Just because it’s cold outside it doesn’t mean you have to stay in your hotel. On the contrary, a winter’s day exploring Stockholm is not to be missed.

As temperatures drop and the nordic archipelago prepares for the year’s first snowfall, exploring Stockholm can seem like a daunting task.  Yet with the right itinerary, you can experience this best of this Swedish winter wonderland in just 24 hours.

Vasa Museet

Scandanavia’s most visited museum and one of the city’s main attractions, the Vasa showcases the world’s only intact 17th-century ship.

It’s located on the small island of Djurgården, which is within walking distance of the city center and only ten minutes from the Karlaplan metro station. Spend some time admiring this unusual museum before walking through the beautiful wooded parks nearby. (Galärvarvsvägen 14; www.vasamuseet.se  )

Östermalms Saluhall

Over a century old, this food hall features a variety of restaurants, cafés and food stalls serving up local specialties and international fare.

Best known for its variety of fresh seafood and reasonable prices, Östermalms is a must-visit if you’re looking to experience the local culinary traditions and have enough remaining in your wallet for an enjoyable dinner. Order the fisksoppa and you’ll get a delicious, steaming bowl of fish soup that will be sure to please.  And it will keep you going all afternoon. (Östermalmstorg 11439; www.salluhallen.com)

Galma Stan

After lunch, head over to Galma Stan, Stockholm’s medieval Old Town, (Stortorget 18, Galma Stan) where the city was founded in the thirteeth-century.

Here you can visit the Stockholm Cathedral before walking along the banks of the archipelago, making your way to sites such as the Royal Palace and the Nobel Museum. If the winter chill starts to take its toll, you can find refuge in one of the district’s cosy cafés, such as Chokladkoppen located near the Royal Palace.

Sodermalm

Once considered among the city’s dingiest areas, Stockholm’s Sodermalm district has gone through a major transformation in recent years. The bohemian neighborhood, which now features hundreds of bars and restaurants frequented by local hipsters, offers an unbeatable experience of Scandinavian night life. 

Kick off the evening at Pelikan, a rustic beer hall and restaurant featuring traditional dishes such as meatballs, herring and arctic char.  It’s far from lavish, but a good place to experience traditional cuisine at bargain prices (Blekingeg 40, Södermalm; 08-5-560-9090; www.pelikan.se). Or, if you’re looking to splurge as only the Swedes do, spend the evening enjoying food and incredible views from twenty-six floors up at Och Himlem Dartill (Götgatan; www.restauranghimlen.com).