Stockholm in the winter is one of the nicest places to go in Europe if you don’t mind the cold. The epitome of comfort can be found in this Swedish urban paradise, which the Swedes would refer to as mysigt rather than hygge.
There are many enjoyable wintertime activities in Stockholm, such as touring the museums, pausing for coffee breaks (fika) and Swedish pastries, visiting Christmas markets, and taking picturesque boat rides through canals.
There are lots of things to do in Sweden’s capital city even in the winter. Visit the Christmas markets, ice skate on the city’s natural rinks, or just wander around the Old Town’s gorgeously lit streets.
Visit the city’s most picturesque Christmas Market in Stortorget (Big Square), in the center of Gamla Stan’s Old Town, to get a true taste of winter in Stockholm. Here, you may browse the charming, red-painted wooden stalls selling Swedish food, hot mulled wine, Christmas crafts, and ornaments.
At the center of vibrant Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace (also known as Stockholm Palace) stands out like a diamond on the chilly streets. This article will share 10 enchanting things to do in Stockholm during winter.
Explore Gamla Stan’s Winter Wonderland
Stockholm is undoubtedly COLD in the winter, but that shouldn’t deter you from visiting this amazing city. Traveling off-season will save you money, there are tons of fantastic winter activities in Stockholm to explore, and if you’re lucky, you might even see the Northern Lights!
During this time, the city is transformed into a winter paradise with snow-covered streets, Christmas markets, and festive accents. Furthermore, the Swedish concept of “hygge” and “Fika” ideal for fleeing the cold and sipping a hot beverage by the fire know how to embrace the warm cozy emotions of winter.
Stockholm, Sweden, has a dark winter. In December, there are only around 6 hours of daylight because the sun rises at 9 am and sets at 3 pm. The days are even shorter in January and February. There are still many of things to do and see during this time, so don’t let this deter you! In the winter, Stockholm may receive a significant amount of snow, depending on the year. As a result, be ready for snowy surroundings and slick sidewalks.
Mid-December to early February in the winter is the ideal time to visit Stockholm. The most snowfall and festive events, such as Christmas markets and ice skating rinks, may be found around this time. Gamla Stan, or the old part of Stockholm, is particularly charming in the winter with its cobblestone lanes and brightly colored houses blanketed in snow. The ideal winter sport in Stockholm is ice skating. The best outdoor ice rink is in Kungsträdgrden, though there are a few scattered across the city. If you don’t have your skates, you can borrow a pair at the ice rink for free.
Skansen is an outdoor museum that is wonderful to explore in the winter. Traditional homes, structures, and churches from throughout Sweden can be found in the museum, which is laid out to resemble a tiny Swedish village. Additionally, there is a wildlife park where natural Nordic creatures including moose, lynx, wolverines, and reindeer can be found.
Numerous events, such as Christmas markets, carol singing, and festive food booths, take place during the winter. The first weekend of Advent marks the start of the Christmas market, which continues through the fourth Sunday of Advent.
Ice Skating at Kungsträdgården Park
Kungsträdgården is a park in central Stockholm, Sweden. It is colloquially known as Kungsan. One of the most well-liked hangouts and gathering spots in Stockholm is the park thanks to its convenient location and outdoor cafés. In the summer, it also holds outdoor performances and activities, and in the winter, it has an ice rink.
One of the best things to do in Stockholm with the family is to visit Kungstradgarden Park Stockholm, which is renowned for being one of the city’s best parks and attracting a sizable number of visitors year-round with its endearing natural beauty and distinctive fun activities.
The park is the perfect place for visitors to spend enjoyable time in a welcoming setting that is appropriate for everyone, making a trip to Kungstradgarden appropriate for those looking for things to do in Stockholm. It’s also important to note that the park has a fantastic location with a view of the Lilla Vartan strait.
For many winter tourists to Stockholm, skating around this ice rink in the midst of the city is a must-do activity. The rink is open to everyone and is free. It is accessible throughout the winter (weather permitting). If you don’t have your own skates with you, then they do have skates available for rental.
