13 of the best things to do in Södermalm, Stockholm

With its trendy cafés, retro boutiques and arty atmosphere, Södermalm is the coolest district of Stockholm. 

Technically an island, Södermalm is bang in the centre of the city. It’s connected to the mainland (and nearby islands) by a series of bridges.

Popular with artists and young Stockholmers, it’s a fun place to explore and hang out with the creative crowd.

Those in the know call it Söder, and its lively nightlife is centred around “SoFo”, the area south of Folkungagatan.

Best things to do in Södermalm, Stockholm for first-time visitors:

1. Check out Södermalm’s coolest café

The hipsters of Södermalm take their coffee very seriously. The Drop Café is where they gather for a fine brew and fika.

This long-established independent café roasts its own beans that are all sustainably grown and organic where possible. Moreover, all their beans are sourced from small-scale farms and cooperatives that share the café’s high ethical standards.

So, if you’re fussy about your coffee, drop in at the Drop Café and join Södermalm’s coffee fans. Enjoy an espresso, filter, slow-drip or any other type of coffee you fancy. 

2. See the world through a different lens at Fotografiska

One of the world’s largest collections of contemporary photography, Fotografiska is a must for film and photo fans.

The museum is housed in a beautifully converted Art Nouveau former customs house on the waterfront. It has a vast collection of photos and images from international photographers as well as putting on regular temporary exhibitions. Look out for top names such as Cindy Sherman and Sebastião Salgado.

It’s worth getting tickets in advance as it can get busy on weekends, especially.

3. Shop SoFo (the area South of Folkungagatan)

Formerly a gritty working-class area that was popular with students, SoFo is now filled with cool, creative boutiques. You’ll also find workshops, selling designer fashion, jewellery, pre-loved clothes and accessories and vintage vinyl. 

A honey-pot for hipsters since the early 2000s, it’s the place to hang out. Sip your coffee or cocktails and watch the stylish Swedes at play.

On the last Thursday of every month, the district hosts SoFo Nights, with boutiques, workshops and galleries hosting events and staying open til 9pm.

4. Eat your way around the globe on Ringvägen

Fancy a change from Swedish food and are are looking for some tasty, zingy ethnic flavours? Head to Ringvägen.

This small street is our top pick for food-lovers of all persuasions, with China! serving some of Stockholm’s best Chinese food. Another great option, is the Israeli Reggev Hummus, the Middle Eastern dishes – or Gojo serving up delicious Ethiopian dishes.

5. Watch an art-house film

Söder is home to several independent cinemas where you can escape the mainstream blockbusters and settle down to a serious art-house movie.

Without a doubt, our favourite is Bio Rio on Hornstulls strand 3. This cosy independent cinema dates from the 1940s and shows a good range of foreign and independent films. We love the retro neon lights and the plush red seats.

6. Picnic in the Södermalm parks

For a hip, urban area, Södermalm is surprisingly green, and home to several public parks. At weekends, locals head to the pretty Vitabergsparken or the large, leafy Tantolunden for walks, chilling in the sunshine or a picnic.

So pick up some freshly-baked bread, a pastry or a super-stuffed sandwich from one of Södermalm’s best bakeries, the long-established family-run Biscuit, and head to the park for a picnic.

7. Eat organic at Kalf & Hansen

This lovely café/restaurant has been serving up 100% organic food on Mariatorget for years, and its founder Rune Kalf-Hansen has written several books and become a bit of a celebrity.

Nevertheless, the restaurant sticks to its original principals, serving a small menu of local seasonal and organic dishes at reasonable prices. 

Salads, Danish smørrebrød, wraps, soup of the day and stews are usually on the menu, and on Fridays sausages feature large, with dishes made from homemade organic sausages that change each month.

8. Stay in a converted prison

OK so this may sound a weird place to stay, but the 19th century prison building on Långholmen has been beautifully renovated into a comfortable hotel. 

There are cheaper hostel-type rooms with bunk-beds in the former cells, but also larger en-suite doubles with big windows that feel lighter and more airy.

The communal areas are smart and attractive, there’s an excellent restaurant and the hotel is surrounded by beautiful parkland. 

This is one of many weird places to stay in Stockholm (and there are plenty to choose from!)

9. See the sunset from the Skinnarviksberget

Central Stockholm’s highest point, this grassy hill is a great place to climb for lovely views over the water, and across Kungsholmen and Gamla Stan.

In fact, it’s a popular sunset spot for Stockholmers, and on sunny summer evenings people bring drinks and food and there’s quite a party atmosphere.

There are loads of other good viewpoints in Stockholm, but this one in Södermalm is a good, central option for drinking in views of Stockholm’s spires.

10. Chill out with an ice cream on Mariatorget

There are three outlets of local ice cream-maker StikkiNikki in Södermalm, but our favourite is on the pretty Mariatorget square, which is the only branch that sells 100 percent vegan ice creams.

The gelato is handmade and the flavours vary with the seasons, but look out for flavours such as saffron and coconut, salted liquorice, and pistachio and coconut. 

11. Go swimming off Långholmen

Linked to Södermalm by a small bridge, the leafy island of  Långholmen is where locals from Stockholm head for a swim on warm summer weekends.

There’s a sandy beach, grassy banks to sunbathe on and the water is generally very clean, especially for a capital city – you can check the water quality here.

12. Check out some vintage vinyl

If you’re a vinyl fan, you’ll find plenty of shops in Södermalm selling pre-loved and newly-pressed vinyl, from classics of the 1950s and 1960s to new emerging bands.

Some of the shops have listening booths so you can try before you buy, and all have racks and racks of lovely discs to lose yourself in.

For more on Södermalm’s best vinyl stores, check out our guide to Stockholm’s coolest record shops.

13. Sleep with Benny from Abba

Ok, so not exactly with Benny, but in the beautiful 1930s’ Art Deco Hotel Rival that’s co-owned by the keyboardist and composer from Abba!

On the pretty tree-line Mariatorget Square, the hotel is in a converted cinema and still has its own small theatre that puts on music, comedy and plays.

We particularly love the cool, theatrical decor and furnishings, the big buffet breakfasts – and the free tea and coffee throughout the day.

Discover even more things to do in Södermalm, Stockholm

From sipping artisanal coffee at Drop Café to exploring vintage boutiques in SoFo and enjoying a swim at Långholmen, Södermalm offers a vibrant mix of experiences that showcase Stockholm’s creative spirit. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, there’s always something new to discover in this dynamic district. Have you explored Södermalm? Share your favorite spots or experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear your recommendations!

See also:
Stockholm’s best viewpoints and lookouts
Stockholm’s coolest record shops
Södermalm: a destination guide