Nestled between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, Stockholm owns a rich collection of contemporary and traditional architecture that dates as far back as the 13th century. If you’re looking for a taste of old Sweden, the only place to start is in Gamla Stan (its old town), meaning “The Town Between the Bridges”. It’s centrally located on the island of Stadsholmen, and is characterized by its slender buildings with bright
Strong forms and
More recently, the city has seen an influx in new and exciting contemporary buildings that make it an excellent place to stop, visit, and explore.
Check out Stockholm’s amazing #mustseearchitecture below.
Contemporary Architecture
79 & Park
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Described as “a wooden hillside” by its architect, 79 & Park is a cascading apartment building that offers generous views and outdoor spaces to its residents. Located adjacent to a royal park, and nearby the royal harbour of Frihamnen, the wood-clad building is a fine example of contemporary architecture wishing to both be and connect with natural landscapes.
Read more about the project here >
Practical Information
Architect: BIG Architects
Built: 2018
Type: Apartment
Address: Sandhamnsgatan 79, 115 28 Stockholm, Sweden
Website: oscarproperties.com/projekt/79-park/
Norra Tornen
Opened the same day as 79 & Park, Norra Tornen is a homogenous tower that creates an interplay of protruding living rooms and withdrawn outdoor spaces. Precast panels were selected for the application, with a ribbed concrete brush and exposed pebble aggregate.
Read more about the project here >
Practical Information
Architect: OMA & Reinier de Graaf
Built: 2018
Type: Apartment
Address: Torsplan 8, 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
Website: oscarproperties.com/projekt/norra-tornen/
School of Architecture, Royal Institute of Technology
One of Stockholm’s more iconic new buildings, the new School of Architecture was built in the middle of a courtyard, surrounded by a monumental brick building designed by Swedish romantic architect Erik Lallerstedt. Considering the existing circulation through and around the courtyard, the architects used the concept of movement to connect the building with its site and included both a sunken courtyard and rooftop garden in its design. Its notable corten steel cladding was designed to blend in with the red brick buildings it sits adjacent to.
Practical Information
Architect: Tham & Videgård Arkitekter
Built: 2015
Type: Institutional
Address: Brinellvägen 8, Stockholm
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.kth.se
Aula Medica
The Aula Medica is part of the Karolinska Institute, one of the most prestigious medical universities in the world, which surprisingly, never had an auditorium of its own for lectures and events (as an aside, The Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine each year). The building, a striking form that projects over the intersection at the Solnavägen thoroughfare, marks its entrance in the campus complex. It is composed of triangular pieces of glass that give it the structural integrity that allows for the building’s unique form.
Practical Information
Architect: Wingardh Arkitekt
Built: 2013
Type: Auditorium
Address: Solnavägen 1, Solna. Metro: St.Eriksplan
Scandiascenen, Cirkus Theatre
Originally founded back in 1892, Skandiascenen is a modern addition to the historic Cirkus theatre in Stockholm. Sunken into the bedrock, the new theatre is a juxtaposition against the old Cirkus building and is clad in stainless steel, with a fish-scale pattern that gives it a sense of momentum that carries through the building.
Practical Information
Architect: White Arkitekter
Built: 2015
Type:
Address: Djurgårdsslätten 43, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.cirkus.se
Värtaterminalen
Värtaterminalen is the name for Stockholm’s ferry terminal providing connections to Finland and the Baltic nations. At the time of its design, the building was intended to be a landmark project for the new urban development called Norra Djursgårdsstaden. Its long, sweeping forms creates a new landscape for the city offering views of the ferries, archipelago, and city skyline.
Practical Information
Architect: C.F. Møller Architects
Built: 2016
Type: Ferry Terminal
Address: Hamnpirskajen 10, 102 54 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 5.45 am – 7.30 pm
Website: www.portsofstockholm.com
Stockholm One
The emblematic geometry of the tower – a conical star that gradually extends its perimeter as it rises into the sky – minimises its footprint on this limited site while providing flexible office space that benefits from long-distance views and an abundance of daylight. On the two different ground levels there are commercial units while a restaurant and sky bar on the top level of the high-rise offer spectacular views of the city.
Read more about the project here >
Practical Information
Architect: suerbruchhutton
Built: 2021
Type: Office
Address: Hammarbybacken 27, 120 30 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: No
Zenhouses
Zenhouses stands where the city and the countryside meet in the new district of Norra Djurgårdsstaden in Stockholm. The site is characterised by Ferdinand Boberg’s rich industrial architecture and is framed by the large green areas of the Royal National City Park. The 18 urban townhouses adjacent to Husarviken are designed with variation in their height and depth, in order to optimise contact with the surroundings.
