What I love most about traveling is the element of surprise. Whether you’re embarking on a grand adventure across a continent or just exploring your own town, it’s these surprises that make the experience enjoyable. This is especially true for Stockholm, with one of the most fascinating attractions being its metro art.
Though Stockholm’s metro isn’t as expansive as the New York subway or London’s Tube, it boasts a substantial network of around 100 stations. I found out that Stockholm’s metro art represents one of the longest art galleries in the world, with nearly 90% of the stations featuring some form of artwork.
During our last trip to Stockholm, we made it our mission to check out some of the best metro art spots around the city. I’ve even marked these locations on a map to help you find them when you visit. Here are a few stations you definitely shouldn’t miss.
T-Centralen is probably the busiest station in Stockholm, right in the center with several lines converging there. To see the metro art at T-Centralen, head down to the Blue Line. It took me about 10 minutes to navigate the escalators and tunnels, but you’ll know you’re on the right line when you see the blue cave-like walls. Here, you’ll be greeted by Per Olof Ultvedt’s stunning work – the walls adorned with striking blue leaves. If you’re looking for a nice place to stay in central Stockholm, check out the hotel ‘At Six’, which has a cool rooftop bar nearby.
Stadion station is one of my favorite spots for metro art in Stockholm. It’s only a few stops from T-Centralen on the Red Line. As soon as you get off, you’ll spot the rainbow archway perfectly positioned between the platforms. The journey from T-Centralen takes about 10 minutes and the beautiful art by Åke Pallarp and Enno Hallek is worth every second.
On the Blue Line, Solna Centrum is one of the most straightforward artworks to find. Originally, the artist designed it with a solely green and red motif, but over time artists added details like little houses, trees, and rivers. From T-Centralen, it takes about 16-18 minutes to reach Solna Centrum on the Blue Line.
Lennart Mörk created another impressive piece of metro art at Tekniska Högskolan station, which is close to the Stockholms Östra train station on the Red Line. This station features art inspired by scientific advances, fittingly located near the Royal Institute of Technology.
Tensta Station, known for its themes of acceptance, equality, and love, took over a year to design and paint. It historically serves as a welcoming message to new residents of Stockholm. You can get to Tensta by taking the Blue Line, about 20 minutes from T-Centralen.
Kungsträdgården Station, also on the Blue Line and minutes from T-Centralen, is easy to reach. You can take a quick 8-minute walk from T-Centralen if you’d prefer not to go by train. The station’s design takes inspiration from the French garden above it, keeping with a colorful and historical theme. Access to these stations requires a travel ticket.
Akalla Station, at the end of Line 11 on the Blue Line, is another station worth visiting. It’s particularly eye-catching with its green theme. From T-Centralen, it’s about a 21-minute trip to Akalla Station. If you’re planning a trip to Stockholm, there are plenty more things to explore and enjoy in this vibrant city.
