15 Self-Guided Tours in Stockholm, With the Price and the Catch

1.Old Town Self-Guided Tour Learn and solve Puzzles

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 64 reviews · 90 days · from $11Our pick

Start in the Royal Palace courtyard and follow Curiosa through Stockholm’s Old Town, the Grand Square, and Saint George and the Dragon. Read or listen? This is a reading-based phone experience with stories, clues, and puzzles in English, Swedish, German, or French. Plan about 1.5 to 2 hours, and use the tour anytime within 90 days.

“I really liked that you could go at your own pace. The little puzzles were great too! Maybe a couple more of different hints and clues would also be good 😊 the clock tower one in particular at the German Church.”

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2.Self Guided Kayak Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 55 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $45

Start near Stockholm Central Station and paddle from Klara sjö on a self-guided city adventure. You get a short kayak lesson, map, Prijon kayak, paddle, life vest, and spray deck. Plan for 2 to 4 hours on the water, with time to enjoy Stockholm’s islands, bridges, and waterfront views at your own pace.

“It was nice to get on the water. It was calm, but in the city. So nice.”

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3.Self Guided GPS Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 38 reviews · from $40

Pick one of four 15 to 20 km Stockholm bike routes at Urban Basecamp on Södermalm. Your hybrid bike, helmet, lock, backpack, and phone holder are ready for a contactless ride. Use your own charged smartphone with Google Maps to follow city sights, artsy Södermalm, parks, or nearby nature reserves.

“Loved being able to see parts of Stockholm City that most tourists don’t see. We did the lakes and forests routes which was extremely pleasant and relaxing. There are a few up hill moments on this track so be prepared. Also remember to take a photo of the QR code for the route as google maps can be temperamental.”

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4.Stockholm Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $6Best value

Use your phone and headphones to follow 25 historian-narrated recordings through Stockholm, from City Hall and Riddarholmen to Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace, and Hötorget. The app includes illustrations, an offline map, GPS support, and one year of access. There is no human guide, and entrance fees are separate.

“Way to download and use. Hit all the necessary sites downtown. We walked in the late evening. Beautiful under the lights. Very safe.”

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5.Self-Guided Kayak Adventure In Central Stockholm (One-man kayak)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $35

Rent a one-person kayak from Långholmen Kajak and spend about two hours exploring Stockholm independently. You receive a kayak, paddle, life jacket, spray deck, map, drybag, and a short safety introduction, then paddle toward City Hall and Old Town at your own pace. No guide follows you on the water.

“They still charged us for a drybag but our reservation included it. Fun though. It was pretty windy, so be prepared for that.”

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6.4-Day Stockholm Archipelago Self-Guided Kayak and Wild Camp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $555Top rated

Spend four days kayaking between Stockholm Archipelago islands, sleeping at wild campsites and choosing your own pace. The Kayak Trail supplies kayaks, camping gear, cooking equipment, route advice, food options, and return transfers. Guides including Jakob, Adam, Ellen, Jonathan, and Frederick help you set off safely, then remain available by phone.

“This experience was one of the highlights of our trip to Sweden! Jakob was helpful and patient with us in planning what excursion would best suit our needs and the team (shout out to Ellen!) has thought of everything, literally everything, you Read more”

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7.CityQuest in Stockholm – To See Stockholm and Die

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 16 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20

You and your private team investigate the murder of a visiting Russian scientist during a 2.5-hour walking quest through central Stockholm. Starting at Centralstation, you follow paper evidence and a web-based criminal journal to solve clues near the Royal Opera, Kungstradgarden, Sergels Torg, and other central sights. Bring your own phone and internet connection.

“We had a terrific time on our CityQuest Stockholm Syndrome part 1 adventure. Ardi was super responsive and everyone was really nice. The app was user friendly and had fun clues in it and the adventure as a whole was well planned. The story was engaging and led you around in a perfect amount of time and a manageable part of town. I would highly recommend these and can’t wait to come back for more!!!”

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8.Stockholm Troll Hunt: Self-Guided Old Town Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 14 reviews · 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $7

Use your phone to solve 12 interactive puzzles from the Royal Swedish Opera to Stortorget. This private, English-language quest takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, with no physical guide. Pause and resume whenever you like while learning stories tied to Stockholm’s palace, cathedral, statues, churches, and old trading streets.

