Västerort, Solna and Sundbyberg
Västerort [ˈvɛstərˈuʈ] is the western part of Stockholm municipality, extending far from the inner city, nearly encircling the autonomous towns Solna [ˈsoːlˈna] and Sundbyberg, just north of the Vasastan and Östermalm districts of inner Stockholm. Bromma is connected by bridges to the inner-city island Kungsholmen in the east, and to Ekerö in the south-west. The municipalities further north of those (Danderyd, Sollentuna, Järfälla, etc.) are covered in our guide to Stockholm's northern suburbs.
Understand
During the 18th and 19th centuries, men of wealth and power have built themselves palaces and manors west of Stockholm. Most of them remain as conference facilities. During the 20th century, the area was transformed from farms to suburbs, as rail, subway and light-rail lines were drawn. While Bromma and Spånga [ˈspɔŋˈa] are affluent garden cities, the areas of Järvafältet [ˈjærvaˈfɛltət] (Rinkeby, Tensta, Hjulsta) were built as part of the Million Project in 1960s and 1970s, at the subway, to provide low-cost housing. On the west coast of the lake, Blackeberg [blakəˈbærj] is a typical modernist suburb, known for the vampire film Let The Right One In. Vällingby [ˈveliŋˈbyː], built in 1954 as one of the world's first planned multi-functional suburbs, became an icon of the Swedish welfare state. Due in large part to successful co-operation between phone company Ericsson and telecom operator Telia, the Kista [ˈɕiːsta] area is a flourishing high-tech cluster, rivalling central Stockholm as the main business district.
Solna is an autonomous city containing the royal park Hagaparken, and three Royal Palaces.
Hagastaden is a neighbourhood under development in the 2020s. It is dominated by Karolinska University Hospital, attached to the Karolinska Institute, famous for selecting the Nobel Prize laureates in medicine. See Stockholm/Vasastan and Hagastaden.
Sundbyberg, nicknamed Sumpan, is Sweden's smallest municipality (kommun) by land area. The settlement grew along the rail lines, with rectangular city blocks and detached homes. It is reputed to have a higher percentage of one-person households than any other city in the world.
Get in
The typical way of getting in is by the public transport of Stockholm. Some regional trains call at Sundbyberg. See Get around below and Stockholm#Get in.
By plane
- 1 Stockholm-Bromma airport (BMA IATA). Stockholm's old airport, now primarily used for short-range flights.
Get around
- See Stockholm County#Public transit for advice on public transport.
Public transportation covers most of the region.
The metro and commuter rail lines are radial, connecting the suburbs to central Stockholm. The Tvärbanan [ˈtvæːrˈbɑːnan] light rail line from Solna through Alvik is a semi-circular line connecting to Söderort. The ride across lake Mälaren is very scenic.
- Nockebybanan connects the district of Nockeby to Alvik on the green line of the Tunnelbana. The buses heading to Drottningholm Palace call at Nockeby (although in practice, taking the bus from Brommaplan on the green line of the Tunnelbana is more efficient) and pass through the quaint garden-city of Bromma.
Highways E4 and E18 pass through the region. Traffic is usually heavy during rush hours, and major events at Friends Arena. While the suburbs are exempt from congestion tax, the bridge to central Stockholm, Tranebergsbron and the road connections between Solna and inner Stockholm have toll stations. See Stockholm#Car.
See
- 1 Hagaparken. A Royal Palace park in Solna with a rich history, open to the public, and great for picnics. The palace, Haga slott, is the residence of Crown Princess Victoria and her family. See also Swedish monarchy.
- 2 The Haga Park Museum. An indoor museum which displays the history of the Royal Park, since the 18th century. Free.
- 3 Butterfly House (Fjärilshuset). A tropical greenhouse open around the year. Except butterflies, it houses frogs, reptiles, and a large shark tank. 145 kr.
- 4 Gustav III:s pavilion. Open to the public during summer.
- 5 Norra Begravningsplatsen (The Northern Cemetery). One of Scandinavia's largest cemeteries. Among famous Swedes buried here are Prime Minister Per Albin Hansson, actress Ingrid Bergman, humanitarian Folke Bernadotte, and fin-de-siècle writer August Strindberg.
Ulriksdal Palace. - 6 Ulriksdal Palace (Ulriksdals Slott). A Royal Palace open to the public. An orangery with a collection of 18th and 19th century sculptures. A Royal theatre which is occasionally open.
- 7 Marabouparken. A sculpture park with an art hall. It was built for the Marabou chocolate factory.
- 8 Filmstaden, Greta Garbos väg 3. A studio complex for the Swedish cinema, closed down and converted into a museum in 1999. Ingmar Bergman has directed several films at the studios.
