Traveling to Stockholm, Sweden, with teens is pure pleasure! In just a few days, you can enjoy
absolutely everything that makes for a perfect family vacation. Experience iconic music, hair-raising
roller coasters, relaxing boat rides, delicious cuisine, one-of-a-kind museums, royal palaces, and so
much more.
Come along with us as we dine like Vikings, belt out ABBA tunes, hop between islands,
get a glimpse of royal living, tour the city, and create so many more family-friendly memories.
Cosmopolitan and buzzing Stockholm serves up big city, world-class museums and restaurants, but
also delights the senses with its verdant islands and spectacular waterfront scenery.
Within minutes of arrival, you will see why Stockholm, which is located between Lake Malaren and the Baltic Sea, has earned the nickname “the Venice of the North.” Stockholm is the ideal blend of city and nature. Here is a four-day itinerary filled with our favorite teen-friendly things to do in Stockholm.
Since the drinking age in Sweden is 18, I am also including entertainment and bars that are appropriate to visit with your teen if they are of age. Feel free to add your favorites in the comments below.
Disclaimer: The author was provided with discounted and/or complimentary tours and meals so that she could try them and review them for your information. All opinions are her own. Most images courtesy of the author unless otherwise noted.
DAY 1: WELCOME TO STOCKHOLM
The best way to get to know the city is by booking a Stockholm Adventures Segway Tour. As my daughter and I zipped through the Old Town and over bridges connecting various islands, we covered so, so, so many highlights.
Our energetic and knowledgeable guide seamlessly blended history, culture, and jokes into our grand tour of Stockholm. TIP: If Segways are not your thing, enjoy a Stromma Historic or Royal Canal Tour, each
of which provides a relaxing and scenic introduction to the islands of Stockholm.
Now that we had the lay of the land, we decided to casually walk past some of the spots we had just
sped by. We wandered through the narrow cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan, marveling at the
quaint medieval Old Town.
We were in awe of the stunning architecture and enjoyed touring the Stadshuset (City Hall), which is home to both the dinner-dance in honor of Nobel Prize winners and the opulent Golden Hall with literally millions of gold mosaic pieces.
For lunch we headed to Gallerian Mall with many restaurants, including the ultra-pink, ultra-healthy
Eggs Inc., which offers innovative egg dishes that satisfy your appetite any time of day. We found the fresh fruit shakes, the eggs benedict avocado, the inventive egg pizza with a choice of toppings, and the adorable mini-banana pancakes to all be flavorful (and a great option for low carb and gluten free diners).
If shopping is your thing, take a detour to explore Stockholm’s main shopping drag on Drottninggatan, the upscale Mood Mall, and Biblioteksgatan’s luxury shops.
Next, we hit up two teen-friendly stops. First up, a visit to the Paradox Museum. This uber-fun, hands-on museum uses optical illusions to trick your mind into seeing things that don’t exist! We left with super neat photos expertly taken on our phones by the museum’s patient staff.
Then, we visited the well-planned Avicii Experience, where we developed a newfound appreciation for the world-famous DJ’s immense talent, meteoric rise, complete dedication to his craft, emotional pain, and tragic death. This attraction uses first-hand narration, videos, memorabilia, and high-tech lights and sounds to immerse you in Avicii’s world.
For dinner, we headed into the heart of Gamla Stan to Aifur Pub and Bar. Think Game of Thrones meets Viking-kitsch with lip-smacking food straight from the Iron Age.
We had a blast sipping on mead, chatting with other tourists, and listening to live music. Be forewarned: the host heartily blows his horn and announces each group of diners upon entry. It is quite a spectacle!
Aifur’s owners spent twenty years researching this concept to authentically recreate the food, music,
setting, and culture from 700-1100. Be sure to sample some of the various types of mead, an
alcoholic beverage made with fermented honey mixed with water. Apple currant was our favorite!
Not ready to call it quits, we set out to cap off our first night in Stockholm by toasting our trip at the
super chic ICEBAR, home to the first permanent ice bar in the world. After donning warm parkas and gloves supplied by the staff, we entered the bar area, which is constructed from artistically-carved Swedish ice. We joined other guests sipping our tasty cocktails out of “cool” glasses made from ice!
DAY 2: THE GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS
Begin the morning strolling Skeppsholmen, the compact island where you’ll find the Moderna Musset
(Museum of Modern Art). Explore the museum’s expansive collection. If you find yourself here at lunchtime, the museum’s café earns great reviews.
