Stockholm Pass Sightseeing Card with Vasa Museum Ticket

The Vasa Museum on Djurgården

The Vasa Museum is the most visited museum in Scandinavia and the star of the Stockholm Pass. It houses the Vasa, a mighty royal warship that sank in Stockholm's harbour on its maiden voyage in 1628, only minutes after setting sail. The cold, brackish water of the Baltic preserved the oak hull for over three centuries until it was raised in 1961 and painstakingly restored. Today almost the entire ship is original, with carved lions, warriors and sea creatures still covering its stern.

Around the ship, levels of exhibitions explain life on board, how it was built and why it sank. Plan about 1.5 to 2 hours. Vasa Museum opening hours are longest in summer, and queues can be long at midday, so the pass and an early or late visit save time. Vasa Museum tickets are included in every version of the pass.

The Royal Palace and Gamla Stan

The Royal Palace stands at the edge of Gamla Stan, Stockholm's medieval old town, on the site of a castle that burned down at the end of the 17th century. The present Baroque palace, one of the largest in Europe still used by a monarchy, contains the Royal Apartments with their glittering state rooms, the Treasury with crowns and regalia, and museums of ancient sculptures and the palace's medieval foundations.

Plan around 1.5 hours inside, then explore the narrow cobbled lanes of Gamla Stan, the colourful facades of Stortorget square and the cathedral next to the palace. In summer, the changing of the guard takes place in the outer courtyard around midday. Royal Palace opening hours change with the seasons and official events, so check the digital guide before you go.

Skansen open-air museum

Skansen, on the island of Djurgården, is the oldest open-air museum in the world, founded at the end of the 19th century to show how people lived across Sweden before industrialisation. Historic farmhouses, a manor, a church and craft workshops were moved here from every region, and staff in traditional dress demonstrate glassblowing, baking and other crafts in summer.

Skansen also has a Nordic zoo where you can see brown bears, moose, wolves, lynx, reindeer and seals in large natural enclosures, which makes it a favourite for families. The hilltop location gives wonderful views over the city and the water. Allow at least 2 to 3 hours. Is Skansen worth visiting? With children, or if you want to understand Swedish traditions, it is one of the best things to do in Stockholm.

Sightseeing cruises and the hop-on hop-off bus

Stockholm is built on islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea, and seeing it from the water is essential. The pass includes sightseeing boat tours and cruises that pass beneath the city's bridges, along the grand waterfront of Strandvägen and past the old town and the green shores of Djurgården, with commentary on the history of each district.

The hop-on hop-off bus tour links the main sights, from the city centre and Gamla Stan to the museums of Djurgården, so you can move between attractions without planning public transport. Use it on your first morning for an overview, then return to the places you liked most. Check the digital guide for departure points and timetables, which vary with the season.

The Viking Museum and making the most of the pass

Also on Djurgården, the Viking Museum brings the Viking Age to life with exhibitions on daily life, trade and voyages and an immersive ride that follows a family through the period, fun for adults and children alike. Djurgården is the city's museum island, so you can combine the Vasa Museum, the Viking Museum and Skansen in one well-planned day.

Is the Stockholm Pass worth it? It pays off when you visit three or more paid attractions a day, including a cruise. The pass is activated at the first attraction you visit, and the 1-day pass is valid for that calendar day, so start early. Some attractions require advance reservation; the digital guide shows which ones and how to book a slot.