Stockholm, Sweden Port Guide

europe port guide

Stockholm Cruise Port: Top Things to See and Do

The Stockholm cruise port is a prominent stop on many Baltic cruise itineraries. American cruise lines such as Celebrity, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean often include Sweden’s capital city in their routes, with the Stockholm Freeport Terminal, often referred to as Frihamnen, being the primary one for larger cruise ships. I sailed here on Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam and really enjoyed this port because of its easy access to Stockholm’s key attractions.

Related: Check out my video review of Zuiderdam.

With a population of approximately 975,000, Stockholm isn’t just Sweden’s capital, but it’s the largest city in the country. Stockholm is that it is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, giving it a unique archipelago setting, and while many don’t realize it, Sweden is a land of islands with over a quarter million in total.

Of all the cruise ports I’ve visited (and it’s a lot), Stockholm unexpectedly became my favorite to sail into and out of. Trust me, if you’re cruising to Stockholm and you don’t have an ocean view or balcony room, go up to the lido deck and enjoy this experience. If you check out Stockholm on a map, it might surprise you to see how far inland it is. When cruise ships sail into and out from Stockholm, they traverse narrow channels which are chock full of Swedish islands, some of which are tiny but still inhabited. It’s really cool to see.

From Stockholm Cruise Port to the City Center

The cruise port is located about 3 miles from Stockholm’s city center, so unlike some other Baltic cruise ports, it’s not really walkable. For those wishing to explore on their own, rather than take a cruise line excursion, taxis are readily available, with fares typically ranging from $20 to $30 USD to get to most areas in Stockholm’s city center.

The most affordable option is public transportation, including buses and trams, which offer an efficient and affordable option, costing about $5 USD per ride. Ride-sharing services like Uber are also available, at around the same price as taxis, providing another convenient way to reach the city center. On my visit, this was my chosen transportation option, and it was quick and efficient.

Holland America Line offers cruisers a shuttle to Strömgatan from the pier. Strömgatan is a notable street in central Stockholm that runs along the northern shore of the Norrström river, connecting the areas around the Royal Palace (more on that in a moment). The shuttle costs $19.95 per person for unlimited use and runs approximately every 30 minutes. This is an affordable option if you’re exploring on your own, although, as noted above, an Uber may be cheaper unless you’re traveling solo.

Top Things to do in Stockholm

European cruise excursions tend to be quite expensive and somewhat limited, so if you’re looking for things to do in Stockholm, here are some of the top choices. You’ll likely find some of these offered as official cruise line excursions, or you can venture out and explore them on your own. Just make sure you’re aware first of the pros and cons (and risks) of independent excursions.

Many of Stockholm’s top sites and museums (a few listed below) are conveniently clustered together on one of the city’s islands called Djurgården. So if you want to maximize your time here in one short port day, this is a great place to explore.

The island of Roatán is compact, measuring just 31 miles (50 kilometers) from end to end, making it easy to explore from any docking point. Both Roatán cruise ports serve as convenient starting points for various shore excursions.

It’s important to note that, like many other Caribbean nations such as Curaçao and Antigua, civilians in Honduras are prohibited from wearing camouflage, so leave that at home (or back on the ship).

Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days.

Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus

I had heard of the “hop on bus” option in major tourist cities, but it really got on my radar when I kept seeing these everywhere at port cities on my Baltic cruise, as they almost always include a stop at the pier to pick up cruisers, which offers an affordable and at-your-own-pace way to see that specific port city.

While I don’t always think this is the best option for all port destinations (for instance, in Kristiansand you can take the tourist train at a lower cost, or simply just walk everywhere), but for ports like this, and Copenhagen, where the city center isn’t walkable from the pier and excursions are pricey, I think it’s a fantastic option. In Stockholm, the hop-on hop-off bus is $43 per person and allows you to see lots of the city’s top sites, many of the ones I detail below.

Gamla Stan (Old Town)

Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town, is a historic area filled with cobblestone streets and colorful buildings. It’s about 3 miles from the cruise port, so not easily accessible by foot. This area is free to explore, but some attractions within Gamla Stan, such as the Royal Palace, have entrance fees.

In Old Town, you can wander through the narrow streets, visit the Royal Palace, and stop by Stortorget, the oldest square in Stockholm. Gamla Stan is also home to various shops, cafes, and restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine.

Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum, located on the island of Djurgården, is one of Stockholm’s top attractions. It houses the Vasa ship, a well-preserved 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. The museum is about 3.5 miles from the cruise port, accessible by a 10-minute taxi/Uber ride. The entry fee is around $17 USD, and let me tell you — it’s worth every penny. I’m a big museum person, and this one ranks up there are one of my favorites.

