In addition to the free museums, Stockholm also offers a wealth of attractions that are either free or inexpensive, making it easy to experience the city’s culture and history on a budget. Below are our recommendations for free and low cost activities in Stockholm:
Free attractions, events, and activities
- Gamla Stan (Old Town)
Stroll through the charming cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town, where you can admire beautiful medieval buildings. It’s a beautiful and historic area that’s free to wander and a must-see for anyone visiting Stockholm. - Admire the Royal Palace from outside
You can enter both the outer and inner courtyards for free. And you can also admire the architecture of the building from the outside. Although there is a fee to enter the Royal Palace, this is a building we recommend you visit at least once, even if you choose to only view the exterior. - Changing of the Royal Guard
Experience the ceremonial Changing of the Royal Guard outside the Royal Palace, which occurs daily during the summer and a bit less frequent during the winter. This 40-minute ceremony is free to watch, features a military band, and is a popular attraction amongst visitors to Stockholm. Read more about it here. - Enjoy the view from Lejonbacken
For a great view, head to the top of Lejonbacken (Lion’s Hill), which is the northern entrance to the Royal Palace’s inner courtyard. From here, if you turn your back to the palace and look north, you’ll see Norrbro Street stretching out in front of you. To the left is the Swedish Parliament building, while to the right, you’ll spot Norrström (the waterway), with the Royal Opera House and Kungsträdgården Park (King’s Garden) in the background. - Visit the German Church
Visit the German Church (Tyska Kyrkan) for free, a popular square in Gamla Stan. The church is from the early 17th century and was meant to serve Stockholm’s large German.speaking community at that time. Still today most of the regular services in the church are in German. - Window shop and people watch in Gamla Stan
There are also many quaint shops and cozy cafés to explore. If you’re a fan of science fiction or fantasy literature, Manga, comics, board and role playing games make sure to stop by the Science Fiction Bookstore. They have a large selection of items, and is a fun place to browse even if you’re not planning to buy anything. - Monteliusvägen Cliff Path
Monteliusvägen is a popular promenade located on the north part of Södermalm island. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Norrmalm, Gamla stan, and Lake Mälaren. It’s a great spot for photography or to just enjoy the amazon view. If you’re looking for a good spot for taking some scenic photos of the city we recommend getting here right before either sunset or sunrise when you’ll have the best light. - Kungsträdgården
Kungsträdgården is a popular public park located right in the center of Stockholm. This place is perfect for relaxation and people-watching. It often hosts events both during summer and winter. If you’re visiting Stockholm during April, we recommend watching the cherry blossoms that are a popular attraction during spring. - Visit the City Hall garden
The inner courtyard and the park, with its ocean view are completely free to visit. This is a popular spot to enjoy the view and grab some photos. The view from the waterfront is especially popular, and is a great photo spot. If you want to enter the city hall building there is however a fee, but the courtyard is well worth a visit as well. - Free Walking Tours
Participate in free walking tours around the city, where you can tip the guide based on your experience. This is a fantastic way to learn about Stockholm’s history and culture. Read more on Free Tour Stockholm arranges, these are the arrangers of these free tours. - Stockholm Metro Art
Assuming that you do have an SL travelcard, you can explore the world’s longest art exhibition by taking a ride on the metro. And if not, a single ride ticket valid for 75 minutes will take you back only 42 SEK. Many stations have impressive artworks, with some of our personal favorites at Kungsträdgården, Thorildsplan, and the Blue Line at T-Centralen. But there are many more to explore. Read more in our full guide here. - Parks and Nature
Stockholm has numerous parks, such as Vitabergsparken, Rålambshovs Park, Hagaparken, and Djurgården where visitors can picnic, relax, take leisure walks, and enjoy nature without any cost. See our full guide on parks in Stockholm. - Window Shopping in SoFo
Explore the trendy SoFo district in Södermalm, known for its unique shops, boutiques, and cafes. If you enjoy people-watching or window shopping it’s a great place to experience local culture without spending much money. - Cultural Events
Two recurring annual cultural events are Stockholm’s Culture Festival and Stockholm Culture Night. Stockholm’s Culture Festival (Kulturfestivalen) is completely free to attend and hosts, among other things, outdoor film screenings and free concerts. Stockholm Culture Night (Kulturnatt Stockholm) is an annual event that occurs in the evening and continues through the night, once a year. During Stockholm’s Culture Night many museums offer free admission. - Visit a flea market
There are a lot of flea markets in Stockholm. These usually occur on the weekends. Three popular spots are the Hötorget Flea Market (Google Maps location), Karlaplan (Google Maps location), and Hornstull (Google Maps location)
Low-cost attractions, events, and activities
- Bike rentals
Stockholm is a bike-friendly city, and cycling is a fantastic way to explore the parks and waterfronts. The city’s official bike rental partner is the Italian company RideMovi, but there are several other great options for renting bikes as well. - Commuter ferries
Take a scenic ride on Stockholm’s commuter ferries, which are affordable and provide beautiful views of the city from the water. They operate like regular public transport, making them a budget-friendly option for sightseeing. - Ice skating at Kungsträdgården
During winter months, ice skating in Kungsträdgården is free, with affordable rentals for skates available nearby. Rentals are: 100 SEK for an hour (50 SEK for children and teenagers up to 19 years old.)