Södermalm

Interest in Södermalm, which people in Stockholm simply call “Söder”, has grown tremendously in recent years. Located on Stockholm's largest island, only a short walk from Gamla stan (the Old Town), it is one of the capital's most dynamic neighborhoods. In just over fifty years, it has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once the center of the city's working-class life, with its factories and modest housing, it has become a fashionable, eclectic, and distinctly alternative neighborhood with a strong cultural and creative scene. Today, Söder is home to internationally renowned artists and actors. Yet traces of its working-class past are still clearly visible throughout the neighborhood. In the buildings and wooden houses where workers and their families once lived and worked, you now find studios, vintage and design shops, independent bookstores, art galleries, and unique cafes. Some of these long-established local businesses have joined together in a local association and helped establish SoFo, an alternative area known throughout Europe.

Medborgarplatsen (Citizens' Square), one of its main squares, was once a focal point of 20th-century labor struggles and is now a gathering place for activists and social movement leaders.

Today, Södermalm is also one of the neighborhoods most closely associated with contemporary imagery of Stockholm. Stieg Larsson's Millennium has helped make many of its streets, corners, shops, and local spots feel familiar.

Another feature that makes Södermalm especially appealing is its scenic walking routes, which offer some of Stockholm's finest views. It is the city's highest neighborhood, and from the hills on the northern side of the island, you can enjoy sweeping views of Gamla stan, Riddarholmen (Knights' Island), and central Stockholm.

Söder is ideal for those who want to explore a less monumental, more everyday side of Stockholm, with lively neighborhood life and a strong creative spirit. This is where Stockholm reveals its most youthful, expressive, and energetic side.

During our tour

You will take a three-hour walk across much of the island, uncovering Södermalm's history and its place in the life of Stockholm.

You will stop to admire historic buildings and large-scale murals by international artists.

You will explore the neighborhood's most creative corners, with their distinctive shops and vibrant local venues, and also enjoy some of Stockholm's finest views.