The Eras Tour Chronicle | Sweden & Portugal Edition
Here you'll find everything you need to know to plan a trip to Sweden & Portugal.
Background:
With the announcement of Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour international dates in the summer of 2023, we were quick to sign up for all of the verified fan pre-sales for her European leg kick off in May 2024. Luckily, we scored a few pre-sale opportunities and took a chance at tickets for the first city pre-sale that we received, which ended up being Stockholm, Sweden. While we had no intentions of going to Sweden before this, we were lucky enough to score floor tickets to 2 of her shows during her weekend stop in Stockholm (floor night 1 & floor night 3 VIP). We also received confirmation that we scored a pre-sale code for her show the following weekend in Lisbon, Portugal so we took it as a chance to explore 2 new countries in 1 grand trip! We were lucky again and scored tickets for night 1 in Lisbon (this time up in the 300-level section VIP).
The whole trip spanned across 11 days - Wednesday (5/15/2024) - Sunday (5/26/2024). Most of the time was spend in Sweden with 3 days spent in Portugal.
About:
Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden, built across 14 islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea. Known for its colorful historic center, Scandinavian design, waterfront views, and deep connection to nature, Stockholm offers a perfect blend of old-world charm and modern Nordic culture. As the gateway to Sweden, the city provides an ideal introduction to exploring the country’s unique landscapes, traditions, and relaxed way of life.
Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal, located along the Tagus River on the country’s western coast. Known for its colorful tiled buildings, historic neighborhoods, iconic viewpoints, and vibrant food scene, Lisbon blends centuries of history with a lively modern atmosphere. As one of Europe’s oldest cities, it serves as the perfect starting point for exploring Portugal’s coastal landscapes, charming towns, and rich cultural heritage.
Day | Destination | Highlights |
1–2 | Stockholm | Arrival, Barry's, exploring local neighborhood |
3 | Stockholm | Norrmalm, city center, Eras Tour Night 1 |
4 | Stockholm | Gamla Stan, Södermalm, Hornstulls Market |
5 | Stockholm | Relaxing day, Eras Tour Night 3 |
6 | Stockholm | Walking tour, Vasa Museum, Restaurant Tradition |
7 | Stockholm → Lisbon | Skansen, Rosendals Trädgård, evening flight |
8 | Lisbon | Historic center, Time Out Market, Esperanto |
9 | Sintra & Azenhas do Mar | Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Atlantic coast |
10 | Lisbon | Brunch, Eras Tour Night 1 |
11 | Stockholm | Return to Sweden, Meatballs for the People |
Trip Snapshot
📅 Dates: May 15–26, 2024
🌍 Countries: Sweden & Portugal
🏙️ Cities: Stockholm, Lisbon, Sintra, Azenhas do Mar
✈️ Flights: Chicago → Stockholm → Lisbon → Stockholm → Chicago
🚗 Rental Car: Sweden only
🚶 Best Day Trip: Sintra + Azenhas do Mar
🍽️ Favorite Restaurant: Esperanto
💰 Total Cost: ~$2,800 per person (including concerts)
Booking our Flights, Stays, & Car Rental
Shortly after securing tickets to The Eras Tour, we immediately arranged our travel and stay to lock it in. Prices skyrocketed after the announcement of the European leg, so we knew we had to get arrangements made pretty quickly. We booked roundtrip flights from Chicago to Stockholm through Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) for $590.85 USD per person, and from Stockholm to Lisbon through TAP Air Portugal for $173.72 USD each, rather than a multi-city itinerary, since it was significantly cheaper.
We arranged for a car in Stockholm via Expedia since we could only find an Airbnb outside the city that was in our budget and that could accommodate all 4 of us with 2 separate bedrooms. Having a rental car made more sense economically than paying the hefty train ticket from the airport to downtown x4 people. It might make more sense if you were a solo traveler to take the train. Be sure to do research ahead of time to find the best scenario for you!
Due to the way we broke up our trip, we needed to secure 2 separate stays in Stockholm and 1 stay in Lisbon. For our 1st stay in Stockholm, we found a nice Airbnb roughly 30 minutes south of the city center near Huddinge. While not ideal, the location ended up working out great for us. We were only a 15-minute walk to a major train station that could easily take us downtown where all the action was. Each ride was roughly $4 USD and could be purchased at the gate. Trains were also very reliable and came often.
Our stay in Lisbon was near the National Pantheon. I would consider this a perfect location that allows for unique opportunities to get to walk through various neighborhoods on the way to key sights. The historic heart and soul of the city, Alfama, is roughly a 20-minute walk.
