Monteliusvägen is a narrow footpath along the northern cliffs of Södermalm, on the ridge known as Mariaberget, and it is the most loved viewpoint in the city. It is only a little over four hundred metres long, runs behind a row of old wooden houses and gardens, and has benches at intervals where Stockholmers stop to look out across Riddarfjärden, the bay between Södermalm and the city. From the path you see City Hall on its point on Kungsholmen, the green spire of Riddarholmen Church, the roofs and towers of Gamla Stan and, in the background, the Royal Palace. The scene changes completely with the light: pale and clear on a winter morning, copper and pink at sunset, and sparkling with the lamps of the old town after dark. It is free, it is open all day and it asks for nothing more than a short walk uphill from the Hornsgatan area. There is no ticket, no queue and no gift shop, which is much of its charm. It is also the best place in the city to understand how Stockholm is laid out, with its islands, bridges and bays all visible at once.
How to find it
The path is small and is not marked on every map. From Central Station, cross the bridge to Södermalm and walk up Hornsgatan, then turn up Bellmansgatan towards the cliff. The path runs east along the top, with the old wooden houses of Mariaberget on one side and the view on the other. It takes a few minutes to walk end to end, but most people linger for half an hour or more.
When to go
Sunset is the classic time, and in summer the light lingers late into the evening. A crisp, clear morning also works beautifully, with fewer people. In winter the path is not cleared of snow or ice, so it can be very slippery between about December and March; wear shoes with proper grip and take care on the slope.
Make an outing of it
Bring a flask and a fika treat from a bakery on Hornsgatan, or finish with dinner in the cafes and restaurants around Mariatorget a few minutes away. A second viewpoint, Fjällgatan, lies farther east along the same ridge and looks over the harbour and Djurgården. Combined with Gamla Stan and City Hall, which you can see from here, Monteliusvägen gives you a free hour that is one of the most memorable of the trip.
A note on the surroundings
The wooden houses along the path are the remains of a poorer, quieter Södermalm, a working-class area of small cottages that survived while much of the rest of the district was rebuilt, and the gardens in front of them are tended with obvious affection. Please keep your voice down, as people live here. The neighbourhood around Mariatorget has some of the city's best independent cafes, bakeries and vintage shops, and the park at the square is a pleasant place to rest.
If you are visiting in summer, the evening light on the water can last until after ten, and the benches along the path are rarely empty, so arrive a little before sunset to claim one.
What to expect
The experience
A short, free cliff-top walk with benches and a panoramic view of the old town, City Hall and the water.
Best time
Sunset or a clear morning; in winter, midday for the best light and safest footing.
How long
Half an hour to an hour, longer with fika or dinner nearby.
Tips
Wear shoes with grip in winter, bring a warm drink and walk on to Fjällgatan for a second view.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers, couples and anyone who wants the postcard view of Stockholm without paying for it.
- Families
- An easy, short walk with a view; take care with small children near the edge.
- Couples
- Sunset with a thermos of coffee, then dinner around Mariatorget.
- Pair with
- Gamla Stan and a stay or meal around Mariatorget.
- Time needed
- Under an hour.
Good questions
Is Monteliusvägen free?+
Yes, it is a public footpath open at all hours with no ticket or fee.
What can you see from Monteliusvägen?+
City Hall, Riddarholmen Church, Gamla Stan and the Royal Palace across the water of Riddarfjärden.
How do I get to Monteliusvägen?+
Walk up Hornsgatan from the Slussen and Mariatorget area and turn up Bellmansgatan; it is a short uphill walk.
When is the best time to go?+
Sunset, or a clear morning for fewer people. The light lasts late in summer.
Is Monteliusvägen safe in winter?+
It is not cleared of snow and ice, so it can be slippery between December and March; wear shoes with good grip.
