Stockholm is a city that arrives by water. Spread across fourteen islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic, it is one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals — and one of its most quietly confident. Architecture ranges from the medieval alleyways of Gamla Stan to the copper-roofed grandeur of Östermalm and the stripped-back cool of Södermalm. The design is considered, the coffee is excellent, and the art scene punches well above its weight for a city of this size.
Affordable Art Fair Stockholm returns for its 14th edition this October, at Nacka Strandsmässan — a waterfront venue in Nacka Strand, a short boat ride across the inlet from central Stockholm. It’s a fitting setting: Nacka Strand is itself a neighbourhood in transition, with the marina, restaurants, and waterside walks making it a destination in its own right. Whether you’re travelling from across Europe or exploring Stockholm for the first time, use this guide to make the most of your visit.
Nacka Strandsmässan sits just across the water from central Stockholm, and the journey over is part of the experience. The most scenic route is by boat: the line 80 or 80x departs from Nybrokajen in the city centre and drops you directly at Nacka Strand. By bus, take line 443 from Slussen — it takes around 20 minutes and drops you at Augustendalstorget, steps from the venue.
AAF also runs a free shuttle service for ticket holders between Vasagatan 22 (central Stockholm) and the fair, running every 30 minutes throughout the fair’s opening hours. Full timetables are on the fair website.
Stockholm’s internationally acclaimed museum of photography is housed in a beautiful art nouveau customs building on the Södermalm waterfront. The programming rotates constantly — major retrospectives sit alongside emerging voices from across the globe — and the rooftop bar offers one of the best views in the city. Even if you’ve been before, there’s always something new. Allow at least two hours.
Address: Stadsgårdshamnen 22, 116 45 Stockholm
Sweden’s national museum of modern art occupies a striking building on the island of Skeppsholmen, a short walk from the old town. The permanent collection spans Matisse, Picasso, Dalí and Warhol alongside strong Nordic representation, while temporary exhibitions consistently attract major international attention. Free on the first Sunday of each month.
Address: Exercisplan 4, Skeppsholmen, Stockholm
A 45-minute journey from central Stockholm by boat takes you to one of Scandinavia’s most original art spaces. Artipelag sits deep in the archipelago, its galleries embedded into a pine-forested hillside above the water. The building itself is an architectural statement — architect Johan Nyrén designed it so the inside and outside blur — and an outdoor art trail winds through the forest surrounding it. Programming spans contemporary and applied art, and there’s a well-regarded restaurant for lunch. Worth making a day of it.
Address: Artipelagsvägen 1, Gustavsberg
After years of renovation, Sweden’s national museum for art and design is back and better than ever. The collection spans 670,000 objects — paintings, sculptures, applied arts, furniture, textiles — from the Middle Ages to the present day, all housed in a magnificent 19th-century building by the water on Blasieholmen. The design collection is particularly strong.
Address: Södra Blasieholmshamnen 2, Stockholm
No visit to Stockholm is complete without an hour lost in Gamla Stan. The medieval old town sits on its own island at the heart of the city, its narrow cobbled lanes lined with ochre and terracotta townhouses unchanged in outline since the 13th century. The Royal Palace is here, as are dozens of small galleries, independent shops, and the odd excellent restaurant tucked into a historic cellar. Best explored without a map.
Address: Gamla Stan, Stockholm
Fika — Sweden’s institutionalised coffee break — is less a habit and more a philosophy. Find a café, order a filter coffee and a kanelbulle (cinnamon bun), and sit for at least fifteen minutes without rushing. It’s one of the better things about Swedish life.
Stockholm’s most respected specialty roaster, Drop Coffee has been championing light-roast, transparency-forward coffee since 2009. The Södermalm café is small and purposeful — the focus is the cup, not the Instagram aesthetic — and the pour-overs are some of the best in the city. A benchmark.
Address: Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 10, 118 50 Stockholm
A pioneer of the Swedish third-wave coffee scene, Johan & Nyström runs a flagship café on Södermalm that’s reliably excellent regardless of what you order. The range runs from quick espresso to slow filter brews, and the space has a warmth that makes it easy to settle in for longer than planned.
Address: Götgatan 18, 116 46 Stockholm
For those arriving at the fair early or heading back after a long day, Fabriken is the best all-day option in Nacka Strand itself. Chef Pontus Frithiof’s waterfront space covers morning pastries, a deli counter, lunch, and dinner — flavours drawn from the Americas and southern Europe — in a relaxed, well-designed setting—a genuine local anchor.
