Gamla Stan

Stockholm

Gamla Stan featuring landscape views, a bridge and a river or creek
Gamla Stan which includes a city and a bay or harbor
Gamla Stan which includes a bridge, a city and a river or creek
Gamla Stan featuring a fountain
Gamla Stan which includes a city and night scenes

Duck into narrow, medieval alleys and find yourself happily lost in Sweden’s most famous urban district.

The Gamla stan (Old Town) of Stockholm is always busy and never boring. The island district is the first port of call for every first-time visitor to Stockholm and chances are that you’ll fall in love with it and will keep coming back.

Pedestrian-friendly Gamla stan is like one big open-air museum. Depending on the weather, the streets can look mystical, medieval and moody, or colorful, charming and cheerful. Visit Gamla stan after snowfall when it’s at its most romantic. The sounds of the bustling streets are softened and the shops and cafés ooze light and warmth.

It’s logical to start your tour of Gamla stan at the Royal Palace, the star attraction of the neighborhood. The palace is hard to miss, because there are over 600 rooms in this impressive building. Witness the changing of the guard ceremony, take a guided tour and visit the Royal Armory.

While here, also admire the medieval Storkyrkan (Stockholm Cathedral), the country’s national cathedral. It’s home to a St. George-and-the-Dragon sculpture from 1489.

Follow either the streets of Västerlånggatan (west) or Österlånggatan (east) down to browse the many gift shops and galleries for typical Swedish souvenirs, which include little trolls from the Norse mythology and brightly painted wooden reindeers.

You can cross over between these two main streets as often as you like by ducking into the little alleys in between. One in particular, the Mårten Trotzigs gränd (alley), is so narrow that some may have to squeeze their shoulders together to get through.

Sample typical Swedish treats everywhere you go. If sweet chocolate coconut balls are not your thing, then perhaps hearty meatballs with sweet-and-sour lingenberry sauce are. Buy ice creams for dessert or sit down for a proper meal in Stortorget, Stockholm’s oldest city square. After visiting the square’s Nobel Museum, walk down Köpmangatan, the oldest street in the capital.

Once you’re done, cross over to the island of Riddarholmen to the west to admire the 13th-century Riddarholmen Church, the burial place for Swedish royals. Before you leave, take one more look back at Gamla stan from across the water while the setting sun adds even more color to an already vibrant picture.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Gamla Stan Hotel Deals

Castle House Inn

Castle House Inn

2.5 out of 5
Brunnsgränd 4, Stockholm
The price is ¥12,200 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
¥12,200
¥13,902 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Stockholm. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a snack bar/deli. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
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Reviewed on Jul 18, 2025

Castle House Inn
Hotel Gamla Stan, BW Signature Collection

Hotel Gamla Stan, BW Signature Collection

4 out of 5
Skeppsbron 22a, Stockholm
The price is ¥22,617 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
¥22,617
¥25,331 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Stockholm. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,294 reviews)
"From the onset, the staff was friendly and helpful. The hotel looks like the photos, and I was surprised by its cleanliness."

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2025

Hotel Gamla Stan, BW Signature Collection
Hôtel Reisen in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

Hôtel Reisen in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

5 out of 5
Skeppsbron 12, Stockholm
The price is ¥29,512 per night from Aug 6 to Aug 7
¥29,512
¥33,054 total
Aug 6 - Aug 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Stockholm. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (818 reviews)
"Loved it"

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Hôtel Reisen in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Old Town Stay Hotel

Old Town Stay Hotel

2.5 out of 5
26 Österlånggatan, Stockholm, Stockholms län
Stay at this hotel in Stockholm. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Stockholm Palace and Vasa Museum are located ...
7.2/10 Good! (463 reviews)
"Loved the hotel and the location. But: Cars are not generally permitted to drive on the street in front of the hotel - you have to walk a couple short blocks from where you can park or get dropped off, and the road is cobblestones, so you are hauling your lugguge a couple blocks across cobblestones. ..."

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Old Town Stay Hotel
Lady Hamilton Hotel

Lady Hamilton Hotel

4 out of 5
Storkyrkobrinken 5, Stockholm
The price is ¥27,520 per night from Aug 2 to Aug 3
¥27,520
¥30,822 total
Aug 2 - Aug 3
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Stockholm. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a sauna. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Super cute property. Full of Swedish antiques. Excellent walking location. Front desk very helpful. Breakfast very good."

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Lady Hamilton Hotel
Hotel C Stockholm

Hotel C Stockholm

3.5 out of 5
Vasaplan 4, Stockholm
The price is ¥17,598 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
¥17,598
¥19,709 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Stockholm. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,115 reviews)
Perfect
"Perfect stay. Great location. Super helpful staff. Clean rooms."

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Hotel C Stockholm
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Gamla Stan

Riddarholmen featuring landscape views, a city and a bay or harbor

Central Stockholm

Stockholm City Centre, divided into Kungsholmen, Södermalm, Norrmalm, and Östermalm boroughs, offers a diverse urban experience in Sweden's capital. Explore each area for a unique vibe and attractions.

Central Stockholm
Skeppsholmen featuring a church or cathedral, a bay or harbor and heritage architecture

Skeppsholmen

Skeppsholmen is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Museum of Modern Art and Svensk Form while you're in town.

Skeppsholmen
Norrmalm which includes a bridge, landscape views and a city

Norrmalm

4.5/5(758 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Norrmalm. Drottninggatan is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Hotorget T-Bana or Sergels Torg Tram Stop to see more of Stockholm.

Norrmalm
Monteliusvagen featuring landscape views, a sunset and a city

Söder Mälarstrand

Visitors to Söder Mälarstrand enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Långholmen is worth a stop.

Söder Mälarstrand
Monteliusvagen showing a sunset, a city and a bay or harbor

Maria

While you're in Maria, take in top sights like Medborgarplatsen or Zinkensdamms IP, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Mariatorget T-Bana or Zinkensdamm T-Bana.

Maria
Vitabergsparken Park featuring a house and heritage elements

SoFo

Take time in SoFo to visit attractions like Göta Lejon and Medborgarplatsen. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Medborgarplatsen T-Bana to see more of the city.

SoFo


Gamla Stan