“Wir haben die Trolljagt in Stockholm gebucht. Bis dass das Erlebnis startet ist es sehr kompliziert und es verging über 1 Stunde. Dann hatten wir keine Zeit mehr es zu spielen.”

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9.City Highlights Self-Guided SUP Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 2 hours · from $30

Start on green Långholmen, where an English-speaking instructor explains SUP basics, supplies your board, paddle, lifejacket, drybag, and map, then sends you out independently. Paddle around Långholmen or Reimersholme, with views toward City Hall and Old Town. It suits beginners, but expect cold water and no guide on the route.

“Amazing! They give you a quick set of instructions and you are good to go! We got there early and they had our SUPs available so they were kind enough to let us move our time slot up. Super nice and relaxing trip!”

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10.Self-Guided Kayak Adventure In Central Stockholm (Two-man kayak)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $32

You and a partner paddle a two-person kayak from Långholmen Kajak Uthyrning for about two hours. Staff provide instructions, a map, spray deck, lifejackets, paddles, and a drybag. The route gives you water-level views of City Hall, Gamla Stan, Riddarholmen, Södermalm, and Kungsholmen.

“We rented the kayaks for 2-4 hours and paddled around Küngsholmen. The weather could have been better and paddling was very hard sometimes. But we were warned about this before deciding on the tour and we didn't mind before or after the trip.”

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11.Stockholm Self-Guided Murder Mystery Tour by the Royal Palace

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $21

Pick up a sealed envelope in central Stockholm and follow a self-guided murder mystery through Gamla Stan. You’ll solve clues at your own pace while walking about 1.5 kilometers past the Royal Palace and Supreme Court. Allow two to two and a half hours, including time for a fika or a relaxed look around.

“Very funny experience highly recommended! A guided tour without a guide so to speak that brings you to a lot of interesting places in Old Town, Stockholm!”

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12.Old Town Self-Guided Tour with interactive challenges

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · from $13

Use the Curiosa app on your own iPhone or Android phone to follow a self-guided route through Stockholm’s Old Town. Along the way, you’ll see the Royal Palace, Stortorget, Saint George and the Dragon, Köpmangatan, and the German Church while solving challenges and hearing stories about cannonballs, runestones, and medieval Stockholm.

“I got the trial, not the full experience. I'm sure it would have been good if I could access it. But I was offered a refund”

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13.2-day kayaking adventure around Vaxholm in Stockholm Archipelago – self guided

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $288

From Skärgårdens Kanotcenter in Vaxholm, you’ll collect a sea kayak, camping kit, cooking gear, map, and compass, then set your own course among Stockholm’s calm island waters. Choose a single or double kayak, bring your own food, and spend one night camping beside the water.

“First, the camping package they provide furnishes everything you need: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, camp stove, headlight with red bulb to maintain night vision, and mess kit. The kayak was in perfect condition and the employees were just fantastic. I highly recommend this company and if I manage to get back to Sweden, I'm definitely doing this again!”

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14.Stockholm Self-Guided Murder Mystery Tour by the Parliament

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $21

You’ll follow a self-guided murder mystery from Kartbutiken through Stockholm’s Old Town to the Royal Palace. Solve puzzles about a vanished 1899 debt collector and a blood-stained briefcase at your own pace. There is no guide, and the private experience suits families, couples, and small groups ready to walk for about two hours.

“I have already solve both the mystery "Murder by the The Royal Palace" and "Murder by the Parliament" by Solve A Mystery, and I am not done playing an investigator! Please make more mysteries in Sweden! For anyone who hasn't tried these true crime self-guided city hunts, do yourself a favour and go do it now!”

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15.3-day kayaking adventure around Vaxholm in Stockholm Archipelago – self guided

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $342

Set out from Skärgårdens Kanotcenter in Vaxholm for three days of self-guided sea kayaking. You’ll receive a single or double expedition kayak, safety briefing, map, compass, tent, sleeping kit, dry bags, and Trangia stove. Plan your own route among the archipelago’s islands, then return to the center.

“Trip summary: to Norrgårdsön and back, 1 person, 3 days, 2 nights in tent, 70km, 12h kayaking”

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