How to Visit Stockholm on a Budget

Stockholm. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. I love its historical architecture, the natural beauty of the archipelago, the wild nightlife, and the beautiful people that call the city home.

Throw in lots of spacious parks, cool cafés, and delicious food, and you’ve got the recipe for one of my favorite destinations in the world.

In fact, I love the city so much I even tried to move there!

Over the years, I’ve developed a great network of friends in Stockholm and I’ve been there so much I feel like I know it like a local. If Stockholm didn’t suffer from arctic winter conditions (ok, a slight exaggeration), it would be the most perfect city in the world.

A lot of budget travelers skip visiting Stockholm (and Scandinavia in general) because it’s expensive. Yes, there’s no denying that Stockholm is pricey compared to other cities around Europe.

However, a visit there doesn’t need to break your budget. By following a few simple tips, you can drastically cut your expenses and make the city much more affordable.

That doesn’t mean it will be cheap, but these tips will definitely help you keep your budget intact as you explore this beautiful Scandinavian city.

Here’s how to visit Stockholm on a budget:

 

1. Take a Free Walking Tour

One of the first things I do when I arrive in a new city is take a walking tour. It’s the best way to learn about the city, see the major sights, and get your questions answered by a local expert.

Like most major cities in Europe, Stockholm has several free walking tours available. The best ones are run by Free Tour Stockholm who offer tours of the Old Town (Gamla Stan), highlighting the city’s best sights, history, and gorgeous architecture.

Tours are available in English and Spanish. Each tour lasts a couple of hours and covers all the main lights. It’s a great primer on the city. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
 

2. Cut Your Food Budget

While grocery costs are comparable to most major cities in the world, eating out in Stockholm is incredibly expensive. I try to avoid dining out as much as possible as a result. Fortunately, there are a few ways to lower your food budget without missing out.

Cook your own meals – Groceries in Stockholm can cost 600–800 SEK per week, which is a great value when the average restaurant meal is around 125–250 SEK. It’s much less expensive to cook your own food than to eat out at restaurants. The cheapest grocery store chains here are Willy’s and Lidl.

Most hostels in Stockholm have a kitchen/self-catering facilities (as do apartments on Airbnb). If you plan on cooking, make sure you choose accommodation that can facilitate that.

Avoid sit-down restaurants – If you still want to eat out, try to stick to street food or pizza. Additionally, Thai and Middle Eastern food are usually quite affordable as well. You can find filling meals for around 100 SEK. You’ll pay closer to 200 SEK for a basic meal at a restaurant with table service so avoid those as much as possible. Moreover, meals like Thai or pizza are usually large enough that you can get two meals out of them, saving you even more money.

Additionally, skip anything on Drottninggatan (the city’s main shopping street) and sit-down restaurants in Gamla Stan. Both are overpriced.

Try the lunch buffets – If you want to eat out at a restaurant, stick to lunch buffets. They usually cost around 120–150 SEK and are the best way to maximize your meal spending. Just arrive early to beat the rush. One of my go-to places for lunch is Hermitage. They offer delicious home-cooked meals with tons of variety.

Refill your water bottle – Bottled water here is expensive. It’s also unnecessary. The tap water in the city is safe to drink (it’s one of the cleanest in the world) so bring a reusable water bottle to save yourself some money. You can fill it up easily at most cafes. My go-to bottle is LifeStraw, since it has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
 

3. Take Advantage of the Free Parks

The parks in Stockholm are free, and in the winter, there’s free ice skating. You can also wander Gamla Stan and Södermalm and just take in the city’s beauty. They’re a great place to relax, have a picnic, read, and people watch.

My favorite parks in the city are Djurgarden, Langholmen, Gärdet, and Ralambshovsparken. They have huge open spaces and are good for a number of outdoor activities or lounging around — especially on those long summer days!

 

4. Visit Free/Discounted Museums

Museums in Stockholm are not cheap but there are a few that are free, or at least offer free hours/free admission if you’re under a certain age. (There used to be a lot more, but COVID changed all that.) Some museums also offer steep discounts on certain days as well

Here are the best free and discounted museums in the city:

• National Museum of Sweden
• Stockholm City Museum
• The Museum of Modern Arts
• The Swedish History Museum
• The Maritime Museum
• The Museum of Medieval Stockholm (currently closed for relocation)
• National Library of Sweden
• The Ethnography Museum

Be sure to also check with the local tourism office to see if any other museums are offering free hours or exhibits. There are many free art exhibits and events that come to town, and they’ll have a list of them all.

