If you're going to Stockholm, be sure to set aside some time to spend underground.

This may seem like strange advice, especially in a city that's as visually appealing as Stockholm. But I promise that there's a good reason for you to spend some time underground.

And that reason is Stockholm's art-covered subway stations.

There are 100 subway stations on Stockholm's Tunnelbana (T-bana) system, and roughly 90 of them have some sort of artwork in them – making the Stockholm subway system one of the longest art exhibits in the world.

While some stations may only have sculptures or engravings or the odd mosaic, others are completely decked out in striking murals and paints.

After spending some time in Stockholm hopping from station to station, here are my picks for the best subway stations in Stockholm.

The best metro stations in Stockholm

Stockholm's metro system opened in 1950, and many of the stations were painted in the 1970s. Here are my favorite Stockholm metro stations I think you should see for yourself!

1. T-centralen

Line: All lines (but especially the blue lines)

T-centralen is Stockholm's Central Station, where all the lines in the city converge (it's also where the Arlanda Express airport train travels in/out of, as well as other regional trains). And it has some of my favorite subway artwork.

On the red and green line platforms, you'll find a wall covered in colorful glass prisms.

And down below on the blue line platforms, you'll find a series of white-and-blue murals. On the upper level are silhouettes of workers – welders, carpenters, steel workers, engineers, miners – to honor the men who built the subway.

Below, where the trains are, you'll find a vine motif that looks like it's growing up the walls and across the tunnel ceiling. The artwork here is by Per Olof Ultvedt.

I won't lie – I went back to this station more than once for photos!

2. Solna Centrum

Line: T11, Blue line

Chances are you may have seen photos of this station before. One of the escalators leading down to the trains at Solna Centrum has been nicknamed “the Gates to Hell” because of the assaulting red and black paint on what looks like natural stone.

The rest of the station looks slightly less sinister, with green trees and various animals and nature scenes. The artwork here is by Karl-Olov Björk and Anders Åberg.

You've likely seen photos of this station before, and I definitely do think it's one of the best subway stations in Stockholm for photos because it's so dramatic!

3. Stadion

Line: T14, Red line

I'm not sure you could go to this station and not be happy. The main color here is a sky blue, and there are rainbows everywhere – including one massive one stretching across the tunnel in between platforms.

The artists, Enno Hallek and Åke Pallarp, designed the station to commemorate the 1912 Stockholm Olympics (the rainbows represent the Olympic rings).

And even though Solna Centrum might be more “famous,” I think Stadion was actually my favorite Stockholm station to take pictures of.

4. Kungsträdgården

Line: T10 and T11, Blue line

This station – the King's Garden – is painted in greens and reds and checkered patterns, designed by Ulrik Samuelson.

Along with the bright colors, you'll also find a mini archaeological museum here (near the Arsenalsgatan exit) with Roman columns and stone sculptures. The items are remnants from Makalös Palace, which once stood above where the station is today.

5. Rådhuset

Line: T10 and T11, Blue line

Stockholm's City Hall station (Rådhuset means City Hall) is very cave-like, with reddish-orange walls and a nod to the courthouse above with large cement pillars. The artist here was Sigvard Olson.

(And while this photo may make the station look similar to Solna Centrum, it's a quite different color in person!)

6. Tekniska Högskolan

Line: T14, Red line

Just past Stadion on the T14 Red Line, the Tekniska Högskolan station is home to a few sculptures and some cool ceiling artwork by Lennart Mörk. Worth a stop!

7. Huvudsta

Line: T10 Blue line

I actually ended up at this station on accident, having gotten on the wrong Blue Ling train when trying to reach Solna Centrum. But it ended up being a happy accident, since this one is also cool, with a pretty dark green color painted on the platform.

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While these are my picks for the best subway stations in Stockholm (and certainly the most photogenic ones), these are of course only a handful of them!

Other stations you might want to check out if you have more time include:

• Alby (with a green-based design inspired by local petroglyphs)
• Thorildsplan (which has pixelated, video-game-inspired designs)
• Hötorget (with squiggly neon lights on the ceiling)
• Tensta (which has cave-painting-esque designs)
• Akalla (which is bright yellow)

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How to see the Stockholm subway stations

A 24-hour pass on the Stockholm metro costs 175 SEK ($17 USD), and a 72-hour pass is 350 SEK ($34 USD). These passes also work on buses, trams, and ferries in Stockholm, and are a good idea if you're staying for a bit in the city.

A single journey metro ticket (purchased from a ticket machine or the SL app) runs 42 SEK ($4 USD), and is good to use as much as you want for 75 minutes from purchase. You could definitely fit in a few of these stations within 75 minutes if you don't plan to use the metro enough to warrant buying a travel card.

I recommend making your DIY tour of the Stockholm metro stations during the day on a weekday for the fewest crowds, though in the evening after rush hour has ended also works!

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Who's ready to spend some time underground in Stockholm?

 

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