Stockholm's history dates back to the Ice Age when vast migrations flooded toward the area. The city's present-day location has been featured in many Norse sagas dating back to the mid 13th century when the existing core of Old Town was built, making it an important cultural site. Today, Stockholm is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in Europe. It's also the political, cultural, economic, and media center of Sweden, helping to draw in countless tourists each year.
Whatever your reason for visiting Stockholm, you can rest assured that you'll find the right hotel that allows you to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
When to Visit Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm may be one of Europe's most beautiful cities, but the weather is its chief complaint. Summer is undoubtedly the best time to visit, although you'll have to deal with pricey hotel rates and an influx of tourists. Temperatures are warmest during the summer months with average highs hovering around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Although the hottest temperatures occur in mid-July, nighttime temperatures can be quite chilly, so dress in layers.
Stockholm winters are brutally cold, but this can be an attractive option if you're interested in winter sports. The city is also a great holiday destination since it provides the perfect snowy backdrop for Christmas.
If you don't mind brisk highs in the 50s and 60s, fall and spring are great seasons to visit. You won't have to deal with as many tourists, which means less wait time to get into some of the city's most popular attractions. Just be sure to bring plenty of outerwear.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Stockholm, Sweden:
Stockholm, Sweden: Prices by Star Rating Class
Below we've posted 3 graphs illustrating avg. nightly cost patterns by star rating class in Stockholm, Sweden. Browse these illustrations to calculate the cheapest seasons to book in Stockholm for upcoming travels.
Luxury Hotel Options in Stockholm, Sweden
4 Star Average Prices: $168.87
If you'd rather splurge on a luxury hotel in Stockholm, you're in luck. The city offers several five-star accommodations with all the trimmings, including the prestigious Grand Hotel Stockholm. Built in 1874, this upscale hotel places you within walking distance of Stockholm Palace. Indulgent guest rooms offer free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, while suites throw in balconies, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms. Room service is also available.
Grand Hotel Stockholm also boasts an on-site café, fine dining restaurants, a lovely bar, wine cellar, pool, spa, and fitness center.
Lydmar Hotel falls somewhere between exaggerated grandness and the rigid minimalist look. This five-star accommodation offers a fresh spin on the boutique hotel with staff expressing a more personal style than you may be used to in most luxury hotels. Guest rooms are thoughtfully decorated with a classic contemporary look, and they feature a fully stocked mini bar, complimentary Wi-Fi, and free breakfast. When staying here, visit The Terrace on the second floor, which offers an extensive drinks menu in the tranquil environment of a lush, French-style garden.
Nobis Hotel is located in a stately 19th-century building within walking distance of the glorious Royal Swedish Opera. Guest rooms here are quite posh with park, city, or courtyard views, and feature flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. Upgrading to a suite will get you a separate living area and whirlpool tub. Additional amenities include a free breakfast, an airy lounge, an upscale Italian restaurant, fitness center, sauna, and business center.
Affordable Hotel Options in Stockholm, Sweden
3 Star Average Prices: $110.33
Finding an affordable accommodation in Stockholm is easier than you might think. Old Town Lodge in Gamla Stan is set on a lovely cobbled street in a 17th-century building. A mere six-minute walk to the nearest ferry terminal and metro station, Old Town Lodge offers bright, modern rooms with free Wi-Fi, shared bathroom facilities, and a free continental breakfast. There's even a cubicle-style dormitory that features compact glass rooms, each with a double bed, privacy curtain, and code lock on the door.
Hotel Micro Stockholm is a modest budget accommodation close to Stockholm Palace. Each room is compact like a small ship cabin and no windows, which is why the nautical décor fits the property so well. This popular youth hostel features bunk beds, work tables, a shared bathroom and shower facilities, and free Wi-Fi. There's even a laidback lounge area with a guest computer, sofas, and a bar, which gives you the perfect opportunity to meet fellow travelers.
Mornington Hotel Bromma is a three-star redbrick hotel just a 14-minute walk from the nearest metro station. It offers single, double, twin bed, and family rooms, all of which are decorated with colorful, minimalist décor. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, desks, sitting areas, tea and coffeemakers, free parking, and a complimentary breakfast buffet. There's also a restaurant, sauna, and fitness center on site.
2 Star Average Prices: $77.14
Best Discounts in Stockholm, Sweden
Depending on where you want to stay, you can save even more money on your trip to Stockholm by taking advantage of discounts. Many area hotels advertise special offers that change frequently, which can give you more bang for your buck. Victory Hotel in Old Town, for instance, has several ongoing special offers, one of which is the “Visit Nobel” package. Booking this deal will get you admission into the nearby Nobel Museum, plus a discount on gift shop purchases.
