5 Unique Event Venues in Stockholm

Planners considering bringing their groups to the Nordics need look no further than Sweden's capital. Built on 14 islands connected by more than 50 bridges, the city offers an eclectic mix of meeting space in a stunning location long praised for its sustainability.

Choose from modern, trendy venues to wellness-focused spaces, but be sure to save time in the agenda for one-of-a-kind team building activities like ice sculpting. Following are some of Stockholm's most unique offerings for groups.

1. Nordic Light Hotel

This 169-room property is just down the street from Stockholm Central Station. A top-to-bottom renovation was completed in 2017 with a design focus on the concept of light. Planners have 5,600 square feet of event space at their disposal at Nordic Light Hotel. This includes 14 meeting rooms, with light-inspired names such as Lumine, Halo, Lux and Prisma.

The largest room, Spectra, can hold up to 150 theater-style, while the smallest, Aurora, can accommodate eight people for a boardroom meeting. Three of the rooms are orb-shaped, glassed-in spaces that make for inspiring, bright venues for conducting business.

2. Yasuragi 

Further out on the Stockholm archipelago is Yasuragi, an authentic Japanese spa and hotel. All 191 guest rooms feature a tranquil, Japanese design with views of the surrounding forests and archipelago.

The sprawling bathhouse includes hot springs, saunas, carbon baths, cold springs and more. A variety of activities are hosted throughout the day, such as breath work, sound healing, yoga, origami and Kendo martial arts. All guests are given a bathing suit and a yukata (a traditional Japanese cotton robe) to wear on the property.

Yasuragi offers 23 meeting rooms — the largest of which can accommodate up to 400 attendees. Smaller rooms are designed for groups of two to eight people. Event organizers are encouraged to infuse wellness elements throughout the agenda. For example, planners can invite attendees to visit the saunas and spa in the morning, so they are refreshed and ready to learn in afternoon sessions. Zen and movement meditation breaks can also be added to improve concentration and memory capacity. While not required, participants can wear their yukata during the meeting for a fully immersive experience.

3. Fotografiska

Opened in 2010, Fotografiska is a contemporary museum that celebrates photography, art and culture. The historic brick building originally operated as a customs warehouse in the Stockholm harbor. It now features a rotating calendar of exhibits.

From board meetings and conferences to product launches and sales kick offs, Fotografiska welcomes groups of all sizes. Its largest venue, Anne, is 4,200 square feet and can accommodate 500 people for a cocktail event or 250 in theater-style seating. Ellen offers an additional 4,000 square feet, while smaller rooms named Nick and David can hold between 12 to 40 guests. A variety of dining outlets are also available. Fotografiska's plant-based restaurant has been awarded a Michelin Guide green star for being at the forefront of sustainable cooking.

4. ICEBAR at Hotel C Stockholm

For groups looking to enjoy a slice of arctic life without the hassle of traveling to the northern, remote areas of Sweden, the ICEBAR is a must. The bar is located inside Hotel C Stockholm, which offers 367 guest rooms and sits just steps away from its sister property Nordic Light Hotel and the Stockholm Central Station.

The ICEBAR is rebuilt each year with a new design theme using 40 tons of natural ice from the Torne River in northern Sweden. The space, which can accommodate up to 60 people, is kept at a chilly 23 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure the ice doesn't melt. Upon arrival, guests are outfitted in ponchos and gloves to keep them warm.

Colorful cocktails are served in glasses made entirely from ice. Menu standouts include the Northern Star made with whiskey, cinnamon and apple juice. Fika Time, which pays homage to the Swedish culture of coffee breaks, features a mix of coffee liqueur, amaretto, vanilla and milk.

Planners can book an ice sculpting session to treat their attendees to a unique team building experience. For the activity, groups of 10 to 40 people are paired off into teams of two and must work together to turn blocks of ice into art. An ice artist guides attendees through the sculpting session, which runs between 45 to 60 minutes.

5. Stockholm Under the Stars

One of only a handful of five-star properties in the city, At Six offers 343 guest rooms and more than 30,000 square feet of sleek, modern event space ranging from conference and boardrooms to a podcast studio and a music lounge. But its best-kept secret is the rooftop park, aptly named Stockholm Under the Stars.

Spanning nearly 13,000 square feet, the rooftop features 360-degree views of the Stockholm skyline along with restaurants, bars, a DJ booth and an outdoor movie area. Two private glass conservators, the Molnet and the Garden, can host 40 and 70 people respectively. Both have their own bars, as well as heating for winter use and removable roofs for stargazing in the summer.