Free Self-Guided Stockholm Walking Tour (With Map!)

Stockholm signifies elegance, rich cultural heritage, and flair perhaps better than any city in the Nordic region. It is a stunningly beautiful city that is blessed with eclectic architecture and design. A Stockholm walking tour is one of the best ways to see most of the city’s best sights, important landmarks and explore some elegant neighborhoods. This post includes a map for a self-guided free walking tour of Stockholm. Enjoy your walk! 🙂

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Why Choose This Free Self-Guided Stockholm Walking Tour?

This free self-guided Stockholm walking tour itinerary is perfect if you are short on time and trying to save some money. With our free map, you can follow the route quite easily without having to hire an expensive guide for the day. The tour will take you past the city’s major attractions, landmark public buildings, historical palaces, places of worship, cultural venues, popular neighborhoods, shopping streets, restaurants, and cafes. You’ll also learn a few lesser-known facts about Stockholm along the way.

The tour will take you through the center of Stockholm, principally focusing on the attraction studded areas of the Old Town (Gamla Stan), and the borough of Norrmalm. For practical reasons, we haven’t included the popular island of Djurgården and the Östermalm borough.

Stockholm Walking Tour Itinerary

The walking tour covers a total distance of approximately 7.4 kilometers (4.6 miles). The tour starts at the Stockholm Central Station and terminates at Adolf Fredrik Church in Norrmalm. Feel free to take a break if you feel jaded along the way. I have included some cafes and restaurants in the map where you can take a breather and grab a bite. On this Stockholm walking tour, you will see:

1. Stockholm Central Station
2. Klara Church
3. Stockholm City Hall
4. Norstedts Building
5. Birger Jarl’s Tower
6. Wrangel Palace
7. Stenbock Palace
8. Riddarholm Church
9. House of Nobility
10. Bonde Palace
11. Västerlånggatan
12. Mårten Trotzigs Gränd
13. Prästgatan
14. German Church
15. Stortorget
16. Nobel Museum
17. Tessin Palace
18. Stockholm Cathedral
19. Axel Oxenstierna’s Palace
20. The Royal Palace
21. Parliament Building
22. Rosenbad
23. Sager Palace
24. Arvfurstens Palace
25. Royal Swedish Opera
26. St. Jacob’s Church
27. Kungsträdgården
28. Grand Hôtel
29. National Museum
30. Great Synagogue
31. Royal Dramatic Theater
32. Norrmalmstorg
33. Nordiska Kompaniet (NK)
34. Hötorget
35. Stockholm Concert Hall
36. Adolf Fredrik Church

1. Stockholm Central Station

Kick off your Stockholm walking tour at the Stockholm Central Station (Stockholms Centralstation). It is conveniently located and is a good starting point for discovering Stockholm. The train station has been around since 1871 making it nearly 150 years old. It is one of the busiest stations in the Nordic region with around 200,000 visitors a day. There are plenty of cafes and stores inside.

2. Klara Church

The Klara Church (Klara Kyrka) is a lovely red-brick church that is hemmed in on all sides, with only the spires visible from the streets around. It stands on the site of St. Clare’s Priory, a Roman Catholic nunnery that was destroyed in 1527. The construction of the current church was started in 1572 under Gustav III completed in 1590. Its 116-meter church tower was built as part of restoration work in the 1880s and for many years could be seen from all over the city. On a sunny day, its golden domes shine strongly, making it a great subject to photograph.

3. Stockholm City Hall

The Stockholm City Hall (Stockholms stadhus) is situated on the island of Kungsholmen and was probably Sweden’s biggest architectural project of the 20th century having been completed in 1923. It was designed by Swedish architect Ragnar Östberg and showcases elements from the Nordic Gothic and Northern Italian schools of design. It partially looks like a medieval fortress and also like an Italian Renaissance palace. The City Hall is one of the most recognizable sights in Stockholm with its tower reaching a height of 106 meters. The tower is noted for its three golden crowns at the top, which is the Swedish coat of arms. The City Hall is also renowned for its opulent ceremonial halls and grandiose works of art. It also plays host to the great Nobel banquet held every year in December.

