Stockholm: top 8 most beautiful metro stations

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is known for its old town (Gamla Stan), its archipelago and its massive park (Djurgården). However, not everyone has heard of the city’s metro stations, many of which are uniquely decorated. A few of them stand out with truly original artistic concept and are clearly worth a visit.

Since the 1950s, city’s public transport organization, SL, has hired (mainly Swedish) artists to decorate its metro stations. Murals, sculptures, mosaics, installations, engravings, reliefs… Each station cultivates a unique artistic concept and expresses its own identity. Out of 110 stations, 90 have been decorated by artists. It is said that the subway system in Stockholm is the largest art gallery in the world.

Hopping from station to station feels like a treasure hunt, searching for works of art while exploring an extraordinary underground museum. Sweden’s own interpretation of street art. 
 
Here is our countdown of Stockholm’s 8 most beautiful metro stations. Don’t forget to check out our detailed itinerary at the end of the article, for an easy guide to exploring these places yourself.

8. Mörby Centrum

The last stop on the red line, north of Stockholm. A tiled, multi-colored wall stands out against the rest of the station, painted in muted colors – cream and pink, or white and green, depending on where you stand on the platform. Artists Gösta Wessel and Karin Ek decided to shine a light on the textured station walls, and paint the shadows – first on one side, then on the other. The goal was to illustrate the ever-evolving nature of travel by varying the color palette.

7. Odenplan

A total of 400 meters of neon lights are hanging from the ceiling above the escalator leading from the platforms for the pendeltåg (suburban train) to the Vanadisvägen exit. Artist David Svensson was inspired by the fetal heart monitor that was used during the birth of his son.

6. Kungsträdgården, on the blue line 

The current last stop on the blue line. The geometric patterns on the floors and ceilings are inspired by the interior of a palace that once stood above the station – it was built in 1643 and was destroyed by a fire in 1825.

The color palette (green, red and white) is in reference to the palace gardens, and the statues around the station are replicas of those once found in the palace.

5. Tekniska Högskolan, on the red line 

Tekniska Högskolan station was built for the students and professors at Stockholm’s technical university. The entire metro station pays tribute to scientific advances and discoveries. The 5 polyhedrons on the ceiling, representing the 5 platonic solids, were particularly striking to us. The artistic concept was created by Swedish artist Lennart Mörk.

4. Thorildsplan, on the green line 

As one of the rare overground metro stations in central Stockholm, Thorildsplan was built in the 1950s. In 2008, artist Lars Arrhenius was given free rein to decorate the station, on the condition that he used tiling. He was inspired by the pixelated esthetic of 80s video games.

3. T-Centralen 

T-Centralen (Tunnelbana-Centralen, meaning “metro central”) is at the intersections of every one of the city’s subway lines. Around the platforms for the blue line, the blue and white murals by painter Per Olof Ultvedt depict ears of wheat, flowers, and climbing vines. We loved the soothing feel of the painted motifs.

2. Stadion, on the red line 

One of the first “grotto” stations of Stockholm’s metro system, dating back to the 1970s. In order the counterbalance the dark and gloomy aspect of this underground space, artists Åke Pallasp and Enno Hallek painted a vast blue sky and bright rainbow on the walls and ceiling, so that travelers would have positive connotations with the station.

1. Rådhuset, on the blue line

Like many of Stockholm’s underground stations, Rådhuset (City Hall) was dug out of the rocky ground beneath the city. Unlike the other stations however, the rough and raw feel has been voluntarily preserved here. The walls are painted a deep ochre color, and the addition of massive pillars makes it look like they are bearing the ceiling of an ancient cave. The concept, created by Sigvard Olsson, is our favorite.

The atmosphere at Rådhuset is unique. It felt like we had ended up in an entirely different place, somewhere out of time, in an ancient temple fare beneath City Hall. We were fascinated by the almost glowing, incandescent color of the walls, and the monumental pillars. 

Our itinerary

Starting at Kungsträdgården, this route allows you to easily explore the 8 stations on our list:
 
• On the blue line (towards Hjulsta or Akalla), start from Kungsträdgården, then go on to  T-Centralen and Rådhuset.

• Change to the green line at Fridhemsplan (towards Hässelby Strand, Åkeshov, or Alvik): get off at Thorildsplan, then take the metro back in the opposite direction (towards Farsta, Skarpnäck, or Hagsätra) to Odenplan. Follow the signs to “pendeltåg” (suburban trains) and continue towards the exit marked Vanadisvägen. After taking your pictures, turn back where you came from and hop on the metro, still on the green line (towards Farsta).
 
• Change to the red line at T-Centralen and get off at Mörby Centrum (end of the line) then take the metro back in the opposite direction (towards Fruängen). Get off at Tekniska Högskolan, and finally at Stadion.

The whole itinerary takes between 2.5 and 3 hours.

Don’t miss our full article about Stockholm