12 places to discover Stockholm: Architecture & views
Contents
After 12 things to do and see in Stockholm we meet again for a new article featuring 12 must-see and unusual places to discover; these suggestions should help you diversify and enrich your stay in the Venice of the North, but also offer you new perspectives on the city! We’ll be talking about views and architecture, so why not take a look? Enjoy your reading!
I spent a certain amount of time exploring the city to discover it, to soak up its architecture and atmosphere.
Stockholm is a city that reflects the passing of the ages and a of local and international cultures old and new buildings in a variety of styles coexist. It’s an aspect I really appreciated in Berlin’s MuseumIsland.
Next, I have a certain interest in the approach we’re pursuing, because it’s intended to be sustainable (responsible materials, energy self-sufficiency, etc.) and respectful of the environment (in which the new projects are located). Last but not least, I love to discover, to imagine and to learn about the thinking that went into various buildings.
How did I get organized? My approach was a mix of pre-spotted must-sees and impromptu exploration. It’s true that I often do some research beforehand, for example on buildings that deserve a detour because they are the subject of projects by renowned architects.
Skogskapellet & Skogskyrkogården
Address: Sockenvägen, Stockholm, Sweden
Meet at Skogskapellet (translated “Woodland Chapel”) in Skogskyrkogården (translated “The Woodland Cemetery”). This first, rather unusual location is about a 20-minute walk from the Skyview, featured in my previous article.
It was thanks to the Instagram account “visit Stockholm” that I became aware of the place and in particular of the wooden chapel there; it gave off a special atmosphere so I had to go and see it, but also to share it with you. To find it, just type “Skogskapellet” on google maps and let yourself be guided or, once there, follow the signs to the information center.
What’s more, an audio guide is available to accompany you during your visit and help you discover the history of Skogskyrkogården; you can access it from the website or from the “iziTRAVEL audioguide de voyage” app (available on both Android and iOS). A free wifi connection is also available. As for opening times, the site is open between 11am and 4pm, but be sure to ask beforehand, as changes are possible depending on the season (closing time towards the end of June in particular).

Viewpoints: Mariaberget, Monteliusvägen & Skinnarviksberget
Address Mariaberget: Monteliusvägen, 118 25 Stockholm, Sweden
Address Skinnarviksberget: 118 23 Stockholm, Sweden
Address Monteliusvägen: Monteliusvägen, 118 25 Stockholm, Sweden
Of the three viewpoints, the last one, Skinnarviksberget, is the highest and offers the clearest view. Getting to these viewpoints will require a slight effort (justified in view of the views involved) due to the uphill gradients. It should also be noted that, unfortunately, due to the lack of surfacing and the winding, narrow nature of certain passages, the paths leading to these viewpoints are not very suitable for people with disabilities (particularly wheelchairs); this remark is even more valid when the weather conditions are not suitable.
If you’re planning to visit one or more of the above-mentioned viewpoints, make sure you wear comfortable, potentially warm clothes (especially if it’s been raining or snowing). Another tip: once you’re there, taking photos is all well and good, but don’t forget to take the time to enjoy the moment and admire the view. I went there at the beginning of April, and the weather was cool (3/4°) but not uncomfortable, but the experience should be more pleasant towards the end of April (notably because the cherry blossoms are in bloom at that time) and even more so afterwards; you’ll have to take into account, however, that the tourist season can be very busy.
Of course, a picture is worth a thousand words, so I’m sharing several photos, taken respectively from Mariaberget (1st), Monteliusvägen (2nd) and Skinnarviksberget (3rd).
Unlike many of the previous spots, these viewpoints have no specific opening hours, and are accessible at all times, free of charge.
Lookout in Vitaberg Park
Address: Skånegatan/Malmgårdsvägen, 116 38 Stockholm, Sweden
Talking of viewpoints, while out for a quick run I came across another viewpoint (the stairs are still there); this one is located in Vitaberg Park. To be more precise, the belvedere is located just behind, or at least above, the performance space(Parkteatern Vita Bergen). To get there, I took a ferry and got off at Barnängsbryggan station; of course, other routes are possible. What’s more, there’s even a café/bar downstairs from the performance space, where you can grab a bite to eat.

Public library
Address:
Sveavägen 73, 113 80 Stockholm, Sweden
Once in front of it, you’ll certainly notice, as I did, the singularity of the building; first of all, its shape, which resembles a square with a cylinder on top. Then there’s its color, which oscillates between shades of orange and red; I’d even go so far as to say it’s reminiscent of the clay courts of a tennis court. Despite these special features, the building, designed by architect Gunnar Asplund and opened in 1928, has a very minimalist style. Indeed, its lines and shapes are in keeping with the Nordic classicist style of architecture. Well, since we’re talking about a library, apparently it houses over 2 million books!

Observatorielunden (observatory hill)
Address: Drottninggatan, 113 60 Stockholm, Sweden
Speaking of the library, not far away is yet another viewpoint, Observatory Hill. From this point, it’s possible to get a bird’s-eye view of the library and the city; and, as after effort comes comfort, there’s also a little café (Kafe Himlavalvet) where you can take a break, have a coffee and – why not – eat some waffles.