Visitors can explore the ship and learn about its history through various exhibits. The museum also offers guided tours and informative films, making it an educational experience for all ages.

The downloadable audio tour is free with your admission, which is great, but I found the volume to be too low to hear (I unfortunately didn’t have headphones with me, and those may have helped). The Vasa Museum is hands down my top recommendation of not just Stockholm, but a northern Europe cruise itinerary.

Pro tip: If you visit here, be sure to eat at their cafeteria. There aren’t many great restaurant options in Djurgården, and the cafeteria here is surprisingly good!

Viking Museum

The Viking Museum, known as Vikingaliv, is located on the island of Djurgården (noticing a trend here?!). This interactive museum offers visitors a deep dive into Viking history and culture through engaging exhibits and immersive experiences.

Highlights include lifelike dioramas, artifacts, and the interactive Ragnfrid’s Saga ride, which takes you on a journey through a Viking family’s life. The museum also features educational displays about Viking society, mythology, and their exploration and trading routes. It’s a family-friendly attraction that brings the Viking era to life for visitors of all ages.

I ended up here unexpectedly when my plans to visit the ABBA Museum (more on that in a moment) went awry, and this museum ended up being an unexpected treat. It’s a really well curated museum, and the saga ride at the end is phenomenal. Best of all, it doesn’t take long to go through the entire museum, so you can visit this and at least one other Stockholm museum in Djurgården easily during a port day. Thanks to this experience, I went home after my cruise and binge-watched the History Channel’s Vikings.

Skansen Open-Air Museum in Stockholm

Skansen is the world’s first open-air museum, showcasing Swedish life and culture from different periods. Located on Djurgården, it is about 3.5 miles from the cruise port, accessible by a 10-minute taxi/Uber ride, and admission is around $15 USD.

The museum features historic buildings, a zoo, and various cultural exhibits. Visitors can experience traditional Swedish crafts and watch performances of folk dances. Skansen is a great place to learn about Sweden’s history in an interactive environment.

ABBA Museum

The ABBA Museum, also located on the island of Djurgården, is dedicated to the famous Swedish pop group ABBA. It is about 3.5 miles from the cruise port, and a bit pricey at approximately $27 USD. At the museum, visitors can explore interactive exhibits, see costumes and memorabilia, and even participate in a virtual stage performance with ABBA. The museum provides a fun and engaging experience for fans of the band and music lovers in general.

I’m an ABBA fan, so this was #1 on my “must visit” list. Sadly, I didn’t realize how small this museum is. Its size, coupled with its popularity, meant a long line out the door… and that was for people who prepurchased their tickets! Which I — did not. I could have still purchased my tickets on site, but it would have required a lengthy wait for entry, and I’m an impatient person, so I opted to skip this one. So if you want to attend this museum, pre-buying tickets is a must! Even with prepurchased tickets, expect a wait, unless you spring for an expensive fast-tracked experience (but warning, it’s $$$!).

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace, one of the largest palaces in Europe, is the official residence of the Swedish monarch. It is located in Gamla Stan, about 3 miles from the cruise port. The palace is about 15-minutes from the cruise pier by taxi or Uber ride, and entry costs around $18 USD.

The palace offers numerous rooms to explore, including the Royal Apartments, the Treasury, and the Tre Kronor Museum. Visitors can also watch the changing of the guard ceremony, which is a popular attraction. Discover more about the Royal Palace on Viator or TripAdvisor.

Language and Currency in Stockholm

The official language of Stockholm and the entire country of Sweden is Swedish, although many residents also speak English, especially in tourist areas. During our visit, all of the vendors we interacted with were fluent in English.

The official currency in Stockholm and throughout Sweden is the Swedish Krona (SEK), and most vendors do not accept US currency. Credit cards are widely accepted, and in most European locations, tap-to-pay or contactless payment is becoming very common and quite convenient. A tap-to-pay credit card, also known as a contactless card, allows users to make payments quickly and securely by simply tapping the card against a contactless-enabled payment terminal, eliminating the need to swipe or insert the card and enter a PIN.

Stockholm Cruise Port Ship Schedule

The Stockholm cruise ship schedule can be found directly on the Ports of Stockholm website.

Stockholm Time Zone

Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for Americans on European cruises with substantial time zone differences, and itineraries may result in time changes during the cruise. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.

Stockholm follows Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1 during standard time, and Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2 during daylight saving time. However, please note that time zones and daylight saving time rules may change, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the current local time when planning travel or activities.

Many cruise lines operate on “ship time” corresponding with the embarkation point, so if your cruise sails from Amsterdam or Ijmuiden, which follows Central European Time (CET) zone.