This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2016. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
I finally found the perfect activity to satisfy both my own and my husband’s travel obsessions: a tour of the Stockholm subway.
He’s got a thing for transport systems, and I’m all about pretty visuals—so when I spotted some artsy metro station photos on the Visit Stockholm social media accounts, I knew we had to check them out. What better way to explore the city than by hopping between stations decked out in colourful murals, surreal cave walls, and even archaeological artifacts?
We did a self-guided tour using just one 75-minute ticket, which was a fun and budget-friendly way to explore. But if I were to do it again, I’d definitely go with a guided Stockholm metro art tour instead. Not only do you get to see all the best stations, but a local guide explains the meaning behind the artworks—something you just don’t get when you’re figuring it out on your own.
Here’s my tips for seeing the best Stockholm art subway stations. It’s a fun way to get some snaps for posting on your social feed!
Quick summary:
Discover the incredible underground art of the Stockholm metro system. This post shares highlights from my own experience exploring the artistic subway stops and a recommended itinerary to see the best stations.
Recommended tour:
🚇 Stockholm: Underground Metro Art Ride with a local — A small-group guided tour of Stockholm’s most stunning subway stations with a local expert. You’ll also learn about the city’s public art program, architecture, and history.
About the Stockholm subway system
Stockholm’s metro is often called “the world’s longest art exhibit” — and for good reason. The network stretches over 110 kilometres, and more than 90 of its 100 stations are decorated with artwork. It’s fascinating to explore and definitely one of the best hidden gems in Europe.
Since the 1950s, over 150 artists have contributed to transforming these everyday transit spaces into immersive art experiences, using everything from bold murals and sculptures to cave-like designs, neon lighting, and even archaeological artifacts.
When I visited in 2016, a single subway ticket cost only a few dollars and was valid for 75 minutes of travel. There’s also a 24-hour pass available if you’re planning to spend more time exploring the city.
Booking a Stockholm metro art tour
🚇 If you’re keen to explore the subway art without the hassle of planning your own route, you can book a Stockholm Metro Art Tour. A local guide will take you to the most impressive stations, explain the meaning behind the artworks, and share insider tips about the city along the way. Your subway ticket is included in the price.
The best Stockholm art stations
T-Centralen (Central Station)
Start at T-Centralen (Central Station) and head towards the Blue line. The rocky walls here were decorated in white and blue colour scheme by artist Per Olof Ultvedt in the 1970s.
The upper levels have silhouettes of workers, as a way of honoring the many men who constructed the station. The lower levels are painted in the same style but with calming leaf-like patterns, which is meant to lower the stress level of the station’s 167,000 daily commuters.
Kungsträdgårdsgatan station
From Central Station, hop on the Blue line and disembark at Kungsträdgårdsgatan. I think that this (totally unpronounceable) station is probably the most impressive of the art metro stations in Stockholm.
The design by artist Ulrik Samuelson, installed in in 1977 and 1987, is supposed to represent an archeological dig. It features actual artefacts from Makalös Palace, which once stood in the same location above the ground. The geometric-style patterned floor and ceiling with a red, green, and white colour scheme are influenced by the historic palace’s French garden.
Rådhuset station
Kungsträdgårdsgatan is the end of the Blue line, so go back in the other direction and hop off at Rådhuset.
This station was designed by Sigvard Olsson and was my fave from our makeshift tour – the red rocky walls juxtaposed with the modern escalators gave the whole place a surreal look. It felt like we were wandering through a futuristic alien space cave.
Take note when you’re in the station that this is the fourth deepest in the Stockholm metro system. You’ll be standing at 20 meters below sea level!
Fridhemsplan station
Continue on the Blue line in the same direction, and get off at Fridhemsplan. We only intended to use this station to change from the Blue line to the Green line, but the art in this old station is actually pretty cool, too. Fridhemsplan is another cave-like station in the Stockholm metro which was originally opened in 1952.
The Green line recently went through some refurbishments in 2019, so Fridhemsplan is a neat place where you can see the old and new elements of the metro come together.
Thorildsplan station
From Fridhemsplan, change to the Green line and go one stop to Thorildsplan.
This is the only outdoor station on our itinerary, and it also has the most recent artwork. In 2008, Lars Arrhenius added the pixellated tiles arranged to show characters and scenes in the style of video games such as Super Mario, Space Invaders, and Pacman.
To get back to Central Station from here, get back on the Green line but head in the other direction.
Other Stockholm metro art stations
If you’ve got extra time or want to explore further after the Stockholm metro art tour, consider checking out:
- Solna – Looks somewhat similar to Rådhuset with a cave interior but with some additional nature-influenced decor.
- Stadion – Famous for the painted rainbow that passes overhead at the underground platform, which is meant to reflect the blue sky above.
- Tensta – Decorated with a range of graffiti-like cave paintings that are meant to be welcoming for immigrants that have settled in the area.
- Odenplan – One of the newest stations with modern neon lights that create patterns along the ceiling.
Final tips for exploring the subway art in Stockholm
- Travel off-peak for the best photos — mid-morning or early afternoon is ideal.
- You can DIY using a single-ride ticket like we did, but you’ll miss the context and hidden stories that a guide provides.
- Photography is allowed on the metro — just be mindful of other passengers and avoid blocking pathways.
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