Stockholm’s markets, squares, and transit hubs are vibrant spaces where the city’s energy comes to life, connecting people and places in unique ways. In this article, we’ll delve into some of the most dynamic and iconic public areas in Stockholm.
This is the sixth of eight articles about Stockholm’s architecture. Go to this page for a list of all articles in this series.
Östermalm Market Hall
Östermalm Market Hall (Östermalms Saluhall) is a historic food market in Stockholm, Sweden, celebrated for its high-quality offerings and lively atmosphere. Since opening its doors in 1888, it has established itself as a beloved culinary landmark in the city.
The hall features a distinctive red brick façade with medieval-inspired design elements, crafted by renowned architects Isak Gustaf Clason and Kasper Salin. At the time of its construction, the building’s innovative cast-iron frame was considered groundbreaking, blending functionality with architectural elegance to create a timeless space.
Address: Östermalmstorg 31 (Google maps)
Strömkajen Ferry Terminal
The Strömkajen Ferry Terminal is a group of three buildings, designed by Swedish studio Marge Arkitekter and completed in 2013, is a remarkable example of modern architecture harmonizing with a historic urban setting.
Two terminals accommodate ferry services for Waxholmsbolaget and Strömma Kanalbolaget. And the third building includes a café, viewing steps, storage, and recycling facilities.
The design is based on the cone shape, used to frame views of the surrounding landmarks such as the Royal Palace, Grand Hotel, and National Museum. The cones are combined in varying configurations to create three unique but cohesive buildings. With glazed, reflective, sections are recessed to provide sheltered waiting areas while reflecting the water and surrounding architecture.
The buildings are scaled down to maintain unobstructed views of the Royal Palace and complement the monumental architecture of nearby landmarks. They are designed to appear as sculptural objects along the waterfront.
The terminal has been widely praised for its understated elegance and was shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival 2014 under the Small Projects category. It has also been nominated as one of Stockholm’s most beautiful buildings.
Address: Södra Blasieholmshamnen 9 (Google maps and Google maps)
Sergel’s Square
Sergel’s Square (Sergels torg) is a major public square in central Stockholm, Sweden, completed in 1967 and named after the 18th-century sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel. The square is a focal point of Stockholm’s urban landscape, with a distinctive modernist design that contrasts with the historic charm of the old town.
The square comprises three distinct parts: a sunken pedestrian plaza with a striking black-and-white triangular tile pattern, locally known as “Plattan” (The Slab); a roundabout featuring the 37.5-meter tall glass obelisk Kristallvertikalaccent, designed by Edvin Öhrström; and elevated concrete decks that connect three major streets.
Key landmarks surround Sergel’s Square: On the south side is Kulturhuset (The House of Culture), a dynamic cultural center hosting exhibitions, performances, and the Stockholm City Theatre. Beneath the square lies T-Centralen, Stockholm’s central metro hub, while the Sergelarkaden underground shopping center provides additional commercial spaces.
Serving as Stockholm’s central gathering place, Sergel’s Square is a venue for public events, commemorations, celebrations, and demonstrations. Its bold design, part of Stockholm’s mid-20th-century urban renewal, has made it a recognizable and vital part of the city’s identity.
Address: Sergels torg (Google maps)
The Sergel fountain
The fountain and obelisk sculpture at Sergel’s Square (Sergels Torg) are iconic landmarks that reflect the city’s modernist architectural vision.
The fountain, completed in 1968 as part of the Norrmalm redevelopment, features a distinctive superellipse shape, a mathematical curve proposed by Piet Hein. This innovative design combines visual appeal with functionality, creating a dynamic water feature that serves as a focal point of the square.
Enhancing the fountain’s aesthetic, numerous jets and smaller fountains create ever-changing water displays, making it a popular backdrop for public events and gatherings.
At the heart of the fountain rises the Kristallvertikalaccent, a striking glass and steel obelisk designed by sculptor Edvin Öhrström. Selected through a design competition in 1962 and installed in 1974, the 37.5-meter (123-foot) monument pierces the sky, symbolizing Stockholm’s forward-looking spirit. As daylight fades, the obelisk comes alive with internal illumination, casting a mesmerizing glow that turns the square into a luminous urban canvas.
This architectural ensemble—with its mathematically precise fountain and radiant vertical accent—represents more than just a public space. It is a powerful statement of mid-20th-century design philosophy, where form meets function, and urban infrastructure becomes a work of art.
Address: Klarabergsgatan 16 (Google maps)
Odenplan subway station
Odenplan subway station is a key transportation hub in Stockholm, located in the Vasastan district. The area features a striking entrance building that serves as a gateway to the subway station and the newly constructed City Line for commuter trains.
The entrance building, designed by the Danish architectural firm 3XN, was completed as part of the City Line expansion, which opened in July 2017. Its design combines modern aesthetics with functional access, enhancing the commuter experience while integrating seamlessly into the urban environment.
Measuring approximately 36 meters (118 feet) long, 8 meters (26 feet) wide, and 5 meters (16 feet) high, the building has a rectangular form with one side facing Karlbergsvägen. Its gently inward-bending side incorporates stairwells that double as seating areas, blending practicality with inviting public spaces.
Address: Karlbergsvägen (Google maps)
Stockholm Central Station
Stockholm Central Station, completed in 1871 and designed by architect Adolf W. Edelsvärd, is a masterful example of architectural synthesis. The building elegantly combines Neoclassical precision with Romantic Nationalist sentiment, manifested through its meticulously composed facade. Symmetrical lines, graceful arched windows, and intricate decorative pilasters create a visual harmony that speaks to the architectural sophistication of the late 19th century.
The central entrance features a modest portico adorned with delicate decorative flourishes that eloquently convey a sense of understated dignity. Rather than resorting to ostentatious display, the design emphasizes refined restraint and architectural integrity.
Inside, the Main Hall emerges as a dramatic spatial experience. Expansive and luminous, the hall is engineered to efficiently manage high traveler volumes while simultaneously preserving an atmosphere of elegance and openness. The vaulted ceiling soars overhead, its sweeping curvature and classical detailing evoking the grandeur typical of 19th-century public architecture. Light and space interplay to create a sense of vertical drama and architectural sophistication.
More than a mere transportation infrastructure, Stockholm Central Station stands as a profound symbol of Swedish connectivity and progress. For over 150 years, it has served as a gateway, connecting people, stories, and journeys, embodying the dynamic spirit of a nation in transition.
Address: Centralplan 15 (Google maps)