4. Norstedts Building

The Norstedts Building (Norstedts Huset) is one of my favorite landmarks in Stockholm. The building itself derives its name from the Swedish publishing house Norstedts, which still has its headquarters there. It was designed by Swedish architect Magnus Isæus and was constructed between 1882 and 1891. I really love the building’s architecture and its alluring facade consists of varying materials such as gray concrete in the plinth, yellow rusting plaster and burnt red bricks for the rest of the building. Its striking tower and spire roof cast an impressive silhouette on the Stockholm cityscape. The building is also adorned by a neon sign with the publisher’s name in blue.

5. Birger Jarl’s Tower

Birger Jarl’s Tower (Birger Jarls Torn) is one of the former defensive towers in the Old Town. It stands out due to its distinctive rotund shape and whitewashed exterior. Despite its name, the tower had nothing to do with Birger Jarl (a Swedish statesman who is generally credited with founding Stockholm in 1252). The tower was actually built in the 16th century, and part of the structure was built with bricks from the St. Clare’s Priory that was destroyed in 1527.

6. Wrangel Palace

Wrangel Palace (Wrangelska Palatset) is a historic townhouse in the Old Town that was once part of the defensive fortifications in the 16th century. It was originally built as a residence for the nobleman Lars Sparre in 1629. After the Thirty Years’ War, the house was reconstructed for its new owner – field marshal Carl Gustaf Wrangel, thus becoming the largest private residence in Stockholm. In 1693, much of the building’s ornate facade was destroyed by a fire, and it had to be reconstructed again. When the Tre Kronor Palace burned down in 1697, the Royal Family moved into Wrangel Palace, and it served as their temporary residence till the reconstruction of the new Royal Palace in 1754. Since 1756, Wrangel Palace has served as the home of the Svea Court of Appeal, the regional court of appeal.

7. Stenbock Palace

The Stenbock Palace (Stenbockska Palatset) is the best-preserved nobleman’s residence on Riddarholmen and is known for its elegant pink facade. It was built in the 1640s by the State Councillor Fredrik Steinbock and the family’s coat of arms can be seen above the porch. The palace obtained its current Baroque style during reconstruction in the late 17th century. Since then, a number of government institutions have resided in the palace and its wings. Today it houses parts of the Svea Court of Appeal.

8. Riddarholm Church

The Riddarholm Church (Riddarholmskyrkan) is one of the most famous landmarks in Stockholm. It is one of the oldest churches in Stockholm and served as the burial ground for Swedish monarchs for over 600 years. In addition to the 200 graves, there are a number of pewter and gold coffins, as well as an array of stone crypts in its interior. It is built on the site of the 13th-century Greyfriars abbey. The church suffered a major fire in 1835 and thereafter acquired its present lattice-work, cast-iron tower. The cast-iron church steeple is very beautiful and interesting to look at.

9. House of Nobility

The House of Nobility (Riddarhuset) is one of my favorite buildings in Stockholm and one of the highlights of this Stockholm walking tour. It is a magnificent work of 17th-century Dutch Baroque architecture and coloring. It was constructed between 1641 and 1672 as a base for the Swedish nobility to congregate and host events. The nobility’s motto Arte et Marte (Art and War) with Minerva, Goddess of Art and Science, and Mars, God of War can be found over the entrance on the northern facade. The building currently houses an organization for Swedish nobles and provides the meeting place for the Assembly of Nobles every three years.

10. Bonde Palace

Bonde Palace (Bondeska Palatset) is another former notable noble residence in the Old Town. It was built in the style of a graceful French manor between 1662 and 1673 for the State Treasurer Gustaf Bonde. Since then, the Bonde Palace has had several owners and served as the City Hall from 1730 to 1915. The building fell into a state of disrepair and was considered being demolished, but public opinion saved it from being razed. It has served as the home of the Supreme Court since 1949.

11. Västerlånggatan

Västerlånggatan is the Old Town’s most popular shopping street. It cuts through the heart of the Old Town and follows what used to be part of the old defensive walls. The street is home to some beautiful architecture and venerable old buildings. Some of the stunning facades here are located at numbers 7, 29, and 33. In medieval times, Västerlånggatan was home to numerous local copper and iron merchants and was filled with workshops. The character of the street changed in the 20th century when the artisans moved out and it became more commercialized. As a result, it is thronging with tourists and locals and unfortunately has lost a bit of its charm.

