2 Days in Stockholm in December: Your Ultimate Winter City Guide

Written By Keri Leigh

There’s something undeniably magical about visiting Stockholm in December. The city transforms into a winter wonderland, with twinkling lights reflecting off snow-dusted rooftops and cozy cafés beckoning you in from the crisp air.

Whether you’re here for the history, the culture, or just to soak up that festive Nordic charm, Stockholm offers a perfect blend of old-world charm and modern cool. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to spend three days exploring the best of Stockholm in winter—complete with tips on where to find vegan eats, what to see, and how to stay warm while doing it.

So bundle up, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to fall in love with Stockholm’s winter magic..

✨ Before You Go: What to Know About This Itinerary

  • Location of Stay: We stayed in Gamla Stan—the Old Town—and honestly, it’s the best place to base yourself. Cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and a vibe that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a Nordic fairy tale. Plus, it’s super central, so you’re never far from the action.

  • Start and End Point: We came here from Copenhagen (you can read about that trip here), 

  • Vegan Finds: Vegan options will be listed around the areas you’ll be in for the day. Also, note that many places don’t open super early for breakfast (at least during winter), so plan accordingly!

  • Getting Around: Stockholm is very walkable! They have a tram system, which is easy to use, but walking is often just as fast (especially during “rush hour”) and lets you soak up the city’s charm.

  • Daylight Hours: Keep in mind that winter means shorter daylight hours and the sun doesn’t get very high!

  • Museum Storage: Since you will most likely be wearing heavy coats, most museums (if not all) have lockers. I would highly suggest using these as it gets hot very quickly when you’re inside!

Overview of Itinerary:

DAY ONE: Old Town & Royal History with a Side of Spooky

Storkyrkan (Stockholm Cathedral)

🕐 Estimated Time: 30 min

Start your day in Gamla Stan with a visit to Storkyrkan, Stockholm’s stunning medieval cathedral. This place is basically the OG church of the city, dating back to the 13th century. It’s famous for its beautiful wooden sculptures and the iconic statue of St. George and the Dragon—which is basically Stockholm’s version of “Game of Thrones” but with fewer dragons and more saints. It’s a quick but worthwhile stop!

The Royal Palace

🕐 Estimated Time: 1.5 hours

📍Pro tip: Take the guided tour! You can buy the tickets once you arrive!

Next up, the Royal Palace. This place is HUGE—one of the largest palaces in Europe—and home to the Swedish royal family (when they’re not busy being royally fabulous elsewhere). You can explore the lavish State Apartments, the Royal Armory, and even catch the changing of the guard if you time it right.

Nobel Prize Museum

🕐 Estimated Time: 1.5 - 2 hours

After all that regal glam, it’s time to nerd out at the Nobel Prize Museum.

Located in the heart of Gamla Stan, this museum celebrates the achievements of Nobel laureates with interactive exhibits and inspiring stories. Whether you’re into peace, literature, or science, this place will make you feel like you’re one step closer to winning a Nobel yourself (or at least writing a killer acceptance speech).

Stortorget Christmas Market

🕐 Estimated Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour

Right in front of the Nobel Prize Museum is the Stortorget Christmas Market — the OG Christmas market in Stockholm and located in the oldest square of Gamla Stan. It’s small but packed with charm—think handmade ornaments, cozy wooden stalls, and the smell of mulled wine wafting through the air. I snagged some adorable handmade ornaments here that still decorate my tree every year. If you’re expecting a giant market, temper those expectations, but it’s perfect for a quick festive fix.

📝Personal Note: Small but cute AF

Ghost Tour

🕐 Estimated Time: 1.5 hours

Ready to get spooky? Stockholm’s got history darker than your cold brew. The ghost tour we did (highly recommend: Stockholm Ghost Walk) takes you through the haunted streets of Gamla Stan, sharing tales of medieval murders, torture, and the infamous “blood bath” that gave the city a grisly nickname. It’s the perfect way to end your day with a little shiver down your spine.

Walk Around Galma Stan

If you haven’t had enough action, just walking around Galma Stan is exciting to take in the hauntingly beautiful streets and window displays!