Visit the Christmas Markets
Take a cup of warm glögg and a gingerbread cookie to one of Stockholm’s Christmas markets to get into the holiday spirit.
A local Christmas market is one of the best places to experience a nation’s holiday customs. There are several options in Stockholm and its surroundings. You may purchase lovely handicrafts and holiday decorations here, sample Swedish seasonal treats, and of course see Santa.
At Taxinge Castle, Sweden’s largest Christmas fair, more than 130 of the top artisans in the nation sell their incredible handmade wares. Discover a vintage Christmas market that dates back to 1903. Everything from handicrafts and designs to chocolates, handcrafted candles, and more may be purchased here.
For the past 20 years, the Marzipan Boat has visited Stockholm each Christmas. High-end, handcrafted chocolate and marzipan confections from a family bakery in Trosa fill the boat. Other candies to get you in the holiday spirit include marzipan figurines, chocolate bars, fruit marmalades, praline boxes, fudge, and many others. They offer free samples of their flavored marzipan to everyone.
The Christmas market in Stortorget in Gamla Stan, the Old Town, dates back to the Middle Ages. 41 booths selling a variety of goods, including ceramics, exquisite smithing, and other crafts, as well as sausages, mulled wine, and other foods, may be found among the famous structures.
Skansen, a traditional Christmas market in Stockholm. On Bollnästorget, the Skansen Christmas market is hosted. Around 70 market stalls selling treats like marzipan and wool crafts are also here. When you’re hungry, indulge in a variety of flavors, from sweet to salty.
Warm Up in Swedish Saunas
The sauna reflects a similar tradition in Scandinavia, and most definitely in Sweden, where heated spaces or structures offer visitors a means to unwind and sweat in addition to promoting several health benefits. Saunas, also known as “bastu,” are widely available throughout Sweden.
All year long, take advantage of the advantages of a classic outdoor Swedish sauna. The 9kw heater that comes with the Traditional Swedish Barrel sauna provides excellent heating. The typical size is 1.91m high by 1.82m deep. Both indoor and outdoor locations for barrel saunas will enhance the attractiveness of your landscape. The best Canadian red cedar, which naturally resists insects and deterioration, is used in its construction.
It offers strength, stability, and energy efficiency because of its distinctive design, and requires essentially no continuing maintenance. The sauna is delivered on a pallet and may be quickly put together in a few hours, or we can install it for you. All of this is supported by a 5-year labor and parts guarantee.
Visit “Tanto Bastun” on the island of Sodermalm, close to Tantolunden Park, in the center of Stockholm. On the Baltic Sea, the hut is situated on a wooden pontoon. You can see how much of a green city Stockholm is thanks to this Bastu, where nature is all around you. It is a very strange location.
The most well-known is the Bastu de Hellasgarden, which is located at the city’s exit. It is the “campaign” of Stockholm in the eyes of the Swedes. You will get this wholly genuine experience close to Lake Kalltorpssjön, amid the natural world. The frozen lake develops a hole in the ice over the winter. You can have a magical moment in this extraordinary setting.
The historic bathhouse Centralbadet, which is located in the center of Stockholm, emanates a classic elegance. Its exquisitely preserved saunas, which include a classic Turkish bath, provide a tranquil setting where you can get away from the busy city and partake in relaxing heat therapies.
Cozy Up in a Swedish Café for Fika
The Swedish culture is heavily influenced by the idea, attitude, and state of mind known as fika. Making time for fika each day is something that many Swedes believe to be practically necessary. It entails setting aside time for friends and coworkers to get together and have a cup of coffee (or tea) and a light meal. Fika is not something you can enjoy by yourself at your work.
The Swedish tradition of fika is ongoing and takes place all year long. Visitors may mingle with locals in cozy, candlelit cafes in the fall and winter, which are the ideal places to warm up after an exhausting morning or afternoon of touring.
Swedes enjoy having fika outdoors in the spring and summer, and you may frequently see locals huddling under blankets on brisk, chilly days. As the squares fill up, take a seat along the street and enjoy a moment of people-watching.
