Where Can I Find The Best Views Of Stockholm?

Stockholm is often considered to be one of the most naturally beautiful cities in Europe. Built on the banks of Lake Mälaren and fourteen islands in the Stockholm archipelago, you will always be near water and nature in the city.

Naturally, as a tourist, you would want to find a good spot to view this beauty and take some photos. There are a few good alternatives, most of them found on the northern shore of Södermalm, one of the larger islands that make up central Stockholm. The best option is arguably Monteliusvägen, and that is the viewing spot I would recommend for the best views of Stockholm. Other options include Skinnarviksberget, Katarinavägen, and the City Hall.

Monteliusvägen

Monteliusvägen is actually not even a street but a small gravel path along the northern shore of Södermalm. However, this pedestrian path provides the best views of Stockholm that you can get. It's named after Per-Olof Montelius, a prominent Swedish archaeologist known for his significant contributions to the understanding of prehistoric Scandinavian culture.

You will find the entrance to Monteliusvägen from Bastuvägen. It is easy to reach from Slussen. The nearest metro stop is Mariatorget, but if you are in the Old Town or already on Södermalm, it will be easier to simply walk there.

The views from Monteliusvägen are incredible, and you can see many of the highlights of Stockholm. The Old Town and City Hall are the most prominent features you will see, and both are among the most important sights of the city. You will also get a glimpse of Norrmalm and Hötorgsskaporna.

I highly recommend taking a walk to Monteliusvägen during your trip to Stockholm!

Skinnarviksberget

When you visit Monteliusvägen, you could also visit Skinnarviksberget at the same time. They are very close to each other, and the walk between them takes just a few minutes.

However, you won't have the same excellent view of Central Stockholm and the Old Town from Skinnarviksberget. It can also be a little bit tricky to get there as there is no direct street connection; you will have to take a short hike.

Skinnarviksberget is especially popular during the Golden Hour and at sunset. During summer weekends, it is a favorite spot for local youths. Additionally, there is some nice traditional architecture on nearby Yttersta Tvärgränd.

Katarinavägen

I like the view from this spot because, in my opinion, it offers the most beautiful part of the Old Town, as well as Gröna Lund and Skansen. However, currently, this view is obstructed by construction work, and you can't see anything. As of 2023, I wouldn't bother going here at all. When the construction is finished, it will hopefully once again be a great viewing spot.

To reach the parts where you had good views, you need to walk uphill on Katarinavägen from Slussen for quite a bit. This is a good entry point into Södermalm as you are near Katarina Church and some of the prettiest parts of Södermalm and Stockholm as a whole.

City Hall & Kaknästornet

Stockholm City Hall is another viewing point if you want to have incredible views of the city. It is the best option if you would like to go up in a building and visit an observation deck. However, it is the only option in this blog post that will cost you money, and personally, I would recommend going to the free outdoor alternatives instead.

As of 2023, the price to go up to the observation deck of the City Hall is 90 SEK (~8 EUR/USD), and the deck is open from 09:15 until 16:00 between May and the end of August. It is closed during the winter months.

Kaknästornet was previously one of the best viewing spots in the city. At 155 meters, it is the tallest structure in Stockholm. At the top of the tower, there was a restaurant and an observation deck. Public access to the tower, however, was restricted and closed in 2018. Initially, it was said to be temporary due to security concerns, but it has since become permanent.