Stockholm on a budget
Publish date: 29 August 2024
Want to keep expenses low during your stay in Stockholm? Here are some free or cost-friendly things to see and do while visiting.
Visiting a new city doesn't have to be expensive. Some museums in Stockholm are free for children (or even for adults), and the public has free access to our parks and nature reserves. Here are some suggestions for a cost-friendly visit to Stockholm
Museums and attractions
Some museums, like Moderna Museet and Bonniers Konsthall, are admission-free once a week. Others are admission-free all year round. Visit our guide about free museums in Stockholm for more info.
- Art in the Stockholm Metro – For the price of a public transportation ticket, you'll get access to the world's longest art exhibition; the Stockholm Metro. The most famous stations are on the Blue Line, like Kungsträdgården and Hallonbergen, but most stations have some artwork or artful decoration.
- Parliament House – The Swedish Parliament, "Riksdagen", is located just a stone's throw from Old Town and is open to anyone who wants to sit in on a debate, hearing, or visit the library. Guided tours (September-June; no tours July-August as the parliament is not in session) are admission-free but have to be booked in advance.
- Kulturkvarter Snösätra – Formerly an industrial area with smaller businesses, Snösätra has been turned into a year-round open-air graffiti exhibition. New works are unveiled at the annual Spring Beast festival.
- Stockholm City Museum – At Slussen. The museum tells the history of Stockholm and its people and has a large collection of artifacts objects, and photographs.
- The City Archive – On Kungsholmen. The City Archive has a vast collection of public information, and publications released by the City of Stockholm. Everything from birth and marriage certificates, tourism pamphlets and magazines, and building permits are stored and open to the public.
- The National Library of Sweden – The National Library (or KB = Kungliga biblioteket) has been housed in its current location, in the middle of Humlegården Park, since 1877. Its vast collection of books, magazines, and DVDs includes well over 18 million items, of which the oldest are over a thousand years old.
- The National Sports Museum of Sweden – Learn about the highs and lows of Swedish sports and relive classic moments through pictures and sports commentaries, from the 1912 Olympics to achievements of superstars like Armand Duplantis, Sarah Sjöström, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
- The Swedish Holocaust Museum – Stockholm's newest museum, opened in 2023. The museum tells the personal stories of people and families that survived the Holocaust from a Swedish perspective, through letters, photographs, and other personal effects.
- The Woodland Cemetery – A UNESCO world heritage site, located by the Skogskyrkogården Metro Station. Considered one of the most important modernist works, The Woodland Cemetary is a unique blend of architecture and serene nature.
Nature and parks
Because of the "Swedish right to roam" (Allemansrätten) nature is always free and accessible to everyone in Sweden. Stockholm County has over 330 nature reserves, two national parks, and one National City Park. Here's a small sample:
- Inner-city Parks – You'll find several green oases in the middle of town, perfect for an outdoor lunch or fika, a walk, or just a day of enjoying the weather. Some of the most popular are Vita bergen, Vasaparken, and Rålambhovsparken.
- Järvafältet – Comprised of several parks, nature reserves, lakes, and fields, Järvafältet is the largest green area in northern Stockholm. A former military training area, its size makes it accessible by foot from several of the Blue Line's metro stations.
- Sculpture parks – Several Stockholm museums, like Artipelag and Moderna Museet, have beautiful – admission free – sculpture parks, and in 2020 The Princess Estelle Sculpture Park opened on Djurgården.
- The Nacka Nature Reserve and Hellasgården – One of the largest outdoor areas in Southern Stockholm, The Nacka Nature Reserve is a popular spot for hiking, kayaking, or in the winter, cross-country skiing. Busses from Slussen will take you to Hellasgården, where you'll find a restaurant and café.
- The Royal National City Park – Although often associated with the Island of Djurgården, The Royal National City Park stretches up to Frescati in the neighboring municipality of Solna. The park is unique as the first of its kind; an urban national park with rich flora and fauna.
- Tyresta National Park – Located in Haninge, South of Stockholm, Tyresta is one of the largest untouched woodlands in Sweden outside the alpine areas. The area has a beautiful virgin forest and was made a national park in 1993.
Affordable shopping
Swedish and Scandinavian design is renowned for its modest och functionalist approach. While some of the most famous fashion and design brands might be on the high-end, there are budget-friendly alternatives.
- Granit – Swedish chain of stores focusing on functional, yet creative, storage solutions made of paper, porcelain, wicker, and more often than not in simple and natural colors. Granit can be found in several locations in Stockholm.
- Designtorget – A design boutique with a little bit of everything; books, games, furniture, tableware, toys, and jewelry. The inventory mixes design classics, like String bookshelves, and new creations from up-and-coming designers.
- Ikea – Arguably the most famous Swedih four letter word, save for Abba. Furniture and everyday-design department store Ikea is in Kungens Kurva, in southern Stockholm. In 2021 the company also opened a city boutique in central Stockholm, stocking smaller everyday objects.
- Vintage and secondhand shops – Vintage and secondhand is an excellent way to shop affordably, and in Stockholm, there are many options. From thrift store chains like Stockholms Stadsmission and Myrorna to small independent second-hand shops like Stockholm Slow Fashion Hub, Cirkuläret, and Apans Andra Hand. Several famous fashion brands, like Acne and Rodebjer, also have secondhand stores of their own, where you'll find past collections at a discounted price. Read our vintage guide for more secondhand shopping tips.
- Fleamarkets in Stockholm – Summer especially, is the high season for flea -and weekend markets in Stockholm. Find pre-loved books, toys, clothes, and records, and give them a new home. Find local flea markets in our guide.
Affordable eating
While it's nice to treat yourself to a fantastic dinner (and there are many great places for that in Stockholm) not every meal needs an all-in affair. Sometimes you just need something quick, easy, and affordable. Here are some options.
- Food courts in Stockholm – A great way to get out of discussions about what to eat is to pick a food court or market hall where there's something for everyone. For example Teatern on Södermalm, Sthlm City Food Hall on Norrmalm, or the Östermalm market hall.
- Burger joints in Stockholm – Burger, fries, and a beer or a soda is a timeless combo. Barrels Burgers and Beer, Bastard Burgers, and Flippin' Burgers are just a few examples and you'll find more in our burger guide.
- Pizza restaurants in Stockholm – Some of the best pizza restaurants in Stockholm, like Bananas, and Omnipollos Hatt are also good affordable alternatives for a meal. You'll find even more suggestions in our pizza guide.