Bromma church. - 9 Bromma kyrka (Bromma church), Gliavägen 100 (Bus 117 from T Brommaplan), ☏ +46 8 37 34 48. Stockholm's oldest preserved building. It has also been voted the city's most beautiful church. The oldest part was built as a round church in the second half of the 12th century. The church contains medieval paintings from the late 15th century.
- 10 Tensta konsthall (Tensta Art Hall), Taxingegränd 10 (T Tensta), ☏ +46 8 36 07 63. Tu-Su 12:00-17:00 (closed for much of the summer). An exhibition hall in the multicultural western suburb of Tensta, opened in 1998 and has been met with much interest from critics for its contemporary art exhibitions.
- 11 Åkeshovs arboretum. A garden with exotic trees.
- 12 Akalla 4H farm (Akalla 4H-gård), Akalla by 12, ☏ +44 73 940 0498, akalla@4h.se. M-Su 08:30-15:00. The animals are out in their pastures every day of the year. In Akalla village there is in addition to 4H-farm; Café, ceramics workshop, mini golf course, playground, barbecue area and splash pond. To get really close to the animals, you can book a guided tour. Free of charge.
The Stockholm Metro is renowned for its decorations, especially the blue line, which goes into the northwestern district. Some famous stations are:
- 13 T Solna Centrum. Countryside sceneries beneath a red sky.
- 14 T Hallonbergen. Style of children's drawing.
Do
- 1 Friends Arena (Solna station (commuter rail, Tvärbanan) or 1 km walk from T-Solna Centrum). A 50,000-seat stadium for association football games and other events, opened in October 2012. The arena hosts the men's national football team, as well as AIK. As of 2015, parking and roads are undeveloped, and traffic tends to be very congested before and after events. Get to the stadium early, preferably without a car.
- 2 Ulriksdals Golfklubb.
- Several beaches for water sport, especially at Hässelby.
- Fishing is allowed in Lake Mälaren and Brunnsviken, prohibited in smaller waters.
- Brommapojkarna play their home games at Grimsta IP, Bromma (T Blackeberg). Brommapojkarna advanced to the top league in 2009.
- 3 Kistamässan (Helenelund commuter rail station). A convention center opened in 2008, hosting a broad set of events, many of them about information technology.
- 4 Solvalla (Free buses from the City Terminal and T Sundbyberg before races, or a 10-min walk from T Rissne), ☏ +46 8 635 90 00. For a day at the races, you can go to Stockholm's hippodrome Solvalla, watch trotters compete in harness racing, and place some bets. Races are held Wednesday nights and many weekends. The biggest event is the prestigious Elitloppet race at the end of May every year.
- [dead link] Solna Bowling, Gåvägen 23, Solna, ☏ +46 8-779115523, info@solnabowling.nu.
- 5 Bodyflight Stockholm, Bryggerivagen 16 B, Bromma Sweden. Indoor skydiving facility for all ages.
Buy
- 1 (Solna Station). Sweden's largest shopping mall with more than 220 shops, opened in 2015 at Friends Arena. The cinema has an IMAX theatre.
- 2 Solna Centrum (Hotellgatan Solna Centrum), Solna torg 13. M-F 10:00-19:00, Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 11:00-17:00. A baseline shopping mall for everyday needs.
- 3 Signalfabriken. An indoor-outdoor mall at the Sundbyberg station.
- 4 Vällingby Centrum (T Vällingby), Vällingby torg 32. Most stores open M-F 10:00-19:00, Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 11:00-17:00.
- 5 Kista Galleria (T Kista), Kista Galleria. 10:00-21:00 daily. Known for its late opening hours.
- 6 Rinkebystråket. A shopping street opened in 2016, known for ethnic food.
- 7 Arninge Centrum. A cluster of big-box stores with ample parking space.
Eat
Budget
The suburban centres have low-end diners.
- 1 [dead link] Tony's Pizzeria, Norrbyvägen 16 (T Bromma). An Italian restaurant serving Italian-style pizzas and BBQ kebab.
Mid-range
Splurge
- 3 Sjöpaviljongen, Tranebergs strand 4. T-Alvik, a waterfront restaurant.
- 4 [dead link] Ulriksdals Wärdshus, Ulriksdals slottspark (in the park of the Ulriksdal castle). Has high-end Swedish cuisine, and a smörgåsbord.
Drink
As most residents venture to central Stockholm for nightlife, the suburbs mostly contain local hangouts, hotel bars, and bars in shopping malls. A few places beyond the usual are:
- 1 Scandic Victoria Tower's Sky Bar, Arne Beurlings Torg 3. Though the range of drinks is limited, the 34th floor skybar is the highest in Stockholm.
- Several sport bars in Solna around the dismantled Råsunda Stadium.
Sleep
Budget
- 1 Mornington Hotel, Norrbyvägen 30, ☏ +46 8 507 332 00. A sport-business hotel near Bromma airport, with gym, massage and healthy breakfast. The airport and traffic noise at the front can be disturbing, but the hotel is at walking distance from a waterfront park. Rates from 452 kr (weekends), from 796 kr (weekdays).
