# 2 Days in Stockholm: My Real Itinerary

Stockholm had been on my list for a while, and after finally spending two days exploring it on foot, I wanted to share exactly what I did — not a generic "top 10 things to do" list, but my actual itinerary, plus a few things I wish I'd known before landing. This post contains affiliate links all highlighted in red. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

## Getting There & Getting Around

I flew into Arlanda Airport from Warsaw. If you're watching your budget, skip the Arlanda Express train — I took the airport bus into the city, which was noticeably cheaper and still got me there without any hassle.

Once in the city, getting around was easy. Stockholm's public transport is excellent, and the ticketing system is refreshingly simple: there's just one ticket type valid for 75 minutes, and you tap your credit card directly on the reader — no app, no separate transit card needed. Though you can book tickets via the SL app which is the public transport app for Stockholm.

I stayed at the Nobis Stockholm, which put me in a great central location for exploring on foot.

## Day 1: Old Town, History, and Meatballs

I landed early and got to the hotel around 9am — well before check-in. Instead of waiting around, I asked if I could have my breakfast on the arrival day (instead on the check out day, since I was anyway checking out before breakfast) while my room was being prepared, and the hotel kindly accommodated me. A small thing, but worth asking if you're ever in the same situation.

After breakfast, I set out on foot toward Gamla Stan (Stockholm's Old Town). The narrow cobblestone streets and colorful buildings make it an easy, enjoyable place to just wander. While there, I also visited the Royal Palace Museum, which was a great way to dig into Swedish royal history.

For lunch, I couldn't resist trying the famously debated IKEA meatballs — yes, they live up to the hype.

I walked everywhere this day, which is genuinely doable given how compact central Stockholm is.

In the evening, I did something a little different: I visited a few of Stockholm's metro stations to see the art installations. Many stations are decorated with murals, sculptures, and rock-cut art — it's often called the world's longest art gallery, and it costs only a metro ticket if you explore yourself, but visiting with an local guide is highly recomended. Also it's an unique way to spend an evening.

## Day 2: Museums and the Waterfront

I started early at the Vasa Museum — and I'd strongly recommend doing the same. I arrived around 9am when it opened and had a smooth, uncrowded visit. When I left around 11am, the queue outside had grown significantly. If the Vasa Museum is on your list, morning is the way to go.

Right near the Vasa Museum, there's also a small boat museum that's free to visit — an easy add-on if you're already in the area.

After that, I spent some time walking around the city center, taking in the atmosphere at a slower pace.

In the evening, I made my way to the ABBA Museum. It's highly recommended to book tickets in advance online, since entrance is available only on booked time slots. Instead of taking one of the boat tours available, I opted to take the ferry, which was a simple and scenic way to get there.

## Things I Found Interesting

A few practical notes from the trip:

- **Public transport is simple and efficient** — one ticket type (75 minutes), tap your card directly, no need for an app.

- **The bus is the most budget-friendly way to get to and from the airport**, especially compared to the Arlanda Express.

- **Visit the Vasa Museum early**, ideally right at opening (9am). The queues by mid-morning get long fast.

- **There's a free boat museum near the Vasa Museum** — easy to combine into the same outing.

- I stayed at the **Nobis Stockholm**, which was a well-located base for exploring the city on foot.

## Final Thoughts

Two days is enough to get a genuine feel for Stockholm's history, design, and culture — especially if you're comfortable walking and don't mind an early start on museum days. This itinerary worked well for me, and I'd happily follow the same route again.

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