How to Spend 3 Days in Stockholm on a Budget

Famously, Scandinavian countries are not cheap. Add in the premium that comes with staying in a capital city, and your budget might get blown wide open. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with my guide to how to spend three days in Stockholm on a budget.

Accommodation

So, our normal way to keep costs down when we’re traveling is to stay in an Airbnb and utilise the kitchen a bit more. However, Stockholm real estate is tiny for the prices you’re paying.

Instead, we did a whole lot of searching and ended up staying in the Mornington Hotel which was gorgeous and came with a massive breakfast included. We got a special deal by utilising Booking.com’s Genius discounts, so remember to log into your account before booking a hotel through them!

Located just a five-minute walk from a subway stop and pretty central without spending a fortune. In total, we ended up spending around £100 per night for two people with breakfast. Considering how expensive the hostels in the city seem to be, this place was a steal!

Flights

As a major European city, you can get budget flights into Stockholm most of the time. Currently, we’re based in Liverpool and were able to get direct flights at reasonable times with Ryanair for just £45 return each.

So, if you’re keeping a running total, for accommodation and flights we spent just under £200 per person for a three-night stay which compared to the packages was insane!

Transport

Honestly, we walked the majority of the time that we were in Stockholm – probably too much… However, we did use the subway system to get from some of the further points which operate on a contactless card system so you don’t need to buy actual tickets. Both times we used it we were charged around £3 a trip.

Getting to and from the airport was another story. The quickest way to get from Stockholm Arlanda airport into the city centre is on the Arlanda Express train which costs around £20 a ticket and takes 18 minutes.

However, if you’re on a budget, jump on the bus. It only takes 45 minutes and depending on the operator, it costs between £5-13 each. On the way into the city, we jumped on the first bus we saw which cost £11 but ran every 15/20 minutes, but on the way back we opted to book a FlixBus instead for £6 each!

To find the best options for the times you need, I’d recommend using Omio and you can book online and use your own card and currency!

Things to do in Stockholm on a budget

Some of the best things to do in Stockholm on a budget is to explore the different neighbourhoods and see what’s going on. Here are some of our favourites

Djurgarden

Home to pretty much every museum in Stockholm, Djurgarden can be a pretty touristy place to visit.

This island is bigger than you might think so double check before you try and walk halfway across Djurgarden!

With the Abba Museum, Viking Museum, Vasa Museum, and more, there are a lot of things to do here. However, each museum costs around £15 per person at least, so I’d choose one and stick with that.

There’s also a gorgeous parkland area where you can wander around and get views across the water towards the mainland and Stockholm’s other islands.

Gamla Stan

Otherwise known as Stockholm’s Old Town, Gamla Stan might not be big but it packs a punch. With brightly coloured buildings, cobbled side streets, and historic palaces, it’s definitely a unique vibe.

As it’s the touristy heart of Stockholm, prices can be more expensive here so keep that in mind, but you can miss out on Gamla Stan when you visit Stockholm!

Hornstull

Located on the southwest of Sodermalm, Hornstull is a really cool neighbourhood to visit on the weekends, especially in the summer months.

Filled with second-hand vintage shops, great cafes, and independent bars and restaurants, it’s the ideal place to get a bargain and soak up a more local vibe.

Throughout summer and into the first few weeks of autumn, there’s also a huge street food market on the Hornstull waterfront that’s well worth visiting for a cheap meal and a great atmosphere.

There are also these super cute allotments overlooking the water that come with their own tiny buildings – larger than a shed but not quite a chalet – where owners can chill out and enjoy the views!

Sodermalm

Known as the trendy neighbourhood to the south of Gamla Stan, Sodermalm is where you’re going to find cool restaurants, amazing coffee shops, and plenty of unique shops and stores.

Sodermalm definitely has a more youthful vibe that’s a little older and more sophisticated than a student vibe, so it’s great with young couples, solo travelers, or friend groups.

This is actually where we went rock climbing at the awesome Moumo gym which also has an amazing cafe, so well worth checking out if you’re looking to get active in the city.

Ostermalm Markets

Again, if you’re in Stockholm over the weekend, checking out the flea markets of Ostermalm is a great thing to do.

We accidentally came across one while walking from our hotel to Djurgarden and it was really cool with plenty of bargains and vintage pieces.

Despite being close to the tourist areas of Djurgarden and Gamla Stan, Ostermalm definitely has more of a local vibe and the prices reflect that

Places to eat in Stockholm on a budget

It’s hardly news that I love food and drink when I’m traveling, so here’s where we ate during our flying visit to Stockholm.

Tres Taco

When you’re tired from a flight, aren’t sure what you’re in the mood for, and you don’t want to walk too far or spend a fortune, tacos are always a winner.

Tres Taco has a few branches in Stockholm and it was super busy when we arrived which is always a good sign. The tacos were amazing, the churros were great, and the prices weren’t awful for the city centre!

Koh Phangan

So, this place was only a 10-minute walk from our hotel and we passed it like three times a day. It definitely transported you to an island vibe with dark decor splashed with neon artwork and even a small river running through the restaurant with fish in it.

Definitely recommend it for big portion sizes and great cocktails!

Hornstull Market

I’ve mentioned this a little bit before, but this awesome summery setup on the southern banks of Sodermalm is well worth travelling out for.

With food trucks that range in cuisine from Chilean to Swedish to Liberian to Korean to burgers, and beyond, it’s got a little something for everyone.

There’s also a bar there full-time so you can get a cocktail, beer, or cider while you catch up with your friends on the dedicated bleacher setup!

Meno Male

Who doesn’t love a good Neapolitan pizzeria? Located in Ostermalm, this family joint that started when they moved from Capri is a classic neighbourhood pizza place. With cheap but delicious fresh pizzas, plenty of Italian beers, wines, and cocktails, and a series of huge desserts, what’s not to love?

Fabrique

Let’s be honest, have you even been to Stockholm if you don’t get a freshly made cinnamon or cardamom bun? Whether you indulge in the afternoon tradition of fika or just want a tasty snack, Fabrique is an amazing place to get your baked goods.

There are a few branches around the city but the one in Gamla Stan is super cute and affordable!