For our final stay (Stockholm Part 2), we decided to stay near the airport in a hotel designed for those that need to catch an early flight. The airport is roughly 40 minutes away from the city, so it made the most sense for to stay close.
Day 1-2: The 1st Leg Begins [Sweden]
The adventure officially began when we boarded our overnight flight on Wednesday, with a layover in Copenhagen. By Thursday afternoon, we were finally in Sweden, exhausted but ready to explore. We quickly made our way to the car rental facility and headed to our stay.
We had (perhaps prematurely) booked a Barry's workout class for the evening we arrived. After checking in at Huddinge, we changed quickly and headed back into the city, running on caffeine and adrenaline after basically no sleep. Looking back, I would not recommend this — but as self-proclaimed Barry’s tourism gays, we couldn’t pass up the chance to take a class in Sweden. Before calling it a night, we grabbed a quick bite at Falloumi.
Day 3: Exploring City Center & The Eras Tour | Stockholm Night 1
The next day after our arrival was the moment we had been waiting for several years. It was finally our turn to see the queen herself! It also happened to be Maggie's 27th birthday - what a great way to spend it!
Prior to the concert, we spent the morning exploring central Stockholm (Norrmalm region). Key points of interest included:
Stockholm Central Station - lively atmosphere with several shops in and around the building
Drottninggatan Street & Kungsgatan Street - window shopping
Hötorget - a town square overlooked by a theater & movie house, with a bronze sculpture & Sunday flea market
Socker Sucker - a unique bakery / patisserie where no detail is spared
Before we knew it, it was time to hop back on the train and head to Friends Arena, where Taylor Swift was set to perform for the first time in her career. Since this blog is focused on the journey and the places we explored, I won’t dive too deep into the concert itself here — but I’ve included all the key details and highlights at the bottom of this post for anyone who wants to relive the magic.
Exploring Stockholm & attending N1 of The Eras Tour
Day 4: Gamla Stan & Södermalm
After a magical, long night, we decided to take the next day lighter. The agenda for the day? Explore pieces of the Old Town (Gamla Stan) & venture to the nearby island, Södermalm.
What makes Stockholm so unique is its historic Old Town. Gamla Stan, is the medieval heart of the city and was founded in the 13th century. It is Europe's best-preserved medieval center with narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and home to iconic sites like the Royal Palace, Nobel Price Museum, and Stortorget Square. So much history and preservation all kept in this compacted island.
We took the train to Gamla Stan and began the day with an iced latte and cinnamon roll from Chokladkoppen, of course! Then our self-guided walking tour began. We had already planned for a free-walking tour of Old Town later in the week, so we tried to miss key points that would be covered during that tour and opted to explore the below:
Starting in Stortorget (oldest square)
Nobel Prize Museum (didn't enter)
Getting lost in the narrow streets & window shopping
Västerlånggatan
Järntorget
On the walk over from Gamla Stan to Södermalm, you'll get the opportunity to walk through one of the prettiest views of the city. Monteliusvägen has plenty of observation decks overlooking Stockholm, Gamla Stan, and the water. You’re perched high above the city, surrounded by a quaint little park.
With it being a weekend day, we knew we wanted to grab some lunch from a summer market, Hornstulls Marknad, on Södermalm. The unique thing about this market is that there are tons of food trucks and plenty of shopping opportunities for vintage looks, second-hand clothing, and local art. If you're in the city on a weekend over the summer, be sure to make a pit-stop!
With a full stomach and tired legs from walking all over the city, we hopped on some electric scooters and rode back to Gamla Stan to do a little more exploring before calling it a night. We enjoyed the water views along Skeppsbron Street and parked the scooters near The Royal Palace. We enjoyed the fresh air as we sat along the water with our feet dangling. As the sun began to set, we headed to Pharmarium for a nice cocktail. Here we met some fellow Swifites here for the weekend and even traded some friendship bracelets.
Our day exploring Gamla Stan & Södermalm
Day 5: The Eras Tour | Stockholm Night 3
By the time Sunday rolled around, we were completely wiped, so we took the day easy and saved our energy for our 2nd night at the Eras Tour. And honestly, it was exactly what we needed. See Our Experience @ Taylor Swift's | The Eras Tour for more information.
