After several years of docking in this stunning Scandinavian city, here is my ultimate guide to Stockholm cruise port; including information about the cruise terminals (there are two spots where your ship might dock), and the best things to see and do while you’re here.
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A very brief introduction to Stockholm
Stockholm- the capital of Sweden-officially consists of 14 islands, and I’m telling you now: each one is truly beautiful. From the medieval architecture of Gamla Stan, to trendy Södermalm or the countless green spaces and intriguing museums of Djurgården, there is so much for visitors to see and do in this stunning city. It’s also incredibly easy to get around, whether on foot or with public transport.
In my opinion, Stockholm is one of the best cities to dock at on a Scandinavian cruise itinerary, and not just because of what the city itself has to offer. It also has one of the most beautiful sail-ins (or sail-aways) in this region, thanks to the beautiful Stockholm archipelago. It takes around three hours for cruise ships to sail through the rocky islands of the archipelago, which are dotted with pine forests and pretty wooden houses; particularly around sunrise or sunset, the scenery is spectacular.
Where do cruise ships dock in Stockholm?
There are actually two main ports for cruise ships to dock at in Stockholm, in two very different locations. The most convenient of these is Stadsgården Cruise Terminal, which also happens to be the most scenic, with a beautiful view across the water to Gamla Stan (that’s the old town, FYI), and of Djurgården island, where the ABBA museum is located alongside Gröna Lund amusement park.
The second of Stockholm’s cruise ports is Frihamnen, which is slightly further away than Stadsgården, in more of an industrial area.
It doesn’t happen often, but some teeny-tiny ships do dock right in the city centre (I’m talking truly teeny-tiny), or dock via tender boat. Although it takes longer to dock by tender, the bonus is that tender boats dock right in the heart of Stockholm. But like I said, pals, this is rare. It’s more than likely that if you’re arriving in Stockholm via cruise ship, you’ll be docking at either Stadsgården or Frihamnen.
Is Stockholm walkable from Stockholm cruise port?
The answer to this question doesn’t just depend on which Stockholm port you dock in, but also in part, on how much you like to walk.
From Stadsgården cruise terminal, if it’s a nice day and you enjoy a good old fashioned stroll, it is very possible to walk into Gamla Stan. It takes around 30 minutes to walk from this particular Stockholm cruise port, and the route is really easy to follow; basically, stick to the waterfront and you’ll be fine. You’ll pass Fotografiska, the museum of photography, which is well worth a visit, and the path is completely flat. You could also take one of the plethora of scooters and use the cycle path to get from the port into the city; download an app like Lime, Bolt or Voi to find the closest scooter available.
From Frihamnen cruise terminal, you’d be much better off taking your cruise ship’s shuttle transfer or getting a taxi into the city. (Uber is available in Stockholm, FYI.)
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What is within easy walking distance of Stockholm cruise port?
Stadsgården:
Stadsgården is on the island of Södermalm, which is basically one of Stockholm’s trendiest areas, don’cha know. This beautiful district is packed full of old architecture, fashionable restaurants, bars and coffee shops, and intriguing boutiques. There’s a laid-back vibe here, and as trendy as this part of the city is, it’s also very much ‘lived-in,’ with plenty of residential areas, schools and playgrounds as well. In fact, you’re more likely to come across local families, dog-walkers and old couples than the gaggles of walking tours you’ll find in touristy Gamla Stan.
Check out Greasy Spoon for breakfast or brunch, or head to Meatballs for the People for a true taste of Swedish cuisine. For delicious vegan food, head to Hermans, which has some stunning views from its location on the cliff overlooking the water.
The beautiful Vitabergsparken park is only around 10-15 minutes from the cruise terminal on foot, and it’s also worth taking a wander through the stunning churchyard of St Mary Magdalene. (Keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels while you’re there.) And then of course, there’s Fotografiska, the brilliant museum of photography which I mentioned before; even if you’re not into photography, it might be worth visiting for the restaurant alone.
Frihamnen
Admittedly, there’s a little less to see in the vicinity of Frihamnen than there is around Stadsgården; but you can still find things to see and do here. The Stockholm Brewing Company is inside an old warehouse right next to the pier, and as well as being a great place for a beer tasting, there’s also a restaurant on site.
Outside of the warehouse-filled port area, there are several restaurants and coffee shops to be discovered, and it’ll only take you around ten minutes to reach most of them on foot. Just get onto Google Maps and see what is open and takes your fancy; while most of the clientele at lunchtime seems to be local office workers, the standard of food is pretty delicious. (Admittedly, this restaurant tip is more for crew who want to go outside but don’t have time to go all the way into the city. If you’re a guest who is only docking in Stockholm once, you’ll probably want to head further afield- and rightly so.) There’s also an absolutely gargantuan park nearby, which is part of the Royal Djurgården district.
What facilities are there at Stockholm cruise ports?
Both Stadsgården and Frihamnen cruise terminals are well-equipped for welcoming cruise ships. Never you fear, pals.
Both have a small gift shop which is generally open as long as there are ships in port, as well as bathroom facilities. The best thing of all though, is probably the free Wifi, which is also pretty full on fast. At Stadsgården port, it’s also normally possible to log in to Stockholm wifi from the cruise ship.
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Must-sees in Stockholm
Ok pals, I’ve dived into the off-the-beaten path spots around the cruise ports themselves, but of course you might be wondering what are the absolute must-sees for the casual Stockholm day-tripper?
With only one day to explore, the majority of first-time visitors head straight to the cobbled streets of medieval Gamla Stan, and it’s very easy to see why. The old town is absolutely beautiful, and this is considered to be the heart of the city; whether you wander the streets (aimlessly or with a walking tour), or want to head into one of the city’s many museums, there is a lot to see and do here. Nearby, the Royal Palace of Stockholm is another hotspot for visitors, and the official residence of the King of Sweden. Even if you don’t want to pay to go inside, you can see the pomp and circumstance of the Changing of the Guard daily.
Then of course, there’s the ABBA museum, documenting the life and times of one of Sweden’s most famous exports. It’s worth booking a skip-the-line ticket if you want to visit, particularly if you have limited time. The Vasa Museum houses the near-perfect Vasa warship, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628; it’s fascinating, perfect for a rainy day, and also free for crew members.
And last but not least, don’t skip fika! Fika is, essentially, coffee and cake. And what is there not to love about coffee and cake? Swedes take their fika very seriously, and the selection of sweet baked treats on offer is extensive. If you need a recommendation for Fika in Stockholm, check out my full guide to eating and drinking in the city.
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What you need to know before docking in Stockholm
- Currency in Sweden is the Swedish Krona. However, cards are widely accepted here, in fact, some shops take only card.
- It is very easy to get by in Stockholm if you don’t speak Swedish. But at least learning a few words (hej, hej då, tack) is always worth it, let’s face it.
- Unisex toilets, like most of Scandinavia, are pretty normal here.
- In coffee shops, customers often order and pay at the bar before sitting down. (I.e. not the Mediterranean way of sitting down and a waiter taking the order.)