We then took the short ferry ride to Djurgarden to wander Stockholm’s “garden island.” We visited
some of its many world-famous museums and strolled through its lush park-like setting along the
water.
Time for one of our highlights! We jammed out at the super-kitschy yet fabulously designed high-tech
ABBA Museum! Don’t pass up the audio guide which is narrated by the band members who bring this
entertaining museum to life.
Get ready to karaoke to Dancing Queen, join the virtual band members up on stage (really!), and sing and dance to Mamma Mia. You will learn so much about ABBA that you will appreciate their music and place in musical history in a new way. After working up an appetite, we dug into fresh salads and sandwiches at nearby Konsthallen.
Just a short walk away along the water, you will find the Spiritmuseum, where you will marvel at the largest collection of Absolut themed art you have ever seen. Sniff you way through this museum that invites you to take many interactive quizzes.
You will learn all about spirits, including their history, ingredients, and creation, with a public service announcement about the effects of indulging too much. The Spiritmusuem’s outdoor waterside cafe and bar looks like a scenic spot to take a break if you need to refuel.
Next up, plan to spend a few hours in the Vasamuseet (Vasa Museum). You will be blown away by the story of the salvaged 17th-century regal warship that sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628.
If time permits, take one of the guided tours included with admission. This museum is so much more meaningful when you understand the history surrounding the nearly intact ship’s construction, launch, sinking, and eventual salvage.
The idyllic ending to our day was dinner on Djurgarden at the top-rated and truly fabulous, Ulla
Winbladh, known for its gourmet traditional Swedish cuisine dating back to 1897. Ulla Winbladh invites you to dine either inside the cozy restaurant or in a covered outdoor area surrounded by beautiful flowers and a verdant garden.
With stellar service, an artful presentation, yummy cocktails and extensive wine list, you will delight in sampling expertly prepared, flavorful Swedish dishes. TIP: Feel free to dine here with
younger children too! The staff welcomes them with open arms.
Cap off this jam-packed day by visiting the iconic and over 100-year-old Tivoli Gröna Lund amusement park! Check out the rides, play challenging carnival games, and feel like a kid again. TIP: Gröna Lund has a fabulous area with rides catering to young children. Look at the calendar for Gröna Live’s music festival with plenty of big international names.
DAY 3: ARCHIPELAGO HOPPING
Ready for our day on the water! We set out for a day exploring two of Stockholm’s 30,000 islands!
Begin your day boarding a short 25 minute ferry ride to the closest archipelago island, Fjaderholm.
Join local families who flock to this island on beautiful days to dine at waterfront cafes, eat refreshing
ice cream, and simply relax in the sun. The quaint row of local Swedish craft shops and artist studios
displaying pottery, hand-woven textiles, paintings, glassblowing, and metalworking offer a wide array
of one-of-a-kind souvenirs to take home.
Pick one of the many waterside cafes or the craft brewpub to soak in the serene view and enjoy a break from the bustle of the city.
Wanting to explore more of the archipelago, we hopped a second ferry, heading less than an hour
away to the idyllic island of Vaxholm. This island enchanted us with its boutiques, fortress, harbor,
and wide selection of cafes.
We explored the island, checking out its beaches, boardwalk, parks, and well-cared for turn-of-the-century wooden houses. Our highlight was joining the locals at Hembygdsgårds Café, partaking in the Swedish tradition of fika, which basically translates to meeting up for a coffee and a piece of cake or pastry.
Sitting outside by the water, sipping on a cappuccino and nibbling some delectable baked goods was even sweeter when we witnessed a double rainbow on the horizon. TIP: You can also reach Vaxholm by bus. For those seeking a moreactive afternoon, you can stand up paddle board, kayak, or fish.
After a relaxing day of island-hopping, we secured a plum spot on the outside deck of the ferry and
enjoyed watching the scenery pass us by on our way back to Gamla Stan. We then toured the Nobel
Prize Museum, which features the inventions, words, and ideas of 900-plus creative and inspirational minds presented through short films, original artifacts, and interactive exhibits.
More than ready for dinner, we followed Rick Steves’ recommendation to dine at Hermitage, an extremely casual, well-located spot in Gamla Stan. Hermitage offers an inexpensive vegan and vegetarian all-you-can-eat buffet for both lunch and dinner. We sampled a variety of cold and hot dishes, blending flavors from Sweden and around the world.
DAY 4: A DAY OF LUXURY—Palace, Pralines & Pizza
Begin your last day by visiting one of the many royal palaces in the area. Set out by boat, car, or a
combination of subway and bus, to feel like a royal at Drottningholm Palace, built in the 1600s.
