Known for its world-class designers, elegant city-scape and natural summer beauty, Stockholm is a city of high-density
living that offers plenty of urban cultural delights. After four full days of wandering through wintery Stockholm, here are my top ten tips for understanding a bit about the city and getting the most out of your Stockholm experience.
1.Try a semla. These Nordic baked delights are in most cafes and bakeries, especially between new year and Easter. Traditionally, a semla is a wheat bun served in a bowl of hot milk, but the common modern version is a spiced bun (cinnamon and cardamom) filled with almond paste and whipped cream, and served with tea or coffee. Many Stockholm eateries are judged for their semlor (pl.) annually; an institution the locals seem to value highly. We went to Vete-katten (apparently highly rated on the semlor scale) on the corner of Kungsgatan and Klara North Church Street, where they serve a variety of semlor (including gluten free – wooo), among many other mouth-watering sweets. 
2. Wi-fi internet in public areas generally costs SEK50 per hour. Cafes, train stations, public spaces – most seem to charge for wi-fi access, regardless of whether you’ve purchased something else there. Of course, McDonalds was the reliable exception to this rule, where a serve of fries suffices as payment for internet connection.
3. The UNESCO world heritage site, Skogskyrkogården, is a must-see cemetery. Even if cemeteries are not your thing, it is well worth taking the 15 minute train ride to Skogskyrkogården to see this stunning woodland park. With multiple chapels, manicured gardens and thousands of graves (many dating back to the 1900s), this site offers an unusual insight to Stockholm’s history. We spent a couple of cold, peaceful hours walking through mossy headstones and along the pine-lined paths. If you are there around Halloween, apparently the place is filled with visitors who light candles that flicker in the thousands across the park.
Also, bets are on to see who can most accurately pronounce the name of this attraction.
4. You need to take a ticket to line up and be served at most transport offices, information desks and some stores. Described by a Stockholm resident as ‘the national sport’, this wide-spread queuing system may look like a bunch of people standing around for no reason, but is actually very efficient.
5. For more alternate food, live music and interesting cultural stuff head to the eastern side of Södermalm. This inner island of Stockholm hosts a seemingly higher density of cafes and restaurants, book stores, yoga classes, theatre, dancing, music, vintage stores, street art… and all those other wonderfully grungy cultural things. Cafes and restaurants with vegan and gluten free dishes on the menu also seemed a bit more frequent in Södermalm. I recommend walking along Ringvagan for a view of the water, then exploring the general area east of Götgatan and towards Gamla Stan.
6. Use free toilets when you can… and carry change. Like many other European countries, Sweden seems to apply the pay-for-a-pee system. I found that smaller cafes and restaurants offered free facilities, but larger places and public spaces charged SEK5-10 to use the toilet (and often didn’t have change machines or counters nearby). Also, don’t expect payment to always equal cleanliness.
7. Intend to get lost in Gamla Stan (the old town). The maze of narrow, cobbled lanes in this part of Stockholm encourages romantic notions of serendipitous travel. Pick a landmark – like the old church, or the palace – and then twist your way past boutique shops and trendy offices. You can spend as little as an hour or as much as an afternoon in this area as you discover delights around every corner. 
8. Make use of Stockholm’s impressive public transport network. Incorporating underground metro, above-ground trains, buses and trams, Stockholm’s public transport network can be accessed using one-off tickets or smart cards. If you are there for more than a day, I recommend you buy a blue smartcard from a station. These are sold according to the number of days you’ll need it and allow unlimited travel for that period. E.g. Buy a 7 day card for a week of unlimited travel. You only need to touch on at the start of the trip as the gates let you out automatically at your destination.
Also, note the difference between the ‘SL’ and ‘SJ’ logos that you see at train stations. ‘SJ’ is for long-distance Swedish trains and ‘SL’ is for local trains and buses. You can buy long distance tickets from counters or machines at major stations or online.
9. There are 84+ museums to choose from. I say ‘84+’ because I have seen guides that count 84 museums and guides that count 100. Suffice to say there are a lot of museums in Stockholm, most of which charge for admission. Although there are some impressively niche museums (E.g. Post Museum, The Swedish Royal Armoury and The Stockholm Transport Museum), I didn’t actually visit one of the 
many museums… and I still felt I saw a lot of Stockholm’s culture. I was advised by some ex-pats that the Vasa Museum is worth a look and the Nordic Museum is in a gorgeous building but to carefully consider the admission fee unless you have a particular interest.
