Riddarholmen Island

Address: Riddarholmen, 111 28 Stockholm, Sweden

Hours: Open 24 hours

Admission: Free (public island)

Riddarholmen is a small islet in central Stockholm, part of the Old Town district and home to several historic buildings and the island’s namesake church. It functions today as a compact historic quarter within the city centre.

Prominent features include the medieval Riddarholmen Church, the burial church for many Swedish monarchs, and a row of former palaces and mansions along the waterfront that reflect Stockholm’s historic urban elite. The islet offers close views of waterfront architecture and skyline views back toward Gamla stan and central Stockholm.

The site developed across the medieval and early modern periods as noble residences and ecclesiastical buildings; many structures were later repurposed for administrative or cultural uses. Preservation emphasizes the island’s historic fabric and monumentally important church.

Riddarholmen sits immediately west of Stockholm’s Gamla stan in central Stockholm County. The islet is connected by bridges and is a short walk from the central station and other downtown attractions.

• Accessibility: The islet is connected to central Stockholm by bridges and is within walking distance of Gamla stan, making it very accessible for short visits.

What to See#

• Riddarholmen Church: A medieval brick church on the islet that serves as the royal burial church for many Swedish monarchs, with parts of the building dating to the late 13th century.
• Palaces and waterfront buildings: A collection of historic palaces and former noble townhouses lining the waterfront, many repurposed for government offices and private uses.

Riddarholmen is a small island immediately adjacent to Gamla Stan in central Stockholm. Take the Stockholm Tunnelbana (metro) to Gamla Stan or a commuter train to Stockholm Central and walk across the Riddarholmsbron/Vasabron bridges - it’s roughly a 5-10 minute walk from those central stations. Cars can reach the island via the city streets leading onto Riddarholmsbron, but parking is very limited.

• Visit early in the morning on a weekday to enjoy calm light for photos of the old church spire and the surrounding city skyline while avoiding the biggest tour-group rush from Gamla stan.
• Approach on foot from Gamla stan via the bridges from Stadsholmen - the island is compact so the main sights (Riddarholmskyrkan and the burial monuments) are easiest to reach from the southern pedestrian bridges.
• Don't just pass through the waterfront promenades; pause at the western quays for unobstructed views across Riddarfjärden toward Stadshuset and to catch reflections on still water, a viewpoint many visitors skip.