Here’s our Anti-Tourist Guide to Stockholm to make sure you take the best of it while feeling like a local

Ditch the typical sightseeing spots and get a real sense of what it’s like to live in the Venice of the North. Did you know Stockholm is built on 14 islands? The Swedish capital is truly surrounded by water on all sides. Stockholm is a city where bridges, boats, and beautiful waterfront views are part of everyday life. Once you’ve ticked off the must-sees and indulged in plenty of fika breaks, it’s time to dive deeper. We’ve handpicked three hidden gems that capture the true essence of Stockholm, the kind of places locals love but visitors often miss. Follow this anti-tourist guide to experience the real Stockholm!

Before we get to them, let’s answer some of the most important questions about traveling to Stockholm so you can have the best experience possible!

How many days should I plan to visit Stockholm ?

Tricky question! You could easily spend weeks discovering all the art exhibitions, bakeries, and museums in Stockholm, just like in many European cities. However, if you’re backpacking or Interrailing and your travel time is limited, two to three days should be enough to see all the must-visit spots. Add one extra day if you feel like exploring the surrounding area as well. 

Now that we covered everything, lets finally move on to our anti-tourist gems of Stockholm!

No. 1 anti-tourist meeting point in Stockholm is R1 Nuclear Reactor

Once home to Sweden’s very first nuclear reactor, the Reactor Hall (R1) ceased operation in 1970 and has since been transformed into a one-of-a-kind creative space where art, science, and culture meet. Imagine a venue that blends the spirit of a research lab, museum, and performance hall all in one. It’s a true underground hub of innovation.

Today, the hall serves as a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and public events. While it primarily hosts researchers and university projects, it also opens its doors to the public during special occasions such as the Stockholm Open House, exhibitions, and performances.

If you’re visiting Stockholm, check online to see if your travel dates align with any open events as it’s absolutely worth the visit. Just be ready for a walk down 10 flights of stairs, as the hall lies 25 meters below ground!

Nature vibes at Skansen Open Air Museum

I love exploring cities, but after a while, walking on concrete and seeing the same shops everywhere tires me.
That’s why I especially loved this (half-)day trip during my time in Stockholm. Skansen Open-Air Museum is the oldest open-air museum in the world. It brings together houses and farms from all over Sweden, and from every part of Swedish history, in one place.

It’s definitely a must-add to your itinerary. Especially if you’ve fallen in love with Sweden but don’t have time to travel up north. Converted to euros, the price for a regular ticket is around €22, which makes it a bit of a pricey experience. Nevertheless, totally worth it in my opinion. The ticket also includes entry to the Baltic Sea Science Center and Lill-Skansen, where you can observe animals in natural habitats.

Afterwards, you can enjoy great Swedish food. Either affordable bites from one of the many food trucks or a cozy fika in one of the charming cafés.

Move around like a local with the Katarina Elevator

This is not your usual elevator. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! It connects two parts of Stockholm, Slussen and Södermalm. Since Södermalm sits 38 meters above Slussen, this elevator offers a quick and scenic shortcut between the two. Not only is it a unique experience and super convenient, but it also looks pretty darn cool from the outside. The industrial construct adds an authentic charm the the city’s skyline.

The elevator was first introduced to the public in 1881. Since then it has gone through several renovations and closures over the years. It actually just reopened in 2023 after being closed for 13 years!

So far, the ride is still free, though there are talks of introducing a small fee in the future. Don’t miss your chance to hop on this historical gem while it costs nothing. And make sure to use the short ride up or down to snap some shots for your Instagram story; it’s the perfect blend of history and style. ;)

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