15 Self-Guided Tours in Stockholm to Build a Day Around

1.Old Town Self-Guided Tour Learn and solve Puzzles

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 64 reviews · 90 days · from $11Our pick

Start in the Royal Palace courtyard and follow a self-guided Curiosa adventure through Stockholm’s Old Town. Read stories, inspect landmarks, and solve optional puzzles about places such as the Grand Square, Saint George and the Dragon, a cannonball in a wall, and a runestone built into a facade. The app works in English, Swedish, German, and French.

“Frustrerende. Havde forstået, at det var med lyd - ikke at jeg skulle læse.. vi var 2 der skulle rundt og troede det, at man skulle angive antal personer, betød at begge deltagere fik aktiviteten på hver sin tlf. Føler det var total spil at betale for 2. Faktisk ønskede jeg at købe “Stockholm : Walking tour med lydguide på din smartphone” men, den kunne jeg ikke søge frem!”

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2.Self Guided Kayak Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 55 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $45

Start near Klara sjö, only 400 meters from the Adventure Café and close to Stockholm Central Station. After a short English-language kayaking briefing, you receive a map, Prijon kayak, paddle, life vest, and spray deck. You then guide yourself around Stockholm’s waterways for 2 to 4 hours, with calm city views and flexible pacing.

“It was nice to get on the water. It was calm, but in the city. So nice.”

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3.Self Guided GPS Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 38 reviews · from $40

Pick up a hybrid bike at Urban Basecamp on Södermalm, use your emailed code to access it, and choose one of four Google Maps routes. Ride 15 to 20 kilometers through Stockholm’s major sights, artsy districts, parks, or nearby nature reserves. This contactless tour has no guide or audio commentary, so bring a charged smartphone and basic map-reading skills.

“Loved being able to see parts of Stockholm City that most tourists don’t see. We did the lakes and forests routes which was extremely pleasant and relaxing. There are a few up hill moments on this track so be prepared. Also remember to take a photo of the QR code for the route as google maps can be temperamental.”

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4.Stockholm Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $6Best value

Use your phone and headphones to follow a self-guided Stockholm route from Klara Mälarstrand. Twenty-five historian-narrated recordings cover City Hall, Riddarholmen, Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace, Nobel sites, Kungsträdgården, and central Stockholm. Download the app and map before walking, then explore at your own pace for two hours or longer.

“The tour pointed out these small statues and told me about their history which otherwise I would never have noticed. The comments were both informative and also made me smile in places. A very good narrative with a good accent.”

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5.Self-Guided Kayak Adventure In Central Stockholm (One-man kayak)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $35

Launch from Långholmen and spend about two hours paddling a one-person kayak around central Stockholm. You receive a short safety introduction, map, paddle, life jacket, spray deck, drybag, and weather protection. No guide follows you, so this suits confident, independent paddlers who want City Hall and Old Town from the water.

“They still charged us for a drybag but our reservation included it. Fun though. It was pretty windy, so be prepared for that.”

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6.4-Day Stockholm Archipelago Self-Guided Kayak and Wild Camp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $555Top rated

Spend four days kayaking and wild camping in Stockholm’s outer archipelago. Jakob, Adam, Ellen, Jonathan, or Frederick may help with your briefing and route planning. You receive a two-person kayak, camping gear, cooking kit, guidebook, transfers, and phone support, then choose your own pace and campsites.

“This experience was one of the highlights of our trip to Sweden! Jakob was helpful and patient with us in planning what excursion would best suit our needs and the team (shout out to Ellen!) has thought of everything, literally everything, you Read more”

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7.Stockholm Troll Hunt: Self-Guided Old Town Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 14 reviews · 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $7

Use your phone to follow a 12-stop puzzle trail from the Royal Swedish Opera through Gamla Stan to Stortorget. This private English-language quest takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, with no guide, fixed group, or need to finish at the booked time.

“Wir haben die Trolljagt in Stockholm gebucht. Bis dass das Erlebnis startet ist es sehr kompliziert und es verging über 1 Stunde. Dann hatten wir keine Zeit mehr es zu spielen.”