12. Mårten Trotzigs Gränd

Mårten Trotzigs Gränd is the city’s narrowest street and is one of those places that can be overlooked in the blink of an eye. It is a small street consisting of 36 steps and measures only 90 cm (35 in) at its slimmest point. The street gets its name from a German merchant called Traubzich, who owned two houses here at the end of the 16th century. After being cordoned off for more than a century the street was reopened in 1945 and is now a popular spot for photos.

13. Prästgatan

Prästgatan (Priest’s Street) is one of the many charming cobblestone streets of the Old Town and is definitely my favorite one. The street gets its name due to the fact that three chaplains and a bell-ringer resided here in the 16th century. During medieval times, the northern section of Prästgatan was known Helvetiegränden (Alley of Hell), due to it being the supposed residence of the town’s executioner. The corner where Kåkbrinken intersects Prästgatan is home to one of the oddities in Stockholm – a runestone in the wall. The stone dates back to the Viking Age and is one of the oldest items found in the city.

14. German Church

The German Church (Tyska Kyrkan) is the most notable landmark of the legacy of Germans in Stockholm. The German Church was originally built in the 14th century as a guild house for the German merchants of the Hanseatic League. Its current appearance originates from the 17th century. The church’s spire, built in 1878, is 96 meters tall and is the highest point in Gamla Stan. In accordance with Lutheran tradition, one does not have to pay to enter as it is a functioning church. The interior is very ornate and gilded, with richly colored stained glass windows depicting scenes from daily life or religious figures and an ebony-alabaster pulpit.

15. Stortorget

Stortorget is the colorful and exuberant main square in Old Town Gamla Stan. It’s the oldest square in Stockholm and a popular meeting point for tourists and locals. The colorful facades of the 17th- and 18th-century buildings on its west side is a dazzling sight.

Stortorget is intricately linked with the infamous Stockholm Bloodbath of November 1520. King Christian II of Denmark besieged the Swedish Regent, Sten Sture the Younger until he surrendered, and the Swedes chose Christian as their king. He pledged amnesty and ordered a three-day feast at Tre Kronor fortress. Towards the end of the festivities, the merrymakers were suddenly locked in and arrested for heresy. The following day more than 80 Swedish noblemen and burghers were beheaded in the square on Christian’s orders and a pyramid of their heads was displayed in the square.

There are plenty of sites on the square and in the surrounding streets. It does get quite busy here, so be patient if a tour group comes through every now and then. There are many nice cafes and restaurants here which makes it’s a great place for people watching. Stortorget is the ideal place for fika (a coffee break accompanied by some pastries like the delicious cinnamon buns)!

16. Nobel Museum

The most notable building in Stortorget is that of the Nobel Museum. This beautiful building dates to 1778 and was formerly home to the Stock Exchange (Börsen) for more than 200 years till 1990. The Nobel Museum was inaugurated in 2001 to mark the centenary of the Nobel Prize and celebrates the achievements of the prize winners through the use of multimedia installations and artifacts.

17. Tessin Palace

The Tessin Palace (Tessinska Palatset) is yet another famous Baroque palace in the Old Town. It was designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, one of the most prominent Swedish architects, for himself, in 1697. Don’t be fooled by the rather austere looking facade of the building as the Tessin Palace is often regarded as the most beautiful private residence north of Paris. The interior of the Tessin Palace opens up into a delightful courtyard with an enchanting Baroque garden. The decor and garden were inspired by Tessin’s tenure in Paris and Versailles. Today, Tessin Palace serves as the residence of the Governor of Stockholm County. You can walk into the garden for free from 18:00 – 24:00.

18. Stockholm Cathedral

Built in 1279, the Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan) is the oldest church in the Old Town of Stockholm. It is of great national religious importance since it was from here that the Swedish reformer Olaus Petri spread his Lutheran message around the kingdom. The cathedral serves as the site of religious services and concerts, as well as royal coronations, weddings, and funerals. The church has undergone extensive renovations over the centuries, and its 66-meter tall clock tower is a notable feature of Stockholm’s skyline.

