Where to stay in Stockholm? Discover the best areas and accommodation!

It’s time for you to discover Stockholm, but one of the main questions arises: where to stay? Stockholm is a magnificent city, with several neighborhoods that are super interesting, different, without being too large and far from the center. Each has its advantages so I’m going to present all of that to you.
But you’ll also find a selection of accommodations in each neighborhood, for all budgets. From quality hostels to luxury hotels by the water, including rooms on a boat, absolutely everyone will find what they’re looking for and that’s what’s great about Stockholm.
Price-wise, I was surprised to see that it was “relatively reasonable” for a Nordic city, especially in low season (from October to April) where you can find quite a few accommodations for less than €100 and renowned hotels slashed to around €150. Well, in high season you can see a price increase of about 50%, sometimes a bit more especially in summer.
But the quantity of accommodations is such, also in terms of apartments, that you’ll always find something interesting and well located, and that’s nice!
Alright, let’s go!

Which neighborhoods to stay in Stockholm

Honestly there aren’t many cities that offer as many opportunities and different neighborhoods as Stockholm. There are easily 7/8 really nice neighborhoods each with its qualities (very well located, upscale, in nature but close to the center…). I’m going to briefly present them here and then, for each neighborhood, I’ll give you a more in-depth description and especially I’ll make quality and reasonable accommodation suggestions for all budgets!
Let’s go!

The 8 Best Hotels in Stockholm

Well okay, it’s difficult to be able to pick 8 given the options available, but these 8 are the ones that seemed to me to have excellent qualities, great reviews, be well located, and they don’t all cost an arm and a leg. So this is a first selection, before presenting them to you neighborhood by neighborhood.

Find your dream accommodationin Stockholm !

Find a hotel in Gamla Stan, the centre of Stockholm

The romantic classic. This is the medieval heart of Stockholm, a maze of narrow streets and small squares where the soul and history of the city come alive, and it’s truly magnificent. The Royal Palace, the cathedral, the Nobel Museum — everything is within walking distance. Okay, it’s touristy, but only during the day! We mainly visited Gamla Stan in the evening and at night, when there was absolutely no one around except in the little bars and restaurants in the alleyways, but the neighbourhood is really pleasant at night. During the day, yes, it’s crowded, but whether you stay here or not, you’ll have to deal with that. So I think it’s a real advantage to stay here, plus it’s central enough to visit other neighbourhoods.

What’s more, you can even sleep on the water at the Mälardrottningen Yacht Hotel!

Find a hotel in Norrmalm

Norrmalm is Stockholm’s most convenient neighbourhood for tourists. Nicknamed ‘the City’, it is the nerve centre of the Swedish capital — the commercial and business heart of the city. Architecturally speaking, let’s be honest: it’s rather modern and functional, with buildings constructed between the 1950s and 1970s. It lacks some of the romantic charm of Gamla Stan, but it more than makes up for it with its hyper-practicality.

The big advantage of Norrmalm is its excellent connectivity. The Central Station is located here, with all the metro lines, the Arlanda Express that takes you to the airport in 20 minutes, and the bus station right next door. It’s the perfect hub for getting around Stockholm without wasting time. You can walk to Gamla Stan in 5-10 minutes, and all the other neighbourhoods are within easy reach by underground.

So Norrmalm is super convenient, not necessarily the most typical neighbourhood, nor the most festive, but it’s ideal for getting around.

Why stay in Södermalm?

This is the city’s bohemian, trendy neighbourhood, with typical Swedish restaurants and cafés, independent vintage shops, artists’ studios and young designers.

The SoFo (South of Folkungagatan) area is particularly nice. It’s also the neighbourhood where prices remain reasonable compared to the centre, while still being well served by the underground.

So, great architecture, a good atmosphere, more reasonable prices and good transport links. Södermalm is an interesting option!

Finding accommodation in Östermalm

Östermalm embodies Swedish elegance: wide boulevards lined with Art Nouveau buildings, designer boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants and a decidedly chic atmosphere. It is Stockholm’s upmarket district, but far from stuffy. Behind the prestigious façades lie contemporary art galleries, trendy bars and the magnificent Humlegården park, where Stockholmers come to picnic in the summer.

The famous Östermalms Saluhall food market is a must for foodies. For tourists, it’s an ideal base: you’re a 10-minute walk from Gamla Stan, close to the Vasa Museum and Djurgården Park, and perfectly connected by metro (Östermalmstorg and Karlaplan stations). The residential atmosphere guarantees quiet nights, while remaining at the heart of the capital’s cultural and shopping scene.

Where to stay in Djurgården

Djurgården is Stockholm’s island park: a green lung in the middle of the city, home to some of the country’s best museums (Vasa, Skansen, ABBA Museum, Nordiska Museet). Staying here means treating yourself to the luxury of waking up surrounded by nature, while still being just 10 minutes by ferry or tram from the city centre.

