Program your Christmas holidays in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, early: it is the ideal time to find a cheap flight to Stockholm, so you can dedicate the rest of your budget to staying in the city.
The Christmas markets in Stockholm are numerous, but they are not the only festive attraction at this time of year.
There are gingerbread boats, living advent calendars, Christmas buffets that you can attend, and winter cruises to embark on.
Those who want to spend Christmas in Stockholm will be constantly surrounded by a magical atmosphere, if only because at this time of year the sun hardly ever rises: it is always dark outside, so shops, homes, and hotels in Stockholm use small lights or candles to brighten the night.
So, what to do at Christmas in Stockholm?
Christmas Markets in Stockholm
Historically, Skansen is the perfect destination for lovers of traditional Christmas markets, an open-air museum where you can create unique candles, bake bread, and watch master craftsmen at work. If you prefer to add a royal touch, visit the markets in the Old Town (Gamla Stan), where the Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet) is located.
At Stureplan you can buy luxury gifts and see the beautiful lights. Don’t miss the Christmas decorations in the windows of Stockholm’s most glamorous department store, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet) on Hamngatan. If you are in town on December 13th, attend one of the St. Lucia concerts held in most churches. Take a break at the Christmas market in Kungsträdgården, in the heart of the shopping district, or go ice skating. Taste the pepparkakor (ginger cookies) dipped in hot glögg (spiced wine) or enjoy a lussekatt (saffron bun), a traditional Christmas sweet, during a fika coffee break, the quintessential Swedish institution.
The most well-known and interesting Christmas markets in Stockholm are mostly found in the city center:
- at Stortorget square in the Old Town
- at the open-air museum Skansen
- in Kungsträdgården
- at the old royal stables Hovstallet
- in the Rosendal garden.
Then there is a market unlike the usual ones, set up by the Konstfack and Beckmans design academies. Here you will find unique and original pieces full of creativity, to decorate your home or Christmas tree in an original way.
Alternative Christmas Ideas
Speaking of alternative ideas, Christmas in Stockholm is indeed tradition, but without giving up more unique and out-of-the-ordinary moments. At Nybrokajen, for example, there is a gingerbread boat docked where sweets, cookies, and candies are sold throughout December. Here you can taste typical Swedish Christmas sweets in a unique location: where else have you seen a boat made of gingerbread?
The whole city is filled with a magical and poetic Christmas spirit, a great reason to visit Stockholm during a time of year particularly suitable to enjoy it fully. With one condition: wearing scarves, hats, sweaters, and warm down jackets.
Stockholm’s julbord
During the Christmas period, you can enjoy the julbord (Christmas buffet) at the most renowned restaurants, but two of them are famous for Stockholm’s exclusive style: the lavish Operakällaren, on the ground floor of the Stockholm Opera House, and the Grand Hôtel, frequented by VIPs and wealthy locals.
If you love adventure, take the ferry to the Fjäderholmarna islands, much loved by Stockholm residents, and enjoy the julbord at the restaurant Fjäderholmarnas Krog with views of the archipelago and the city lights. Pure magic. If you want to enjoy a unique atmosphere onboard, book a cruise with buffet during the Christmas season.
From late October, flights to Stockholm are increased: for example, SAS offers a new route departing from Milan Malpensa with low prices.
If the Christmas spirit ever becomes – after a while – a bit too overwhelming, there is always a good alternative: take a tour of Stockholm at the Millennium locations, based on the work of the late author Stieg Larsson.