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8.City Highlights Self-Guided SUP Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 2 hours · from $30

Meet your English-speaking instructor on Långholmen, collect a SUP, paddle, lifejacket, drybag, and map, then set out on Stockholm’s canals. You’ll receive a short safety and route briefing before exploring at your own pace, with City Hall, Old Town, Långholmen, and Reimersholme among the possible sights.

“An absolute highlight of our weekend in Stockholm. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day to explore Stockholm. Totally recommend this.”

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9.Self-Guided Kayak Adventure In Central Stockholm (Two-man kayak)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $32

Start at Långholmen Kajak on Kungsholmen and set out in a two-person kayak with a map, safety gear, spray deck, and drybag. You paddle independently for about two hours, with views toward Stockholm City Hall, Gamla Stan, Riddarholmen, Södermalm, and the city’s fine wooden boats. Staff provide instructions before you leave.

“Fantastic service. Good explanation and kind guidance. Easy to book, website friendly, well maintained equipment.”

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10.Stockholm Self-Guided Murder Mystery Tour by the Royal Palace

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $21

Pick up a clue-filled envelope from Kartbutiken and lead your private group through Gamla Stan on a self-guided murder mystery. Over about 2 to 2.5 hours and 1.5 kilometers, you’ll solve puzzles, pass the Royal Palace and Supreme Court, and pause for fika whenever you like.

“We had superfun solving the murder. A great way to hang out with a friend or family member. After picking up the package you solve the case at your own pace so there is time for a fika.”

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11.Old Town Self-Guided Tour with interactive challenges

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · from $13

Use the Curiosa app on your iPhone or Android phone to explore Gamla stan without a guide or fixed group. Follow a route from the Royal Palace to Järntorget, solving challenges while learning about Stortorget, Köpmangatan, Saint George and the Dragon, and the German Church. Bring your own charged smartphone.

“I got the trial, not the full experience. I'm sure it would have been good if I could access it. But I was offered a refund”

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12.2-day kayaking adventure around Vaxholm in Stockholm Archipelago – self guided

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $288

Collect a fully equipped single or double sea kayak at Skärgårdens Kanotcenter in Vaxholm, learn the safety and route basics, then set your own course through Stockholm’s island country. Camping gear, cooking kit, map, compass, and waterproof bags are included. Bring food and a sense of direction.

“First, the camping package they provide furnishes everything you need: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, camp stove, headlight with red bulb to maintain night vision, and mess kit. The kayak was in perfect condition and the employees were just fantastic. I highly recommend this company and if I manage to get back to Sweden, I'm definitely doing this again!”

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13.Stockholm Self-Guided Murder Mystery Tour by the Parliament

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $21

You’ll follow a self-guided 1899 murder mystery from Kartbutiken through Stockholm’s Old Town to the Royal Palace. Solve riddles, inspect clues, and uncover the fate of a missing debt collector. Plan on 2 to 2.5 hours of walking and standing. The private game suits families, couples, and small groups, though younger children may need adult help.

“We did this as a family of 4, with 2 kids under 10 years old. The children needed help from the adults. Biggest plus point is we found out trivia and bits of history that we would not have known if we did not do this. There is some irregularities with road names but we used our Read more”

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14.3-day kayaking adventure around Vaxholm in Stockholm Archipelago – self guided

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $342

Set out from Skärgårdens Kanotcenter in Vaxholm for three days of self-guided sea kayaking. You get a stable single or double kayak, navigation gear, tent, sleeping kit, waterproof bags, and a Trangia stove. Staff explain safety and routes, then you choose your own island circuit.

“our kayak tour in the archipelago was brilliant! we booked the wild package for 2 nights and 3 days and did the Grinda/Gallnö tour. The friendly staff at the Kanucenter gave us good advice and handed us out the good quality equipment. we would book with them again. :)”

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15.Stockholm Ghost Hunt: Self-Guided Tour and Puzzle Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $8

Use your phone to follow a ghost story through Stockholm’s oldest streets. This private, self-guided puzzle walk takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes and includes 13 challenges near Riddarholmen Church, the Royal Palace, Stortorget, the Nobel Prize Museum, and Kornhamnstorg. Pause, resume, and explore at your own pace.

“Great way to see a lot in a short time and have a story behind it all, the game and quiz side of it is a fun way to view the city”

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