8 CRUISE QUAYS IN THE CITY

Find your quay, then your way in
checked 2026-09-18
Walk into town

In the Old Town or the centre, or a short walk away

  • Nybroviken 5
    Right in the city center, 5 min walk to the Old Town.
  • Skeppsbron
    Next to the Royal Palace in the Old Town. Walking distance to most shops and attractions.
  • Mooring Buoy
    Right in the Old Town. Walking distance to most shops and attractions.
  • Stadsgården 160
    10 min walk to the Old Town; 20 min to the city center.
Walk or ride

A longer walk, or a short taxi or bus ride

  • Stadsgården 165/167
    20 min walk to the Old Town; 30 min to the city center; 10 min by taxi or bus.
Take a taxi or bus

About 3 km out, in the commercial port

  • Värtahamnen 523
    3 km; 10 min by taxi or 20 min by bus.
  • Frihamnen 650
    3 km; 10 min by taxi or 20 min by bus.
  • Frihamnen 634/638
    3 km; 10 min by taxi or 20 min by bus.

Each line is Visit Stockholm’s own description of the quay. visitstockholm.com

01 / THE STOCKHOLM GUIDE

Where Cruise Ships Dock in Stockholm

Cruise ships in the inner city dock at Stadsgården on the Södermalm shore, at Frihamnen and Värtahamnen north-east of the centre, or at Skeppsbron and other moorings in the Old Town. Visit Stockholm lists each quay. Some of the very largest ships dock at Nynäshamn, outside the city, according to Ports of Stockholm; check the quay your cruise line gives you.

OUTSIDE THE CITY

The Port of Nynäshamn has the capacity to accommodate the very largest international cruise ships.
portsofstockholm.com

Stadsgården: Södermalm Shoreline

Stadsgården runs along the northern shore of Södermalm, looking across the water towards Djurgården and the Old Town. Cruise ships moor at Stadsgården 160 and 165/167.

  • Location The Södermalm waterfront, facing the inner harbour.
  • Passenger terminal The Stockholm Cruise Center at Stadsgården 165/167 is in the same building as the Fotografiska museum.
  • Why it is convenient The Old Town is within walking distance.

Frihamnen and Värtahamnen: Northeastern Port District

Frihamnen and Värtahamnen lie north-east of the city centre, in the commercial port. Ports of Stockholm says about half of the cruise ships that visit each year call at Frihamnen, which has a large, modern passenger terminal and handles turnarounds.

  • Quays Frihamnen 650 and 634/638, and Värtahamnen 523.
  • Passenger terminal The Stockholm Cruise Center at Frihamnen 638.
  • What to expect Too far to walk comfortably into the centre; plan on a taxi or a bus.

Skeppsbron and the Other Old Town Moorings

Smaller ships can tie up at Skeppsbron, on the eastern waterfront of Gamla Stan, next to the Royal Palace.

  • Location The Old Town waterfront.
  • Nearby, too Some ships use Nybroviken, in the city centre, or a mooring buoy in the Old Town instead.
  • Why it is convenient You step straight into the Old Town, with no transport needed.

THE TWO PASSENGER TERMINALS

  • Stockholm Cruise Center, Frihamnen 638
  • Stockholm Cruise Center, Stadsgården 165/167, same building as the Fotografiska museum.
Both passenger terminals have toilets, souvenir shops, telephones, post boxes, internet access, and restaurants/cafes that are open during cruise calls.
visitstockholm.com

Flying in or out of Arlanda

02 / THE STOCKHOLM GUIDE

From Stadsgården into the City

From Stadsgården you can walk along the waterfront to Slussen and on into Gamla Stan; if you have bags, Visit Stockholm lists both a bus and taxis from Stadsgården 165/167.

The waterside path at Stadsgården beside the moored icebreaker Atle, under a clear blue sky

Walking to Slussen and Gamla Stan

You can walk into the Old Town from Stadsgården. How long it takes depends on which quay you are at; the quay table above gives Visit Stockholm’s figure for each.

  • The Route Follow the waterfront path west along the Södermalm shore, below the cliffs.
  • Destination Access The path leads to Slussen; from there a short bridge takes you into Gamla Stan.
  • Scenery Views across the water to Skeppsholmen and Djurgården.

Public Transit to the Slussen Transit Hub

If you would rather save your energy or have bags with you, Visit Stockholm lists both bus and taxi from Stadsgården 165/167.

  • Buses Visit Stockholm lists a bus from Stadsgården 165/167; use the SL journey planner to find the stop nearest your quay.
  • Metro at Slussen Slussen is a metro station, with connections across the city.
  • Payment You can pay SL fares with a contactless bank card or phone, or buy tickets in the SL app.

Taking a Taxi

Taxis can be booked by app or phone, or taken from a rank. Before you get in, read Visit Stockholm’s advice, quoted below.