10. Laundry in Sweden seems to be a bit of an institution. The many unit blocks generally share a laundry, which is booked in advance by residents. I’m told on good authority that doing laundry is a valid reason not to attend a party on a Friday night. If you are late to a booking you may booted by the automated system and find a desperate dirty-clothed neighbour using your slot instead. The up side is you will have a whole laundry to yourself if you make your booked time, so there is no wondering if someone will take your washing out of the machine early or run away with your undies.
For more info:
- Check out the Stockholm page on the national Sweden tourism website for a general overview of what the city has to offer.
- The local tourism page is also a good first reference.
- Find out about the airport and connections to the city here
- Long distance trains can be booked via the SJ website and Stockholm local transport info and a journey planner can be found on the SL website.
Shout out to Nigel, Mario & Ewa – thanks for being such welcoming hosts. It was great getting to know you and your local knowledge was priceless.
Nic Freeman 
Another fantastic, quirky and very useful blog post! If only I had known some of these nuggets of information before I headed to Stockholm, it would have made some things a bit easier and enriched my trip. I think I’m going to have to collate a guide book of your travel tips before I next traverse the northern hemisphere 🙂
Thanks Imogen. I really appreciate your kind and supportive comments. I’m glad it was useful too! Let me know if there is anything in particular you’ve ever wanted to know about places in Europe and I’ll do my best to find out for you while I’m here.
Commendable use of umlauts!
Thanks Andrew! I still can’t pronounce them properly though.
It takes a while…they are actually called “pricks” and not umlauts. Great post! Too funny about the laundry…it brought back memories….I’ve had mishaps with that soooo many times.
The price of internet made me gag a little bit. Welcome to Scandinavia!
We had the same reaction, especially when you are already seated in the cafe and have splurged on SEK40 for a coffee and SEK60 for a snack (to share). Norway seemed to have more free wi-fi (and free toilets) than Sweden, but overall Scandinavia was the pricey place everyone says it is. Of course, there are definitely ways around the costs, but it makes everything just a little harder, especially when you’re cold.
True. This makes me postpone my Swedish dream a bit o.O
Hey Mutyang, thanks for reading. I hope I haven’t deterred you too much. Sweden really is beautiful and I am told even more so in the warmer months when the sun stays up late into the evening and it is warm enough to swim from Stockholm’s many islands. I plan to head back there in summer to see another side of Sweden.
Pay for a pee inside a restaurant? When you are actually noshing there? Never come across that before. All v useful info and much appreciated, many thanks 🙂
A lot of interesting stuff seems to happen in Stockholm.
A note about the street art – they seem pretty serious
about it. Ever hear of a group called the Militant Graffitti
Artists of Stockholm? I came across them while
researching and article on Cow Parade and
learned that they ‘excuted’ some plastic cows.
http://rastelly.com/2011/09/30/a-bohemians-at-large-special-report/
Thanks for sharing Rastelly. I hadn’t heard of this but love your article. Thanks for reading!
Great timing for us and we are looking into a future trip that would include Stockholm. In other words … some day we will use your tips.
Thanks aFrankAngle. Glad I could be helpful! Let me know if you have any questions pop up in yout future trip planning. You can reach me via comment or on mail@nicfreeman.com. Happy to help if I can. Happy travelling!
Many thanks … thus don’t be surprised if you hear from me.
Pay to pee… I remember those days when I traveled abroad. I was in shock!
I never had a desire to visit Sweden. It seems dark and cold, and I get too much of that now in Washington State, USA. Thanks for sharing. Connie
http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/
Visit us in the summer instead, around the midsummer festives! Much much much better!
http://bitterfia.wordpress.com
Great tips and gorgeous photos! But, how could you post about Sweden and not mention IKEA or The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo?
The Vasa is SO worth it, whatever the cost. Still one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen anywhere. I’d also highly recommend the Butterfly House; on a frigid dark day, having butterflies come and land on you is a pretty neat afternoon.
Good warning about the wi-fi and queuing.
Thanks for the tip BSB. I plan to go back in the summer sometime so will include the Vasa on my itinerary! Thanks for reading!
The Vasa museum is one of the only museums I visited while in Stockholm and it was well worth it. It was very cool to see an entire ship out of water and reading the English translations is hilarious. I would recommend it!