Victory Hotel also offers a romantic package, as do many area hotels. These packages feature perks such as breakfast in bed, a box of chocolates or seasonal fruit, champagne, and access to spa services.
AAA and CAA members can also save big, even in Sweden. These discounts are generally limited to globally recognized chains, but you can save on everything from your room rate to spa treatments. And if you're a senior, government employee, military personnel, or business traveler, you may be eligible for discounts at Marriott hotels and similar properties.
Best Value Options in Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm boasts many mid-range accommodations that give you plenty of value for your money. Clarion Hotel Stockholm, for instance, is a four-star hotel just a one-minute walk from the metro station. Designed with a glass façade, the hotel is modern and upscale, but guest rooms are relaxed. You'll enjoy free Wi-Fi, a mini fridge, and a flat-screen TV in a standard room, and a sitting area in an upgraded room. Family rooms and suites are also available, and 24/7 room service is a nice perk. In addition to great rooms, the hotel offers complimentary breakfast, an on-site restaurant with live entertainment, a gym, spa, yoga classes, and a pool.
Mornington Hotel Stockholm City is an unexpected library-themed hotel close to galleries and museums. It features bright rooms with books, flat-screen TVs, free Internet access, and coffee-making facilities. A complimentary breakfast buffet, sauna, fitness room, bar, and restaurant are also offered.
Overlooking the harbor, Hotel Esplanade AB is situated inside an art nouveau building. While the free Wi-Fi, minibars, balconies, and individually decorated rooms are great, the best part about this accommodation is its location near the Vasa Museum and Skansen Museum. Enjoy the on-site lounge with vintage décor, complimentary breakfast bar, and informal dining area.
An Insider’s Guide to Stockholm, Sweden
With so much to see, hear, and taste in Stockholm, planning your itinerary can feel a bit overwhelming. Regardless of whether you're here for a week or a weekend, you want to experience the best Stockholm has to offer, but it's nice to get off the tourist path every once in a while. To help you navigate the city during your stay, consider bookmarking this handy insider's guide.
Gamla Stan, the Old City, is not just a place to explore, but it's a place to get lost. The best way to experience it is to put away the maps and brochures and just wander around. You'd be surprised at how many streets you'll discover, and how many photograph-worthy subjects you'll encounter.
While most tourists undoubtedly end up in trendy bars, there's something to be said for Old City's basement pubs. These are not as widely advertised as other pubs because they're part of restaurants, but if you spot a basement pub, don't be afraid to head in and enjoy a drink in a historic building that dates back to the 1300s.
Familiarize yourself with the Swedish concept of fika. While there is no direct English translations, fika simply refers to the art of enjoying coffee, usually with an accompaniment of pastries or sandwiches. The Swedes love to indulge in fika after a busy day, so after spending hours touring the streets of Stockholm, take a break and have a fika.
Walking through the city is one thing, but Stockholm is built on water, meaning that a boat or ferry tour is a must. In fact, Stockholm is often referred to as the Venice of the North due to its abundance of water.
Whether you're looking to indulge in an upscale hotel or pinch pennies with a budget-friendly accommodation, Stockholm offers a little something for everyone.
Stockholm, Sweden summarized
The skyline of Stockholm is unlike any other cosmopolitan city in Europe. As the largest city in the Scandinavian region, Sweden's capital sprawls across 14 islands within an archipelago. At night, visitors can marvel at the cityscape's reflection against the waters of Lake Malaren with wonderful sights of grand royal residences, terracotta-hued buildings, wide green spaces and medieval Old Town. Stockholm's streets are laden with both prestige and an ultra-hip character. Prominent attractions such as the Royal Palace, City Hall, Drottningholm Palace and the House of Lords building remind you that this is truly one of Europe's best-looking capitals. As the city is embraced by nature, find time to take a boat ride along the waterways to catch a glimpse of Stockholm in its finest element. Experience a bit of local culture by joining the locals fishing right in the heart of the city. After sightseeing, move on to more modern pursuits by heading to Stockholm's shopping locales. Be prepared for a generous serving of innovative and funky designs typical of Swedish creativity, whether it's furniture or fashion you're after.
'Science and technology are asinine blades. Use them wisely and they will make your life wiser. Use them with stupidity and there will be no life left to live.
