Visiting Stockholm on a budget is absolutely possible, despite it being one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Stockholm has been on my list for a long time and with so much travel planned this year, I knew that if i was going to visit Stockholm, it would be on a budget.
I went in February and let me tell you, Stockholm in winter did not disappoint.
Sweden’s capital city is a perfect European getaway for every budget and every season. Renowned for its fabulous design, great food and liberal culture, the city’s reputation proceeds it, and for good reason.
And, as an LGBT friendly destination, Stockholm could not have been better.
Their gender-neutral fashion, pride flags in store windows and LGBT welcoming hotels like Hobo made for a weekend of pure relaxation with my girlfriend without fear of disapproving looks in the street or the unease of awkward hotel check-ins.
Stockholm is also well known for its big price tags, something worth being aware of in advance. But we didn’t let that get in the way of our wonderful Swedish weekend. Seeing Stockholm on a budget may sound challenging at first, but it’s entirely possible if you’re smart about it.
What to do, where to stay and what to eat, here is my ultimate guide to visiting Stockholm on a budget.
VISITING STOCKHOLM OVERVIEW:
- Currency: 100 SEK = £8.50 // $11 // €9.50
- Payment: Many businesses only accept card or ApplePay only
- Language: Swedish (and great English)
- Timezone: CET / UTC+1
- Weather: -7°C to 2°C (winter) // 20°C to 25°C (summer)
- Airports: NYO airport is 1.5 hours on a bus from Stockholm. While this is usually where the cheapest airlines fly into, factor in the additional travel time plus a £23 bus fare before choosing your flight. (ARL is much better linked to the city but usually has more expensive flights).
What To Do In Stockholm On A Budget
Depending on your duration, you can vary the below. I landed on Friday evening and departed Monday afternoon, giving us 2.5 days of exploring.
Stockholm On A Budget Itinerary Overview
Here’s an overview on how we spent 2.5 days in Stockholm on a budget. For more info on each attraction, keep reading.
Stockholm On A Budget Day 1:
- Free Walking Tour of Gamla Stan
- Fotografiska Museum
- Hermann’s Veggie Buffet
Stockholm On A Budget Day 2:
- Subway City Tour
- Island hopping by Ferry
- Dinner in Gamla Stan
Stockholm On A Budget Day 3:
- Ice skating in Kungstradgarden
- Semlor at Cafe Eugenia
- Transfer back to NYO Airport
Stockholm On A Budget In Detail
Walking Tour of Gamla Stan (FREE)
A free walking tour is an absolute MUST for anyone visiting Stockholm on a budget (and even if you’re not!) The tours departs twice a day at 10am and 1pm from Gamla Stan station and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Our fantastic guide, Kim, led us through the historic town centre of Stockholm telling us fun facts and stories about Stockholm’s history. Free walking tours work on a tip basis, but if you’re seeing Stockholm on a budget, you can choose how much or little you spend.
Fotografiska Museum (165 SEK)
I’m not usually a fan of museums, but since the weather was incredibly cold, I didn’t mind spending a few hours indoors in Stockholm. And I’m so glad I did, it was worth every penny! (As Stockholm on a budget goes – this is one thing worth paying for). The museum is 3 floors of galleries by different photographers. The exhibits rotate throughout the year, so be sure to check out their website.I was blown away by Kirsty Mitchell’s Wonderland which is on until March 3rd 2019 if you’re lucky enough to be heading to Stockholm soon.
Hermann’s Veggie Buffet (198 SEK)
The ultimate vegetarian dream & perfect for anyone visiting Stockholm on a budget – an all you can eat veggie buffet! This gem is right across the road (and up some steep steps) from the Fotografiska Museum. We sat for a while loading up on lasagne, Thai curry, quesadillas, couscous, bread and more. Tea & coffee are included in the cost is too. Eat here around 3pm for the perfect ‘late lunch’ / ‘early dinner’ hybrid and get two (unlimited) meals for the price of one!
Subway City Tour (120-150 SEK)
We spent almost a full day in Stockholm touring the underground art displays. Stockholm has around 140 subway stations, and over 90 of them have been transformed into works of art. It would be impossible to see them all but investing in a 24-hour subway pass and spending the day admiring underground is especially gtrreat for visiting in winter exploring beyond the city centre of Stockholm on a budget.
Island hopping (FREE)
After buying our 24-hour subway pass we learned that it includes ferries too! Catch a boat across to one of Stockholm’s many islands for a ‘free’ adventure (35 SEK if you didn’t buy a subway pass). If you visit in the summer, this would be a perfect way to spend a few hours touring the city while avoiding the cost of an actual boat tour. We rode from Nybrokajen to Saltsjöqvarn and back. The original plan had been to hop off at the ABBA Museum, but the boat only stops for a few seconds at each port and we missed it! Be ready to disembark ahead of arrival if this is your plan.
