Södermalm is characterized by its bohemian atmosphere and has become one of Stockholm’s trendiest areas in recent years.It’s an island south of Gamla Stan (the Old Town), connected by bridges to other parts of the city. Each neighborhood in Södermalm has its own atmosphere.
The SoFo neighborhood is a trendy part of Södermalm. SoFo is short for “South of Folkungagatan, and is a vibrant and trendy neighborhood in the southeast part of Södermalm. It’s roughly bordered by the streets Folkungagatan to the north, Ringvägen to the south, Götgatan to the west, and Erstagatan to the east. Here you’ll find restaurants and cafés, independent boutiques, and trendy bars. The best way to experience SoFo is by walking around and exploring its many small streets and neighborhood highlights.
The area around Mariatorget (Maria Square), including the streets Swedenborgsgatan and Hornsgatan, is another popular and vibrant part of Södermalm. This area is rich in history and culture, has a good selection of restaurants and cafées, and also has an active nightlife with a good selection of bars and clubs.
Things to see and do in Södermalm
Museums
Two of Stockholm’s most notable museums are located in Södermalm. The Fotografiska Museum, a museum dedicated to contemporary photography, and the Stockholm City Museum, a museum that exhibits the history of Stockholm. Both of the museums are located near the Slussen area and the Stockholm City Museum is free of charge to visit. In case you want to avoid the crowds Fotografiska stays open late in the evening.
Photo spots
Take a walk along Monteliusvägen, a small gravel path on the north side of Södermalm island, where you’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views of Stockholm. From here, you can overlook Gamla Stan (the Old Town), the City Hall, Slussen, and Kungsholmen.
Art
The top spots for exploring art galleries in Södermalm are Hornsgatan and the SoFo neighborhood. Hornsgatan alone is home to about 15 galleries, mostly concentrated between Slussen and Mariatorget square. This historic stretch of the street features 18th-century buildings and offers a unique artistic atmosphere. Starting from Slussen, take the elevated, right-hand side of the street, where most of the galleries are located. Hornsgatan is a long street that extends from Slussen in northern Södermalm to Hornstull at the west end of the island
The art galleries on Hornsgatan lean more towards traditional and classical art, while SoFo offers more galleries featuring modern and contemporary works. SoFo’s creative atmosphere and bohemian roots have made it a hub for artists, designers, and art enthusiasts. Candyland,an artist-run gallery, experimental and innovative art. Galleri 86 Stockholm promotes contemporary art that often explores themes challenging conventional perspectives and pushing the boundaries of traditional art.
Shopping
Known for its bohemian atmosphere, SoFo is the go-to neighborhood for independent boutiques, vintage stores, Scandinavian design, and quirky finds. Södermalm is the center of Stockholm’s vintage and secondhand culture. Stores like Beyond Retro, Stockholms Stadsmission, and Humana Second Hand are packed with carefully curated collections of vintage clothing, accessories, and retro treasures.
Parks and hangout
The area around the Tanto park is a vast outdoor area where you can spend hours strolling, especially in the summer. Take the metro to Hornstull and head south towards the water; there is a staircase leading down to the park, which has a large lawn and a sandy beach by the water. Continue east along the waterfront, which will take you through Tanto and all the way to the Skanstull area. Along the way, you will pass the Tanto Sauna (Tantobastun), a members only sauna that is also open to the public a few nights a week. Further down the walkway is Boulebar Tanto, a popular spot for boules, food, and drinks. The theme here is French, from the food and drinks to the boules game.
Restaurants in Södermalm
Meatballs for the People is a popular restaurant located in the Södermalm district, renowned for its focus on Swedish meatballs. Opened in 2013, the eatery offers a variety of meatballs made from diverse ingredients, including elk, beef, salmon, and even vegetarian options. The restaurant is not just a dining spot but also features a deli where you can purchase meatballs to take with you, so you can enjoy the experience wherever you’re staying.
Freyja+Söder is a restaurant and bar with a spacious rooftop area that offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, including landmarks like Riddarfjärden and Djurgården. Freyja focuses on contemporary Swedish cuisine, blending traditional flavors with global influences.
Pelikan is a historic restaurant located in Södermalm, Stockholm, renowned for its authentic Swedish cuisine. The menu features classic items such as hand-rolled meatballs, herring, flounder, calf’s liver, and Småland cheesecake; all prepared with a focus on traditional recipes and generous portions.
Woodstockholm combines a bistro with a furniture store, drawing inspiration from the founders’ nature-inspired furniture line. Opened in 2015, it has gained a reputation for its seasonal and frequently changing menu, which emphasizes organic produce and creativity in its dishes. Expect an array of innovative dishes, often prepared with fresh ingredients sourced directly from the season.
Gondolen sits elevated at 33 meters above sea level, offering stunning views of the city, particularly Gamla Stan and Djurgården. Their menu blends classic comfort food with more upscale, elegant dishes. The ambiance is described as both elegant and inviting, with classic decor that includes white tablecloths.
Cafés in Södermalm
Gildas rum is a cozy café in the middle of SoFo. There are plenty of seats in this motley café with the atmosphere of a charming old countryside living room.