Alfred Nobel, the man and mind behind the famed invention of mines and dynamites, was all for the use of science in favor of humanity and in favor of progress, instead of using technology “ especially his inventions “ for purposes of destruction or enmity.
In the long run, one would be justified in admitting that technology has been used equally in both quarters. On one hand we have nuclear energy sources, while on the other, the world sits on thousands of nuclear missiles capable of destroying our planet many times over. Nobel's words, in these perspectives, become quite pertinent. As it turns out, he was born in Stockholm, Sweden “ the city we are discussing in this article.
Stockholm, as you might well know, is the capital of Sweden, a thriving Scandinavian country with rich natural resources and a stable economy based on them. High levels of employment and literacy complement low level of crime here, making it one of the best cities in the world to live in, if you are to lead a happy, prosperous and safe life.
There's much more to Stockholm than this, though. From serene natural attractions to incredible specimens of engineering and architecture, there's a lot to see in and around Stockholm. Therefore, we would really like our readers who take active interest in exploring newer regions, cities and countries to give Stockholm a go “ you will never regret that decision!
In that hope, this quick guide to hotels in Stockholm should be useful to potential visitors! Bon Voyage!
Budget Hotels in Stockholm
Being a capita of a developed and advanced country like Sweden, Stockholm sees a heavy footfall of visitors each and every year. From business travelers to tourists who want to explore Swedish culture, a constant stream of visitors keeps Stockholm a city busy with activity. An addition of over 5 million tourists each year to an already one-million strong population of the city means that Stockholm becomes the most visited and populous city in Sweden, as well as the whole of Nordic Region.
As a by-product of this activity, it's predictable that Stockholm hotels range across a variety of price patterns and luxury levels. Hence, finding cheap hotels here will not be a tough ask. But that said, we would like to remind our readers that in general, Sweden is an expensive city. So, cheap hotels here might appear to be a touch more expensive than some other parts of the world.
Rex Petit, as our research shows, is the best budget hotel in the city. It is located in the central part of the old town, and is easily accessible. Also, a good comfort level and spacious rooms make the already affordable price a very attractive preposition.
Hogberga Gard Hotel comes up next in rank here, in this segment of budget hotels in Stockholm. It is a considerably popular hotel, with all the basic amenities present in good measure. Good Nordic food and a brand of homely hospitality further adds value to the whole deal.
Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Stockholm
Another perk of being a capital of the country is that Stockholm can boast of dozens of truly luxurious resorts. Tourists who love to make their stay memorable while travelling can hope to find unprecedented levels of extravagance and style in these resorts.
Apart from the usual brand-named chains, some locally developed resorts need to be mentioned here. Nobis Hotel Stockholm, for example, is a property that can match stroke to stroke any luxury hotel in the whole wide world. Its beautiful building and carefully decored suites further the luxury, making it quite difficult for guests to check-out of the hotel!
Grand Hotel Stockholm is a similar resort where opulence and comfort join hands to create a unique blend of hospitality that you will never tire of!
Radisson Blu and Hyatt also operate their flagship properties in Stockholm.
Independent and Boutique Hotels in Stockholm
If you like to think out of the box and explore better options in Stockholm, you will have to resort to staying at one of many independent and budget Stockholm hotels.
These are often less costly than luxury options, and much costlier than budget options. Also, their warm hospitality and an overall sense of flexibility mean that you will always feel at home “ a luxury all tourists would love to have while travelling!
Sightseeing in Stockholm
Those who wish to get an insight into traditional and native way of life that has been prevalent in Nordic countries for hundreds of years, Skansen is the first place you should be visiting. It is the first ever open-air collection of artefacts in the world that features various stages of the development of Nordic communities.
Kungliga Slottet is a famous castle palace in Stockholm that has stood proud and tall in the city for over three centuries now. Its majestic corridors and lavish interior decor are sure to wow all visitors.
On a lighter note, fans of 80's music would love to explore the ABBA Museum, where everything that an ABBA fan would like to is exhibited, and then some more!
Sightseeing in Stockholm can be done via various modes of transport. You can choose a day-long bus tour of the city and its exteriors or you can go on a kayaking tour through canals of the city “ the choice of all yours!
Weather in Stockholm
Weather in Stockholm is typically Nordic. Winters can get very cold here, with persistent snowfall and temperature well below the freezing point. This is when tourism in Stockholm goes down a notch, although it's aided somewhat by tourist streams who wish to explore various snow sporting activities.
In summer “ that is around May and June “ Stockholm weather is at its most agreeable, featuring mildly warm temperatures and long days full of bright sunlight.