- 2 Hotel Äppelviken, Västerled 14, ☏ +46 72 3345909. A self-service hotel in a quiet suburban neighbourhood. "Mini room" 495 kr, double room 995 kr.
- 3 Ängby Camping (T-bana: Ängbyplan (come out of the station, turn left, keep walking), Blackebergsvägen, ☏ +46 8 370 420, reservation@angbycamping.se. If you miss the last T-bana take night bus 198 from Sergels Torg/T-Centralen, direction Backlura, stop Ängbyplan (right next to the T-bana)) Rents out cabins, has caravan/camper van lots, and space for free camping (with plenty of shade). Spotless toilets and showers (the latter cost 10 kr). Laundry facilities, cooking facilities, internet café, mini-market which bakes its own bread and cakes every morning, small children's area. Very friendly staff who are prepared to go the extra mile to help out. A stone's throw from the campsite is Lake Mälaren with beach, bar/restaurant, crazy golf, and the campsite's own water slide. Tent place 225 kr, cabins from 450 kr.
Mid-range
- 4 ibis Styles Stockholm Järva, Vallgatan 7, ☏ +46 8 120 90 100. A relatively inexpensive hotel in an office park between the Järva Krog (motorway crossing served by buses between the Arlanda Airport and the city) and the Ulriksdal station on the local railway line between Stockholm Central station and Arlanda and Uppsala. The cheapest rooms in the hotel only have windows that face the large atrium rather than the outside, but there are no rooms with no windows as in many other cheap hotels in Stockholm. The wild colours do a good job of making the simple fit-outs look modern and welcoming. From 765 kr.
- 5 Scandic Järva Krog, Vallgatan 2, ☏ +46 8 517 345 00, jarvakrog@scandichotels.com. A Scandic hotel next door to the ibis Styles Järva. Slightly outdated and stark fitouts, but no major drawbacks. Only the superior rooms have air conditioning and coffee/tea facilities, as well as irons and a maritime-themed decor. From 931 kr.
- 6 Park Inn by Radisson Solna, Hotellgatan 11, ☏ +46 8 470 9100. The Park Inn Solna is part of the Solna Centrum and thus directly on the blue line of the T-bana. The difference between the Standard and Superior rooms is pronounced - the former are only 15 m² and fitted out as simply as possible, while the Superior rooms are 25 m² and quite modern and elegant as you would expect of a Park Inn. From 1250 kr.
- 7 Best Western Bromma, Ulvsundavägen 193, ☏ +46 8 684 48 420, info@sthlmbromma.se. At Bromma Airport. From 1165 kr.
- 8 Scandic Alvik, Gustavslundsvägen 153, ☏ +46 8 517 661 00, alvik@scandichotels.com. A waterfront hotel 4 km from central Stockholm. From 971 kr.
- 9 Scandic Victoria Tower, Arne Beurlings torg 3A, ☏ +46 8 517 533 00. A skyscraper hotel at Kistamässan at the Helenelund railway station. From 1276 kr.
- 10 StayAt Bromma, Vidängsvägen 9, ☏ +46 8 471 10 00, bromma@stayat.se. A business hotel. 1640 kr.
Splurge
- 11 Ulfsunda Slott, Margretelundsvägen 125, ☏ +46 8 704 49 40, ulfsundaslott@ulfsundaslott.se. A palace in a waterfront park, where each room is unique. rates from 1295 kr.
- 12 Hesselby Slott, Maltesholmsvägen 1, ☏ +46 20 112 22 22, bokningen@hesselbyslott.se. Hässelby Slott, a 17th-century palace. From 1595 kr.
- 13 Åkeshovs Slott, Åkeshovs gårdsväg 11, ☏ +46 8 445 80 77. Åkeshofs Slott, also a palace. From 1095 kr.
- 14 Radisson Blu Royal Park Hotel, Frösundaviks allé 15, ☏ +46 8 624 55 30, reservation.royalpark@radissonblu.com. In Hagaparken, Solna. From 1855 kr.
- 15 [dead link] Quality Hotel Friends, Råsta Strandväg 1, ☏ +46 8 705 70 00, q.friends@choice.se. Check-in: From 1282 kr. At Friends Arena.
Stay safe
Some suburbs along the blue line (Rinkeby, Tensta, Husby) have a reputation for crime. While incidents do happen, visitors who do not look for trouble are usually safer than in central Stockholm.
The main risk is traffic, in particular animal collisions.
Connect
Cope
- 1 Karolinska, Karolinska vägen. A well-reputed hospital in Solna.
| Routes through Västerort, Solna and Sundbyberg |
| Uppsala ← Arlanda Airport ← Norrort ← | N  S |
→ Vasastan → Central Stockholm |