Travel back to the age of grandeur as you stroll through the manicured gardens, gawk at the lavish over-the-top rooms of the palace, tour the theater, and marvel at the beauty of the Chinese Pavilion. Plan to spend a few hours at this slice of heaven.
Pop into the cafe by the Chinese Pavilion for a convenient al fresco lunch. If you prefer to stay in town, you can visit the lavish Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace).
Next, we returned to town to try our hand as pastry chefs at Chockafradern. With Chef Martin Isaksson as our step-by-step guide, we had a blast making two flavors of magnificent chocolate pralines (and learned lots of secrets about the process that we never would have guessed).
We filled ours with cardamom and raspberry, and were amazed at the glamorous chocolate treats we created. They made fabulous souvenirs for our family and friends. If you don’t have time to squeeze in a class, be sure to stop in to sample Chockafradern’s hot chocolate, with a world-class reputation, and, of course, a box of pralines and a bag full of decadent baked goods!
Time to end the day with a top-notch museum and delectable dinner combo at Fotografiska: The
Contemporary Museum of Photography, Art and Culture. Fotografiska’s provocative and creative exhibits are a fabulous catalyst for discussions with yourfamily.
This museum’s mission is unique—“without permanent exhibitions or artwork for sale, we aim
solely to inspire, entertain, and create impact.” TIP: This museum is open very late, enabling you to
visit after other attractions have closed.
Fotografiska houses many award-winning restaurants, including a bistro, cafe, and espresso bar, with sustainable and creative menus, a top spot for afternoon tea, and a Swedish fika buffet. We dined al fresco with a fabulous view of the water at the museum’s casual eatery, The Veranda.
Its super-inventive pizzas are a treat! And we loved the menu’s focus on seasonal vegetables and its summer-themed drink selection. Be sure to save room for dessert! We managed to finish off both a tiramisu and a typical Swedish dessert of strawberries and cream.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR VISITING STOCKHOLM
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Consider purchasing a Go City Stockholm Pass (click for the best prices and save up to 50% on attractions) for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days, which helps you save time and money. With the pass, you are able to visit as many of Stockholm’s best sights, tours and attractions as you desire as long as your entrance pass is valid. This pass also covers sightseeing by bus and ferry.
Spend time preparing for your trip by perusing the excellent Visit Stockholm website, full of useful information to help you plan your ideal trip.
HOW TO GET AROUND STOCKHOLM
When possible, walk around this beautiful city! Explore the narrow cobblestone streets, atmospheric alleyways, charming waterside, green parks, and historic architecture. In addition to ride shares and taxis, inexpensive and efficient ways to navigate this city and its many islands include public ferries, buses, and the metro.
If you arrive by plane, consider purchasing an Arlanda Express ticket, which will whisk you from the airport to the well-located T-Centralen subway station in eighteen minutes.
TIP: Stockholm is known for its unique art installations hidden below ground in many of its subway stations. You can even take a Stockholm Subway Art tour! You will likely stumble upon art while in the T-Centralen subway station, which you will pass through often to get around the city.
WHERE TO STAY IN STOCKHOLM
Centrally located in the Södermalm district, the Hilton Slussen Stockholm (click for the latest prices), looks out on the water and is less than a kilometer from the Gamla Stan island. Our nighttime ritual included taking photos from our room that captured the breathtaking midnight sunset and stunning Stockholm skyline.
This Hilton is an ideal home base in Stockholm for couples and families alike, and it’s so convenient for exploring. It is steps away from the subway and within walking distance of Old Town and a ferry stop.
If you are a Diamond Member, you will enjoy the hotel’s Executive Lounge space as well as its generous happy hour spread of appetizers and beverages. The Hilton’s expansive breakfast buffet provides a hearty start to the day.
This was my second trip to Stockholm. Last time, I traveled with my husband, and we experienced
the dreamy, romantic side of this city. This most recent vacation focused on exploring Stockholm with
my teenage daughter…and it exceeded my already sky-high expectations. We packed our four days
in Stockholm with experiences and attractions that we will never forget.
Book these Stockholm tours to enhance your trip!
About the Author
This guest post was written by Lisa Grabelle. Lisa, a travel writer for Hilton Hotels, has been traveling all her life…38 countries and loving it! Originally from the sunny skies of Miami, Lisa, a former lawyer, lives near Philadelphia. Travel is her passion. As soon as one vacation ends, Lisa busily plans her next adventure for her non-stop family of adventurers. Lisa’s motto is “don’t just visit the destination…live it!” You can follow Lisa on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.