If you are going to Stockholm, make sure to put aside a while to spend underground.
This could appear to be unusual recommendation, particularly in a metropolis that is as visually interesting as Stockholm. But I promise that there is a good cause so that you can spend a while underground.
And that cause is Stockholm’s art-covered subway stations.
There are 100 subway stations on Stockholm’s Tunnelbana (T-bana) system, and roughly 90 of them have some type of paintings in them – making the Stockholm subway system one of many longest artwork displays on the planet.
While some stations could solely have sculptures or engravings or the odd mosaic, others are utterly decked out in putting murals and paints.
After spending a while in Stockholm hopping from station to station, listed here are my picks for one of the best subway stations in Stockholm.
The greatest metro stations in Stockholm
Stockholm’s metro system opened in 1950, and most of the stations have been painted within the Seventies. Here are my favourite Stockholm metro stations I believe you need to see for your self!
1. T-centralen
Line: All strains (however particularly the blue strains)
T-centralen is Stockholm’s Central Station, the place all of the strains within the metropolis converge (it is also the place the Arlanda Express airport prepare travels in/out of, in addition to different regional trains). And it has a few of my favourite subway paintings.
On the crimson and inexperienced line platforms, you may discover a wall lined in colourful glass prisms.
And down beneath on the blue line platforms, you may discover a sequence of white-and-blue murals. On the higher stage are silhouettes of employees – welders, carpenters, metal employees, engineers, miners – to honor the boys who constructed the subway.
Below, the place the trains are, you may discover a vine motif that appears prefer it’s rising up the partitions and throughout the tunnel ceiling. The paintings right here is by Per Olof Ultvedt.
I will not lie – I went again to this station greater than as soon as for pictures!
2. Solna Centrum
Line: T11, Blue line
Chances are you will have seen pictures of this station earlier than. One of the escalators main right down to the trains at Solna Centrum has been nicknamed “the Gates to Hell” due to the assaulting crimson and black paint on what seems like pure stone.
The remainder of the station seems barely much less sinister, with inexperienced bushes and numerous animals and nature scenes. The paintings right here is by Karl-Olov Björk and Anders Åberg.
You’ve possible seen pictures of this station earlier than, and I positively do suppose it is top-of-the-line subway stations in Stockholm for pictures as a result of it is so dramatic!
3. Stadion
Line: T14, Red line
I’m unsure you could possibly go to this station and never be comfortable. The most important coloration here’s a sky blue, and there are rainbows all over the place – together with one large one stretching throughout the tunnel in between platforms.
The artists, Enno Hallek and Åke Pallarp, designed the station to commemorate the 1912 Stockholm Olympics (the rainbows characterize the Olympic rings).
And despite the fact that Solna Centrum could be extra “famous,” I believe Stadion was truly my favourite Stockholm station to take photos of.
4. Kungsträdgården
Line: T10 and T11, Blue line
This station – the King’s Garden – is painted in greens and reds and checkered patterns, designed by Ulrik Samuelson.
Along with the intense colours, you may additionally discover a mini archaeological museum right here (close to the Arsenalsgatan exit) with Roman columns and stone sculptures. The gadgets are remnants from Makalös Palace, which as soon as stood above the place the station is at present.
5. Rådhuset
Line: T10 and T11, Blue line
Stockholm’s City Hall station (Rådhuset means City Hall) may be very cave-like, with reddish-orange partitions and a nod to the courthouse above with massive cement pillars. The artist right here was Sigvard Olson.
(And whereas this photograph could make the station look just like Solna Centrum, it is a fairly completely different coloration in particular person!)
6. Tekniska Högskolan
Line: T14, Red line
Just previous Stadion on the T14 Red Line, the Tekniska Högskolan station is house to a couple sculptures and a few cool ceiling paintings by Lennart Mörk. Worth a cease!
7. Huvudsta
Line: T10 Blue line
I truly ended up at this station on accident, having gotten on the unsuitable Blue Ling prepare when making an attempt to achieve Solna Centrum. But it ended up being a contented accident, since this one can also be cool, with a reasonably darkish inexperienced coloration painted on the platform.
While these are my picks for one of the best subway stations in Stockholm (and definitely essentially the most photogenic ones), these are after all solely a handful of them!
Other stations you would possibly need to take a look at you probably have extra time embrace:
- Alby (with a green-based design impressed by native petroglyphs)
- Thorildsplan (which has pixelated, video-game-inspired designs)
- Hötorget (with squiggly neon lights on the ceiling)
- Tensta (which has cave-painting-esque designs)
- Akalla (which is vivid yellow)
How to see the Stockholm subway stations
A 24-hour go on the Stockholm metro prices 175 SEK ($17 USD), and a 72-hour go is 350 SEK ($34 USD). These passes additionally work on buses, trams, and ferries in Stockholm, and are a good suggestion should you’re staying for a bit within the metropolis.
A single journey metro ticket (bought from a ticket machine or the SL app) runs 42 SEK ($4 USD), and is nice to make use of as a lot as you need for 75 minutes from buy. You may positively slot in a number of of those stations inside 75 minutes should you do not plan to make use of the metro sufficient to warrant shopping for a journey card.
I like to recommend making your DIY tour of the Stockholm metro stations through the day on a weekday for the fewest crowds, although within the night after rush hour has ended additionally works!
Who’s able to spend a while underground in Stockholm?
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Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her house base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by way of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!