Svedjan bageri is a bakery and café focusing on pastries, bread and coffee. This is the Stockholm branch of the popular bakery Svedjan, in northern Sweden. The bakery emphasizes using organic and locally sourced ingredients. They bake traditional Swedish bread with a twist, often incorporating flavors that highlight the northern landscape.
Kaffebar serves high-quality coffee made with locally roasted beans, focusing on espresso-based drinks and brewed coffee. The café has a minimalist yet welcoming interior, with simple decor and a few outdoor seats, perfect for people-watching at Bysistorget.
Drop Coffee is a specialty coffee shop and roastery, with a focus on filtered and espresso coffee. Their menu includes hand-brewed coffee, pour-overs, espresso drinks, and a rotating selection of seasonal beans. This is a popular place to visit for the coffee connoisseurs.
Bars in Södermalm
Gin bars
The gin bars in Stockholm focus on Swedish gins and some of the distilleries have their own bars where you can try drinks mixed with local gins.
Brännerian is the gin bar of the local gin distillery, Stockholms Bränneri. The distillery is in fact next door and the gin produced here, in the middle of Stockholm. Try the food pairing with seafood, cheese or cold cut meat, which all goes well with their gin.
Hernö Gin Bar is a bar specializing in gin from the Hernö distillery. The bar offers a curated selection of gin-based cocktails, with a focus on showcasing the unique flavors of Hernö Gin, such as their classic Dry Gin, Old Tom Gin, and other limited editions. The ambiance of the bar is cozy yet elegant, blending a modern design with warm Scandinavian touches.
Bar Agrikultur is a small and lively bar with an innovative drink menu and a focus on Swedish gin, vodka and beer.
Wine bars
Stockholm has seen a rise in trendy, cozy wine bars that cater to a variety of tastes, from casual wine lovers to serious connoisseurs. Hornstulls Bodega offers a curated selection of natural and biodynamic wines from small producers, with a particular emphasis on unique, hard-to-find bottles. The bar’s staff is knowledgeable and happy to make recommendations based on your preferences.
Folii serves diverse, high-quality wines, with a rotating selection that spans the whole world, from classic regions to more adventurous, emerging areas. Many bottles are natural or biodynamic, though they also showcase expertly sourced wines from all styles. Many of their wines can be ordered in half glass, full glass, half bottle or full bottle, giving you more options for trying just one or several wines.
Gemla vinbar focuses on natural and biodynamic wines, carefully curated from small, artisanal producers. Their stylish bar with wooden stools, tables, and chairs give the space an artistic, Scandinavian feel. And reflects their focus on artisan wines and their commitment to sustainability and handcraft.
Cocktail bars
There is a large selection of bars focusing on cocktails in Stockholm, ranging from cocktails with a specific ingredient, to speakeasy style bars.
The restaurant and bar Häktet also houses the speakeasy-style cocktail bar Vänster. It has a quieter vibe than Häktet, with softer music and only seating areas, no standing.
Tjoget is a popular cocktail bar that’s often crowded no matter the day of the week. Its cocktail menu features inventive drinks often inspired by Mediterranean flavors, with surprising ingredients like beets or coconuts. The bar also offers a good selection of wines and beers. Alongside drinks, Tjoget serves a Mediterranean-inspired menu with dishes that are great for sharing, making it a fantastic place to relax and socialize.
Florentine is an Italian bar and restaurant, with great drinks and a stylish and colorful interior. You’ll find Italian favorites like Negronis and Aperol Spritzes alongside more creative creations that highlight fresh herbs, citrus, and high-quality spirits. The bar area is cozy and inviting, with a chic decor that combines Italian elegance and modern design. It’s a popular spot for after-work drinks, pre-dinner cocktails, or simply a relaxed evening.
Beer bars
Stockholm has several beer bars, with a variety of craft beers. Some beer bars use the name beer café, which is a reference to establishments popular during the mid 20th century. A beer café was much like a pub, where you would go out for a glass of beer, some food and some socializing. They started to disappear during the 1970s but have started to make their comeback in recent years, where bars again start to use the name beer café (ölkafé) in their names. Most of the original beer cafés are closed today, but some of the ones that are still open have rebranded and are today popular bars or restaurants, such as Kvarnen and Pelikan.
Craft beer
There is a small craft beer scene in Stockholm, worth a try for those interested in craft beer.
Katarina Ölkafé is a beer bar focusing on local craft beer. They also have a few food options, which are mainly a variety of mac’n’cheese options. The bar has a retro-inspired interior that combines vintage furniture and casual seating. It’s a cozy environment and popular among locals.
Akkurat has a large selection of beer, featuring a constantly rotating selection of craft beers on tap and an extensive bottle list, with a focus on rare and unique brews from both Sweden and around the world. The bar is a must visit spot for the beer enthusiasts. They also have a wide selection of whiskey.