Thanks atonks. That’s the general advice I’ve heard since leaving Stockholm. It’s on the list for next time!
Great tips for our next trip. You cant go to Stockholm without visiting Skansen however. The wonderful openair museum of buildings and swedish life. We nearly set up home in one of the houses and never left!
thebigforestuk.wordpress.com
Hey TheBigForest, thanks for the comment. I’m starting to realise I missed out on Skansen. Another one for the next-time list I think! Thanks for commenting!
Looks beautiful!
Literally the best featured post I could have seen on the WordPress homepage right now. Heading to Stockholm for 4 days at the start of June and my travel buddy has been bugging me to find out what I fancy doing while there. I love a good museum so its good to know there’s a lot of them. We’re gonna take a trip around the Archipelago while there. That’s 2 days sorted.
Thanks for the comment! Really appreciate your kind words! Other readers have spoken highly of Vasa museum and Skansen, neither of which I saw, but perhaps two more for the list. I’m sure you will have no worries filling 4 days of sights in Stockholm. Despite the cold, it was a great city to just wander around. Thanks for reading and all the best for your travels!
Love this! I really want to travel to Stockholm. These are such practical, useful tips =)
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Thanks for your comment. Glad you liked 🙂
It’s interesting they request for payment to use the internet, not a bad idea. The photography is beautiful, the plate of food looks very vibrant. Public transportation is something we could use more of here in the US. We have it, but it doesn’t get utilized. Here in WA we have Link Light Rail, Sounder Train, Busses and while it is used, I think we could use it more to decongest our streets. This looks like a great place to visit. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful post! Loved the part about that laundry system [I’m from Sweden] 🙂
When I was home, visiting, last Fall, I found that also Wayne’s Coffee had free WiFi. In fact I didn’t check out any other places than McD’s and Wayne’s.
Thanks cool feline, glad you liked it. I was facinated and impressed by the laundry thing – so different from our Aussie system of a washer and clothes line per house / apartment. Good tip on Wayne’s coffee wifi. I did ask at the one near the city theatre and big fountain and they charged SEK50 too but there are so many Wayne’s Coffee places that I’m sure some would be different. Thanks for reading!
Very interesting tips. The laundry thing is actually a great idea. They should do that everywhere, particularly in New York.
val
http://valentinedefrancis.wordpress.com
Thanks for this guide although how far I know Sweden is a nice place. I can welcome to all to visit the Miami also a great place to visit.
Laundry? really?? Swedes dont have washing machines in their homes?…lol… crazy Swedes. Stockholm is so beautiful though- I love Gamla Stan… everytime I go (and I have been there several times, as I lived in Helsinki- only an overnight’s ferry ride away) I “get lost” there and end up spending most of my time just enjoying the chic and boho atmosphere.
HAHAHA! We do have washing machines in our homes! But in some rented flats, you have a shared washing room where you can book the machines. For example in my small flat (I am a student) there’s no room for washing machine and dryer.
Number 8 needs a correction! Public transport, not pubic transport!
Good article anyway, will come in handy when I’m going there in September.
Thanks for the pick up Blackcoffeekid. Of all the typos, that’s the one I publish? Oh dear! Thanks for reading and all the best for your trip in September. You will see the warm Stockholm that all the locals were raving about. Let me know if you have and questions before your trip – happy to help if I can.
There is also a good anarchist cafe on Södermalm with great vegan food.
café 44
Thanks Rasta. I actually went to Cafe 44 – amazing wholesome, cheap eats with an awesome vibe. Thanks for sharing the tip!
Before the right-wing government came to rule Stockholm almost all museums were free!
This post couldn’t have come at a better time, I’m going to Stockholm in a few weeks. It looks stunning from your photos, I love the one of that pier/docks in Sodermalm. Thank you for the tips!
(ps- the wifi…cut off my arm, why don’t you?)
So glad I could provide some useful info for you Sarah. Let me know if there is anything else about visiting Stockholm that you want to know and I’ll do my best to help. The walk around Sodermalm is truly beautiful – well worth it! Another reader has suggested free wifi in bigger shopping centres and maybe Wayne’s Coffee sometimes. Have a great trip!
I remember visiting Poland in high school and we started saying one zloty to potty. Thank you for the reminder, it isn’t something I would have thought of before my travels. Just when I was doing the pee dance and had nothing but a traveler’s check.
