Stockholm Private Tours

Key takeaways: Stockholm with OURWAY Tours

Stockholm is Sweden's capital - a city built across 14 islands, known for its medieval Old Town, waterways, world-class museums and the Stockholm Archipelago
OURWAY Tours offers fully private, personalised guided tours of Stockholm on foot, by bike, boat and car - operating since 2011
Top highlights include Gamla Stan, the Vasa Museum, the Royal Palace, Stockholm City Hall and Drottningholm Palace - a UNESCO World Heritage Site
We also offer Stockholm shore excursions for cruise passengers arriving at Nynäshamn

Why Stockholm is the Perfect City for Private Guided Tours

Stockholm is one of Europe's most well-balanced cities for visitors. It combines waterways, green spaces, and historic architecture in a compact, walkable capital.

It's nicknamed the 'Venice of the North' - and for good reason. Its canals and waterways wind through the city, with Lake Mälaren to the west and the Baltic Sea to the east. In warmer months, swimming in open water is common across the city.

Whether you prefer culture, nature, food, or history, Stockholm has something for you.

Quick Facts About Stockholm

Built across 14 islands, connected by 57 bridges
Over 30% of the city is green space, mostly woods and forests
Winner of the European Green Capital Award 2010
Founded in the 1200s; a historic trading and cultural hub
Home to a thriving business and design scene
Surrounded by the Stockholm Archipelago - a chain of around 30,000 islands, islets and rocks
Home to the Nobel Prize ceremonies and the ABBA Museum, two of Sweden's most visited cultural institutions

A City of Waterways and Green Space

Stockholm's geography sets it apart. Over 30% of the city is green space, and its waterways mean you are rarely more than a few minutes' walk from open water. The Stockholm Archipelago - around 30,000 islands stretching into the Baltic - begins at the city's edge and offers some of the most dramatic natural scenery in Northern Europe.

In summer, locals swim in the open water throughout the city. In winter, the waterways freeze and the Old Town glows with lantern light. Stockholm is a city that works in every season.

History, Culture and World-Class Museums

Stockholm's Old Town, Gamla Stan, is one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in Europe. Its narrow cobblestone alleys and colourful buildings date back to the 13th century. The Royal Palace - one of the largest working royal palaces in the world with over 600 rooms - sits at its heart.

The city's museums are equally world-class. The Vasa Museum houses a remarkably intact 17th-century warship, salvaged from Stockholm's harbour. Skansen, the world's oldest open-air museum, brings Swedish history to life. The ABBA Museum draws visitors from around the world. And Drottningholm Palace - the Swedish Royal Family's primary residence - is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A Modern, Sustainable Capital

Stockholm won the European Green Capital Award in 2010 - the first city ever to receive it. Today it remains one of the world's most sustainable capitals, with ambitious urban renewal projects like Sustainable Norra Djurgårdsstaden and Sustainable Hammarby Sjöstad setting the standard for 21st-century city planning. Stockholm's blend of medieval heritage and modern innovation makes it one of the most rewarding cities in Europe to explore with a local guide.

Why Choose Us for Your Private Tour of Stockholm?

The best way to explore Stockholm is with a local guide who knows and loves the city.

Stockholm's layered history, diverse neighbourhoods, and hidden stories are easy to miss without local knowledge. A private guide gives you a personal, tailored experience - not a generic group tour.

OURWAY Tours has been operating private guided tours across Scandinavia since 2011, and our Stockholm guides are among the best in the city.

What makes OURWAY Tours different:

Guides are carefully selected and personally vetted
Most guides join through referrals from within the local community
Guides are matched to guests based on personality, interests, and expertise
You get an insider's perspective on how Stockholm looks and feels to live in
Every tour is fully private - just your group and your guide

Arriving by Cruise Ship? We Offer Stockholm Shore Excursions

Nynäshamn - Stockholm's cruise port - is approximately one hour from the city centre. If you're arriving by ship and have a day to discover Stockholm, a private shore excursion is the most rewarding way to make the most of your time.

Our local guides will meet you at the dock in Nynäshamn, transfer you directly to Stockholm's highlights, and return you in time for departure - no time wasted, no missed connections.

Browse our Stockholm shore excursions for cruise passengers.

Our Most Popular Private Tours of Stockholm

On our guided tours in Stockholm, spending time with us - your knowledgeable escorts, navigators and storytellers through the Venice of the North - you'll not only find your feet, but you'll feel as if you've stepped into the rhythm of a city that has shaped Scandinavia for centuries.

Stockholm's stories are layered, varied and waiting to be told. Our guides can't wait to share them.

Stockholm Must-Sees

Turn that first page of your Stockholm adventure on our Stockholm's Old Town & Vasa Museum Private Walking Tour - a medieval old town, a salvaged 17th-century warship, a scenic ferry ride and a skip-the-line museum entry. Guaranteed wow.

Highlights include:

Gamla Stan - Stockholm's medieval Old Town
The Vasa Museum - the world's only intact 17th-century warship
A scenic ferry ride between islands

Best for: First-time visitors who want to cover the essential landmarks at a relaxed pace.

Stockholm Highlights

For a fuller day on foot, our Stockholm Highlights Private Walking Tour adds Stockholm City Hall to the Old Town and Vasa Museum route, with a scenic ferry ride connecting the stops.