Address: Augustendalsvägen 8, 131 52 Nacka Strand
The best restaurant in Nacka Strand, and one of Stockholm’s finest spots for a long lunch or dinner with a view. Restaurant J describes itself as a marine brasserie, and it commits to the idea fully — ingredients from the Stockholm archipelago, a seafood-forward menu, and a terrace that looks directly over the inlet. Seasonal, unfussy, and very well executed.
Address: Ellensviksvägen 1, 131 28 Nacka Strand
A neighbourhood Italian done right: fresh focaccia, excellent charcuterie and cheese boards, simple pastas built around quality ingredients. Claudio Kitchen & Friends has built a loyal following in Nacka Strand and the relaxed atmosphere makes it equally good for a quick pre-fair bite or a leisurely post-opening dinner.
Address: Augustendalsvägen, Nacka Strand
Stockholm’s grandest restaurant, housed in the Royal Opera House on the water between Gamla Stan and Norrmalm. The Operabaren (bar) is more accessible for a drinks stop, but the main dining room — with its gilded ceiling, velvet booths and polished silverware — is worth the occasion. The menu celebrates classic Swedish cuisine at its most refined.
Address: Karl XII:s torg, 111 86 Stockholm
Niklas Ekstedt’s one-Michelin-star restaurant cooks everything over open fire, without gas or electricity in the kitchen. The result is intensely flavoured Nordic food with a directness that’s rare at this level. Book well in advance — tables are coveted. For those unable to get a reservation, Ekstedt’s casual sister restaurant EKSTEDT at the YARD is more accessible.
Address: Humlegårdsgatan 17, 114 46 Stockholm
Chef Buakhai Duangbutdee’s lively restaurant at Nacka Strand serves sushi, Thai dishes, poke bowls, and yakiniku — a broad Asian menu executed with real care. Popular with the local crowd and a great option for something lighter after a day at the fair.
Address: Augustendalsvägen, Nacka Strand
A marina-side bar with a nautical-themed mini-golf course built into the concept — which sounds gimmicky, and somehow isn’t. Golfbaren has a great position overlooking the archipelago boats, serves decent wood-fired pizza and burgers, and has exactly the right energy for a relaxed drink after the fair. Open late on fair days.
Address: Kajen, Nacka Strand
The rooftop bar at Fotografiska is one of Stockholm’s best drinking perches, with uninterrupted views over Södermalm and the waterways. The cocktail list is thoughtful and the food is excellent — the restaurant has received considerable recognition in its own right. Worth visiting even if you’ve already seen the exhibitions.
Address: Stadsgårdshamnen 22, 116 45 Stockholm
Stockholm’s cult craft beer and pizza bar, run by the brains behind one of Sweden’s most creative breweries. The beers change constantly and skew experimental — sour, hazy, pastry stout territory — and the Neapolitan-style pizza is genuinely excellent. A lively, unpretentious spot that fills up quickly on weekends.
Address: Hökens gata 1A, 116 46 Stockholm
The obvious choice for fair visitors who want to be on site: Hotel J sits directly on the Nacka Strand waterfront, steps from the venue, in a red-brick building that once housed local families. The interiors blend maritime warmth with Scandinavian restraint, many rooms have direct water views, and the wellness offering — sauna, yoga, sound baths — makes it a genuinely restorative base. Central Stockholm is a short boat ride away.
Address: Ellensviksvägen 1, 131 28 Nacka
One of Stockholm’s most design-forward hotels, At Six sits in the City district between Norrmalm and Södermalm. The art collection runs throughout the building — over 600 works by Nordic and international artists — and the bar and restaurant are among the city’s best hotel offerings. A short commute to Nacka by bus or shuttle.
Address: Brunkebergstorg 6, 111 51 Stockholm
Housed in two connected 19th-century palaces on Norrmalmstorg, Nobis is one of Stockholm’s leading luxury hotels. The interiors were designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune and strike a rare balance between grandeur and livability. The Gold Bar is a destination in itself.
Address: Norrmalmstorg 2–4, 111 86 Stockholm
A full-service spa resort on the shore of Saltsjö Bay in Nacka, a short distance from the fair venue. The location is peaceful, the rooms are spacious, and the rooftop pool and spa make for a genuinely relaxing stay. A practical and comfortable option for those who want space without being in the city centre.
Address: Saltsjöqvarns kaj 12, Nacka
Explore the city from 30 September to 4 October. Don’t forget to put Affordable Art Fair Stockholm on your list, as we are presenting the latest contemporary art priced between 900 and 90,000 SEK.
Whether you’re an experienced collector or looking for your first piece, you’ll definitely be inspired to grow your collection at the fair. See you at Nacka Strandsmässan!