The interior is quite tasteful with exposed brickwork and some beautiful but not extensive carving. It is interesting to observe the interior Gothic style which strikes a contrast with the Baroque exterior. The church has a unique and beautiful collection of medieval and contemporary art, including the metal statue of St. George and the Dragon which is an amazing work of art. Wood, iron and gold leaf were used in carving the sculpture and elkhorn was used for the dragon’s scales. The glittering royal pews and the stellar black and white altarpiece are other highlights of the interior. Opening hours of the Stockholm Cathedral are daily from 09:00 – 16:00 (September-May), 09:00 – 17:00 (June) and 09:00 – 18:00 (July-August). Entrance fee is 40 SEK.

19. Axel Oxenstierna’s Palace

Axel Oxenstierna’s Palace (Axel Oxenstiernas Palatset) is unique among Stockholm’s architecture as it was designed in the Roman Mannerist style. It was built in the 17th century for Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna, one of Sweden’s most powerful and distinguished statesmen. I really like the red facade of the palace which varies in roughly carved sandstone and plaster. What’s interesting is that Axel Oxenstierna perished during construction and thus the Oxenstierna family never resided in the building and it was never completed according to its original plan.

20. The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet) is one of the largest palaces in Europe with over 600 rooms and is the official residence of theKing Swedish Royal Family. The Palace was built between 1697 and 1754 in the Italian Baroque style, on the spot where the Tre Kronor castle burned down in 1697. It’s a low, squat yellow-brown edifice with two arms that stretch towards the water and doesn’t look so much like a palace from the outside. The building is still quite remarkable and the Rococo interior is pretty good. However, if you’ve visited other major palaces in Europe like Versailles, Caserta or Schönbrunn, it will seem a little inferior.

Besides the Palace Apartments and stately rooms, the Royal Palace is home to several museums containing various antiquities and the amazing Royal Armory. If your timing is right, be sure not to miss the daily changing of the guard that takes place in the Outer Courtyard at noon (Sundays and holidays an hour later).

21. Parliament Building

The Parliament House (Riksdaghuset) is the seat of the Swedish Parliament, the Riksdag. The building complex is divided into two distinct halves, the old building and the new one. The old building was lavishly constructed between 1897 and 1905 in Neoclassical style and features an attractive neo-Baroque columned facade. An enormous relief of the Swedish coat of arms looms over the central bronze doorway.

Two large arches connect the two buildings, which are divided by a pedestrianized street. The new building was formerly home to the Swedish National Bank and is notable for its semicircular glassy bulge. I’m not really a fan of its design though. It is the hub of parliament activity and parliamentary debates can be seen here from the public gallery, which holds up to 500 spectators.  In the summer you can visit the Parliament Building on a guided tour. Tours in English start at 13:30, every Saturday and Sunday, and are free of charge but have to be booked in advance.

22. Rosenbad

The Rosenbad Complex consists of a collection of palatial buildings overlooking the Strömmen channel. These buildings are significant because they house the Swedish Government, the Prime Minister’s private office and parts of the Migration Ministry and the Ministry of Justice in three internally linked sites. The buildings were formerly home to a few prominent Swedish banks and private residences before the government offices took residence in 1981. Rosenbad gets its name from a former 17th-century bathhouse, which offered bathers a choice of a lily bath or a rose bath (rosenbad in Swedish).

The three buildings were built at the turn of the 20th century and showcase a variety of architectural styles. The Venetian-style palace along Stömgatan and the elaborate Baroque inspired Art Nouveau features of the building on the corner of Fredsgatan and Drottninggatan are so beautiful.

23. Sager Palace

The Sager Palace (Sagerska Palatset) is a former palace that now serves as the official residence of the Prime Minister of Sweden. The current structure is a result of several renovations at the end of the 19th century initiated by the diplomat Robert Sager who acquired the building in the 1880s. The house was inhabited by members of the Sager family until 1986 and was then the last inhabited private palace in the inner Stockholm. It was subsequently acquired by the state and since 1995 has served as the Prime Minister’s residence. The building’s facade is a lovely example of the French Baroque Revival style and features a mansard roof.