Dinner In Gamla Stan (180 SEK)
Gamla Stan is a beautiful old town with so many options for great food. Italian, Thai, Indian, Burgers, you name it! For eating in Stockholm on a budget, check our Burgers and Barrels. It’s open until late, which can be rare in Stockholm. Burgers and Barrels had generous food portions for a reasonable price and plenty of veggie friendly options too. The ‘barrels‘ in the name refers to the great selection of beers on offer, but be warned, the beer could cost the same as the burger!
Ice skating in Kungstradgarden (FREE – 70 SEK)
If you visit in the winter (up to March 31st), I highly recommend checking out the Kungstradgarden ice rink. As we had to get to the bus terminal to transfer back to the airport, we were at the ice rink by 9:30am and it was a total blessing. For the first time all weekend we had blue skies and, as it was so early, the ice rink completely to ourselves. It was bliss. Whether you’re an aspiring Torvil & Dean or Bambi on ice, get your skates on and have a go. (The rink is free, but if you don’t have your own skates you can rent them for 70 SEK per hour).
Snack on Semla (35 – 50 SEK)
Warm up again after ice skating and conclude your Swedish adventure with a rare delicacy– Semlor (plural= Semla). This tasty treat can only be found in February and March and originated as a traditional snack for lent. The bun is usually filled with almond or vanilla paste and topped with whipped cream. If you’ve timed you’re visit right, be sure not to miss out. Cafe Eugenia opposite the ice rink is a perfect cosy nook to grab a latte and semlor, but they can also be found all across the city.
Where To Stay In Stockholm On A Budget
Accommodation can often be one of the most expensive aspects of travel, so be smart when choosing. For this trip, I partnered with HOBO Hotel and it could not have been a better experience.
HOBO Hotel – LGBT Friendly Hotel
From the moment of arriving I felt at ease checking in with my girlfriend. The staff were welcoming and I felt safe to be myself, there was no need to hide that we were a couple. It was perfect.
The hotel has an awesome restaurant, bar, gym, work-space and lounge area. Beyond the possibly ‘expected’ hotel amenities they have so many added quirks too.
- A photo booth in reception.
- A shop for everything from sunglasses to jewellery by local artists.
- Rentable Polaroid camera to capture your adventures.
- Water guns in the room (if you saw my Instagram story you know how that ended!)
- A peg board of useful items to borrow during your stay. The tote bag & umbrella are particularly useful.
- Hobo even offers morning yoga certain days a week!
Hobo is the perfect choice to stay in Stockholm on a budget.
Location, Location, Location:
Hobo Hotel was a 15-minute walk to the picturesque old town of Gamla Stan, and 10 minutes’ walk from the main central station. Staying so central means everything that you need is within walking distance, so we spent nothing on transport once we got to the city. (Except to see the Subway Art which was an activity in itself).
Breakfast Included:
Hobo’s breakfast was super filling every morning, meaning we didn’t need to spend money on morning snacks. The menu varied daily, but always had smoothies, pastries, eggs, fruit and amazing chia seed pudding. I had never tried chia seeds for breakfast before, but I’m officially a convert!
Built In Entertainment:
Save yourself the cost of entertainment by staying in a hotel that offers live events throughout the week. Durng our visit, the event space 5EMMAN, was hosting a Swedish DJ on Friday night and live techno, disco and soul music on the Saturday. If live events aren’t your thing, you can also haul up in the room for the night for some competitive card games and movies.
All of the above considered, and with some excellent discounts available through the year on their website, Hobo hotel is the perfect LGBT friendly hotel for Stockholm on a budget.
For more tips on how to find affordable accommodation, check out my blog here.
Stockholm On A Budget Top Tips
Maximise your Subway Pass
The pass runs for 24 hours rather than 1 calendar day. So if you plan wisely, you can start it in the afternoon of one day and continue using it the next morning.
Plan your museum visits outside the 24-hour window so that your time isn’t ticking away while you’re not using it.
The plastic subway card costs an extra 20SEK. But you can buy 24-hour paper ticket passes from local shops without the surcharge. (130 SEK vs 150SEK).
Stay at a hotel with a good breakfast
And fill up in the morning to avoid snacking during the day.
I’ve written more tips for finding cheap hotels here.
Buy Snacks Cheap
If you do need a snack during the day, there are 7/11 stores everywhere. Head here instead of the shops within subway stations subway vending machines – we paid £7 for two bars of chocolate and some water!
Avoid alcohol
If you want to see Stockholm on a budget. Sorry to be the party pooper, but alcohol is the fastest way to burn money in Sweden. 400ml of beer set us back almost the same cost as our burgers.
My hotel was provided complimentary of Hobo hotel, but all opinions and photographs are my own.