Highlights include:

Gamla Stan - Stockholm's medieval Old Town
The Vasa Museum
Stockholm City Hall - where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year
Scenic ferry between Djurgården and the city centre

Best for: Visitors who want to cover the city's three most iconic stops in a single four-hour tour.

Royal Stockholm

For those who want to go deeper into Sweden's royal history, our Royal Stockholm Private Walking Tour escorts you to Stockholm's finest royal sites in a five-hour tour.

Highlights include:

The Royal Palace - one of the largest working royal palaces in the world
Stockholm Cathedral
The Vasa Museum
Stories of Swedish royal history spanning eight centuries

Best for: Visitors with a passion for royal history, architecture and Swedish heritage.

Drottningholm Palace

Travel by steamer to Drottningholm Palace - the Swedish Royal Family's primary residence and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the most distinctive private tour experiences OURWAY offers in Stockholm.

Highlights include:

Drottningholm Palace and its formal gardens
The 18th-century Court Theatre - one of the best-preserved in the world
The Chinese Pavilion
A scenic steamer journey across Lake Mälaren

Best for: Visitors who want to venture beyond the city centre and experience Stockholm's most impressive UNESCO site.

The Grand Stockholm Private Driving Tour

Stockholm's most comprehensive tour. Cover the full city in one day - by private car.

What's included:

Old Town (Gamla Stan)
Royal Palace
Vasa Museum
Stockholm City Hall
Södermalm, Norrmalm, Östermalm, and Djurgården districts

Best for: Visitors who want to experience the whole city in a single day.

Tailored Tour Experiences

OURWAY Tours also offers a wide range of specialist private tours in Stockholm, covering food, design, sustainability, history and the archipelago. All of our tours can be tailored to you and your group, so we can guide you in a way that's great for you.

Tour types available:

Stockholm walking tours - from Gamla Stan and the Old Town to neighbourhood deep-dives in Hipstoric Södermalm and beyond
Stockholm food tours - including the Södermalm Craft Beer Tour, exploring Stockholm's hipster neighbourhood and its local brewery scene
Stockholm bike tours - explore Stockholm's waterfront, parks and neighbourhoods by private guided bicycle
Stockholm kayak and boat tours - including the Stockholm Archipelago Sailing Adventure, a full-day private sailing experience among Stockholm's 30,000 islands
Stockholm bus tours - sit back and cover more of the city in comfort, with a guide and driver who know every corner
Stockholm driving tours - your own private vehicle, your own guide and your own pace, including hotel pick-up
Stockholm architecture and design tours - discover the principles of Scandinavian design and why Stockholm is a global capital of style
Stockholm sustainability tours - explore Stockholm's award-winning green urban districts on our Sustainable Norra Djurgårdsstaden and Sustainable Hammarby Sjöstad tours
Stockholm shopping tours - from vintage markets in Södermalm to luxury boutiques in Östermalm, Stockholm has something for every taste

Best for: Groups or individuals who want a Stockholm tour built around specific interests, at their own pace.

Combining Stockholm with other Scandinavian cities? Our guided tours in Stockholm pair well with trips to Oslo and Copenhagen, where OURWAY guides are also available.

Want to explore Stockholm on your own terms too? Read our Stockholm Travel Guide for local tips, itinerary ideas and neighbourhood highlights.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stockholm Private Tours

What is the best private guided tour of Stockholm for first-time visitors?

The Stockholm Must-Sees walking tour is the best starting point. It covers Gamla Stan and the Vasa Museum - two of the city's most important and distinctive attractions. For a more comprehensive first visit, the Stockholm Highlights tour adds Stockholm City Hall and a scenic ferry ride.

What is Stockholm best known for?

Stockholm is best known for its medieval Old Town (Gamla Stan), the Vasa Museum, the Royal Palace, the Stockholm Archipelago and its reputation as one of Europe's most sustainable capitals. The city hosts the Nobel Prize ceremonies each December and is home to the ABBA Museum, Skansen open-air museum and Drottningholm Palace UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Can I book a private tour if I'm arriving at Nynäshamn?

Yes. Nynäshamn is about one hour from Stockholm. You can arrange a pick-up or meet your guide in the city. We also offer private Stockholm shore excursions tailored to cruise passengers with limited time in port.

What is the best time of year to visit Stockholm?

Stockholm is worth visiting year-round. Summer (June to August) offers long daylight hours, warm weather and open-air events - ideal for archipelago sailing and waterside tours.

Winter (December to February) is magical in Gamla Stan, with Christmas markets and lantern-lit streets. Spring and autumn offer mild weather and fewer crowds. OURWAY Tours runs private guided tours throughout the year.

What types of Stockholm tours does OURWAY offer?

OURWAY offers walking tours, private driving tours, food tours, architecture and design tours, shopping tours, bike tours, kayak and sailing trips, sustainability tours and historical tours - all private and guided by local experts who know Stockholm inside out.

Is Stockholm a good city for a private guided tour?

Yes. Stockholm's mix of medieval history, waterways, green spaces, and modern innovation makes it one of Europe's most rewarding cities to explore with a knowledgeable local guide. Its compact layout means a private tour can cover an impressive range of highlights in a single day.

What languages are Stockholm private tours available in?

Our Stockholm private tours are available in Swedish, English, Norwegian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Danish and Dutch. Language preference can be selected at booking.

Discover Stockholm with us, we offer:

A chance to explore Stockholm your way - with a passionate local guide

Private tours available year-round, tailored to your schedule and interests

Rich stories, iconic sights, and plenty of photo-worthy moments