🌱 Vegan Options in Galma Stan:

  • Espresso House

    • Our daily lifesaver as it was really the only place open early enough for those like me who are strict food-and-coffee-first-thing!

  • Virginia - Creazioni dolciarie dal 1860

    • Vegan gelato (and not just fruit options!) and truffles inside an art studio. Kinda weird, kinda cool

  • Verte 

    • We ate here twice because it was that good.

  • The Liffey

  • Källarbyn

  • Eatnam Södermalm

  • Café Kåkbrinken (Kula Stockholm in Google)

    • Each time we went here it was closed 🤷

DAY TWO: Museum Island & Christmas Cheer

Sweden National Museum

🕐 Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

Museum lovers, rejoice! The National Museum houses Sweden’s premier collection of art and design, from classic paintings to contemporary masterpieces. The building itself is a stunner, and the exhibits are thoughtfully curated. Perfect for a cozy cultural day indoors when it’s freezing outside.

Vasa Museum

🕐 Estimated Time: 1 hour

Next, meet the Vasa—a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage and was salvaged almost intact 333 years later. The museum is basically a giant ship hangar with the Vasa preserved inside, and it’s one of Stockholm’s most popular attractions. It’s fascinating, a little eerie, and makes you appreciate how far shipbuilding has come since “sink on day one” was a thing.

Viking Museum

🕐 Estimated Time: 1 hour (with optional 30-minute tour)

Channel your inner Viking at this interactive museum that dives into the lives, myths, and legends of Scandinavia’s fiercest seafarers. There’s a 30-minute guided tour that’s totally worth it if you want the full Viking experience!

ABBA Museum

🕐 Estimated Time: 1 - 1.5 hours

Whether you’re a Dancing Queen or just here for nostalgia, the ABBA Museum is a fun, kitschy tribute to Sweden’s most famous pop export. Because what’s a trip to Sweden without a little Mamma Mia? 🕺🪩

Skansen’s Christmas Market at Djurgården

🕐 Estimated Time: 2 hours

Skansen is an open-air museum and zoo showcasing Swedish traditions and wildlife, and its Christmas market is a winter wonderland. The market is huge, with tons of handmade crafts and delicious food stalls.

Don’t miss the vegan gingerbread cookies and traditional Swedish glögg (similar to mulled wine — and I actually think I like glögg more 🤫).


📝Personal Note: We visited at night, and while the live music and dancing around the tree created a wonderful festive atmosphere, the park felt a little dark. I wish there had been more Christmas lights throughout to brighten the paths and add extra holiday cheer. But overall, this was probably my favorite market of the trip!

Kungsträdgården Christmas Market

🕐 Estimated Time: 30 minutes - 1 hour

This market has a huge ice skating rink and live music, but the shopping stalls were underwhelming during our visit. Online says there are 400 stalls, but we saw way fewer (and I mean like maybe 10). Still, if you want to lace up your skates and pretend you’re in a winter rom-com, this is your spot!

📝Personal Note: This market for me was just meh, but the ice rink is cool!

🌱 Vegan Options on/near Museum Island:

  • Bonnie’s

    • Breakfast here is a bit pricier, but after a week of coffee shop breakfasts (thanks, late openings), it was worth it. This is also inside a hotel!

  • Kafé Plattan

  • Blå+

  • BASTA Åhléns

  • Arturs Kafé

As your 2-day Stockholm adventure comes to a close, it’s time to say goodbye to this enchanting winter city. From the charming cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan to the fascinating museums and festive markets, I hope you’ve fallen as hard for Stockholm as I have.

Whether you’re heading home with a suitcase full of memories, handmade ornaments, or just a craving for more Swedish fika, may the magic of this Nordic winter stay with you long after you leave.

Safe travels and happy exploring! 🇸🇪✨

Keri Leigh
Previous

3 Days in Copenhagen in December: A Cozy, Hygge-Filled Winter Adventure
Next

Ultimate 4-Day Norway Travel Guide: From Oslo to Bergen and the Fjords