Fortunately, Sweden is endowed with a plethora of warm and inviting bakeries and coffee shops that offer the ideal environment for wonderful fika-ing. While taking a break, you may appreciate the vibrant, medieval structures of Gamla Stan in Stockholm, while the Haga neighborhood of Gothenburg is well-known for its enormous cinnamon buns.
Witness the Northern Lights from Abisko
Abisko National Park is a National Park in Sweden. Abisko is situated in the Swedish province of Lapland near the Norwegian border (distance approx. 37 km (23 mi) by railway), and belongs to Kiruna Municipality, Sweden’s northernmost and largest municipality.
Abisko, a 77 km2 national park in the center of Swedish Lapland, is well-known for its natural beauty, biodiversity, and year-round popularity as a destination for outdoor activities. The Abisko Sky Station, regarded as one of the best locations for witnessing the rare, spectacular northern lights, is situated inside the national park.
For the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, you should visit the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko National Park. In and near Kiruna, in the far north of Sweden, the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, show at the beginning of September. Pink, green, and purple streaks dance high in the sky, bringing it to life.
Visit the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko National Park for the best chance of spotting the Northern Lights. You may access the observation tower, a café, and a gift store at the station by using a chairlift.
Visit Stockholm’s Ice Bars
The glass in which your drink is presented at ICEBAR Stockholm is composed of ice, much like the bar itself. The bar can accommodate up to 60 people and maintains a constant temperature of -5°C (23°F). A drink and a 45-minute visit are both included in the entry cost. Children are welcome, and a fun non-alcoholic beverage is provided.
To stay comfortable and guard the ice from body heat, every visitor is given an ice cape and a pair of gloves. This is a truly one-of-a-kind experience and not simply a drink in a pub in the heart of Stockholm; it’s a taste of the polar charm of northern Sweden. Cool, crisp air, a stunning interior with a unique style, artistic design, and a memory to last a lifetime Meet you.
Bring some friends or coworkers together and unleash your inner ice artist. Ice blocks from the Torne River are used for this activity, which is led by a skilled ice artist from ICEHOTEL.
The activity lasts for 45 to 60 minutes and takes place on the terrace of Hotel C Stockholm. The goal is to make an ice sculpture while working in teams of 10 to 50 individuals. In the ICEBAR, we raise our ice-filled glasses in celebration of the winning team.
All of the rooms in the Icehotel Winter and Icehotel 365 are made of snow and ice and are kept at a freezing -5 to -8 degrees Celsius. All visitors sleeping in Ice Rooms or Art Suites in any hotel can find warm storage and facilities in the Riverside Lobby, which also has a communal restroom, sauna, and shower area.
Indulge in Swedish Comfort Food
Swedish cuisine, often known as det svenska köket, is the country’s traditional cuisine. There are regional variances in the food of North and South Sweden because of the country’s wide north-to-south stretches.
Meats like reindeer and other (semi-)game foods, some of which have their roots in Sami culture, were historically consumed in the far north, but fresh vegetables have traditionally played a larger role in the south. The classic combination of meatballs and brown cream sauce with tart, pungent lingonberry jam (which has a flavor somewhat akin to cranberry sauce) is only one example of how many traditional recipes use straightforward, contrasting flavors.
Examples of Swedish husmanskost are pea soup (ärtsoppa), boiled and mashed carrots, potato and rutabaga served with pork (rotmos med fläsk), many varieties of salmon (such as gravlax, inkokt lax, fried, pickled), varieties of herring (most commonly pickled, but also fried, au gratin, etc.), fishballs (fibular), meatballs (köttbullar), potato dumplings with meat or other ingredients (salt), potato pancake (raggmunk), varieties of porridge (gröt), a fried mix of pieces of potato, different kind of meats, sausages, bacon, and onion (part I panna), meat stew with onion (kalops), and potato dumplings with a filling of onions and pork (kroppkakor). Many of the dishes would be considered comfort food for the nostalgic value.
