited what there was to do around the terrace, but the view alone made the stop worthwhile.
For visitors who prefer not to walk the entire route, T-Centralen is the best metro station for starting near Stockholm Central Station, while Gamla Stan is convenient for ending near Riddarholmen.
Walking Around Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen
After finishing my walk around Riddarholmen, I continued through Gamla Stan toward Skeppsholmen. I had never visited Skeppsholmen or neighboring Kastellholmen, and I was surprised by how quiet the islands felt compared with the other parts of Stockholm I had explored.
One landmark I had been looking forward to seeing up close was af Chapman. The historic sailing ship had caught my attention from several viewpoints around Stockholm, so I briefly stepped aboard before continuing around the perimeter of Skeppsholmen. I also passed Skeppsholmskyrkan, which I viewed only from the outside.
One of my favorite things about walking around Skeppsholmen was seeing familiar parts of Stockholm from a completely different angle. Across the water, I had great views toward Södermalm as well as the colorful buildings around Elite Hotel Marina Tower. I also enjoyed watching the steady boat traffic moving through the harbor.
Despite how peaceful Skeppsholmen felt, I could still hear screams from the rides at Gröna Lund across the water on Djurgården. It was an interesting contrast between how secluded the island seemed and how close I still was to some of Stockholm’s busiest attractions.
I eventually crossed the small bridge onto Kastellholmen, which felt even more secluded. I walked around the island, passed the distinctive Skridskopaviljongen, and made my way up to Kastellet. I did not go inside Kastellet, but I walked around its exterior before continuing along the waterfront.
The one disappointing part of my walk was that portions of the harbor area on the museum side of Skeppsholmen were under construction during my visit. I eventually walked all the way back toward the Nationalmuseum side before deciding I had done enough walking for the day.
Instead of retracing the entire route, I cut through the middle of Skeppsholmen and took the Djurgårdsfärjan back toward Slussen and Södermalm. During my visit, an SL employee was at the Skeppsholmen ferry stop and handled the boarding process. SL Line 82 connects Skeppsholmen with Slussen and Allmänna gränd on Djurgården, making the ferry an easy way to begin or end a walk around the island.
Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen were unique and much quieter than the other places I visited while walking around Stockholm. I enjoyed the waterfront views and seeing familiar parts of the city from a different perspective. Still, if I had limited time and needed to skip one of my Stockholm walking routes, this would probably be the one.
Visiting SkyView and Avicii Arena on My Final Morning in Stockholm
My final morning in Stockholm was also my departure day. My friend Jeff had asked if I had gone to SkyView at Globen, and when I told him I had not, he told me I had to go. Since I still had a few hours before catching my ferry that afternoon, I got up early and took the metro to Globen station.
I arrived about an hour before SkyView opened, so I spent some time walking around the Avicii Arena and neighboring 3Arena. The huge white dome of Avicii Arena was easily the highlight for me. I had seen photographs of the building before, but standing next to it made me appreciate just how massive and unusual it is.
Once SkyView opened, I rode one of the glass gondolas up the outside of Avicii Arena. For me, the ride itself was more memorable than the view from the top. Watching the gondola slowly climb the curved exterior of the arena was a unique experience.
The view over Stockholm was interesting, but I was slightly underwhelmed by it. From this part of the city, the sight lines toward many of the major landmarks I had already visited were not especially impressive. After several days of walking around Stockholm and seeing the city from places like Södermalm, Skeppsholmen, and the waterfront, I preferred many of those viewpoints.
I was still happy that Jeff convinced me to visit. SkyView was more about the experience than the panorama for me, and seeing Avicii Arena up close ended up being the highlight of the morning. It was also an easy way to fit one more part of Stockholm into my trip before heading to the ferry later that afternoon.
Practical Tips for Walking Around Stockholm
I walked more than 30 miles during my four days exploring Stockholm on foot, so by the end of the trip I had learned a few practical Stockholm walking tips.
Overall, I found Stockholm very walkable, especially when I combined walking with the metro, trams, buses, and ferries. Breaking the city into smaller routes made it much easier to explore without feeling like I had to walk everywhere at once.
Wear comfortable shoes. Stockholm is a great city for walking, but many areas, especially Gamla Stan, have cobblestone streets. Södermalm also includes some steeper hills, so good walking shoes can make a big difference.
Use public transportation when you get tired. You do not have to walk every mile. I often used Stockholm’s public transportation to reach the beginning of a walking route or to avoid retracing my steps at the end. The metro, trams, buses, and ferries make it easy to combine walking with public transportation.
Be prepared for changing weather. During my visit, the weather could change quickly. A light rain jacket is useful, and if you are carrying a camera, make sure you have a way to protect it during a sudden shower.
Search for public restrooms on your phone. Public restrooms were not always obvious, so I found it easier to search for them when I needed one. Some charged a small fee, and I was able to pay by card during my visit.
Do not try to go inside every attraction. There is simply too much to see. I chose a few places that were especially important to me, including the Vasa Museum and Storkyrkan, while viewing many other churches, museums, and landmarks only from the outside.
Give yourself extra time for viewpoints and photographs. Some of my favorite parts of walking around Stockholm were places where I stopped longer than expected, including Monteliusvägen, Fjällgatan, Strandvägen, and the waterfront around Skeppsholmen.
Check opening hours before planning around a specific attraction. On my final morning, I arrived at SkyView about an hour before it opened. It worked out because I could walk around Avicii Arena and 3Arena, but checking opening hours in advance can help avoid unnecessary waiting.
Keep your phone charged. I used my phone constantly for maps, public transportation, finding restrooms, and checking opening hours. A portable battery can be useful if you plan to spend most of the day exploring Stockholm on foot.
For me, the best way to experience Stockholm on foot was to break the city into smaller walking routes rather than trying to see everything in one day. Gamla Stan, Djurgården, Södermalm, Stockholm City Hall, Skeppsholmen, and Kastellholmen all worked well as separate areas to explore.
Stockholm Walking Tours
I explored Stockholm independently and do not think you need to book a tour to enjoy the city on foot. That said, some travelers prefer having a local guide who can explain the history, architecture, and stories behind the places they are seeing.
If that sounds like you, I have linked a few Stockholm walking tours below through Viator. These can be a good option if you would rather follow a planned route, learn from a local expert, or simply avoid figuring everything out on your own.
I am a Viator affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through one of my links. There is no additional cost to you.
Walking Around Stockholm - Video Highlights
I also created a video showing all five of my Stockholm walking routes. The video follows the same areas featured in this guide, including Gamla Stan, Djurgården, Södermalm, City Hall and Riddarholmen, and Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen. It also includes a bonus visit to SkyView at Avicii Arena.
During my four days in Stockholm, I walked more than 30 miles while exploring the city on foot.