The Avicii Arena, formerly the Ericsson Globe and still known to locals as Globen, is one of the largest spherical buildings in the world, a huge white dome that has dominated the southern skyline since it opened in 1989 and was renamed in honour of the late Tim Bergling, known as Avicii. SkyView turns the building itself into the attraction. Small glass gondolas travel on rails up the outside of the curved roof to the top, roughly one hundred and thirty metres above sea level, pause there, and glide back down. The ride is slow and smooth, the gondola is enclosed, and the climb gives a gradual change of view that feels very different from a lookout tower. From the top you see the pale fretwork of Södermalm and the bridges to the old town, the water of Saltsjön, the green edges of Djurgården and, on a clear day, the outer fringe of the archipelago and the forests around the city. The ticket is for a ride of about twenty-five minutes with a small group, so it is a short, concentrated experience rather than a half-day visit, and it pairs well with a spare hour on the south side of the city.
Making the most of it
Pick a clear day and a time close to sunset if you can, since the light on the water and the lamps coming on across the city are the best of the ride. Cameras and phones do well through the glass, but a polarising filter or a dark jacket held against the window helps cut reflections. Dress for the weather on the ground, as you queue in the open before boarding.
Getting there
Globen is a short ride on the metro from the centre, on the green line, and the arena sits right beside the station, so the journey takes about ten minutes from T-Centralen. Rides can pause in high winds and storms, so keep a little flexibility in your plans and check on the day.
Pairing
The arena area has a shopping mall and cafes for a warm-up in winter, and the Avicii Experience in the city centre makes a natural companion for anyone interested in the music of Tim Bergling. For a free alternative that suits a different mood, walk the cliff path of Monteliusvägen on Södermalm, which looks back at the old town and City Hall rather than out across the whole city.
Context
The dome behind the ride is a landmark in its own right, a vast white sphere on the southern edge of the city that hosts concerts, ice hockey and large events throughout the year, and the gondola was added to give visitors a way to see the building from the outside as well as the city from above. On the way up you also pass the curve of the roof close enough to appreciate the scale of the structure.
If you like to plan your photographs, note that the south and west views are best in the afternoon, while the old town and the central islands are lit most prettily around sunset. A visit makes a good short stop after lunch or before an evening concert at the arena, and the metro back to the centre is quick.
What to expect
The experience
A ride of about twenty-five minutes in a small enclosed gondola that travels up the outside of the arena dome and back, with views over the whole city.
Best time
Late afternoon on a clear day, timed for sunset; winter evenings are especially pretty with the city lights.
How long
About 25 minutes on the ride, plus time for the metro journey and the queue.
Tips
Check the weather and wind on the day, dress for the open-air queue and press the camera lens to the glass to avoid reflections.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants a big-picture view of Stockholm and a different angle on the city.
- Families
- A short, exciting ride that suits most children, though small groups and heights may not suit the very nervous.
- Couples
- A sunset ride followed by dinner back in the city.
- Pair with
- The Avicii Experience or a walk along Monteliusvägen for a second viewpoint.
- Time needed
- One hour on site, two hours with the journey.
Good questions
What is SkyView in Stockholm?+
A gondola ride up the outside of the arena dome, known as Globen and now the Avicii Arena, to a viewing point at the top.
How long is the SkyView ride?+
The ticket covers a ride of about twenty-five minutes, taken in a small group.
How do I get to SkyView?+
Take the green metro line to Globen station, which is beside the arena, about ten minutes from the centre.
Does SkyView run in bad weather?+
It operates most of the year but can pause in high winds or storms, so check on the day.
Is SkyView the best view of Stockholm?+
It is the widest panorama, though free viewpoints such as Monteliusvägen show the old town and City Hall more closely.