Read more about the project here >
Practical Information
Architect: C.F. Møller Architects
Built: 2020
Type: Housing
Address: Husarvikstorget 22, 115 47 Stockholm, Swede
Open to the Public: No
Fredriksdalskajen
The Fredriksdal Quay (Fredriksdalskajen) is located at Hammarby Lake in Stockholm, adjacent to one of the city’s main infrastructural veins connecting Stockholm’s southern suburbs with the central island of Södermalm. The quayside project is one of the last phases of a major urban development project, Hammarby Sjöstad, which has been evolving in southern Stockholm since the late 90s. The site is part of a continuous stretch along the water, from Liljeholmskajen in the west to Hammarby Sjöstad in the east and further on to Sickla lock.
Read more about the project here >
Practical Information
Architect: Nivå Landskapsarkitektur AB
Built: 2019
Type: Quay
Address: 833J+9C Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Strömkajen Ferry Terminal
Located opposite the Royal Palace, Grand Hotel, and National Gallery, this new ferry terminal conveniently serves travelers heading to the Stockholm archipelago. The building’s unique form provides varying views over the water and is clad with a burnished Tombak, a brass alloy with floor to ceiling glazing that allows for uninterrupted views from the roughly sawn oak interior.
Practical Information
Architect: Marge Arkitekter
Built: 2014
Type: Ferry Terminal
Address: Strömkajen 9, 111 48 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.portsofstockholm.com/stockholm/port-areas/stromkajen/
Octapharma Brewery
Formerly a brewery in the 1890’s, this renovated office building also contains meeting spaces, conference rooms, changing rooms, and a large canteen. The building underwent a thorough restoration starting in 2009 with its exterior brickwork and impressive timber structure carefully being reviewed for safety and structural integrity.
Practical Information
Architect: Joliark
Built: 2015
Type: Office
Address: FerrHornsbergsvägen, 112 51 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Tappen
Located on a former industrial property on the outskirts of Stockholm, Tappen is a pair of apartment blocks that has been beautifully crafted of wood, concrete, and steel to give it a simple and elegant expression.
Practical Information
Architect: Joliark
Built: 2015
Type: Housing
Address: Mariehäll, Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: No
Stora Sjöfallet
Sitting on the banks of the Husarviken River, Stora Sjöfallet is an apartment building located in Norra Djurgårdsstaden (a former industrial land that the city has redeveloped into a sustainable neighbourhood). The design is characterized by its geometric concrete structure, wooden window frames, and triangular light wells on the roof that provides a surface for solar panels and sun penetration below.
Practical Information
Architect: Joliark
Built: 2016
Type: Housing
Address: Husarviksgatan 16, 115 42 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: No
Tele2 Arena
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The multi-purpose arena has a capacity of 30,000 spectators and 45,000 for concerts, and was designed to create a memorable experience for visitors. The building is clad with perforated metal panels that provide a sense of solidity from the outside, but allow views to the city and surrounding landscape from the interior.
Practical Information
Architect: White Arkitekter
Built: 2013
Type: Sports Stadium
Address: Arenaslingan 14, 121 77 Johanneshov, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Stockholmsmässan AE-hall
The AE-Hall is a large exhibition building that features a woven perforated metal screen with an embossing effect that is articulated by LED backlighting.
Practical Information
Architect: Rosenbergs Architects
Built: 2010
Type: Exhibition Hall
Address: Mässvägen 1, 125 80 Älvsjö, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Cost: www.stockholmsmassan.se
Stockholm Waterfront
This signature building by White Arkitekter sits on the Riddarfjärden bay with great exposure to Stockholm’s waterfront. The building is actually three separate ones and features a decorative face of vertical
Practical Information
Architect: White Arkitekter
Built: 2010
Type: Congress & Conference Center, Hotel, and Office
Address: Nils Ericsons Plan 4, 111 64 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: stockholmwaterfront.com
Ericsson Globe
Commonly referred to as “The Globe”, The Ericsson Globe is an indoor arena and the largest hemispherical building on earth with a diameter of 110 metres (279 feet). The building is primarily used for ice hockey and concerts, and also held a mass by Pope John Paul II in 1989.
