Stockholm in autumn

When autumn settles over Stockholm, the city appears in gold and copper, as if nature were celebrating Nordic elegance. The Swedish capital takes on a discreet, almost cinematic beauty. The cobbled streets grow quieter, the parks become living canvases, and locals slow their pace to savor this season, gentle and melancholic.
Stockholm in autumn is a moment suspended in time — a journey between nature and culture, between silence and brilliance.

The summer buzz has faded, giving way to a calmer, more intimate atmosphere, with temperatures still pleasantly mild when rain and humidity haven't yet taken over the city.

The parks and canal banks ablaze with color, while the low-angled sunlight offers visitors landscapes of rare beauty. It’s the perfect season to discover the Swedish capital in a different light: strolling through Gamla Stan, enjoying a a fika in a cozy café, or exploring museums far from the crowds.

Must-see autumn events

• Late September to early October: Skansen Autumn Market . Skansen, the open-air museum, hosts a traditional autumn market every year. You can discover Swedish handicrafts, taste seasonal products (apples, jams, rustic breads), and watch demonstrations of old-time trades. A true journey through time and Swedish traditions.
• Late October to early November: Halloween at Gröna Lund Stockholm’s famous amusement park turns for Halloween into a fun and spooky.

Decorations, haunted houses, costumes, and activities for both young and old: the atmosphere is definitely set! It’s one of the most awaited family events of the autumn.

• Stockholm Film Festival : a must-attend event for movie lovers. The festival showcases films from around the world, premieres, and hosts renowned directors. It often highlights emerging talents and provides an engaged, artistic perspective on contemporary cinema.
• First weekend of November: All Saints’ Day (Allhelgonahelgen) A deeply rooted tradition in Sweden. Locals visit cemeteries to light candles in memory of their loved ones

The Skogskyrkogården Cemetery (a UNESCO World Heritage site) becomes a beautiful place of reflection, bathed in soft and peaceful light. All the cemeteries in the city are illuminated.

• Autumn, the favorite season for photography.with its golden light and vibrant colors, it’s the perfect time to capture Stockholm in all its beauty. The best spots to take photos in autumn.
• Mushroom picking: Swedes love going to pick mushrooms — especially chanterelles (kantareller) and porcini. If you're a bit of an adventurer, you can try out this tradition! There are great spots easily accessible by public transport, such as Nackareservatet or Tyresta National Park, just a few kilometers away from the city.

Practical tips for a pleasant stay in autumn

1. Dress in layers!

Autumn in Stockholm can be chilly and unpredictable. Temperatures often range between 5°C and 15°C depending on the month. Use the layering technique: t-shirt, sweater, and windbreaker. In autumn, a scarf and gloves can also be useful. Also, think about waterproof shoes for walks in the rain.

2. Bring an umbrella... or a hood

The weather can be capricious in autumn. Some showers may arrive without warning, but they never last for long.

The city becomes even more photogenic under a cloudy sky.

3. Enjoy the daylight

Days get shorter quickly in autumn. In September: the sun sets around 7:30 PM. In November: around 3:30 PM! Plan your outdoor visits in the morning or early afternoon, and save museums or cafés for the end of the day.

4. Contactless payment everywhere

Stockholm is nearly 100% cashless. You can pay with a credit card or an app (Apple Pay, Google Pay) absolutely everywhere: cafés, museums, public transport... Make sure your card works abroad before you leave.

5. Get around easily with public transport

The SL network (buses, metro, trams, ferries) is very reliable and well-organized. Buy an SL card or use the SL app to purchase your tickets: tickets bought via the app allow you to use all city transport: metro, bus, tram, and some ferry lines.

6. Seek warmth and light

When it’s cold or grey, there’s nothing better than seeking refuge in a café for a cozy fika by candlelight.Public libraries are often very welcoming. You can also enjoy Swedish spas and saunas.

7. Check schedules and events in advance

Some places close earlier in autumn or change their hours after September. Check official websites for museums, exhibitions, and concerts. Book online for popular events like the Stockholm Film Festival or evening guided tours.

