If you are going to Stockholm, you should definitely put aside a while to spend underground.
This will likely appear to be unusual recommendation, particularly in a metropolis that is as visually interesting as Stockholm. However 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 form of art work in them – making the Stockholm subway system one of many longest artwork displays on this planet.
Whereas some stations might solely have sculptures or engravings or the odd mosaic, others are utterly decked out in hanging murals and paints.
After spending a while in Stockholm hopping from station to station, listed below are my picks for the most effective subway stations in Stockholm.
The most effective metro stations in Stockholm
Stockholm’s metro system opened in 1950, and lots of the stations have been painted within the Seventies. Listed here are my favourite Stockholm metro stations I believe it is best 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 Specific airport prepare travels in/out of, in addition to different regional trains). And it has a few of my favourite subway art work.
On the purple and inexperienced line platforms, you will discover a wall lined in colourful glass prisms.
And down under on the blue line platforms, you will discover a collection of white-and-blue murals. On the higher degree are silhouettes of staff – welders, carpenters, metal staff, engineers, miners – to honor the boys who constructed the subway.
Under, the place the trains are, you will discover a vine motif that appears prefer it’s rising up the partitions and throughout the tunnel ceiling. The art work 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
Likelihood is you might have seen pictures of this station earlier than. One of many escalators main right down to the trains at Solna Centrum has been nicknamed “the Gates to Hell” due to the assaulting purple and black paint on what appears like pure stone.
The remainder of the station appears barely much less sinister, with inexperienced timber and numerous animals and nature scenes. The art work right here is by Karl-Olov Björk and Anders Åberg.
You’ve got seemingly seen pictures of this station earlier than, and I positively do assume it is among the finest subway stations in Stockholm for pictures as a result of it is so dramatic!
3. Stadion
Line: T14, Crimson line
I am undecided you might go to this station and never be pleased. The principle 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 signify the Olympic rings).
And although Solna Centrum may be extra “well-known,” 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 Backyard – is painted in greens and reds and checkered patterns, designed by Ulrik Samuelson.
Together with the brilliant colours, you will additionally discover a mini archaeological museum right here (close to the Arsenalsgatan exit) with Roman columns and stone sculptures. The objects are remnants from Makalös Palace, which as soon as stood above the place the station is right this moment.
5. Rådhuset
Line: T10 and T11, Blue line
Stockholm’s Metropolis Corridor station (Rådhuset means Metropolis Corridor) 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 picture might make the station look just like Solna Centrum, it is a fairly completely different coloration in individual!)
6. Tekniska Högskolan
Line: T14, Crimson line
Simply previous Stadion on the T14 Crimson Line, the Tekniska Högskolan station is house to some sculptures and a few cool ceiling art work by Lennart Mörk. Price a cease!
7. Huvudsta
Line: T10 Blue line
I truly ended up at this station on accident, having gotten on the mistaken Blue Ling prepare when attempting to achieve Solna Centrum. However it ended up being a cheerful accident, since this one can also be cool, with a reasonably darkish inexperienced coloration painted on the platform.
Whereas these are my picks for the most effective subway stations in Stockholm (and definitely probably the most photogenic ones), these are after all solely a handful of them!
Different stations you would possibly need to take a look at when you’ve got extra time embody:
- 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 shiny yellow)
Easy methods 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 for those who’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 possibly can positively slot in a couple of of those stations inside 75 minutes for those who 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 throughout 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 Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her house base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by means of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!
