Prior to your trip, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with the city using a detailed map of Stockholm. This will be beneficial to:
- Plan your sightseeing routes;
- Identify suitable areas for accommodation (you'll need a map of Stockholm with hotels).
The Swedish capital spans across 14 islands, each contributing to the city's distinct districts. Rather than listing them all, let's highlight the most interesting ones—areas where it's ideal to stay and where you'll find the main attractions of the city.
The tourist and geographical center of the city is the island (district) Stadsholmen, home to the historic Gamla Stan (Old Town). For a significant period, this island was referred to as Stockholm itself, and the city gradually expanded to include adjacent settlements.
To the west of Gamla Stan, you'll find the Riddarholmen district, a popular spot for travelers to capture in photos. To the north lies the Norrmalm district, where most of the central business centers in Stockholm are situated.
Ostermalm is renowned as the most prestigious and upscale neighborhood in Stockholm. It boasts elegant restaurants and fashionable hotels, which should be a significant consideration when deciding on your choice of neighborhood to stay in.
Don't miss exploring the Jurgården neighborhood, one of the most picturesque islands in the capital.
Sweden holds the reputation of being one of the most prosperous and safest countries globally. However, like any place, it has its challenges. When discussing potentially risky areas in Stockholm, locals often mention Tensta and Rinkeby. These neighborhoods have a significant foreign population, and occasional interethnic conflicts can arise. On the positive side, the cost of housing and food tends to be lower in these areas compared to others.