Practical Information
Architect: Berg Arkitektkantoor
Built: 1989
Type: Arena & Concert Venue
Address: 121 77 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Traditional Architecture
Stockholm Public Library
One of the most iconic buildings in Swedish architecture, the Stockholm Public library was designed by Gunnar Asplund starting in 1924, with its construction ending four years later in 1928. Asplund took a lot of inspiration for the design from the Rotonde de la Villette in Paris, reducing its classical elements into more simplified, abstract forms that maintained the buildings intended monumental presence. The red-orange
Practical Information
Architect: Gunnar Asplund
Built: 1928
Type: Library
Address: Sveavägen 73, 113 50 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 10:00am – 9:00pm, Friday: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Website: www.biblioteket.stockholm.se
Stockholm City Hall
One of the most visited buildings in Stockholm, City Hall is not only the municipal headquarters for the city but the location of the infamous Nobel Prize banquet. It was designed by architect Ragnar Östberg and sits proudly on the eastern tip of Kungsholmen island. The material palette is simple and characterized by North European brick construction and decorative oriental and Venetian elements. The southeast corner of the building that touches the shoreline is 106
Practical Information
Architect: Ragnar Östberg
Built: 1911
Type: Civic
Address: Hantverkargatan 1, 111 52 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily, 8:30am – 4:00pm
Website: www.stockholm.se/OmStockholm/Stadshuset/
Skogskyrkogården
Meaning “The Woodland Cemetery”, Skogskyrkogården is a cemetery in southern Stockholm designed by Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz who designed everything from the buildings and paths to the table lamps. The design reflects the development of architecture from Nordic Classicism to functionalism and the small Woodland Crematorium is generally regarded as a central work in Asplund’s career.
Practical Information
Architect: Gunnar Asplund & Sigurd Lewerentz
Built: 1920
Type: Cemetery
Address: Sockenvägen, 122 33 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily, 11:00am – 4:00pm
Website: www.stockholm.se/-/Serviceenhetsdetaljer/
Storkyrkan
Storkyrkan is the oldest church in Gamla Stan, the historic
Practical Information
Built: 1306
Type: Cathedral
Style: Brick Gothic
Address: Trångsund 1, 111 29 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Stockholm Palace
Stockholm Palace is the official residence of the Swedish monarch and is located in Stockholm’s old town, Gamla Stan, standing next to the Riksdag (Parliament House). Made of brick and sandstone, the facades of the palace are all uniquely designed, and the buildings floor plan consists of 4 rows (wings) each named after its cardinal direction. The roof is a distinct oxidized copper that slopes into the inner courtyard.
Practical Information
Architect: Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, Carl Hårleman
Built: 1697-1754
Type: Royal Palace
Address: 107 70 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Website: www.kungligaslotten.se/english
Nationalmuseum
Located on the shores of the Blasieholmen peninsula, the Nationalmuseum is the national gallery of Sweden and was founded way back in 1792. The current building was constructed between 1844 and 1866 by German architect Friedrich August Stüler in the Italian Renaissance
Practical Information
Architect: Friedrich August Stüler
Built: 1844-1866
Type: Royal Palace
Style: Renaissance architecture
Address: Södra Blasieholmshamnen 2, 111 48 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00am – 7:00pm (closes at 9pm on Tuesdays)
Cost: Free
Website: www.nationalmuseum.se/en/
Riksdag
The Riksdag is the Swedish Parliament House, located on the island of Helgeandsholmen, next to the Royal Palace. Designed by Aron Johansson in the neoclassical style, the building was originally designed in a semi-circular shape so that it could house both the parliament and Swedish National Bank.
Practical Information
Architect: Aron Johansson
Built: 1897-1905
Type: Parliament House
Style: Neoclassical architecture, Baroque Revival architecture
Address: Riksgatan 1, 100 12 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00am – 7:00pm (closes at 9pm on Tuesdays)
Cost: Free
Website: www.riksdagen.se/
Old Parliament House
Called Gamla Riksdagshuset in Swedish, the Old Parliament
Practical Information
Architect: Johan Fredrik Åbom
Built: 1833
Type: Parliament House
Style: Art Nouveau and National Romantic style (addition)
Address: Gymnasiergrand, 111 28 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Unknown
Bonde Place
Now housing the Supreme Court, Bonde Place was built in the 1660’s for Baron Gustav Bonde, the Lord High Treasurer of Sweden and was designed by two of Stokholm’s most reputed architects of all-time: Jean de la Vallée and Nicodemus Tessin the Younger.