It’s beautiful! I’ve always wanted to visit, and I could maybe (maybe? Kind of? A little bit?) not look like a tourist since I have the signature Swedish tall/blonde thing down pat.
I wonder when America is going to borrow the pay-for-the-toilet thing…hopefully never.
That pastry sounds amazing, too–and if I ever make it to Sweden I’d love to try gravlax (probably misspelled–I guess it’s kind of like lox with dill).
Great post!
Thanks for reading! I think the key to not looking too much of a tourist anywhere is to just be yourself (in terms of dress etc) and not carry around big bags and cameras. I did try gravlax in Norway actually. Yum! So many yummy Nordic delights to try.
Very interesting, beautiful pictures and an enjoyable read! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Karen. Appreicate the comment! Glad you enjoyed it.
blimy the wifi is expensive. that’s what we used to pay at an internet cafe 15 years ago. Public WiFi should be sheap if it’s going to be used.
Perfect timing on this post, I’ve just started planning my upcoming vacation, which includes 4 days in Stockholm and surrounding areas! Thanks 🙂
That’s fantastic Kirstenh. I think four days is the perfect amount of time in Stockholm. All the best for your trip and let me know if you have any questions – happy to try to answer them or give you some tips if I can.
Nice post! I’ve never heard of semla, but I’m all for trying one after reading about it.
Will definitely be bookmarking this come time for my Eurotrip!
Thanks! We kept seeing semlor in cafe windows everywhere, calling us in from the cold to enjoy the sugar. Glad you enjoyed the post and all the best for the Eurotrip!
I lived in Stockholm for a year and reading this post just let me say – AMEN! :))
You have managed to grip the essence of it and bring the memories back 🙂 The time spent there was fantastic! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks Dressupforme. Really appreciate your comment and am glad I’ve captured it. Thanks for reading.
Thank you for the useful tips. I’m planning my first trip there in a few months.
Hey Tandi, glad there were handy. Thanks for reading. Let me know if you have any questions etc. before your trip. I’ll be happy to help if I can.
It sounds very organised. And cute, in a way.
Nice summary, photos and tips. I definitely want to visit one summer…maybe this one…Thanks.
Those semla ‘s sound nice! 🙂
Great tips and lovely photos. I hope to make it to Sweden in the near future, so this is very helpful. Congrats on making Freshly Pressed.
Hey Pearlsandprose. Thanks for reading and thanks for the congrats (I’m pretty chuffed). Glad you found the post useful and enjoyed the photos. Stockholm was a delight to photograph – white, pure, still and lovely.
Great article – lots of useful info and great pix. I’m tempted to go now – especially while there’s all that snow (I wanted to rescue the books though)!
Hey Hidden London. I had the same reaction to seeing those poor icy books outside! Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for commenting.
Stockholm is also very nice in summer. It even has the nickname The Venice of Scandinavia because of the archipelago and the city lying on several islands.
Great post by the way 🙂
I lived here for so long and did not know about the cemetery. Will definitely go there.
Perfect love!
Thanks again for the comment Rasta T – I really do think I’ll be heading back to see Sweden in summer. It sounds too good to miss. Glad you liked the post. Cheers.
Some great ideas for Stockholm, Nic. You’re right about the public toilets – answering the call of nature can be a pricey business in Sweden!
Interesting that you mention “semlor”, with Sweden’s version of Pancake Day (“fett tisdag”) coming up shortly, when semlor are traditionally eaten. Those interested may like to read our blog post on the subject at http://naturetravels.wordpress.com/2007/02/19/pancake-day-not-in-sweden-%E2%80%93-it%E2%80%99s-time-for-fat-tuesday/ or have a go at making their own semlor from the recipe at http://naturetravels.wordpress.com/2008/02/04/a-traditional-swedish-recipe-how-to-make-%E2%80%9Csemlor%E2%80%9D/
Readers interested in travelling by public transport in Sweden might find the following guide useful, which discusses in detail how to check train connections and book tickets with SJ: http://www.naturetravels.co.uk/how-to-book-trains-and-buses-in-sweden.htm
Hey Nature Travels thanks for sharing that great info! I love the idea of fett tisdag – it’s a shame I missewd it. Thanks for reading!
As a local I must commend you for managing to pretty much catch the essence of the Stockholm experience, nicely done! Living here off course means that the toilet and/or wi-fi issues aren’t really that problematic, we handle our business at home… Anyhow, nice to hear that you enjoyed your stay and recommend it to others.
