The Swedes call their capital ‘beauty on water’, but when winter hits and all freezes over, this Venice-esque city becomes an icy dreamscape and the very definition of a winter wonderland. Imagine crisp cold air, the crunch of snow beneath your feet and the early evening darkness illuminated by cosily lit windows. Stockholm’s labyrinth-like waterways become ice-skating hotspots and Christmas markets filled with traditional spiced glögg pop up across the city. If you are looking for somewhere where you are pretty much within touching distance of where Father Christmas lives, then this shining city in Sweden during the chillier months is the place for you. Even if spending the festive period abroad isn’t your thing, a January or February getaway is equally as magical (albeit rather snowy). Here is our list of some of our top things to do in Stockholm in winter…
Icebar
An adventure in Stockholm in winter wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the world-famous Icebar. Don a snug fleece-lined poncho and a pair of toasty gloves and head into the icy rooms of the first permanent ice bar in the world. Take a pew on one of the ice-carved benches topped with reindeer fur and enjoy polar cocktails out of ice glasses in this wacky below-freezing setting. When your toes begin to get cold, treat yourselves to a tasty dinner (and some heating) in the adjoining restaurant.
Museums
Whether you’re a fine art fanatic, a history addict or an ABBA extraordinaire, Stockholm’s museums have something for everyone to absorb themselves in. If there’s one museum you simply must visit, it’s the shrine of Sweden’s most iconic band. ABBA became a staple for music lovers across the globe and single-handedly invented modern pop, making their museum a must-stop spot when exploring Stockholm in winter. Try on glitter-adorned costumes, watch old film clips and even grab a mic and have a sing along with the ABBA avatars while dressed in some of their most iconic costumes. If you’re after a little less singing and dancing, take a trip to the Vasa Museum, the most visited non-art museum in Scandinavia and one dedicated to the beautifully preserved 17th-century ship that sits inside, or even head to the spirit museum where you can find out where the Swede’s got their love for all things alcoholic. If art is your thing however, venture to the Nationalmuseum or Fotografiska where you will be able to get your fill of art and photos from the early 1900s all the way to present day.
Gamla Stan
Stockholm’s Gamla Stan is a labyrinth of twisting lanes that weave past Renaissance churches, baroque palaces and romantic squares. Its bright rainbow-hued buildings and cobblestone streets make up the best-preserved medieval city centre in Europe and become a truly festive setting to spend a few days exploring during the winter. Get lost wandering through its hiddledy-piggledy alleyways trying to find the famous Christmas market, before settling down in a cosy café with a few mouth-watering chokladbollars (traditional chocolate oatmeal balls) as snow begins to fall outside.
Sturebadet Spa
Once your fingers are frosty and you’ve explored most of the pretty old town surrounded by a flurry of snow, you might fancy a trip to Sturebadet, Stockholm's iconic spa which is located just outside the historic centre of the city. Having been a Swedish institution since the late 1800s, this wood-clad spa is a cosy hub where locals and tourists can relax and engage in pastimes such as swimming, reclining in a steamy sauna or even enjoying the aromatherapy areas. Sturebadet’s mission is to ‘provide a calm oasis in a big city, and to make Stockholm healthier’, and we agree that this is the ultimate pit stop to escape the cold of Nordic winter after a long day of exploring.
Ice skating
Ice skating often provokes images of fake snow-filled cities with slightly tacky Christmas markets packed to the brim with hordes of tourists. Ice skating in Stockholm in winter is a different experience entirely, think garlands of fairy lights, twinkling Christmas trees and even a flutter of snow to really put people in the festive spirit. The best part is that it is utterly free. Grab your skates and head out, gliding gracefully (or not in some cases) around the rink’s central statue, before settling down in a nearby bar for a warm glass of glögg (traditional Swedish mulled wine). If you’re feeling adventurous, join locals commuting to work or heading into Gamla Stan on the frozen waterways that fill the city.
Fasching Jazz Bar
Since the 1970s, Fasching has raised the roof and been a jazz hub in the centre of Stockholm. An evening spent at this institution is one of the best ways to warm up and recoup after a brilliant day of exploring with a private guide. Warm chilly ears and wind-bitten noses in the bustling bar with a cocktail or two followed by a traditional Swedish meal, all to the sound of funky jazz. If you have no other plans, dance the night away as the bar becomes a nightclub filled with the sounds of saxophone shrills and trumpeting tones.
Written by Immy Kelly