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 ¥10,983 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
¥10,983
¥12,524 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
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! (1,006 reviews)
"Great location; inexpensive with few amenities but very good value"

Reviewed on Jul 1, 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 ¥22,938 per night from Jul 10 to Jul 11
¥22,938
¥25,691 total
Jul 10 - Jul 11
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! (1,276 reviews)
"Great location & breakfast, but mixed experience with staff Hotel Gamla Stan is in a perfect spot—right in the heart of the old town and close to everything you'd want to see in Stockholm. The breakfast was excellent with lots of fresh options and a lovely setting. Rooms were clean and comfortable, ..."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥32,130 per night from Jul 31 to Aug 1
¥32,130
¥35,986 total
Jul 31 - Aug 1
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! (811 reviews)
"Very helpful staff and the concierge recommended some great restaurants. Bed was very comfortable. Room was lovely although quite small. Great views"

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Hôtel Reisen in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Lady Hamilton Hotel
Lady Hamilton Hotel
4 out of 5
Storkyrkobrinken 5, Stockholm
The price is ¥32,060 per night from Aug 2 to Aug 3
¥32,060
¥35,907 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! (1,003 reviews)
"It was very central to everything and in the center of old town I thought the place could use some updates. The theme is lady Hamilton but I feel it could use a spruce"

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Lady Hamilton Hotel
Haymarket by Scandic
Haymarket by Scandic
4 out of 5
Hötorget 13-15, Stockholm
The price is ¥15,708 per night from Jul 24 to Jul 25
¥15,708
¥17,593 total
Jul 24 - Jul 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Stockholm. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,945 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Haymarket by Scandic
Quality Hotel Strawberry Arena
Quality Hotel Strawberry Arena
4 out of 5
Råsta Strandväg 1, Solna
The price is ¥10,390 per night from Jul 10 to Jul 11
¥10,390
¥11,637 total
Jul 10 - Jul 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Solna. Enjoy free breakfast, a health club, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,712 reviews)
"Beautiful room. Very friendly and helpful staff."

Reviewed on Jun 18, 2025

Quality Hotel Strawberry Arena
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.

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

Central Stockholm

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Monteliusvagen featuring landscape views, a sunset and a city

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Gamla Stan