To save even more money on museums and attractions, get the Go City Pass (more on this below).

You can also learn more about these museums in my free guide to Stockholm.
 

5. Limit Your Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is not cheap in Sweden. If you want to destroy your budget, drink. If you want to have your money last a little longer, cut down on your alcohol consumption. Avoid wine (way overpriced), skip the clubs (overpriced cover), and stick to beer, which is the cheapest alcohol you can get.

If you do go out to drink, stick to happy hours. And if you plan on having a wild night out, buy your alcohol at Systembolaget (the government-run liquor store) and pre-drink to keep costs low. Just keep in mind that Systembolaget has limited hours and is closed on Sundays.
 

6. See the Archipelago on the Cheap

The Swedish archipelago is absolutely beautiful — especially in the summer. Thousands of islands dot the region and there are numerous cruises and tours from the city that will take you around during the day (or during sunset).

But those tours are expensive.

If you want to see and experience the archipelago cheaply, take the public ferries to the outer islands. Tickets are 60–180 SEK depending on what island you visit (by comparison, day tours cost anywhere from 250 SEK to 1,500 SEK!).

Use Waxholmsbolaget for the most affordable tickets.
 

7. Get Transportation and Tourist Passes

Stockholm metro fares are costly (42 SEK per ticket), but you can buy an unlimited transportation card for 455 SEK (plus 20 SEK for the card) that’s valid for seven days. That’s only 65 SEK per day, so as long as you use the card twice per day you’ll save money.

While the city is incredibly walkable, be sure to get a pass if you plan on taking the subway or bus. The savings will add up!

And if you plan on seeing a lot of attractions or visiting a lot of museums, get the Go City Pass. It provides free entry to over 60 of the top attractions, including sightseeing tours, museums, and monuments. Single-day passes are 999 SEK and three-day passes are 1,629. While not cheap, if you do a lot of sightseeing you can easily save a lot of money.
 

8. Use Hotel Points

Got hotel points? Use them! Using points and miles is the best way to save money when you’re visiting an expensive destination, whether it’s getting a free flight to Sweden or free accommodation while you’re here. Marriott and Hilton hotels both have locations here in the city that can be booked with points.

Free is always better than spending money. This post can get you started if you’re new to points and miles.
 

9. Stay at the Cheap Hostels

If you’re on a tight budget, stay at the cheaper hostels in the city, like Nomad Cave. It’s one of the cheaper hostels in the city while still being decent in terms of cleanliness and amenities. You’ll save upwards of 100 SEK per night doing this compared to some of the “nicer” hostels in town, which will add up after a few days of exploring.

Conversely, you can also stay at my favorite hostel in the city, City Backpackers. While not quite as cheap, they offer free pasta (which can save your food budget) and a free sauna (which is just a fun perk).

For other hostels in the city, check out my list of the best hostels in Stockholm!

If you don’t mind a more rugged stay (and have a tent and camping gear) you can camp outside the city for free. Wild camping is legal in Sweden thanks to generous Freedom to Roam laws. You can also check out Campspace for cheap places to camp (it’s like Airbnb but for camping/glamping).
 

10. Use a Hospitality Network

Since accommodation is expensive in Stockholm, consider using Couchsurfing to find someone to host you for free. Couchsurfing (and similar sites, such as BeWelcome) connect travelers with locals who offer a free place to stay. You’ll not only cut out your accommodation costs but you’ll get access to a local insider who can share their tips and advice. The Couchsurfing app is all a great tool for finding meet-ups (museum visits, language exchanges, etc.), making this platform a valuable tool for saving money and connection.

Lastly, if you’re planning on a longer visit, try housesitting. It’s a great way to get free long-term accommodation in exchange for looking after a local’s house/pets.

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Visiting Stockholm doesn’t need to bust your budget. Sure, it’s expensive, but there are many ways to save money here. While it’s never going to be dirt cheap, it can still be affordable if you plan ahead and embrace the tips above.

Don’t let money keep you away from this underrated and oft-skipped destination. It’s worth every penny!