Capital city in Stockholm County, Sweden
Stockholm
Beautiful island capital with excellent transit, a strong startup scene and an easy-going, cashless way of life. Prices are high, the housing market is tough and dark winters are long.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,490–3,780Comfortable, one person · kr25,000–38,000Details
- Value for money23/100Better value than 22% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 23°CDetails
- Air quality5 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Meets the WHO guidelineDetails
- Internet196 MbpsFixed broadband, Sweden medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent, often from Lake Mälaren; refill freely and ask for free tap water in restaurants.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$80–149Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessNearly cashless: many cafés, shops and even buses do not take cash.Details
Where to stay in Stockholm
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Södermalm (Södermalm / SoFo) | Cafés, vintage shops and nightlife; best for first-timers |
| Norrmalm and Vasastan | Central, near T-Centralen; Vasastan is calmer with local cafés |
| Östermalm | Upscale, quiet and polished; close to Djurgården |
| Kungsholmen | Waterfront and residential; good for longer stays |
| Gamla Stan | Medieval old town; atmospheric but touristy and pricey |
Apps that work in Stockholm
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp, Messenger
- SL: Stockholm transit tickets and journey planner
- SJ: Train tickets and seat bookings
- Taxis: Taxis set their own prices and can be very expensive; use an app or ask for the fare in advance. Transit is usually quicker.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Sweden.
- Practically cashless Nearly cashless: many cafés, shops and even buses do not take cash. Carry a card; Swish needs a Swedish number.
- Currency: Krona (SEK). US$1 ≈ kr10.04 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs (Bankomat) are scarce but usually add no local fee; avoid Euronet and decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected. Rounding up or 5–10% for good table service is common; nothing at counters.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work everywhere; Swish needs a Swedish bank account and BankID, so visitors can't use it.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a face photo to the Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry.
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation isn't required yet and has no confirmed start date; check the EU site before you fly.
Emergency numbers
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Comviq and Lycamobile prepaid SIMs sell at Pressbyrån, 7-Eleven and supermarkets; EU roaming rules apply to EU SIMs. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Sweden
Going to Stockholm solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.