Long time traveler, first time solo-er. Stockholm was the last leg of my journey on a trip through Scandinavia. After coming by train from Oslo, I spent 3 days in the city all by my lonesome, allowing me to create this solo girl’s guide to Stockholm.
I’ve flown back and forth to Europe by myself but have never spent more than a day there alone. I’ll admit, being on my own in a foreign place for the first time was quite intimidating. Luckily, Stockholm’s charm completely enveloped me and I got lost in everything it had to offer. The youthful vibe it exuded still had this pristine sophistication about it that made it quickly soar up to one of my favorite cities I’ve been to.
Why Stockholm is a Good Place for Female Solo Travel
I’ve heard from multiple people that Scandinavia is one of the best places to travel as a solo female. I definitely felt that way while in Norway but I wasn’t sure if that safety and security would uphold when I got to Stockholm.
The city of Stockholm itself and all of the activities and sights it has to offer is so easily-accessible. The subway system is simple to navigate, the streets are pedestrian-friendly and the various districts offering multitudes of activities means you could spend a whole day wandering the same area.
As far as safety goes, I really did feel secure in Stockholm. I walked 2 miles one way to a concert venue in the middle of the night and wasn’t bothered one time. I also trekked for an hour to catch a bus to the airport in the middle of the night. While I did see and hear a lot of drunken ruckus, nobody even noticed me, the girl dragging her suitcase through cobblestone streets at 3 AM. The thing is, I wouldn’t even do that here in the States so that’s saying a lot for the safety of Stockholm.
Interestingly enough, 9 out of 10 people in Sweden speak English, making Stockholm a great option for those who aren’t bilingual. The vibe of the city is more youthful and hipster. It offers plenty of restaurants and chill bars dotted around every corner and creating a social environment that’s good for people by themselves.
Where to Stay in Stockholm
Not only do female solo travelers want to feel safe where ever we’re staying, but budget is important too.
The best two districts to stay in as a solo traveler are in the Old Town of Gamla Stan or the hipster district of Södermalm:
- Södermalm’s Hotel Point or Hotel Söder
- Hotel Point has a bar and restaurant in it so you can drink and be social without having to ever leave
- Hotel Söder is a budget hotel but offers free breakfast and is located in close proximity to the trendy SOFO district with many options of places to eat or hang out
- Castle House Inn or Old Town Lodge in Gamla Stan
- Some great AirBnb options exist too like this one in Södermalm or this one in Gamla Stan.
Where to Eat in Stockholm
Budget, safety, good eats and the feeling that we don’t stick out like a sore thumb are all the factors that go into choosing where to eat as a female solo traveler.
Here are some worthy places to eat at that combine all of those elements:
- Breakfast: If you’re not eating at your hostel or hotel (which I highly recommend you do!) then try out a couple of other breakfast-worthy places:
- Lunch/Dinner: Sooo many yummy options here in Stockholm for lunch or dinner, especially for vegetarians. I was pleasantly surprised to see nearly more vegetarian options on menus than meat options! Here’s where I’d recommend:
How to Spend Your Time in Stockholm
Stockholm is chock-full of things to do and things to see. With just over 50 museums and 100 attractions, the city boasts loads of history and offers multiple options for tours.
If you’re looking for a way to get around Stockholm or anywhere in Europe for that matter, check out Trainline. Europe’s leading train and coach app works with 207 rail and coach companies. Trainline offers travel to thousands of destinations in and across 45 countries in Europe, bringing together rail, coach and other travel services into one experience, getting the best prices and real time travel info on the go.
Here’s how I spent my time alone in the city for a few days, including all the activities I’d recommend for a female solo traveler:
A Walking Tour
Follow this map to go on a self-guided walking tour in Stockholm, beginning at T-Centralen.
Subway Art
At nearly 70 miles long, Stockholm’s Tunnelbana is the longest art exhibit in the world. Beginning at T-Centralen is the perfect place to embark on a self-guided subway art tour. For a full guide on Stockholm’s Tunnelbana + Subway Art, take a look at my blog post here.