Kungsträdgården
Address: Jussi Björlings allé, 111 47 Stockholm, Sweden
This downtown park is a must-see; it’s especially worth a visit during the cherry blossom season (which takes place at the end of April), or in winter for the temporary ice rink. What’s more, its central location makes it an excellent starting point for exploring the various shopping streets in the area. In addition to Kungsträdgården, you can also visit Bysistorget Park, located on Södermalm Island, to watch the cherry blossoms in bloom; this park is also not far from one of the viewpoints mentioned above, namely Skinnarviksberget.
Last but not least, the Kungsträdgården metro station is well worth a visit, as it’s one of 94 stations customized by artists; I’ve devoted an article to metro stations and lines of this type.
Sven Harry Museum
Address: Eastmansvägen 10, 113 61 Stockholm, Sweden
The Sven Harry Museum is two things: firstly, a museum dedicated to contemporary art, and secondly, a building typical of ultramodern architecture. I went there not for the exhibitions, as I wasn’t interested in the current ones, but for the building itself. Two dominant materials stand out: glass, with a large bay window that both allows the interior of the museum’s first floor to be viewed, and lets in a great deal of natural light. While the exterior facade of the upper floors also features large glass windows, more importantly it is clad in brass; the use of brass lends the building a gilded appearance, evoking the idea of a mysterious golden box. In addition to glass and brass, concrete and metal are also used. As a result, the dynamics vary from floor to floor: the first floor evokes a light, unobtrusive atmosphere, while the upper floors are more impressive and striking. Nevertheless, the overall result is balanced and forward-looking. In fact, Gert Wingårdh and Anna Höglund are responsible for the building’s design. In addition to the art gallery, the building includes spaces for audiovisual content, a restaurant, a boutique and much more.
In terms of location, the museum is situated opposite Vasaparken Park (itself in the Vasastan district).

Flat Iron Building
Address: Torsgatan 13, 111 23 Stockholm, Sweden
The Flat Iron Building is close to Central Station and the Sven Harry Museum. Here, it’s the slenderness, length and lines of the building that caught my eye the most. What’s more, the materials used (concrete facade and large windows) make it all the more remarkable, despite its size.

Waterfront Building
Address: Nils Ericsons Plan 4, 111 64 Stockholm, Sweden
For this spot, we’re staying within the same perimeter, as the Waterfront Building is next to Central Station. As well as bringing together different modular spaces in one place, White’s production is particularly interesting for its form, materials and location. Indeed, the arrangement of the many steel bars inspires movement, harmony and lightness, despite the imposing overall appearance. Its location makes it a must-see building, as public transport lines pass in front of it, exposing the building to thousands of commuters every day.

Aula Medica
Address: Nobels väg 6, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
Before we move on to the Stockholm City Theatre, let’s take advantage of the fact that we’re on the subject of conference centers to take a look at the Aula Medica, a creation by the Wingårdh architectural firm; the building is part of the Karolinska Institute, one of the world’s most prestigious medical universities. From my point of view, there’s a characteristic here that can be found in many of the buildings discussed above, namely the form that embodies the idea of movement and lightness. Indeed, from one end to the other, the building gradually tapers to a rounded point, and seems to lean slightly under the influence of the wind. Nevertheless, compared with previous buildings, the play of colors on the glass façade gives the building, in addition to its shape, a more dynamic appearance.
In terms of location, compared with previous spots, Aula Medica is situated a little further northwest.
School of Architecture (Arkitekturskolan KTH)
Address: Osquars backe 5, 114 28 Stockholm, Sweden
Speaking of universities, here’s a bonus spot just 20 minutes by public transport from the Aula Medica; this university zone includes the School of Architecture (Arkitekturskolan KTH), which I was particularly interested in, the Royal Institute of Technology and other buildings. The School of Architecture, designed by Tham & Videgard Architects, is a cylindrical building whose color, due to the use of Corten steel, is reminiscent of the clay used on tennis courts.
Filmhuset
Address: Borgvägen 1, 115 53 Stockholm, Sweden
The Filmhuset was designed by Swedish architect Peter Celsing, who was also behind the Kulturhuset mentioned in my previous article.
Translated as “film house”, it houses the Swedish Film Institute. I particularly enjoyed going to this spot because it’s a building belonging to the Brutalist style of architecture, one of my favorite. The font used for the lettering on the building, the predominance of concrete, the austere appearance, the atmosphere created by the lighting at night; but also the structure, the measure (translated by the absence of embellishments) and the grandeur inspired by the building are all characteristics of the Brutalist style. What’s more, the layout of elements such as the windows (which are also shaped like windows) and the exterior seating accentuate the features presented. Once inside, however, the atmosphere is quite different. In addition, Sweden’s largest collection of books on (the theme of) cinema can be found on site in the library; other resources, such as a film club, are also in place.

A brief digression. In the same area, you’ll find Kaknästornet (Stockholm’s television tower); at 155m, it’s one of the city’s tallest buildings. Access to such a building would provide a breathtaking view of the city, but the tower appears to be closed to the public as I didn’t see any ticket booths available; the only links on the web were to error pages. What’s more, reviews dating from 2019 found on Tripadvisor agree that a closure would have taken place for security reasons.

Between buildings and viewpoints, you now have a great list of must-see and unusual places to discover in Stockholm. Do you want to go even further or diversify your prospects? Check out my article on metro stations to discover. I also invite you to read my previous article on what to see and do in Stockholm. ! Whatever your tastes, these three articles should have something to suit all tastes. Thank you for taking the time to read this article and bon voyage!