Our 7 guided tour suggestions for autumn

1. A guided walk in the city (1.5 to 3 hours)

This tour is essential to understand the history of the city, and it is totally doable in autumn with the right gear for the weather conditions: the old town is cobbled (comfortable shoes) and very uneven (formed by a phenomenon of isostasy) with slopes and descents.

In case of rain, the streets can be slippery. Weather permitting, you can also opt for a longer walk: a walk that allows you to discover both the old town and the modern city, or a longer walk that allow you to explore different neighborhoods. At this time of year, we use public transport, which helps you warm up when the temperatures are a bit cooler.

2. A combined walk and museum visit (3 hours)

When the temperatures are cooler, it might be a good idea to combine a 30-minute walk to explore the city with an indoor museum visit. We have several options: a walk through the old town and a visit to the city hall, where the Nobel celebrations are held.

You can also combine a visit to the old town with a visit to the famous Vasa Museum, which houses the renowned warship that sank in the Stockholm Bay and was raised three centuries later.

3. Guided tour of the Nobel Museum (1.5 hours)

This tour can be done all year-round, but autumn is a particularly good time as it is rich in events for this museum dedicated to the famous Alfred Nobel and the prize he created. Due to its location in the central square of the old town, it’s an excellent place to warm up when the temperatures are cool or when it's raining. It’s also the time when the various Nobel Prizes are announced, making it a great opportunity to become well-versed in the prizes awarded in Stockholm and Oslo, especially before the Nobel Ceremony on December 10.

4. Guided tour of the Photography Museum (1.5 hours)

The Photography Museum is open year-round and has unusual hours for Scandinavia (between 10 AM and 11 PM). In autumn, considered a low season, you will benefit from a more affordable price to visit the museum, and you will also enjoy a magnificent view from the museum's café, which offers a unique perspective of the autumn foliage. Additionally, as the light begins to fade earlier, you can optimize your experience by planning to visit this museum in the late afternoon or evening.

5. Food tour or Swedish Sweets Tour (2 to 6 hours)

When temperatures drop and the leaves fall, Stockholm also transforms into a true gastronomic cocoon. With the physiological withdrawal caused by the drop in temperatures, it's the ideal time to dive into the warm and authentic world of Swedish cuisine. Autumn highlights local products such as wild mushrooms, apples, squash, lingonberries, and game. It’s the perfect season to try hot dishes like pumpkin soup, elk stew, or the autumn smörgåsbord (a large Swedish buffet that can also be adapted to the seasons).

If you have a sweet tooth, then opt for our sweets tour, which allows you to taste Swedish pastries and viennoiseries, as well as the candies that Swedes are so fond of. In autumn, it’s a little treat you can indulge in!

6. Guided tour of Uppsala (4 hours)

In autumn, Uppsala unfolds its charming, subdued atmosphere: the vibrant trees line the cobbled streets, the gardens turn golden, and the studious ambiance of this centuries-old university town becomes even more enchanting. Taking a guided tour of Uppsala in autumn means combining the richness of Swedish heritage with the softness of a season full of poetry. The train journey offers a chance to chat with your guide, and once you arrive, the mix of walks and indoor visits helps you navigate the cold.

7.Visit an eco-neighborhood of your choice (1.5 hours)

Visiting an eco-neighborhood in autumn is an opportunity to discover another side of the city — sustainable, innovative, and human-centered. Stockholm is a pioneer in this area, with neighborhoods like Hammarby Sjöstad or Norra Djurgårdsstaden. These two eco-neighborhoods, built over a 20-year gap, offer a unique insight into how Swedes integrate nature into buildings and how ecology in Sweden has drawn on research and new techniques to meet its zero-carbon commitment by 2030.

The contrasts between urban nature, contemporary architecture, and autumn foliage are incredibly photogenic — especially along the water, like in Hammarby Sjöstad, with its canals lined with red and golden trees.