Day 6: Free Walking Tour & Museum Visit
A new day means a new adventure! This time, we were embarking on one of Stockholm's Free Walking Tours. Our tour was broader and explored the city as a whole versus focusing only on the Old Town or New City areas. There are plenty of free walking tour options out there - just be sure to leave a nice tip afterwards! Key areas covered on this tour included:
Riddarholm Church
Birger Jarls Square
House of Nobility
Priest’s Street
The Royal Palace
Parliament House
Gustav Adolfs Torg
Royal Swedish Opera House
King's Garden
Berzelii Park
Raoul Wallenbergs Torg
Norrmalmstorg
Royal Dramatic Theatre
After the tour, we still had some energy to keep exploring. We strolled along the water on Strandvägen Street making our way to the island of Djurgården. The main attractions on this island include the Vasa Museum and the Skansen Open-Air Museum, which was on our itinerary for the next day (Day 7)!
The Vasa Museum is a maritime museum that displays the only almost fully intact 17th-century ship that sank in 1628. No need to rush to purchase a ticket beforehand as we were able to walk right in. Take your time to read all about this historic ship!
The day ended at one of our favorite restaurants in Stockholm, Restaurant Tradition! This place is CASH ONLY so be sure to find an ATM. When in Stockholm, you must try their Swedish meatballs, of course! I highly recommend making a reservation in advance. We were fortunate to stumble across this place and get a table. The people behind us got turned away. 10/10... no notes on this meal.
Sights on the Stockholm Walking Tour & Dinner
Day 7: Saying Goodbye to Stockholm | Transfer to Lisbon, Portugal
Our last day in Stockholm brought us back to Djurgården.
Fabrique - a local bakery / cafe chain. We were specifically going to this location as it was along the water
Skansen Open-Air Museum - the oldest open-air museum and zoo in Sweden. It is a unique museum showcasing the whole of Sweden with houses and farmsteads from every part of the country. There is so much to explore here! Take your time to enjoy it.
Rosendals Trädgård - a beautiful garden showcasing vegetables, fruits, and flowers with a greenhouse cafe. We planned to end our day here with a lunch at a picnic table in the garden. They have lunch served in the greenhouse cafe but note, there are no reservations! They also have a farm shop and artisan bakery on site.
Before we knew it, it was time to drop off our rental car and prepare for our next leg of the journey, which was in Lisbon, Portugal! Our flight landed at night, so we made our way to our Airbnb and got some rest before our sightseeing began.
A day spent in nature
Day 8: Leg 2 Begins [Portugal]
After a late arrival the night before, our first full day in Lisbon felt like stepping into a completely different world. We traded Stockholm’s clean Scandinavian streets for colorful buildings, tiled facades, steep hills, and the constant sound of the city’s iconic yellow trams climbing through the neighborhoods. With only a few days in Portugal, our goal was simple: wander, eat well, and soak up as much of Lisbon as we could before our third and final Eras Tour show.
Here's how we spent our first day in Lisbon:
Confeitaria National - we started the morning with a stop at one of Lisbon’s oldest pastry shops to try classic Portuguese sweets, including the famous pastel de nata.
Wandering Lisbon's Neighborhoods - some of our favorite moments came from simply walking without a destination, taking in the colorful buildings, tiled streets, and everyday rhythm of the city.
Carmo Convent & City Viewpoints - we explored the historic ruins of Carmo Convent before taking in some incredible views over Lisbon.
Thrifting through Lisbon - we spent time browsing local shops and secondhand stores, finding a different side of the city beyond the major attractions.
Classic Tram Views & Famous Streets - no trip to Lisbon would be complete without seeing the iconic yellow trams winding through the hills.
Umbrella Street
Time Out Market - we grabbed lunch at Lisbon’s famous food hall, which brought together some of Portugal’s best-known restaurants and chefs under one roof.
Praca do Comercio Plaza - one of Lisbon’s grandest plazas along the Tagus River
Park Rooftop for drinks - beautiful view to catch the sunset with a pitcher of sangria
Dinner at Esperanto - without a doubt, one of our favorite meals of the entire trip. Esperanto felt less like a restaurant and more like being invited into a local’s living room for dinner. The space was incredibly intimate, with only a few tables inside, and we were the only guests that evening. We even got to choose the playlist while enjoying our meal. It was such a unique experience and one we continue recommending to everyone visiting Lisbon
Exploring the streets of Lisbon
Day 9: Exploring Lisbon & Quick Trip to the Coast
On our second day in Portugal, we escaped the city for a quick trip to Sintra — a place that feels more like a fairytale than a real town. Between the colorful palaces, lush hillsides, and dramatic coastline nearby, it quickly became one of the most memorable stops of the entire journey.
The easiest option for us ended up being an Uber from Lisbon, which took around 30 minutes depending on traffic. While there are trains available, the convenience of going directly to our destinations made the extra cost worthwhile.
We spent the morning exploring two of Sintra’s most famous landmarks: Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. From the bright colors of the palace perched above the town to the mysterious gardens, tunnels, and architecture of Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra truly felt like stepping into another world. It's suggested to get your tickets ahead of time as Pena Palace has timed entry.
