Hötorget
– A Marketplace of Culture, Film, and Food

Hötorget (Haymarket), located in the heart of central Stockholm, is one of the city’s most vibrant and enduring squares. With roots dating back to the 13th century, it has long been a hub of commerce, culture, and everyday life. Originally a hay market under King Magnus Ladulås, the square officially received its current name in 1644 and has remained an iconic meeting place ever since.

Historical Evolution

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

Hötorgshallen: A Culinary Paradise

One level below street level, Hötorgshallen offers a rich culinary experience with more than 40 merchants. Here you’ll find:

• Specialty vendors like Melanders Fisk, Hellbergs Vilt, and Fromageriet
• Restaurants and cafés from around the world
• A Systembolaget wine and spirits store on the bottom floor

For the best experience, visit early in the morning before the lunchtime rush—perfect for browsing and sampling Stockholm’s food culture at a relaxed pace.

Attractions Around Hötorget

• 🎭 Paradox Museum – Interactive illusions and mind-bending fun for all ages.
• 🎶 Stockholm Concert Hall – The neoclassical blue landmark, home to the Nobel Prize ceremonies.
• 📚 Kulturhuset Stadsteatern – A cultural hub with exhibitions, theater, and libraries right by Sergels Torg.
• 🛁 Centralbadet – A historic art nouveau bathhouse offering spa and wellness treatments.
• 🎬 Sergel & Saga Cinemas – Classic Stockholm cinemas, still buzzing with life.
• 🕊️ Olof Palme Memorial Plaque – A sobering landmark commemorating the assassination of Sweden’s Prime Minister in 1986.

Greta Garbo and the PUB Department Store

Hötorget is also tied to Hollywood legend Greta Garbo. In the early 1920s, she worked in the hat department of the historic PUB department store on the square. It was here that film director Erik A. Petschler discovered her—changing cinematic history forever. Today, the building lives on as the stylish Haymarket by Scandic hotel, honoring its glamorous past.

Transportation

Hötorget is a stop on Stockholm’s T-Bana metro line. Its station is known for its retro 1950s design and colorful neon light installation by artist Gun Gordillo (added in 1998), which still glows with vintage charm today.

Conclusion

Hötorget is far more than just a square. It’s a dynamic crossroads of food, culture, history, and everyday life in Stockholm. From bustling markets and hidden bomb shelters to Garbo’s rise from clerk to star, Hötorget captures the pulse of the city—always evolving, always alive.