The island is criss-crossed with walking and cycling paths, perfect for morning joggers or evening strolls. The Gröna Lund amusement park brings summer to life, while in winter the atmosphere becomes magical with snow covering the hundred-year-old oak trees. On the practical side, several ferries and the historic tram line 7 provide easy access to Gamla Stan and Norrmalm.

It’s the perfect choice for families (close to children’s museums), nature lovers and those seeking absolute tranquillity without sacrificing accessibility.

Bonus: the most beautiful sunsets over Stockholm can be seen from the quays of Djurgården.

Why stay in Kungsholmen?

Kungsholmen is the island that has it all: close enough to the centre to be convenient, yet far enough away to escape the tourist crowds. It is here that the magnificent Stadshuset (City Hall) stands, with its tower offering the best panoramic view of Stockholm.

The neighbourhood has a real community feel, with its local cafés, Kungsholms Torg covered market, and restaurants that are more popular with Stockholmers than tourists. The promenade along Norr Mälarstrand, on the shores of Lake Mälaren, is one of the most beautiful in the city, ideal for jogging or a stroll after lunch.

In terms of transport, you are on the blue and green metro lines (Rådhuset, Fridhemsplan, Stadshagen stations), which puts you 5 minutes from Gamla Stan and Norrmalm.

The atmosphere is residential and peaceful, perfect for those who want to discover the authentic Stockholm away from the beaten track. Families will appreciate the many green spaces and playgrounds, while foodies will love exploring the neighbourhood’s innovative restaurants.

Why stay in Vasastan?

Vasastan is Stockholm’s hipster-bohemian neighbourhood: cobbled streets, independent cafés, vintage bookshops and a creative atmosphere reminiscent of the Marais in Paris or Kreuzberg in Berlin. It has historically been the neighbourhood of artists and intellectuals, and this is still evident today.

The beating heart is Odenplan with its magnificent ochre-coloured municipal library (Stadsbiblioteket), an architectural masterpiece from the 1920s. The adjacent streets (Odengatan, Sveavägen) are lined with cafés perfect for Swedish fika, design shops and affordable ethnic restaurants.

In terms of convenience, Vasastan is ideally located: a 10-minute walk from the central station, on the green and blue metro lines (Odenplan, Rådmansgatan, S:t Eriksplan), and a 15-minute walk from Gamla Stan. The neighbourhood is lively without being noisy, authentic without being out of the way. Perfect for solo travellers, creative couples and anyone who wants to experience Stockholm like a local while still having easy access to the major tourist attractions.

Why stay in Hammarby Sjöstad?

Hammarby is where we stayed during our last trip to Stockholm, and it was a wonderful surprise. We didn’t know anything about it beforehand. It’s the Stockholm neighbourhood that has stepped into the future: a model eco-neighbourhood developed in the 2000s, it’s a showcase for sustainable urban planning in Sweden. A former industrial area transformed into an eco-friendly residential neighbourhood, Hammarby charms visitors with its colourful designer buildings on the waterfront, wooden walkways along the quays and peaceful atmosphere of a new town. The neighbourhood is criss-crossed with cycle paths and dotted with trendy cafés and small organic grocery stores.

Okay, so it’s a little out of the way (20 minutes by tram or metro from the centre), but that’s precisely the point: to see another side of Stockholm, modern and forward-looking, while enjoying hotels that are often cheaper than in the centre. Tram line 21 takes you directly to Slussen and Gamla Stan, while the underground at Gullmarsplan (a few minutes away by bus) connects you to the whole city.

It’s a smart choice for those on a reasonable budget, families (the neighbourhood is very safe and quiet), and curious travellers who want to discover the Stockholm of the locals, far from the tourist trails. A special mention for runners: the route along Hammarby Kanal is spectacular.

4 lovely flats in Stockholm

Apartments are an excellent alternative to hotels in Stockholm, offering more space, a kitchen to save on restaurants, but also for families as family apartments are often more economical than large family hotel rooms.

4 youth hostels in Stockholm

Stockholm offers excellent youth hostels that are much more than just dormitories: they feature stylish design, welcoming common areas and often unbeatable locations. Perfect for solo travellers, backpackers and those on a tight budget.

4 cheap but very good hotels in Stockholm

It is entirely possible to sleep well in Stockholm without breaking the bank. These hotels prove that you can have style, cleanliness and a good location without blowing your budget. All rated above 8/10 and offering unbeatable value for money.

In conclusion

There you have it! I think I’ve covered everything, and I hope I’ve helped you and given you some guidance on the neighbourhood and a particular type of accommodation. As we’ve seen, there is plenty of choice and variety on offer, but also in terms of budget. The city is expensive, yes, but accommodation can be reasonable, especially outside the high season.

This is one of the first articles dedicated to Stockholm, with more to follow, but you can also check out the one on how to get from Stockholm Airport to the city centre.

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