After spending the morning exploring Sintra, we asked ourselves: why not go see the Atlantic coast?
We were already so close, and a short Uber ride brought us toward the dramatic cliffs and beaches outside Sintra. We stopped at Azenhas do Mar, where the views immediately made the extra trip worthwhile. Standing above the coastline with waves crashing below was one of those moments where you realize how much beauty exists just outside the major cities. We ended up eating lunch along the coast at Azenhas Bar Da Praia. The only downside? The wind. It was strong enough that it nearly blew us away! After lunch, we hiked up to a viewpoint to observe this little village & all of its glory.
We returned to Lisbon in the evening just in time to catch sunset views from one of the city’s famous Miradouros (Miradouro das Portas do Sol) before settling in for another relaxed dinner. This was one of our favorite views of the city and a classic spot to catch the sunset.
A trip to Sintra & the coast
Day 10: The Eras Tour | Lisbon Night 1
By Day 10, it was finally time for our third and final Eras Tour show. Unlike Stockholm, where we spent hours standing on the floor, Lisbon gave us a completely different perspective from the seats above the stadium.
The day started slowly with brunch at Curva and a stroll through the city before heading toward the venue, where the infamous entry chaos quickly became part of the story. Despite the delays and confusion outside, the moment the lights finally went down reminded us exactly why we had crossed an ocean for this trip in the first place.
Day 11: Goodbye Portugal; Hello Again, Sweden
After an early 8:00 AM flight from Portugal back to Sweden, we found ourselves back where this incredible journey started. With our flight home leaving the following afternoon and Stockholm’s airport located a bit outside the city, we decided to stay near the airport for our final night. It gave us one last evening to enjoy Sweden while also allowing for a relaxed and easy morning before our long flight home.
Even though we were tired from the travel day, we couldn’t leave Sweden without one last trip into Stockholm. We made our way back into the city for dinner at Meatballs for the People, determined to have one final taste of one of Sweden’s most iconic dishes. Swedish meatballs are a classic for a reason, and this restaurant takes them to another level. They offer a variety of meatballs made from different and unique meats, giving visitors the chance to try something beyond the traditional version. While the more adventurous options were tempting, we decided to stick with the classic beef meatballs — and they did not disappoint.
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel for a relaxing final night. We took the evening to catch up on sleep, reflect on an incredible two-week adventure, and enjoy one final night before our long flight home the next afternoon.
Although this trip gave us an incredible introduction to both Sweden and Portugal, we know there is still so much more of each country left to explore. It was the perfect bookend to a journey filled with unforgettable experiences — from Scandinavian cities and Portuguese coastlines to three Eras Tour shows along the way.
Overall Thoughts and Impressions:
This trip ended up becoming so much more than a concert getaway. What started as a lucky opportunity to see Taylor Swift in Stockholm turned into an unforgettable journey through two completely different corners of Europe. We spent our days wandering medieval streets, riding trains between islands, eating cinnamon buns and pastel de nata, watching sunsets over Lisbon, and somehow fitting three Eras Tour shows into the middle of it all.
Sweden surprised us with its calm beauty, incredible public transportation, and the charm of Stockholm’s islands and old town. Portugal brought a completely different energy — colorful neighborhoods, steep hills, coastal views, and some of the best pastries we’ve ever had. If we had to do it again, we’d absolutely add more time in Portugal, especially Porto and the southern coast, but combining Stockholm and Lisbon into one trip gave us the perfect blend of music, culture, food, and adventure.
More than anything, this trip will always remind us how travel can begin with a single concert ticket and turn into memories we’ll talk about for years to come.
Stockholm Highlights & Favorites
Dinner at Restaurant Tradition
The meatballs from Meatballs for the People
Wandering Stockholm's waterfront & islands
Lisbon Highlights & Favorites
Dinner at Esperanto
Day trip to Sintra & the coast
Watching sunset over the city at Miradouro das Portas do Sol
What We Missed & Will We Come Back?
Sweden - While Stockholm gave us the perfect introduction to Sweden, we know there is still so much more of the country left to experience. Our dream return trip would be to visit Swedish Lapland during the winter months, especially around Christmas, to experience a completely different side of Sweden. We’d love to stay in a glass igloo or sky-view cabin under the northern lights, go dogsledding through snowy forests, and embrace the magic of a true Scandinavian winter.