House of Nobility
Opened in 1668, the House of Nobility (Riddarhuset) features several sculptures and inscriptions on its facade that celebrate the records of the city’s nobility.
Strömsborg
Strömsborg is the smallest island in Stockholm and was the name of the Queen’s half-brother who was gifted the property to develop the palace (which was originally thought to be a insult).
Petersen House
Generally known as the Piper House, the mid-17th century building is one of the best looking houses in the old town with several royals and notables having lived there.
Old National Archives
The Old Swedish National Archives is one of the best preserved buildings from the late 1800’s in Europe, with virtually no new work being done to it, giving you a great idea of what old Stockholm architecture was like.
BONUS: Evert Taube’s Terrace
For the best photographs of Stockholm City Hall, be sure to visit the Evert Taube Terrace named after the Swedish artist Evert Taube whose statue is displayed at this location.
We do our best to provide accurate and up-to-date information, locations, and opening hours whenever possible. It is recommended that you double-check any information that you may need to ensure your visit is a success.
Want to see your picture featured or wish to have it removed? Send all inquiries to karl@avontuura.com
Architect: Friedrich August Stüler
Built: 1844-1866
Type: Royal Palace
Style: Renaissance architecture
Address: Södra Blasieholmshamnen 2, 111 48 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00am - 7:00pm (closes at 9pm on Tuesdays)
Cost: Free
Website: www.nationalmuseum.se/en/
Architect: Aron Johansson
Built: 1897-1905
Type: Parliament House
Style: Neoclassical architecture, Baroque Revival architecture
Address: Riksgatan 1, 100 12 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00am - 7:00pm (closes at 9pm on Tuesdays)
Cost: Free
Website: www.riksdagen.se/
Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden
Architect: Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, Carl Hårleman
Built: 1697-1754
Type: Royal Palace
Address: 107 70 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Website: www.kungligaslotten.se/english
Built: 1306
Type: Cathedral
Style: Brick Gothic
Address: Trångsund 1, 111 29 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Architect: Gunnar Asplund & Sigurd Lewerentz
Built: 1920
Type: Cemetery
Address: Sockenvägen, 122 33 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Website: www.stockholm.se/-/Serviceenhetsdetaljer/
Architect: Ragnar Östberg
Built: 1911
Type: Civic
Address: Hantverkargatan 1, 111 52 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Daily, 8:30am - 4:00pm
Website: www.stockholm.se/OmStockholm/Stadshuset/
Architect: Johan Fredrik Åbom
Built: 1833
Type: Parliament House
Style: Art Nouveau and National Romantic style (addition)
Address: Gymnasiergrand, 111 28 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Unknown
Strömsborg, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden
Evert Taubes Terrass, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden
Architect: White Arkitekter
Built: 2010
Type: Congress Center
Address: Nils Ericsons Plan 4, 111 64 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: stockholmwaterfront.com
Architect: Rosenbergs Architects
Built: 2010
Type: Exhibition Hall
Address: Mässvägen 1, 125 80 Älvsjö, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Cost: www.stockholmsmassan.se
Architect: White Arkitekter
Built: 2013
Type: Sports Stadium
Address: Arenaslingan 14, 121 77 Johanneshov, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Architect: Joliark
Built: 2016
Type: Housing
Address: Husarviksgatan 16, 115 42 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: No
Architect: Joliark
Built: 2015
Type: Housing
Address: Mariehäll, Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: No
Architect: Joliark
Built: 2015
Type: Office
Address: FerrHornsbergsvägen, 112 51 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Architect: C.F. Møller Architects
Built: 2016
Type: Ferry Terminal
Address: Hamnpirskajen 10, 102 54 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 5.45 am - 7.30 pm
Website: www.portsofstockholm.com
Architect: White Arkitekter
Built: 2015
Type: Theater
Address: Djurgårdsslätten 43, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.cirkus.se
Architect: Wingardh Arkitekt
Built: 2013
Type: Library
Address: Solnavägen 1, Solna. Metro: St.Eriksplan
Architect: Gunnar Asplund
Built: 1928
Type: Library
Address: Sveavägen 73, 113 50 Stockholm, Sweden
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 10:00am - 9:00pm, Friday: 10:00am - 7:00pm
Website: www.biblioteket.stockholm.se
Architect: Tham & Videgård Arkitekter
Built: 2015
Type: Institutional
Address: Brinellvägen 8, Stockholm
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.kth.se