24. Arvfurstens Palace

Next up on this Stockholm walking tour is Arvfurstens Palace (Palace of the Hereditary Prince), which lies on one side of Gustav Adolfs Square. It was inaugurated in 1794 having been built for King Gustav III’s sister Sofia Albertina. The palace and its decor are prime examples of the late Baroque style. Watch out for the pair of lions with the coat of arms on the roof and the festoons in the upper window areas. Since 1906 the building has been home to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

25. Royal Opera House

The Royal Opera House (Kungliga Operan) is Sweden’s premier stage for opera and ballet. It was built in the nineteenth century at the Gustav Adolf square, the site of Stockholm’s first opera house. It is a slightly ostentatious Neoclassical building built in 1898. The coloring of the building in late Renaissance style is congruent with the Royal Palace and Parliament Building. I’m not the biggest fan of its exterior but the interior is sublime, with ceiling paintings above the staircase inspired by the Paris Opera. The auditorium is all gold leaf and red velvet and has its fair share of ornately decorated boxes, including the Royal Box.

26. St. Jacob’s Church

St. Jacob’s Church (Jakobs Kyrka) is often overlooked by tourists in spite of its central location. The building of the church started in the 1580s but due to various delays, it wasn’t completed until about 60 years later. It thus incorporates a wide range of architectural styles, such as Late Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque in its built. This probably makes this red-brick church the most eclectic one in Stockholm. Watch out for the stone porches that are beautifully crafted.

27. Kungsträdgården

Kungsträdgården (The King’s Garden) is the oldest park in Stockholm and the most fashionable park in the center of the city. It was once part of the King’s kitchen garden in the 15th century. The name is a little misleading since you won’t find designed flowerbeds and rose gardens here – it’s a pedestrianized paved square, in the form of an elongated rectangle, with a couple of lines of elm trees. Today Kungsträdgården is one of the most popular recreation centers and meeting places in the city. There’s almost always something going on here like free music, live theater, food festivals, and exhibitions. There is also a Christmas market held in the park every weekend throughout December.

28. Grand Hôtel

The famous Grand Hôtel occupies an enviable location on the city’s waterfront. Sweden’s first five-star hotel has a rich history and tradition that stems back to 1874. The list of politicians, royalty, Nobel Prize laureates and glitterati that have all been guests of Grand Hôtel who have stayed here is impressive. The hotel’s interiors carry substantial historical significance and have been classified as Swedish National Treasures. Most notable are the Spegelsalen (Hall of Mirrors), a copy of the one at Versailles, and Vinterträdgården (Winter Garden). Suffice to say that it’s out of my budget range!

29. National Museum

The National Museum is the largest art museum in Sweden. The building was magnificently designed by the German architect Friedrich August Stüler, who was inspired by the Renaissance palaces of Florence and Venice. Completed in 1866, the museum houses over 16,000 paintings and sculptures from the late Middle Ages to the early 20th century. In addition, there are around 500,000 drawings and graphics from the 15th century to the early 20th century. Old Masters like Rubens, Rembrandt, Goya are well represented as are Swedish artists like Alexander Roslin, Bruno Liljefors and Anders Zorn. One of the highlights of the museum is the Lady with the Veil, painted in 1769 by Roslin, and considered as an emblem of 18th century Sweden. The museum is also home to Scandinavia’s largest collection of porcelain.

30. Great Synanogue

The Great Synagogue (Stora Synagogan) is the largest and the oldest of the three synagogues of Stockholm. It was inaugurated in 1870 and has since served as the focal point of the Jewish life in the city. I really like its whitewashed exterior and Moorish Revival elements. The western facade features a richly decorated cornice and the eastern facade’s got a rose window with six petals signifying the Star of David.

31. Royal Dramatic Theater

The Royal Dramatic Theater (Kungliga Dramatiska Teatern) is the leading theater in Stockholm, with Sweden’s best thespians performing Shakespeare and Strindberg and more outré theater. When plans were drawn up in the early 20th century to build the present Royal Dramatic Theatre, the State refused to give financial aid, so it was funded by lotteries instead. The result was nothing short of spectacular and the building was erected using white marble inspired by Art Nouveau architecture in Vienna.

