10 Things to Do in Stockholm in November

As the year draws to a close in November, the city of Stockholm is transformed into one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It's no secret that it has an almost magical charm all year round, which increases with the arrival of winter and the Christmas season.

Although November is a cold month in Stockholm, there are plenty of things to do. For example, if you're a fan of natural phenomena, there's a chance of seeing the Northern Lights because there are more hours of darkness and the sky is more likely to be clear. On the other hand, the city has fewer tourists and lower prices with the same cultural offer. In addition, from the middle of the month onwards, Stockholm is decked out in Christmas lights and decorations.

If your trip to Stockholm is in November, then you can celebrate All Saints' Day in Stockholm. This is a Catholic tradition celebrated on 1 November and honours all the saints in heaven, both those recognised by the church and those who are not. In Sweden, this day is celebrated in a very special way, as it is mixed with the pagan tradition of Samhain, which marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter.

One of the most typical customs that you can join is to take a private tour to visit the cemeteries. There, thousands of candles are lit to remember loved ones. The effect of the flames on the snow and the darkness creates a magical and emotional atmosphere, which will make you feel a connection with the afterlife.

Some of the most beautiful and famous cemeteries in Stockholm are Skogskyrkogården and Norra begravningsplatsen, where famous people such as Alfred Nobel and Greta Garbo are buried. Also Galärvarvskyrkogården, located on the island of Djurgården.

Stockholm on All Saints' Day is a destination for those who want a moving experience, combining religious and pagan traditions, history and modernity, light and darkness.

One of the advantages of visiting the city in November is that you can do everything from sightseeing bus tours of Stockholm to visiting shops and malls to take advantage of the Black Friday sales.

In fact, Stockholm is a city that offers many shopping options. If you want to find a wide variety of shops and products in one place, you can visit some of Stockholm's shopping centres, such as:

• Gallerian; located in the city centre, close to the central train station and has more than 80 shops selling fashion, beauty, sports, electronics and more.
• Mood Stockholm; modern and stylish, it offers a different shopping experience. It has more than 20 shops of exclusive brands, such as Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Filippa K. Fine dining is also available.
• Globen Shopping Center: located next to the Globen Stadium, it has more than 60 shops selling fashion, accessories, toys, books and more.

After a day of shopping in the city's various shopping centres and shops, you can take a boat ride under Stockholm's bridges and relax while watching the winter sunset in one of Europe's most beautiful cities.

Stockholm in winter is filled with a magic and charm that grows in November with the installation of Christmas markets, a tradition that dates back to the 16th century.

Strolling through them is a cultural experience. Some of them are among the most beautiful and original in Europe. You can take the opportunity to do some seasonal shopping, such as fashion, food, souvenirs and more.

The markets are an obligatory meeting point for those embarking on a gastronomic tour of Stockholm, so you could take the opportunity to do one on your own or with a guide and learn more about Swedish culture and gastronomy with typical, handmade and quality products. Some of the most outstanding Christmas markets in Stockholm are:

• Gamla Stan Christmas Market; the oldest and most famous in Stockholm, it is located in Stortorget Square.
• Skansen Christmas Market; Stockholm's largest and most traditional Christmas market. It is also held at the Skansen open-air museum.
• Kungsträdgården Christmas Market: This is Stockholm's most central and modern Christmas market, held in Kungsträdgården Park.

November is a cold and rainy month in Stockholm and the Toy Museum is a good place to visit because it is located in a system of tunnels dug into the rock under the island of Skeppsholmen in the centre of the city, and because it is a low season month, you can enjoy less crowds and more peace and quiet. Also, as it's a low season month, you can enjoy the less crowded and quieter atmosphere.

Considered among the best museums in Stockholm, the Toy Museum is the perfect place to let your child's spirit out for a playful and nostalgic experience. It houses an impressive collection of games, toys, comics and other objects from several generations.

In November you can also take advantage of the special temporary winter exhibitions and winter decorations, which include Christmas motifs such as a giant Christmas tree made from Lego pieces.

It is also interactive and invites visitors to play, touch and explore its more than 40,000 objects. The museum is divided into four floors, each dedicated to a different theme: games, toys, comics and trains. Visiting the Stockholm Toy Museum in November is a great way to escape the cold and rain and have a fun, Christmas-scented time.

Stunning architecture, beautiful scenery and historic charm define Stockholm, but it's also famous for its incredible traditional drinks, each with its own story. To warm up in the cold month of November, discovering some of the typical alcoholic beverages and the best places to try them is a fitting plan, whether you're staying 3 days in Stockholm or more.

A visit to the Museum of Spirits in Stockholm can help you learn more about the distillation process. In addition, a pub crawl will give you an insight into the city's alcohol culture. Among the options available, you can go to:

• Café Saturnus; a cosy and elegant place where you can taste the
• Tjoget; a wine cellar that doubles as a brewery, cocktail bar and dining room for tasting different types of craft beers.
• The Temple Bar; a pub with a wide variety of beers, located on the island of Skeppsholmen.