Thanks for your comment. I really value your local opinion. Sometimes it’s hard as a traveller to know how much of the ‘real’ personality of a place you’ve seen. Glad you thinking I’ve captured Stockholm. Cheers.
If you come all the way from Australia and travel for 7 weeks through Europe, a buck for a pee is not really a dent in your budget I’d think. Being from Canada we thoroughly enjoyed Sweden, it was definitely a bit more expensive, but food was certainly cheaper in the stores (dining out is quite expensive). We got around it by renting apartments through airbandb (when you approach 50, you don’t really always want to stay in hostels any more, and they area not all that cheap either anyway), and made all our food ourselves. This saves considerably on your budget we found. Do go out of town by renting bikes for a day and cycle over the extensive network of bike paths. Drottningholm Palace is 10k out of the centre on the edge of the town and the countryside.
Thanks for sharing your tips Urban Commuter! I agree eating out is much more expensive than supermarkets and saving on accommodation is key (we were lucky to have friends in town). Stockholm was during week three of a nine month holiday for us, so I guess we were a little cautious with our pennies and looking to save as much as possible. Although we started with the more expensive countries in Scandinavia, it was well worth the experience.
You certainly put a smile on this Swede’s face Nic 🙂 A very endearing post! You got some of the most daily, normal stuff right down to a tee – umlauts and the architechturally interesting Skogskyrkogården included. Bravo! Hope you enjoy your stay now that we’ve actually got some clear, crisp, snowy, sunny weather.
A general tip: If your purse frowns on the costs of Wi-Fi in cafés, I’d recommend slipping into any of the more modern shopping centers littering the City (as well as those in the ‘finer’ nearby suburbs). Wi-Fi access is, mostly, free of charge there. If you can stand the bustle in such places.
An alternative is checking out this site: http://www.wifikartan.se/ . [ = WiFiMap]
It’s in Swedish, but it really doesn’t take much to understand that you type in an area of choice (say… Södermalm, Vasastan etc) alternatively the name of a specific café in the search-field, and up comes a list of places with free WiFi-access. You’ll get a map to boot. Simples.
Practical as we can be, we’ve also got a ‘PottyApp’ up in App-store – and err… yep – it shows you the nearest uhm… fascilities in case of an emergency. It’s right up there in the practicality stakes with our delight for queuing… *ironic* 😉
Do give the summer visist a serious thought though; you’ve missed out on half of the beauty of Stockholm (as you’ve heard about a gazillion times now) if you haven’t experienced a ride out in the archipelago in the summer. Fantastic nature, a calming peace, fresh air, scrumptious catch-of-the-day-food, quaint little storybook cottages, lighthouses and the odd archipelago-mansion… It’s an experience.
Cheers!
Hey Dandy, thanks so much for that great info. I always appreciate such valuable advice from a local – epecially practical stuff like toilets and wi-fi. I think I will be heading back in summer – it sounds too amazing to miss! Thanks for reading. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Hi! My exboyfriend is from Stockholm and over the three years we dated, I never knew about the little nuggets of information you just blogged about. This is good stuff! Thanks for sharing and it is something I will definately consider when/if I ever travel there. 🙂
Hey Java Girl – glad you liked this and hope it proves helpful in the future! Thanks for reading!
The first photo, and the 3rd photo..
BEAUTIFUL JOB. Very very good.
I hope to capture some similar shots someday myself. Right now, my photoblog is right at it’s birth.
Having just moved to Sweden this was very enjoyable.I just wrote a post about both Semla and my difficulty with exceeding my laundry limit last month, so I found it amusing to find both of those topics listed here. I have yet to go to Stockholm but hope to in the near future and will keep some of the more local advise in mind! Skål!
Thanks for reading megalagom. How exciting – you’re in a new country with a whole new cultural adventure ahead of you! Glad you enjoyed the post. All the best for your new life in Sweden!
Thanks for the tips!
Stockholm is a place I’d love to visit next 🙂
and I still have to get used to the “ticket grabbing game”
Your post strikes a nice balance between the high and low points of visiting Stockholm and surrounding areas. I enjoyed reading it and the photographs.
Thanks pnwauthor – appreciate the comment!