BEFORE YOU GET IN A TAXI

Four things Visit Stockholm tells arriving visitors
quoted
  1. Taxi prices in Sweden are not regulated, meaning that prices can differ between different taxi companies.
  2. All taxis must, by law, display a price comparison on a yellow sticker (usually located on the vehicle's rear windows).
  3. Always check the price information before the trip, and ask for a fixed price in Swedish kronor (SEK).
  4. Book your trip through an app, so as to see the final price before you start your journey.

visitstockholm.com

What is up the hill behind the quayWhat one SL ticket covers in the city

03 / THE STOCKHOLM GUIDE

From Frihamnen and Värtahamnen into the City

Take an SL bus or a taxi, about ten minutes according to Visit Stockholm: Frihamnen and neighbouring Värtahamnen are in the commercial port north-east of the city centre, about 3 km out.

THE BUSIEST CRUISE QUAY

Approximately half of the cruise liners visiting Stockholm each year call at Frihamnen.
portsofstockholm.com

Walking

Visit Stockholm puts Frihamnen and Värtahamnen about 3 km from the city centre. Walking all the way is possible but long; most visitors take a bus or a taxi.

By Bus

Visit Stockholm gives two options from these quays: a taxi or a bus into the centre.

  • By bus SL buses serve the port area; use the SL journey planner from your quay to your first stop in town.
  • Payment Contactless bank cards and phones work for SL fares, or buy a ticket in the SL app.

By Taxi

Visit Stockholm gives about ten minutes by taxi from these quays. Taxi prices vary between companies, so read the yellow price sticker on the rear window and agree a fixed price before you set off (see the taxi advice in the Stadsgården section).

04 / THE STOCKHOLM GUIDE

From Skeppsbron into the City

From Skeppsbron you walk straight into the Old Town, with the Royal Palace right beside the quay; no transfer is needed.

Direct Walking Access to Gamla Stan and Royal Sights

From Skeppsbron you are already in the Old Town.

  • The Royal Palace Right beside the quay.
  • Gamla Stan Alleys and Stortorget Cross the waterfront street into the lanes and squares of the Old Town.
  • Norrmalm Norrbro and Strömbron cross the water to the city centre around Kungsträdgården.

Embankment Bus Lines and Inner-City Harbor Ferries

Public transport runs close by if you want to go further:

  • Ferry to Djurgården SL ferry 82 crosses from Slussen, at the southern end of the Old Town, to Djurgården, calling at Skeppsholmen.
  • Payment Contactless bank cards and phones work on SL.

Taking a Taxi

Taxis can pick up along the waterfront road. The same taxi advice applies here as at the other quays: compare the price on the yellow sticker, then fix the fare before you start.

A walk through the Old Town from the quay

05 / THE STOCKHOLM GUIDE

Paying, Timing and Terrain on a Port Day

Note your quay’s name and number, pay SL fares by tapping a contactless bank card or phone, and leave plenty of time for the trip back, especially from Frihamnen or Värtahamnen.

  1. Paying for Public Transport

    SL runs Stockholm’s buses, metro and commuter ferries.

    • Contactless cards and phones Pay by tapping a contactless bank card or a phone wallet.
    • SL app Buy tickets in the SL app before you set off.

  2. Before You Leave the Ship

    Two things to note before you leave the ship:

    • Your quay Note your quay’s name and number (for example Stadsgården 165/167 or Frihamnen 638); the way into town depends on it.
    • Your way back Plan your return to the ship with plenty of time; taxis and buses are both affected by city traffic.

  3. Getting Back on Time

    Build in a margin for the trip back to the ship. From the Old Town, Stadsgården is within walking distance; from Frihamnen or Värtahamnen you will need a bus or taxi, so leave extra time.

  4. Terrain

    The walk from Stadsgården follows the waterfront. Beyond it the ground changes:

    • Södermalm The cliffs rise directly behind the Stadsgården quays.
    • Gamla Stan (Old Town) Cobblestones, narrow lanes and steps are hard going with wheeled bags, wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Plan the hours ashore as one day in the city

06 / THE STOCKHOLM GUIDE

Stockholm Cruise Port FAQs

Which Stockholm cruise port is closest to the city center?

Skeppsbron and the mooring buoy are in the Old Town itself, and Nybroviken is in the city centre. Of the larger quays, Stadsgården is within walking distance of the Old Town; Frihamnen and Värtahamnen are about 3 km from the centre, according to Visit Stockholm.

Can you walk to downtown from the Stockholm cruise ship dock?

It depends on the quay. From Skeppsbron, the buoy or Nybroviken you are already there; from Stadsgården you can walk to the Old Town; from Frihamnen or Värtahamnen, about 3 km out, most visitors take a bus or taxi.

How do I pay for public transit from the cruise terminal?

Tap a contactless bank card or a phone wallet on SL’s readers, or buy a ticket in the SL app.

How do I get from Frihamnen cruise port to Central Station?

By taxi or by SL bus. Visit Stockholm puts Frihamnen about 3 km from the city centre. For the bus, plan the trip in the SL journey planner from your quay; for a taxi, check the yellow price sticker and agree a fixed price first.

BEFORE YOU GO

A flexible plan is a better plan.

Opening hours, admission policies, services and access can change. Check each attraction’s official website and the SL journey planner before travelling. Suggested times in this guide are planning estimates, not venue opening hours or guaranteed transfer times.

SOURCES

Last verified .

PHOTOGRAPHS & LICENCES2