Stockholm
188 km²
Zurich
88 km²
Sweden
Switzerland
Area Comparison
Stockholm is 2.1x larger than Zurich
Population Comparison
Stockholm has 2.3x more people than Zurich
Stockholm is significantly larger, covering 2.1 times the area of Zurich. Stockholm spans 188 km² (73 mi²) while Zurich covers 88 km² (34 mi²) — a difference of 100 km². You could fit Zurich inside Stockholm approximately 2 times.
To put Stockholm's size in perspective, its area of 188 km² is roughly the same size as Washington D.C.. Meanwhile, Zurich at 88 km² is about 1.2x smaller than Paris (city proper).
Stockholm's footprint is roughly about 26,000 American football fields, 93 times the area of Monaco, or 55 times the area of Central Park — pick whichever unit feels intuitive. For Zurich, that's about 12,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Vatican City, or 44 times the area of Monaco.
Stockholm is the capital and most populous city of Sweden, as well as the largest urban area in the Nordic countries. Approximately 1 million people live in the municipality, with 1.6 million in the urban area, and 2.5 million in the metropolitan area. The city stretches across fourteen islands where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea. Outside the city to the east, and along the coast, is the island chain of the Stockholm archipelago.
Known as "Venice of the North", Stockholm covers 188 km² with a population of 1.0 million. The city was established in 1252. Stockholm is known for Gamla Stan, Vasa Museum, Royal Palace, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Stockholm Metro (Tunnelbana).
Stockholm stretches across fourteen islands where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea, forming the Nordic countries' largest urban area.
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. As of the end of 2024, the municipality had a population of 436,551, while the urban area was home to 1.45 million people (2020), and the Zurich metropolitan area had a total population of 2.1 million (2020). Zurich is a hub for railways, roads, and air traffic.
Zurich has an area of 88 km² and is home to 0.4 million people. It was founded around 15 BC. Visitors come for Lake Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmünster, and much more. Getting around is easy with the ZVV (S-Bahn & Tram).
Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and sits at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich in north-central Switzerland.
Looking beyond city limits, the Stockholm metropolitan area covers 6,519 km², which is 4.9x larger than greater Zurich at 1,334 km². The Stockholm metro area is also more populous, with 2.4 million people compared to 1.4 million.
Stockholm has a population density of 5,213 people per km² — a densely populated city. Zurich, with 4,886 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Both cities have comparable density, though Stockholm is slightly more compact.
Both cities are in Europe, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. Stockholm (Sweden) and Zurich (Switzerland) offer a fascinating regional contrast.
Stockholm has a humid continental climate while Zurich experiences oceanic conditions.
Size Ratio
Zurich fits inside Stockholm ~2 times
History
Zurich is ~1,267 years older
Stockholm covers 188 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Washington D.C. (177 km²), Buenos Aires (203 km²), Helsinki (214 km²), Amsterdam (219 km²), or Brussels (161 km²).
Zurich covers 88 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Copenhagen (91 km²), Lisbon (100 km²), Barcelona (101 km²), Paris (105 km²), or Vancouver (115 km²).
The straight-line distance from Stockholm to Zurich is 1,468 km (912 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~2h 14m.
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