I find Sweden a very interesting country and in fact, I’m kind of trying to find my way on how can I work there after my graduation. Bookmarked this post for future reference. Haha. 🙂
Thanks for commenting Cathy! Glad you liked the post and hope it’s useful in the future! All the best for your graduation and future adventures!
Cathy: If you have any questions about working in Sweden, I might be able to help (since I am Swedish).You can contact me through my blog if you have any questions. Good luck! / Fia
Oh really? That is so nice of you. Thank you, I will. 🙂
Reblogged this on http://www.blogjelex.tk.
After reading this blog post
AGAIN
I really wanna go to Stockholm Sweden and see it with my own eyes!
Thanks 7thheaven! Glad you liked it. It is a beautiful place!
You missed Skansen 🙂
I did. That’s actually the place I regret not seeing. There will be a next time though. Thanks for reading.
Reblogged this on bypassinfo and commented:
I’m have read this article though but I had to rebloG it for some personal reasons.I hope you read it.
Thanks for the reblog bypassinfo!
I’ve always wanted to visit Sweden. And now that I have read this post, I wanna go there MORE than ever!
*haha semla and the old town Gamla Stan sound interesting. If I can afford the money, I will definitely travel to Stockholm!
Great post though ^__^
Loved this post! My son lives in Sweden now so I’m lucky to have a reason to visit this beautiful place. Great pics too. Bravo!
Great post and congrats on being FP. I have visited Stockholm and agree with all you wrote. I highly recommend visiting the Vasa museum – it’s incredible and a fascinating piece of Swedish history.
thanks for sharing its very beautiful place
http://webbookmark.in
Very interesting tidbits of information here. I might be heading through Stockholm on my current bus-train trip from Glasgow to Japan. Thanks!
Hey Josh, thanks for reading! Glad you found it interesting. All the best for your journey ahead – sounds great. Had a read of your Scottland post and liked. I hope to be heading there in the next month or so for the first time.
Great tips! Fascinating post!
How useful that this just got Freshly Pressed – congrats for that – I’m off to Stockholm on Thursday, snow permitting.
Hey Hansenschneck, thanks for reading. Yay for being FP and thanks for the congrats. Hope you enjoy your visit to Stockholm. It’s just started snowing in Bristol, UK, so hope you got this plus more up north.
Great post. It was hilarious because i am swedish. It’s all true but in smaller cities it’s free toilets and more shops and restaurants have free Wi-Fi. Semlor isn’t common between easter and new year and we actually have a day dedicated to semlor, “Fettisdagen” the 21st February (the date varies from year to year). I personally hate semlor.
I hope you come back to Sweden in the summer, much more beautiful than the winter. Altough it can be sunny, there is a risk that the rain will pour down all the time.
Thanks for commenting Vikrot – appreciate the info about times for semlor. The novelty of a day for a particular baked good is delightful. Yes, I think I must head back in summer to see the famous summer beauty.
Great tips and pics! I can’t wait to go to Sweden!
These are such beautiful and stunning photos! I’m a WordPress photoblogger too, I’m glad we share a common interest for seeing life through a camera 🙂 Great job.
Thanks Aaron, appreciate the comment. You’ve got some beautiful images too! One of my favourite things about travelling is having the time and inspiration to play with photography.
check out my blog http://renovationperfection.wordpress.com/
Hej from Sweden,
Well done !! You captured Stockholm beautifully !!
Visit my blog to learn about the Swedish countryside where I live now.
http://gullringstorpgoatsblog.wordpress,com
Thanks GGG – glad you like it and think I represented it well. Cheers for sharing your link.
I loved reading this post! Extra fun since I am Swedish. It’s so fascinating to hear what people think about my country and the people living in it. / Fia
http://bitterfia.wordpress.com
Thanks Fia. I’ve had quite a few comments from Swedes on this post and am glad to hear most think I’ve represented Stockholm fairly accurately – that’s what I hope for anyway. I did love my time in your country. Checked out your blog too and liked the pics and that it’s bilingual. (Another impressive thing about the Swedes, most of you speak 2+ languages at expert level). Thanks for reading!
Thanks for visiting my blog! Writing in English is good way to practice and I learn a lot of new words and expressions when I write about my life compared to writing scientific reports like the ones I write at school/at work.
http://bitterfia.wordpress.com
Very informative. Will keep this blog entry in mind if I ever get a chance to visit Sweden.
