24 June , 2025
13 C
Stockholm

Hötorget
– A Marketplace of Culture, Film, and Food

HomeStockholm UnveiledArchitectural LandmarksHötorget: Stockholm’s Market Square and Cultural Core
💡 Summary
Discover Hötorget, Stockholm’s vibrant square since the 13th century. From fresh produce and food halls to film, music, and the Nobel-linked Concert Hall—it’s a cultural feast in the city’s heart.

Hötorget: Stockholm’s historic market square

Hötorget (Haymarket), located in central Stockholm, is a vibrant market square with a rich history dating back to the 13th century. Originally established as a hay market during the reign of Magnus Ladulås in the 1200s, the square officially received its name in 1644 and has since remained an important cultural and commercial center.

Historical evolution

– 1670: The square received its first stone paving
– 1856: The hay market moved to Norrmalmstorg
– 1882-1884: The first Hötorgshallen was constructed
– 1953: The old market hall was demolished
– 1958: King Gustav VI Adolf inaugurated the new Hötorgshallen

Hötorgshallen: A culinary paradise

Hötorgshallen, located one level below street level, is a large indoor market offering a comprehensive culinary experience:

– Over 40 merchants selling a variety of products
– Diverse range of restaurants and cafes
– Notable vendors include Melanders Fisk, Hellbergs Vilt, and Fromageriet
– Systembolaget wine store on the bottom floor

For the best experience, visitors are advised to arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy a relaxed browsing experience.

Attractions around Hötorget

The area surrounding Hötorget offers a diverse array of attractions:

  • Museums and Cultural Experiences: Paradox Museum, Avicii Experience, Stockholm Concert Hall, and Kulturhuset Stadsteatern
  • Wellness: Centralbadet, a historic bathhouse
  • Historical Sites: Olof Palme Memorial Plaque
  • Entertainment: Sergel & Saga Cinemas

Hidden History: The Hötorget bomb shelter

Beneath Hötorget lies a fascinating piece of Stockholm’s history: a massive bomb shelter known as Skyddsrummet Hötorget. Constructed in 1939-1940, this underground facility was designed to protect up to 4,000 people during wartime. Today, it serves as both a civil defense facility and a public parking garage.

Greta Garbo and PUB department store

The former PUB department store, located at Hötorget, has a special connection to Hollywood icon Greta Garbo. A film director discovered Greta Garbo while she worked in PUB’s hat department in the early 1920s. The building now houses the Haymarket by Scandic hotel, preserving its historical significance.

Transportation

Hötorget is also a subway station on Stockholm’s T-Bana, featuring a unique neon lighting installation added in 1998 by artist Gun Gordillo, which preserves its retro 1950s charm.

Conclusion

Hötorget offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into Stockholm’s vibrant urban life, blending history, culture, culinary experiences, and modern attractions in the heart of the city.

🧺 Hötorget – A Marketplace in Motion
Bustling with color and character, Hötorget has been a central gathering spot in Stockholm for centuries. By day, it’s alive with vendors selling flowers, fruits, and local produce; by night, its neon signs and 20th-century cinema glow with vintage charm. Nestled between concert halls, cinemas, and modern shopping arcades, Hötorget captures the pulse of city life—where tradition meets everyday hustle. Whether you’re browsing the market or catching a film, the square is always in motion.

Attraction Info

English Hötorget Square

Swedish Hötorget

Address
📍Hötorget
🗺️Norrmalm
Getting there
🚇Hötorget (Green Line, station opens directly to the square)
🚌Bus 50, 69 – stop at “Hötorget” or nearby “Sveavägen”
🚋Not applicable
🚶‍♂️Short walk from T-Centralen and Sergels torg
🚗Easy access via commuter trains at Stockholm City
🅿️Hötorgsgaraget (entrance via Sveavägen)
Other Info
ℹ️Hötorget is a lively square known for its weekday produce market, weekend flea market, Filmstaden cinema, and surrounding food halls. A hub of urban life in central Stockholm.

Attractions nearby

Places to stay in the area

Scandic Klara
9.0

Scandic Klara

⭐ 4.0 | 📈 9.0 | 🏨 Hotel | 📍 Slöjdgatan 7, Norrmalm

Experience top service with free Wi-Fi, parking, and express check-in. Rooms offer linen service and entertainment options. Start your day with breakfast and enjoy on-site dining. Unwind at the bar, sauna, and fitness center. Vending machines provide affordable refreshments at any time.

Haymarket by Scandic
8.6

Haymarket by Scandic

⭐ 4.0 | 📈 8.6 | 🏨 Hotel | 📍 Hötorget 13-15, Norrmalm

Haymarket by Scandic offers free Wi-Fi, car hire, and concierge services to enhance your Stockholm visit. Enjoy in-room entertainment and essential amenities like cable TV and hair dryers. Start your day with a delicious breakfast and unwind at the spa. Stay healthy with the fitness center and enjoy evenings at the bar.

Best Western and hotel
8.6

Best Western and hotel

⭐ 3.5 | 📈 8.6 | 🏨 Hotel | 📍 Apelbergsgatan 40, Norrmalm

Best Western and the hotel offer seamless service with free Wi-Fi, parking, and taxi services. Smoke-free rooms feature air conditioning, TV, and coffee makers. Begin your day with a breakfast buffet and explore meal options. Relax in the sauna, steam room, and fitness center, and enjoy the shared kitchen for culinary creativity. The bar offers a vibrant social scene.

Birka Hotel
8.3

Birka Hotel

⭐ 3.0 | 📈 8.3 | 🏨 Hotel | 📍 Luntmakargatan 14, Norrmalm

Birka Hotel provides free internet, express check-in, and ticket services. Enjoy comfortable rooms with TV entertainment and essential amenities. Start your day with a complimentary breakfast and savor on-site dining options.

StockholmMuseum Map

🖼 130+ Museums & Attractions  |  🧒 Family-Friendly  |  📍 Citywide Locations

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