Portugal - Portugal quickly became one of our favorite European destinations, and we left knowing there was still so much more to explore. On a future trip, we’d love to visit Porto and spend more time along Portugal’s southern coastline. The dramatic cliffs, beaches, and waves of the Algarve are especially calling our names, and we’d also love to make our way to Madeira to experience its volcanic landscapes, hiking trails, and island scenery.
Our Experience @ Taylor Swift's | The Eras Tour:
As the confetti fell night after night, we couldn’t help but reflect on how lucky we were — standing in a new country, watching one of our favorite artists perform the soundtrack of our lives, not once… not twice… but three times. We later learned that Stockholm Night 1 was the largest crowd in Friends Arena history, and each of the following nights (Nights 2 and 3) went on to break her own record all over again.
We were fortunate enough to score floor tickets for both Stockholm shows, which meant standing shoulder-to-shoulder for more than six hours. The time leading up to the concert wasn’t exactly glamorous... think sitting outside in the sun for 4 hours before doors even opened, followed by hours of standing inside with no chairs and no assigned spots. Unlike the U.S. shows, the floor in Stockholm (& the rest of Europe) was completely general admission. It was a double-edged sword: we could have ended up right on the gate… or stuck in the back of the pack. Luckily, Night 1 put us somewhere in the middle, and by Night 3 we were about one row back from the barricade, just off to the side of the main stage. It absolutely worth the wait though!
Lisbon was a completely different experience. This time, we had seats and a view from above in the 300-level area, which meant we could finally take in all of the stage design and choreography — and give our feet a break. The chaos came from simply getting inside the stadium. The show was delayed by over an hour because the venue wasn’t prepared for a crowd of this size, and we spent hours inching through layers of security with very little direction from staff. One of our favorite moments from Lisbon came after Taylor performed "Champagne Problems." The standing ovation was so loud and lasted so long that the stadium turned all the lights on, sending everyone into momentary (and hilarious) confusion. It was a perfect reminder of just how powerful that crowd was.
Stockholm Night 1 (May 17th, 2024)
Opener: Paramore
Surprise Songs
Guitar: "I Think He Know"/ "Gorgeous"
Piano: "Peter"
Stockholm Night 3 (May 19th, 2024)
Opener: Paramore
Surprise Songs
Guitar: "Message in a Bottle" / "How You Get the Girl" / "New Romantics"
Piano: "How Did It End?"
Lisbon Night 1 (May 24th, 2024)
Opener: Paramore
Surprise Songs
Guitar: "Come Back Be Here" / "The Way I Loved You" / "The Other Side of the Door"
Piano: "Fresh Out the Slammer" / "High Fidelity"
Our Eras Tour Experience across 3 shows!
Key Stats from Taylor Swift's | The Eras Tour:
149 total shows performed between March 2023 (1st: Glendale, Arizona) & December 2024 (Last: Vancouver, Canada) making it one of the largest global tours of all time
Shows in 51 cities across 21 countries, spanning 5 continents
Average Run Time: 3 hours & 15 minutes, featuring 44-46 songs across Swift's career
Taylor spent around 484 hours onstage — that’s more than 20 full days of performing
Highest-grossing concert tour in history, raking in over $2 billion in ticket sales
10.1 million + tickets sold with an average ticket price of about $204
Average Show Attendance: 68,000 fans - the largest crowd being Night 1 of the Australia leg in Melbourne where 96,000 people attended
Taylor wore more than 60 outfits and 250 custom pairs of shoes
18 opening acts & occasional surprise guest appearances, including Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams, Ed Shearan, & Florence + The Machine
In July 2023, Seattle fans danced so hard that they created the seismic equivalent of a 2.3 magnitude earthquake
The most-performed surprise song was "You're On Your Own, Kid," which was played 11 different times
*This information was pulled from Business Insider & NPR
Itinerary Budget Breakdown (per person):
Roundtrip Airfare [Chicago-Stockholm]: $590.85 USD
Roundtrip Airfare [Stockholm-Lisbon]: $173.72 USD
Stays: $299.80 USD (643.51/4) + (562.31/5) + (105.85/4)
Car rental: $78.35 USD (313.43/4)
SIM Cards: $49.75 USD
Barry's Class Stockholm: $12.49 USD
Stockholm Vasa Museum: $20.58 USD
Stockholm Skansen Open-Air Museum: $24.85 USD
2 Sintra Castle Tickets: $35.73 USD
Total = $1,936.89 USD
*Estimated Variable Costs (consisting of parking, public transportation, meals, drinks, & souvenirs): $867.42 USD each (1,734.83/2)
The Travelers: Ethan, Malik, Maggie, Petro, & Leo (who joined us for the Lisbon portion)
Dates: 5/15/2024-5/26/2024
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