What should I pack for Stockholm?

Stockholm's 14 islands connected by bridges mean you'll walk 15,000-20,000 steps on a typical sightseeing day. Gamla Stan's streets are uneven granite cobblestones, slick when wet, and the climb up to Monteliusvägen viewpoint on Södermalm is steep enough to make you regret fashion sneakers. Pack one pair of broken-in walking shoes with real ankle support and decent tread. Sandals work for a Djurgården afternoon in July, but they'll betray you on Gamla Stan's slopes. The walk from the Vasa Museum to Skansen alone covers about 2 km along gravel-and-dirt paths that turn to mud after a morning shower.

Stockholm in June currently sits around 15-22°C during the day, but evenings on the water can feel closer to 10°C. Wind off Saltsjön hits you along the Strandvägen waterfront and on the ferry to Djurgården. Pack a thin fleece or merino mid-layer, a wind-and-rain shell, and 2-3 quick-dry shirts. One pair of long pants, one pair of shorts. That said, Stockholm tends to be dressier than other Scandinavian capitals. A meal at Pelikan in Södermalm or drinks at Tak on Brunkebergstorg will feel awkward in trail gear. Pack one outfit that could pass at a restaurant where mains run 250-350 SEK, roughly $27-38 at current rates.

Sweden uses Type C and Type F plugs at 230V. Your US phone charger handles the voltage fine, but you need the two-round-pin adapter. Pack a portable charger. Stockholm's public transit app SL and Google Maps drain batteries fast, and you'll rely on your phone for tap-to-pay since Stockholm is almost entirely cashless. Mind you, even the smallest fika café in Vasastan expects card or Swish. Bring sunscreen for June and July, when Stockholm gets roughly 18 hours of daylight and UV exposure sneaks up on you during those long golden evenings along Norr Mälarstrand.

Pressbyrån and 7-Eleven kiosks appear every few blocks around Norrmalm and T-Centralen. You'll smell warm kanelbullar before you spot the green Pressbyrån sign. Umbrellas run 80-100 SEK. Toiletries at Apotek Hjärtat are comparable to other European prices. A lightweight rain jacket from Stadium, the Swedish sports chain with outlets in Gallerian mall and along Drottninggatan, costs 300-500 SEK and likely fits better than whatever you'd bring from home. Ibuprofen at any Apotek runs about 40 SEK for a 30-pack. The one thing worth bringing from home is deodorant. Swedish pharmacies carry limited brands, and the selection might not match what you're used to.

If you're visiting November through February, the packing list changes. Temperatures hover around -3 to 3°C, and daylight drops to 6 hours by December. You'll want a proper winter coat rated to -10°C, thermal base layers, wool socks, and waterproof boots with grip. The sidewalks ice over, and the walk from Slussen station down to Fotografiska on Stadsgårdshamnen is steep cobblestones. Warm gloves and a wool beanie aren't optional at -5°C. Summer visitors in June through August should pack swimwear. Stockholmers swim at Långholmen beach and Smedsuddsbadet from late June, when water temperatures in Lake Mälaren reach 18-20°C.