Explore Stockholm from the high places and see the amazing city views from one of these fifteen rooftops and viewpoints we have handpicked for you here.
Skyview/Globen – Globentorget 2
Globen is officially known as Ericsson Globe and it’s located in Stockholm Globe City, Johanneshov. With a diameter of 110 metres and a height of 85 metres, it is the largest hemispherical building in the world. And you can go up to the actual top of this sphere by taking the Skyview, an inclined elevator which transports visitors to the top of the arena for a virtually unobstructed view of Stockholm. The Skyview has two spherical glass gondolas, accommodating up to 14 passengers each, to travel along parallel tracks on the exterior of the south side of the globe. The ride takes about 20 minutes and it’s quite a fun thing to do. You actually get the feeling of being on top of the world, or the sun in this case, as Globen represents the Sun in the largest scale model of the Solar System, known as the Swedish Solar System. Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 10:00-18:00. Saturday-Sunday: 10:00-16:00. During the summertime the closing time is 20:00. Book a ticket here.
Gondolen – Stadsgården 6
The stunning views of this restaurant are perhaps the best in Stockholm, only possible because Gondolen is suspended like a flying bridge high above the entrance of Stockholm’s port where Lake Mälaren meets the sea. Gondolen is also already a landmark in Stockholm, given it’s architecture and prime location. The restaurant features a large dining room with classy Swedish and international cuisine. They also have a very popular cocktail lounge that offers signature drinks that you will not find anywhere else. This is the place to enjoy sweeping sunsets and watch the sun going into hiding behind the City Hall. During the summer the top part of Gondolen serves as a restaurant & bar outdoor terrace. They also have DJs playing every Wednesday and Friday weather permitting. One floor down you will find the main part containing the big restaurant area, the bar, the function room and the little restaurant in the back which are running all year long. Book a table here.
Himlen – Götgatan 78
Located on top of one of Stockholm’s highest buildings, the Skrapan skyscraper of the hip Södermalm. It has an intimate fine dining restaurant on the 25th floor that offers carefully prepared dishes specializing on the French and the Swedish cuisine. If you prefer a more laid back style, the lounge and cocktail bar on the 26th floor offers superbly mixed cocktails and a view of almost 360° of Stockholm’s southern core. From this height you can see it all from Globen, to Stadshuset, to the exit of the big boats towards the sea. Book a table here.
Skinnarviksberget – Skinnarviksberget, Södermalm
This charming hill is a favourite for those who enjoy a picnic or a casual meeting with friends under the open sky, sitting on the rocks watching over the lake Mälaren towards Kungsholmen, City Hall and Gamla Stan. Of course it’s free to all, but it’s a bit tricky to get there. Nevertheless this is one of our favourite places to chill out, watch a beautiful sunset or the stars when the weather is nice and for skyline photography.
City Hall (Stadshuset) – Hantverkargatan 1.
The tower of the City Hall is the most recognized building in the whole of Stockholm’s skyline. The Stockholm City Hall is one of the capital’s most visited tourist attractions, and its tower is only open from May to October. It offers a breathtaking view of Stockholm, rising up to 106 meters tall. Though the access is not the easiest, since its lift can only take you half-way up, it’s an exciting walk up the staircases and narrow passages where you will also pass the Tower Museum, located in the middle of the tower. You will then face Stockholm’s unique view of 360º from its very centre and it makes it well worth the effort. Check their opening hours and buy tickets here.
Kaknäs tower – Mörka Kroken 28-30
With fantastic views of Stockholm from Djurgården, you can enjoy food and drink in their restaurant and bar. If you’re not so familiar with Kaknäs tower, here are some important facts you should know. It has been a central part of Stockholm’s skyline for over 50 years as well as being of great importance for the distribution of radio and TV over the whole of Sweden. It’s 155 meters high and a thin layer of gold covers its windows to reflect the sun’s radiation. Day and night, summer and winter, rain or shine, the Kaknäs tower offers a unique environment for both ordinary days and special celebrations. There’s a fee of 70kr to go up the tower, where you can visit the restaurant the café and the view point. We do recommend you to try their brunch. Info and bookings here.
Fåfängan – Klockstapelsbacken 3
Fåfängan which means vanity in Swedish is a view point with a small pavillion and outdoor seating perched on top of a cliff in the east corner of Södermalm. The site has been a place for celebration and feasts since the 1700. The restaurant is ‘KRAV’-certified, so their menu offers organic food and drinks, as well as lactose and gluten free options. Open all year long for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and music nights. We highly recommend you to grab a ‘fika’ or brunch there, enjoy the view over the ocean towards Djurgården and Gamla Stan and then wander around the linden tree topiary that borders the area. Opening hours vary during the year, check their timetable and/or book a table here.