As much as I love the design of the building’s exterior, its interior is even more exquisite, The staircase and foyer are bedecked with opulent gold decorative work. Fantastic sculptures and busts are also found inside while the main auditorium is decorated with stucco and a ceiling painting.

32. Norrmalmstorg

Norrmalmstorg is a small square in central Stockholm that connects the shopping streets Hamngatan and Biblioteksgatan. The square itself is nothing special and is most famous for the Norrmalmstorg bank robbery. This botched robbery incident took place in the former Sveriges Kreditbank in 1973, located on the corner of the square. During the six day standoff, a seemingly anomalous and irrational bond developed between the four hostages and their two captors. This strange phenomenon confounded psychiatrists and gave birth to the term “Stockholm Syndrome,” which has since found its way into the popular lexicon. The unfolding chaos dominated headlines around the globe and played out on television screens across Sweden.

33. Nordiska Kompaniet (NK)

Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) is a large department store on Hamngatan that has been Stockholm’s premier upscale department store since its opening in 1915. The imposing building is famous for having the letters NK encircled in gold. Nordiska Kompaniet is one of the best places to shop for high-class fashion, cosmetics, Swedish crafts, jewelry, gourmet food and much more.

34. Hötorget

Hötorget (Hay Market) is a public square, which during daytime is known for its a bustling market for fresh produce and flowers. Stockholm’s main market square has been around since the 1640s, except then it was a place for trading animal fodder, milk, vegetables, and meat. The main attraction at the square is the Orpheus fountain, which was created by Carl Milles, probably the most famous Swedish sculptor of the 20th century. Among the buildings nearby the square is the glass-fronted Filmstaden Sergel, Stockholm’s biggest cinema complex and the five high-rises of Hötorgs City. The five modern high-rise buildings, erected in the 1950s, were regarded as iconic landmarks at the time and long symbolized modern Stockholm.

35. Stockholm Concert Hall

The Stockholm Concert Hall (Konserthuset) is the most notable building on Hötorget. The building is an architectural masterpiece having been built in Neoclassical manner and looks like a Nordic-themed Greek temple. Its monumental yet rather austere facade is characterized by its light blue color and ten tall Corinthian columns. Since its opening in 1926, the Stockholm Concert Hall has been the home of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. The annual Nobel Prizes are awarded in its main hall every December.

36. Adolf Fredrik Church

Your last stop on this Stockholm walking tour is the Adolf Fredrik Church (Adolf Fredriks kyrka). It was designed in Neoclassical style with hints of Rococo. The church was erected in the 18th century in the shape of a Greek cross and has a central dome. Although the church itself is rather unremarkable, it is famous for its noteworthy past. The French philosopher Rene Descartes was buried in the church’s cemetery for eleven years before his body was taken back to France in 1661.

The reason why Adolf Fredrik Church holds particular significance for Swedes is that it is the final resting place of the former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme. On 28 February 1986 Palme, who was without a bodyguard, was gunned down in front of his wife at the corner of Sveavägen and Tunnelgatan, while on his way home from Riviera cinema. The street where the murder occurred, is just around the corner of the Adolf Fredrik Church, and its western section was renamed Olof Palmes Gata. A memorial plaque has now been placed there. Olof Palme’s murder sent shockwaves through a nation which was rather immune to extremism at the time. Sweden’s biggest-ever murder inquiry was subsequently launched but to this day the murder remains unsolved, and allegations of police cover-ups and conspiracy theories still surface about the tragedy.

What Else to See in Stockholm

Obviously, there is plenty more to see in Stockholm than what we have covered in our walking tour. Places like the ritzy Östermalm borough, the hipster Södermalm borough, the verdant island of Djurgården, and quaint Skeppsholmen all deserve to be seen. Check out our post on how to spend one marvelous day in Stockholm or the perfect 3 days in Stockholm. And while you’re at it, why not check out our list of the best hotels and hostels in Stockholm? I have made sure to recommend only the best of the best (in terms of quality and value) 🙂

Now, what do you think? Did you enjoy our self-guided walking tour of Stockholm? Are there any other stops that we should be adding? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!