One of the perks of business travel is the flexibility it can offer—especially when it comes to flights. On a recent work trip to Stockholm, I asked the sponsoring company to book my return flight for a couple of days later so I could explore the city on my own. While I had to cover my own food and accommodation during the extra days, my airfare was handled—win!
I arrived a day before the business event, which gave me time to squeeze in a visit to the Vasa Museum, and I’m so glad I did. This was one of the most fascinating museums I’ve ever visited. The museum houses the only preserved 17th-century ship in the world—a Swedish warship that tragically sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. It was salvaged over 300 years later in remarkable condition. There were videos reenacting the trial that followed the disaster (they wanted to figure out who was to blame), along with displays of the recovered bones and forensic reconstructions of some of the victims. I spent about three hours there, and enjoyed every minute.
Vasa, 17th century ship that is 98% original
On my first full day exploring solo, I joined a walking tour of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s charming Old Town. One memorable stop was the very steps of the Parliament building where Greta Thunberg began her now-famous climate change protests. Our guide also pointed out a network of underground tunnels that were constructed to connect the Parliament, the Prime Minister’s residence, and other government buildings—installations that came about after the assassination of a Swedish Prime Minister. A Swedish colleague of mine had one piece of advice: avoid eating in Gamla Stan. According to him, the restaurants are overpriced and the food is bland.
Old Town
After my work commitments ended, I had two full days to explore Stockholm. My first stop was the ABBA Museum. Tip: book your tickets early because they sell out fast and operate on timed entry. I assumed that it would be gimmicky, but it was actually well-done and super interactive. It turns out a few songs I love were actually ABBA hits! There’s even a special phone that, if you’re lucky, one of the ABBA members might call while you’re inside.
Abba Museum
From there, I walked to a cozy spot called Skroten Matbod & Deli, a charming restaurant/grocery store hybrid where I grabbed a fresh sandwich. I wanted to purchase some champagne jam, but I passed because it was over the 100ml allowance for carry on luggage.
Later, I visited the Nobel Prize Museum, which offers free English tours. Artifacts donated by laureates (including Einstein!) are on display, and all the winners’ names scroll above you on a ceiling-mounted conveyor belt. One exhibit featured a video clip that got a big reaction from a nearby woman—her neighbor, a physicist from New Jersey who proved the Big Bang Theory, was in the film!
Fun fact I didn’t know until visiting: there’s no official Nobel Prize in Economics. That award was added later by Sweden’s central bank in 1968 and is technically called the "Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel."
One of the coolest aspects of getting around Stockholm is the public transit system—which includes boats! I downloaded the SL app and bought a 24-hour pass that let me use the metro, bus, and ferry. The fastest way from the Nobel Museum to the ABBA Museum? A scenic boat ride across the water.
82 Ferry
A local recommended the Hallwyl Museum, a lavish 19th-century mansion with original interiors. A heads-up: nothing is labeled, so it's better with a guided tour. English tours are only offered on Saturdays, and I’m so glad I happened to visit on the right day—it made all the difference.
For shopping, I headed to Södermalm, Stockholm’s artsy, hipster neighborhood. I found some gems along Götgatan Street and picked up a shirt, socks, and dress, all cat-themed, at a shop called Dedicated. On my way back to the Slussen metro station, I took the free Katarina Elevator for amazing views of the city.
View from Katarina Elevator
One weird hiccup? The night I planned to try Pelikan—a historic Swedish restaurant recommended by my Swedish colleague—a major credit card processor went down nationwide. Since Sweden is nearly cashless, it shut down a lot of restaurants. Even Nytorget 6, another highly rated spot, couldn’t take payments. Eventually, my colleagues and I had dinner at the hotel. I returned to Pelikan a few days later and finally got to try their famous meatballs—worth the wait.
If you’re in the mood for a fancy drink, the Grand Hôtel across from the Royal Palace serves amazing cocktails. It’s surprisingly affordable considering the upscale ambiance and service.
A few final tips:
- The Arlanda Express train is the fastest (and easiest) way from the airport to central Stockholm—just 20 minutes.
- English is widely spoken, and I had zero issues communicating.
- Stockholm is not cheap. I paid $100 a night for a tiny, windowless hotel room—even smaller than my Tokyo digs.
Still, the experience was worth every krona. From 17th century ships and ABBA hits to historic mansions and canal boats, Stockholm is a city I’d gladly return to.