A spiced, typically alcoholic, mulled wine or spirit is known as glögg, glgg, or glögi. It is a customary Nordic beverage used during the winter, especially around Christmas, and is particularly linked to Sweden. Since at least the 16th century, hot wine has been a popular beverage throughout the Nordic nations.
Winter Kayaking in the Archipelago
Kayaking in the Stockholm Archipelago during the winter is a very wonderful and unforgettable experience. Get out of the busy city center, hop in a kayak, and discover the archipelago from the greatest vantage point.
Enjoy the breathtaking scenery, visit the charming wooden houses, and learn about the area’s history. For the whole archipelago experience, winter kayaking can be followed by the traditional wood-burning sauna and a chilly dip in the ocean.
By kayak, tour the Stockholm Archipelago throughout the winter. For those who live here year-round, life resumes normal once the summer tourists leave. When kayaking in the winter, you can appreciate the peace and pleasure of having an archipelago to yourself.
You may experience the entirety of the archipelago by paddling around Vaxholm, which features a fortress from the 16th century and old-style fishing huts. Along the route, take in the stunning Swedish architecture and hear the stories told by the locals. The greatest natural reserve in Stockholm is on the opposite side; it was originally inhabited by Vikings more than a thousand years ago. Despite being only 30 minutes from Stockholm, take in the beautiful winter scenery and the sense of peace.
Some important winter kayaking safety tips are:
- Check the weather before you leave. This is a fundamental guideline for kayaking year-round, but it’s especially important if you’re going to be kayaking in chilly weather. When severe winds or lightning are predicted, avoid hitting the water or kayaking during a thunderstorm. Before you leave, check the local weather report.
- OVERLAY your PFD: While on the water, you must always keep your PFD on for safety. Due to this, we advise wearing your PFD over your base layer (we go into more detail on how you should dress in the following section). After that, you can build on top of it with further layers. In this manner, you can modify your temperature without taking off your PFD by removing layers of clothing.
- Understand what to do if your kayak flips over. Even though it’s quite improbable that your kayak will flip, it’s still a good idea to be prepared. In light of this, we advise practice rolling and re-entering your kayak throughout the summer until you feel confident in your abilities.
- Make friends with others: Winter kayaking is never a good idea. Always go with a friend, and let them know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Inform someone if you decide to alter those plans.
- know your limitations: Never go beyond your limits or skills when kayaking, regardless of the season. This has to do with where you’re going and how long your journey will last.
- Remain near the shore: Staying near to shore is crucial when kayaking since weather conditions can change quickly. This helps you avoid being lost in the fog, rain, clouds, or other bad weather and makes sure you can return to shore swiftly.
Experience Winter Wellness at Yasuragi
Yasuragi has served as a haven for individuals to rejuvenate for more than 20 years. Since the beginning, harmony, beauty, and peace have been fundamental principles. The event begins with a lesson on the Japanese custom of ablution, or self-washing. All visitors are urged to participate in the ritual before entering the bathroom. After fully cleansing, visitors can begin in the small hot spring or dry sauna located within the restroom.
Everyone who visits has access to the fruit and tea area, which can help them refuel and hydrate in between activities. Additionally, travelers can reserve a variety of spa services, but reservations are required. Additionally, there is an activity program for each day where visitors can engage in activities like yoga and meditation.
This is Sweden in the winter: picture stunning landscapes covered in snow, dancing Northern Lights, pleasant fireside nights, and a wealth of winter activities that evoke the spirit of adventure. This Nordic country changes into a genuine winter paradise, providing a singular fusion of exquisite natural beauty, illustrious traditions, and exhilarating outdoor activities.
Traveling in Sweden during the wintertime offers a unique opportunity for immersion. Sweden certainly shines in the colder months, from its characteristic Swedish cities decked out in glittering Christmas lights to its stunning wilderness locations that offer isolation and adventure.
Sweden evolves into a snowy wonderland full of many attractions as the seasons change and winter sets in. Prepare yourself to enjoy the cold. In Sweden, particularly in the north, in locations like Kiruna, winter is the greatest season to view the Northern Lights.
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