It’s a must-visit city (Image: Getty)
If you were asked to name Europe’s top city break destinations, heavyweights like Paris, Milan, or Madrid usually dominate the conversation. But Stockholm quietly holds its own against these famous capitals – and it is somewhere I would return to in a heartbeat.
What surprised me most about Stockholm wasn’t just its beauty, but its overarching vibe. The Swedish capital has an effortless, laid-back charm: it’s noticeably quiet, remarkably clean, and genuinely friendly. It gives you the distinct sense that you could spend days wandering through its many neighborhoods.
However, I only had a few hours realistically, as I was visiting on a port day during a Holland America Line cruise through the Baltics. Still, there was no doubt for me that Stockholm was one of the highlights.
Whether you are looking for centuries of rich history or simply seeking a relaxing getaway with some delicious baked goods, the city delivers a perfect balance of historic sightseeing and easy living that fits the Scandinavian modernism style.
It’s a city where even with limited time you can still experience some of the best it has to offer (with a little help from a well-thought-out ChatGPT itinerary).
Kate visited as part of a wider Baltics cruise with Holland America Line (Image: Kate Wilson)
We started at Gamla Stan, the city’s beautiful old town. This historic district is a maze of cobbled medieval alleyways where it is a joy to get lost among dozens of gift shops.
At its heart lies Stortorget, the iconic, colorful square that has become an absolute haven for photographers and Instagram feeds alike. But the square holds important significance, being home to the Nobel Prize Museum. There are over 100 museums and attractions in Stockholm so I think it’s safe to say that there probably is something for everyone.
But its number one attraction – and for good reason – is the breathtaking Vasa Museum located on the aptly named museum island of Djurgården. It houses an extraordinarily preserved 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and spent 333 years underwater.
In Stockholm exploring the city is half the fun – and navigating your way around its water-bound geography you could easily find yourself in one of the many waterfront bars for a quick pit-stop before you head to your next sightseeing destination.
For those with more time and the inclination it’s a city made for cyclists – and renting family bikes would be a brilliant and safe way to see the city. There’s also dozens of scenic river cruise options.
We settled for walking and meandered our way back around the water towards Parliament House and the Royal Palace where we got to witness the royal spectacle of the Changing of the Guard.
And of course a visit to Stockholm wouldn’t be complete without embracing its world-class café culture and fika – the Swedish tradition of slowing down over coffee and a fresh cinnamon bun at a cozy neighborhood café.
Sadly we couldn’t slow too much as we had to get back onboard the ship. But just a few hours in Stockholm proved that you don’t need the chaos of a mega-metropolis to enjoy one of Europe’s truly great city breaks and we’ll definitely be heading back for a much longer trip.
Book the holiday
Prices for a 14-day Baltic and Scandinavian Capitals cruise with Holland America Line starts from £2,299pp. If you book the Have It All Early Booking Bonus, prices start from £3,209pp and include extra perks such as $200 onboard credit per person, prepaid crew appreciation, Premium wi-fi, an Elite Beverage Package, up to $200 shore excursion credits and up to three nights speciality dining credits. Find out more at hollandamerica.com.