The Stockholm sightseeing bus is an ideal option for November because you can see the city without getting wet or cold. You'll also save money on public transport and avoid the crowds of tourists in the summer months. You'll also be able to make the most of your time at each stop.

The experience has two routes with over 27 stops at the city's main places of interest. You can choose between a 24 or 72-hour ticket, which allows you to hop on and off the bus as many times as you like during that period.

See Stockholm's most iconic sights, including the Royal Palace, City Hall, Nobel Museum, ABBA Museum, Gröna Lund Amusement Park, Södermalm, Stockholm Cathedral, the Royal Opera House and the Natural History Museum.

In Stockholm, modernity meets tradition, nature meets culture and elegance meets simplicity. Among its many attractions in November, a good idea is to look for activities that can be done indoors and sheltered from the weather, such as a visit to the Stockholm Viking Museum.

This option is ideal, as it allows you to learn about Viking culture in an interactive and fun way, regardless of the weather outside. It is also a space dedicated to the history and legacy of the Vikings, one of the most fascinating and mysterious peoples of antiquity.

The museum features archaeological artefacts, sound effects, touch screens and historical re-enactments that allow you to learn about the lifestyle, beliefs, customs and adventures of the Vikings in Nordic Europe. As well as escaping the cold, the Viking Museum in Stockholm in November is an entertaining and educational way to spend some time.

Sweden's capital city offers many leisure and cultural options all year round. However, winter has a special charm, as you can enjoy one of the Swedes' favourite pastimes: ice skating. There are two ways to practice this sport in Stockholm: one is free and the other is a paid introductory skating tour, but both are great fun.

You can go to Kungsträdgården Park, one of Stockholm's oldest parks, which in winter is transformed into an open-air ice rink, illuminated and set to music.

Access to the rink is free and it's open from mid-November. It is even one of the things to do in Stockholm in December, when the weather is much more favourable.

For a more adventurous and original experience, you can sign up for an introductory tour of natural ice skating in Stockholm. This is an activity guided by a professional instructor, who teaches you the basic techniques for skating on the ice of the lakes, rivers or the Baltic Sea surrounding the city and a unique opportunity to admire Stockholm' s snowy landscapes from a different perspective.

The Baltic Sea hides mysteries and cultural heritage, and if you like shipwrecks, you can't miss the Vrak, Stockholm's shipwreck museum, which tends to be very popular with visitors and locals alike. By going in this month, you'll avoid the long queues and crowds, and you'll be able to better appreciate the details of the exhibits.

This research centre has exhibits where you can see shipwrecks from the Stone Age to the present day and learn about their crews. You can also take advantage of the daily guided tours in English, which are included in the ticket price.

After the tour you can combine it with other activities typical of this time of year and discover Stockholm by night in winter. The Vrak is located on the island of Djurgården, one of the most beautiful and greenest islands in Stockholm.

To get to the museum by bus you can take the 67 bus from the city centre and get off at the Nordiska museet/Vasamuseet stop. From there it is only a few minutes' walk to the museum.

Useful information

• Price: around €18 for adults and free for children under 18.
• Opening hours: 10:00 to 17:00 every day except Wednesdays, which closes at 20:00.

One of the best ways to discover the beauty of Stockholm is on a scenic boat tour of its canals and archipelago of more than 24,000 islands. In November, the city is dressed in white and becomes a fairytale setting, with its historic buildings, snowy parks and Christmas lights.

A boat trip around Stockholm allows you to see some of the city's most important monuments from a different perspective, such as the City Hall, the Royal Palace, the Nobel Museum, St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Parliament.

You can also appreciate the contrast between the old city, Gamla Stan, with its narrow streets and colourful houses, and the modern city, with its skyscrapers and avant-garde design. All this makes for a unique and unforgettable experience, allowing you to admire the city from a different point of view. Just remember to wrap up warm to combat the cold.

Stockholm offers a wide variety of tourist, cultural and natural attractions, but it is also a city with a reputation for being expensive. However, this is a spring and summer constant. November is a low season month, so you can find better deals on accommodation, transport, food and clothing. As an added bonus, there are fewer crowds at places of interest.

Another benefit of travelling to the Swedish capital between November and February is that costs can be reduced and there are price bargains to be had. For example, for food you can look for cheaper options and, for entrance fees and activities, choose free or discounted options, such as public museums, guided tours or tourist cards, which are cheaper in the winter months.

Stockholm's weather in November is cold and rainy, with temperatures around 5°C during the day and 1°C at night. In addition, there are about 11 days of precipitation, which can be rain or snow, so it is important to pack warm and suitable clothing for the cold.

For your visit, you should bring a coat or waterproof jacket, which will protect you from wind, rain and snow. In addition, a fleece or pullover should serve as a mid-layer. Also a pair of winter trousers that are comfortable and durable. Accessories such as a hat, scarf and gloves are a must. Footwear should be closed shoes with non-slip soles, so that you can walk without any problems.