Take a Ferry
Ride a ferry to different areas in the city like Djurgården, a tranquil park in the midst of the island of museums. While here, explore the more popular things to see like the Skansen open-air museum, the aquarium, Gröna Lund amusem*nt park and the interactive Abba Museum.
You can buy tickets for the ferry at the booth here in front of the Grand Hotel. Check out Trainline for more options for travel throughout Stockholm and the surrounding areas.
Skeppsholmsbron
The bridge that connects Blasieholmen to Skeppsholmen features a beautiful golden crown with stunning views of Gamla Stan across the water.
Skeppsholmen
One of my favorite areas in Stockholm is the quiet Skeppsholmen. Home to a park, walking paths and a couple of popular museums like the Moderna Museet (Museum of Modern Art) it features works from artists like Picasso.
Kastellholmen
Across the small bridge is the quaint island of Kastellholmen featuring a 19th-century castle.
Explore the Charming Gamla Stan
And this was about the time I fell completely head over heels for Stockholm.
Gamla Stan, or the Old Town of Stockholm, dates back to the 1200s, featuring medieval-style colorful buildings and cobblestone streets. It’s no secret with history like this that you could spend a whole day exploring Gamla Stan alone.
Here are a few worthy things to see in Gamla Stan:
The Royal Palace
Acting as the residence for the King, the Baroque-style Royal Palace is one of the more famous sights in Stockholm. Multiple tours of the inside of the Palace are offered year-round and you can buy your tickets here.
Stortorget
Possibly the most photographed area in Gamla Stan (behind the Palace) is Stortorget. It’s actually the oldest square in Stockholm, even presenting a Christmas market here in the winter.
The Cathedrals
Stockholm’s skyline is dominated by church steeples and some of the most beautiful cathedrals exist here in Gamla Stan. Storkyrkan is the oldest church, opening in the early 1300s. Be sure to see the Saint George and the Dragon statue, a medieval bronze sculpture that was installed here in the 1400s.
Mårten Trotzigs Gränd
Stockholm’s oldest street is also the narrowest and is a popular thing to see in Gamla Stan.
Gåstorget
This smaller public square in Gamla Stan offers multiple cafés and shops. The entrance to the square is probably the coolest as you walk through a colorful tunnel under a building.
Eat a Chocolate Ball at the Oldest Café
One of Stockholm’s delectable desserts is this small chocolate ball filled with oats and butter and rolled around in coconut. It’s such a dreamy little snack and the perfect thing to pair with a latte.
There aren’t many more things I love doing more in European cities than sitting at a café outside drinking coffee and watching people stroll by. The Sundbergs Konditori has been operating in Gamla Stan since the late 1700s. It has the most adorable atmosphere on the inside, jetting you back to the interior style of that era.
Go Shopping!
Stockholm boasts some of the best shopping in Europe, I mean, it is where IKEA comes from! Hit up the posh Östermalm district for some thrift stores or head to Södermalm for more high-end designer shops.
Skinnarviksberget
This popular viewpoint is an amazing place to come for sunset. Watch the colors of the sky dissipate over the water and Stockholm’s buildings. Views of Kungsholmen across the harbor is a sight to see.
Katarina-Sofia Harbor
One of my favorite little spots in Stockholm is the harbor over on the Katarina-Sofia side of Södermalm. This pedestrian-friendly walkway stunningly hugs the edge of the island to the water. Multiple house boats dot the forefront of the harbor’s spectacular views of Stockholm. There are also a couple of different restaurants and bars in this area too. One like the Thai Boat offers late night eats and co*cktails in an awesome setting.
Go to a Concert
Who cares if you don’t have anyone to accommodate you, head to one of Stockholm’s 10 concert halls to jive away front row to your favorite band. Tons of American artists frequent Europe for their tours and I was lucky enough to see Dave Matthews Band front row during my stay in the city!
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