Stockholm is spread across fourteen islands, and on a first visit the question of where to stay can feel bigger than it is. The good news is that the historic heart of the city is compact. Pick a hotel in central Stockholm and the Royal Palace, the cobbled lanes of Gamla Stan, the shopping streets and the waterfront are all within walking distance, with the metro on hand for everything else.
This guide groups six hotels by neighbourhood, so you can choose the part of the city that matches your trip before you choose the room.
Three Neighbourhoods Worth Knowing
Gamla Stan (the Old Town) is the medieval core of the city, with narrow streets, colourful merchant houses and the Royal Palace. It is the most atmospheric place to stay and puts the classic sights right outside your door.
Hötorget and the City is the busy commercial centre around Kungsgatan and the Hötorget market square, close to the central station, the concert hall and the main shopping streets.
Stureplan and Östermalm is the city’s smart, lively quarter, known for restaurants, nightlife and elegant boulevards.
All three are connected by short walks or a single metro stop, so any of these Stockholm city break hotels keeps the main sights close.
Six Central Hotels, Area by Area
From cobblestones to grand boulevards, each of these hotels near Gamla Stan and the city centre suits a slightly different traveller.
In the Old Town: Scandic Gamla Stan
Scandic Gamla Stan offers charming rooms in a peaceful setting surrounded by cobblestone streets. The metro station is right next door, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the rest of the city. The hotel has no restaurant or bar of its own, but the Old Town is full of cafés and restaurants just steps away, so you are never short of choice.
Ideal for: couples and first-timers who want the classic Stockholm atmosphere.
Around Hötorget: Haymarket by Scandic
Haymarket by Scandic sits on Hötorget square in the historic PUB building, and its grand entrance welcomes you into a 1920s era of optimism and elegance. Farmers’ markets, cinemas and concert halls surround the hotel, and both the central station and Stureplan are within walking distance.
Ideal for: travellers who love design and want a stay with character.
Around Hötorget: Scandic Klara
Scandic Klara offers peaceful accommodation right in the city centre by Hötorget. In the evening you can order dinner in the restaurant, and mornings begin with a breakfast buffet. A sauna and gym help you recover after a long day on your feet.
Ideal for: anyone who wants a calm base in the middle of the action.
On Kungsgatan: Scandic No. 53
Scandic No. 53 places you in the heart of Stockholm, with shops, restaurants and a market hall on the doorstep. The central station, Stureplan and the Old Town are a short walk away, and the metro and buses stop just across the street. In summer, the courtyard is a relaxing place to unwind.
Ideal for: visitors arriving by train who want to explore on foot.
By Stureplan: Scandic Anglais
Scandic Anglais is right in the heart of the action next to Stureplan. You can enjoy good food at the hotel or join the capital’s night owls in the bar until the small hours, with shopping and the metro within arm’s reach.
Ideal for: friends looking for restaurants and nightlife.
In the City Centre: Scandic Park
Scandic Park offers spacious rooms and a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere in the middle of the city buzz. A bar, a restaurant, a sauna and a gym make it easy to spend a relaxed evening in, and the boardroom suits travellers combining business with a weekend away.
Ideal for: longer stays and anyone who values space.
First-Visit Tips
- Walk from the Royal Palace across Gamla Stan to the waterfront at Slussen for some of the best views in the city.
- Use the metro and the local ferries to reach Djurgården, home to several of Stockholm’s best-known museums.
- Book restaurants ahead at weekends, especially around Stureplan and in the Old Town.
- Pack comfortable shoes, as cobblestones and hills are part of the experience.
The Bottom Line
For atmosphere, stay in Gamla Stan. For convenience and shopping, choose Haymarket, Klara or No. 53 around Hötorget and Kungsgatan. For nightlife and dining, Anglais by Stureplan is hard to beat, while Park gives you extra room to spread out. Wherever you land, the best of Stockholm is only a short walk away.
All six hotels can be booked with Scandic. Planning more trips around Scandinavia? Our latest city guides are waiting for you at BlogsBuddy.