Omnipollos hatt is a beer bar and a pizzeria, serving craft beer and gourmet pizzas. Omnipollo is famous for its bold and innovative beers, often featuring unusual ingredients and flavors, ranging from juicy IPAs to dessert-inspired stouts and sours. The bar is the flagship venue for Omnipollo, a Swedish brewery known for its creative and experimental approach to brewing.
Mikkeller Södermalm is a craft beer bar offering a selection of 20 taps, featuring both Danish Mikkeller’s own brews and guest beers from various breweries.
Stigbergets Fot is a modern craft beer bar located on the street Götgatan in Södermalm, featuring a good selection of taps that showcase experimental beers from its own brewery as well as local and international guest brews. Since 2020, it operates in collaboration with Barrels Burgers & Beers, offering a menu of ambitious street food alongside its diverse beer selection.
Luxury hotels in Södermalm
There are no luxury hotels in the Södermalm district. Södermalm is characterized by its bohemian, eclectic, and vibrant atmosphere rather than for luxury accommodations. While Södermalm may not have luxury hotels, it offers a range of stylish, mid-range, and boutique accommodations that align with the district’s distinctive character and appeal.
Mid-range hotels in Södermalm
Hotel Rival was originally built as a theater in the 1930s, and was repurposed to a hotel in the early 2000s. The hotel is facing the square Mariatorget and the location is great for proximity to restaurants, bars and nightlife. The rooms are individually decorated and some of the rooms have balconies facing the square Mariatorget.
Hellstens Glashus is a boutique hotel on Södermalm in Stockholm, known for its modern Scandinavian design and artistic atmosphere. Located on the vibrant street of Wollmar Yxkullsgatan, it is close to some of Södermalm’s most eclectic neighborhoods, filled with art galleries, cafes, and vintage shops. The rooms are individually designed, each with its own unique character and artistic flair. Large windows provide plenty of natural light, and rooms are equipped with comfortable beds, cozy seating areas, and modern bathrooms.
NOFO Hotel is a boutique hotel located in the vibrant Södermalm district of Stockholm, Sweden. The hotel is set in a historic 18th-century building, offering a charming mix of vintage character and modern comforts. NOFO’s interior decor draws inspiration from various European cities, creating distinct atmospheres across its rooms and common areas. Each room has its own personality, often featuring eclectic designs, and many have views of the lush courtyard. The hotel is also known for its NOFO Wine Bar, a cozy spot where guests can enjoy a curated selection of wines, cocktails, and Scandinavian-inspired small plates.
Hotel Frantz is an intimate boutique hotel located in the heart of Södermalm, close to Slussen with easy access to Gamla Stan (the Old Town). Each of the 48 rooms is thoughtfully designed, combining the building’s historic character with modern Scandinavian interiors. The decor features dark, rich colors, cozy textures, and personalized touches, giving each room a unique, home-like feel.
Budget hotels in Södermalm
It’s hard to find a more central location for staying in Södermalm, than at Citybox Stockholm, just a short walk from the Slussen metro station. The hotel has three floors, with two of the floors below ground level, and one above. The rooms below ground level are without windows, so you will have to book one of the upper level rooms for a view. The hotel opened in 2024 and is a good option for a budget stay. The hotel lobby is designed as a communal area, with a vending machine offering snacks and coffee. And there is a kitchen area with some kitchen supplies, for preparing your own breakfast. In the hotel entrance you have the self-check in desk, and if you should require some assistance, there is the Host Office further down on the entrance floor where staff are available for questions and assistance.
Hotel Tre Små Rum is a small, budget-friendly hotel with a cozy Scandinavian atmosphere. The hotel only has a handful of rooms, which gives it an intimate and personal experience. Rooms are minimalistic but comfortable, decorated in a simple Scandinavian style.
Sofo Hotel is a budget-friendly hotel in the trendy SoFo area (South of Folkungatan). The hotel offers simple, compact rooms, and free Wi-Fi. The location of the hotel makes it ideal for exploring the SoFo area close to the nightlife, café, boutiques and restaurants.
Hostels in Södermalm
Zinkensdamm Hotell & Vandrarhem is a popular and versatile accommodation choice located on Södermalm in Stockholm, Sweden. Known for its relaxed and friendly atmosphere, it offers both hotel rooms and hostel-style dorms, making it suitable for a range of budgets and preferences.
Mosebacke Hostel is a cozy and budget-friendly accommodation option on Södermalm in Stockholm. Located near Mosebacke Torg, this hostel is well-positioned for travelers who want to explore the city’s artsy and vibrant areas. It offers both private rooms and shared dormitory options, accommodating solo travelers, couples, and groups.
Rygerfjord Hostel offers a unique experience in Stockholm, as it’s located on a boat anchored along the shores of Söder Mälarstrand, near Södermalm. This floating hostel-hotel hybrid provides a distinct maritime ambiance and scenic views over Lake Mälaren and the city’s picturesque Old Town (Gamla Stan). Rygerfjord is especially popular with travelers looking for an unusual place to stay with great access to Stockholm’s main sights. Rooms are designed in a cozy, cabin style, reflecting the boat’s heritage. Options range from simple bunk-bed dormitories to private cabins with larger beds, catering to various preferences and budgets.