The House of Culture (Kulturhuset) – Sergels torg
This is Stockholm’s main cultural center & theater with a program of talks, art & design exhibitions and live performances. But it is also a place with a view over the pulsing busy life of the city. From its restaurant, cafes and libraries you can take a peek over Sergels torg and the Hötorget buildings. This is a place that has it all, if you are looking to spend a whole day indoors with fantastic views, reading books on your own or with the little ones in the kids library. Or go to the theatre, the cinema or a concert, have lunch, enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with a friend, you name it. Opening hours 9AM-7PM. More info and program here.
The Capital by Scandic Continental – Vasagatan 22
The Capital is the new Scandic Continental’s roof top bar with a spectacular view over Riddarfjärden, Stockholm’s central station and the City Hall both from the bar and terrace. Here is the place to meet up for an informal meeting, gather your colleagues for an aperitif before dinner or bring your friends for late night cocktails in a cosmopolitan atmosphere. We like it because it’s posh and laid-back at the same time. They also have DJs and special events on weekends.
Katarinavägen and Fjällgatan – Södermalm
Feeling like taking a walk with a view? This is the path you can go through starting from Slussen’s Ryssgården square and going up towards the far east end of Södermalm. Walking these two connected roads is fantastic on a day with clear skies, as it gives you impressively wide views of Gamla Stan, Skeppsholmen, and Djurgården. These streets are visited for sightseeing by many tourists every day and there are pitstops if you want to take a break from walking. You can grab a vegetarian (or vegan) meal at the Herman’s restaurant, located at the intersection where Katarinavägen connects with Fjällgatan, or grab an ice cream or ‘fika’ at Fjällgatans Kaffestuga, located just next to Per Anders Fogelström’s terrace. This is one of our favourite spots for skyline photography both daytime and night-time.
Herman’s – Fjällgatan 23-B
Are you a vegetarian or do you just fancy a green bite with a view? Swing by this all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet, which is a real green oasis up on Söder’s heights. The place is benefiting from harbor views towards Gamla Stan, Skeppsholmen and Djurgården, and has a terraced garden. They have a wide range of home-made desserts that promise to amaze you of how good a sweet treat can be without eggs, butter and cream. The focus is on environmentally conscious planetary food that is good both for your health and the environment. They also offer organic low-alcohol beer and a varied selection of organic drinks, coffee and teas. Book a table here.
Mosebacke terrace – Mosebacketorg 3
Mosebacke (which means Moses’ Hill) already has a special place in the hearts of the locals for its long time tradition and history as a part of Södra Teatern. This completely open-air terrance is an extremely popular classic beer garden with striking views of Gamla Stan, Djurgården and the inlet to Stockholm and further out towards Nacka. You will find it open every day from 11AM from late spring to early autumn and there are bars and kiosk sales of food, ice cream and roast. During the summer time there are DJs playing every weekend and live concerts. See the program here.
Tak – Brunkebergstorg 2-4
Tak is a restaurant, bar, raw bar and terrace. A beautiful and modern location right in the heart of the new and developing trendy Brunkerbergstog neighbourhood adjacent to Sergels torg and Kulturhuset. Tak offers Nordic-Japanese cuisine and sassy drinks crafted with joy. Here the seasons guide the selection of produce and their creative collaborations with farmers, brewers and artisans both in Japan and in Sweden are perceived in every detail. Its terrace design, decoration and nature makes you feel like being at a beach club, but with the elegant city views that only Stockholm can offer. Opening hours vary, for more info and bookings click here.
Takparken by Urban Deli – Sveavägen 44
Takparken means the roof park and the name says it all. This rooftop terrace feels like a playground for adults, with its modern wooden decks, its greenery and flowers surrounding every area and even growing on the walls. Plus it also has a minigolf and cornhole boards to challenge your friends and see who will be buying the next round. We definitely fell in love with Takparken, a living landscape that has all the main city landmarks all around for you to admire. We also quite enjoyed the vibe there, very laid back, not pretentious at all. The spaces feel quite open, and you can catch the sun wherever you decide to sit down to relax. It is a total holiday feeling to get wrapped up by your favourite city views. Open everyday from 12pm. Offers cava, beer, wine, drink, slush or soda, salad bowls, cold cut trays and snacks.
Strömterrassen – Strömgatan 14
Hosted as part of the magnificent Royal Opera building, this terrace gives you fantastic views of the the Royal Castle, the island of Skeppsholmen and the Riksdagshuset (the Parliament House). It is just a few meters away from the water, so sitting at Strömterrassen and watching the people going across the bridges and the boats departing from the quays is quite relaxing on a summer evening. They serve a menu of grilled seafood, burgers and vegetarian dishes. Late in the evening on Fridays and Saturdays, the volume gets pumped up to turn the place into a posh summer club. Book a table here.
All photos © A. Karen Pérez Guzmán
