Gamla Stan Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan

Duck into narrow, medieval alleys and find yourself happily lost in Sweden’s most famous urban district.

The Gamla stan (Old Town) of Stockholm is always busy and never boring. The island district is the first port of call for every first-time visitor to Stockholm and chances are that you’ll fall in love with it and will keep coming back.

Pedestrian-friendly Gamla stan is like one big open-air museum. Depending on the weather, the streets can look mystical, medieval and moody, or colourful, charming and cheerful. Visit Gamla stan after snowfall when it’s at its most romantic. The sounds of the bustling streets are softened and the shops and cafés ooze light and warmth.

It’s logical to start your tour of Gamla stan at the Royal Palace, the star attraction of the neighbourhood. The palace is hard to miss, because there are over 600 rooms in this impressive building. Witness the changing of the guard ceremony, take a guided tour and visit the Royal Armoury.

While here, also admire the medieval Storkyrkan (Stockholm Cathedral), the country’s national cathedral. It’s home to a St. George-and-the-Dragon sculpture from 1489.

Follow either the streets of Västerlånggatan (west) or Österlånggatan (east) down to browse the many gift shops and galleries for typical Swedish souvenirs, which include little trolls from the Norse mythology and brightly painted wooden reindeers.

You can cross over between these two main streets as often as you like by ducking into the little alleys in between. One in particular, the Mårten Trotzigs gränd (alley), is so narrow that some may have to squeeze their shoulders together to get through.

Sample typical Swedish treats everywhere you go. If sweet chocolate coconut balls are not your thing, then perhaps hearty meatballs with sweet-and-sour lingenberry sauce are. Buy ice creams for dessert or sit down for a proper meal in Stortorget, Stockholm’s oldest city square. After visiting the square’s Nobel Museum, walk down Köpmangatan, the oldest street in the capital.

Once you’re done, cross over to the island of Riddarholmen to the west to admire the 13th-century Riddarholmen Church, the burial place for Swedish royals. Before you leave, take one more look back at Gamla stan from across the water while the setting sun adds even more colour to an already vibrant picture.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Gamla Stan Hotel Deals

Castle House Inn

Castle House Inn

2.5 out of 5
Brunnsgränd 4, Stockholm
The price is AU$100 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$100
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Stockholm. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a snack bar/deli. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Paid around $300/day and it is not comparable with a hotel in US paying the same amount. This hotel has terrible Wifi and there was no use for us! I do not recommend it if you are comparing it with a US hotel paying $300 per day."

Reviewed on 3 Oct 2025

Castle House Inn
Hotel Gamla Stan, BW Signature Collection

Hotel Gamla Stan, BW Signature Collection

4 out of 5
Skeppsbron 22a, Stockholm
The price is AU$197 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$197
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Stockholm. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,340 reviews)
"The staff were just tremendous. They looked after luggage our when arriving early, and accommodated an early breakfast on our departure day. They assisted with cab to the airport (a very convenient and cost effective way). The location is great for everything….including hop on hop off bus."

Reviewed on 4 Oct 2025

Hotel Gamla Stan, BW Signature Collection
Hôtel Reisen in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

Hôtel Reisen in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

5 out of 5
Skeppsbron 12, Stockholm
The price is AU$284 per night from 27 Oct to 28 Oct
AU$284
27 Oct - 28 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Stockholm. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (867 reviews)
"Close to waterfront and Royal Palace and extremely comfortable. Staff very attentive and check in and out was seamless"

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Hôtel Reisen in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Lady Hamilton Hotel

Lady Hamilton Hotel

4 out of 5
Storkyrkobrinken 5, Stockholm
The price is AU$309 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
AU$309
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Stockholm. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a sauna. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Loved the location and the staff."

Reviewed on 3 Oct 2025

Lady Hamilton Hotel
Clarion Hotel Stockholm

Clarion Hotel Stockholm

4 out of 5
Ringvaegen 98, Stockholm
The price is AU$187 per night from 27 Oct to 28 Oct
AU$187
27 Oct - 28 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Stockholm. Enjoy free breakfast, a full-service spa, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,404 reviews)
"The front desk was amazing especially Ray that help us in many ways. He was exceptional. One disappointment was the size of the pool. The photos makes it look far bigger than it is."

Reviewed on 4 Oct 2025

Clarion Hotel Stockholm
Quality Hotel Strawberry Arena

Quality Hotel Strawberry Arena

4 out of 5
Råsta Strandväg 1, Solna
The price is AU$163 per night from 7 Nov to 8 Nov
AU$163
7 Nov - 8 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Solna. Enjoy free breakfast, a health club, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,965 reviews)
"Very nice location as it was minutes from the metro and the city center. Having the Westfield Mall next door was quite convenient as it offers lot of dining options. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. Thank you for a wonderful stay!"

Reviewed on 27 Aug 2025

Quality Hotel Strawberry Arena
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Gamla Stan

Default Image

Central Stockholm

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Central Stockholm. Check out top attractions like Gustav Adolf Square and Royal Swedish Opera, and jump on the metro at Kungsträdgården T-Bana or T-Centralen Spårv Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Central Stockholm
Default Image

Skeppsholmen

Skeppsholmen is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Museum of Modern Art and Svensk Form while you're in town.

Skeppsholmen
Default Image

Norrmalm

4.5/5(84 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Drottninggatan to Hotorget Square – discover Norrmalm, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Norrmalm
Default Image

Söder Mälarstrand

Visitors to Söder Mälarstrand enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Långholmen is worth a stop.

Söder Mälarstrand
Default Image

Maria

While you're in Maria, take in top sights like Medborgarplatsen or Zinkensdamms IP, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Mariatorget T-Bana or Zinkensdamm T-Bana.

Maria
Default Image

SoFo

Visitors often come to SoFo for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Göta Lejon and Medborgarplatsen. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Medborgarplatsen T-Bana.

SoFo


Gamla Stan Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip:

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Explore a world of travel with Expedia