You left out one of the best tips – especially when travelling on a budget (& not visiting friends if you are lucky enough to have them there) – stay in a hostel. Den Röda Båten (The Red Boat) is where I usually stay – it’s on Södermälarstrand & has the most amazing views of Gamla Stan, Riddarholmen & Kungsholmen. I know there are others (maybe even better ones), but I love the character & always stay there.
I would also recommend getting bread & cold cuts, fruit, cooked chicken, etc at the Hemköp (it’s a grocery store) on Torkel Knutssonsgatan on Söder, to save you always having to eat in restaurants.
Also, get a ferry to the islands in the archipelago. Even if you don’t get off to explore any of the islands (though I would recommend that you do), the views of the islands are amazing! The Vasa museum is amazing & there is an art gallery just before the bridge that crosses over to Skeppsholmen that is lovely. Ooh, and walk around Skeppsholmen – it’s delightful! Lots of colourful sculptures on the lawn between Svensksundsvägen & Långa raden, the boat yards & be sure to pop over to Kastellholmen.
Oh, and one last thing – there is a quirky little aquarium on Djurgården, called Aquaria – a must see!
Oh, I really must get back to Stockholm soon!!!
Thanks for sharing those great tips Ceinwenn. I’m sure there is so many wonderful things and tips about Stockholm I missed and am grateful for commenters like you who share the goss. We were lucky enough to have a friend to stay with this time so I really didn’t check out the hostels at all. Great to have that reference for next time, along with your other info!
I loved Stockholm – it was one of my favorite European cities. I was there years ago, but I do remember most of this.
I loved all the prams lined up outside the cafes, so cozy and many of them had dogs tied to them.
Thanks for commenting Kalisisrising. Yeah I noticed there were plenty of prams and men in cafes with newborns, which is apparently due to the wonderful paternity leave men receive in Stockholm. Unfortunately that’s a sight that’s not too common back home.
What about cost of living in Sweden? Is it affordable?
And this city was on my next trip into Europe.
haha! Now I have fun things to do, and great things to know.
But, before I say “thank you,” what were the three things you thought about writing about in this post, but didn’t feel they would fit?
I gotta know those three….
Thanks!
Wayne
PS. Check out my blog when you have time.
Hey Wayne, thanks for reading. Glad you could read before your next trip! 3 more tips I considered posting… oh it was hard to pick the first 10. I would say walk around the cliff on the CBD side of Södermalm to get a beautiful night view of the harbour and watch cruise ships come in, load up etc. (if you’re not too cold). There is also a gorgeous gallery down near the cruise liner port called Fotografiska which I didn’t get time to explore properly but it comes highly recommended for anyone interested in photography http://en.fotografiska.eu/ . Also, if it’s cold enough and the water freezes, the locals go out skating. We were staying with an ex-pat who was very excited by the prospect of a coming cold snap in the hope he could skate the following week. Apparently the locals love it, use it to commute and it’s an amazing experience. I am told they wear little pick things on their shoulders to pull themselves out if the ice breaks (a little disconcerting). Another tip would be to cycle if it’s warm enough. I am told in summer cycling is a very popular mode of transport and the city is well designed for it. When we were there, there were lots of cold, lonely bikes chained to posts and covered in snow. Apparently many locals just chain their bikes outside for the winter (which I think says a lot about safety and community trust). Other commenters have also raved about the Vasa museum and Skansen, the open air park – both of which I’ve added to my list for next time. Have a great trip.
Reblogged this on A Place For My Stuff and commented:
I visited here nearly three years ago. Easily the most beautiful city I have ever walked through. Check it out!
Thanks for the reblog ATI !
Nice post. Will hopefully be visiting Stockholm soon 🙂 This year I took an interest in it and have read so much about it that I am craving to go! Thanks for the tips. If you would like some travel tips and general nuggets of information, you’re more than welcome to visit my blog: http://thebossofbliss.wordpress.com/
Semlor is limited to the lead up to the Lenten season, although it seems to appear earlier and earlier. Would you be open to expanding your list to include a train ride up to Uppsala where there are lots of fantastic walking sites, and The Botanical gardens, Dom Kyrkan and Uppsala University/ Carolina Rediviva.
Thank you for all the great tips. I am currently living and studying in Oxford and plan to do a similar post. This is great though because I am hoping to visit Stockholm in my time over here in Europe.
Cheers,
Jacquie
Thanks for reading BSB. I’m actually in Bristol UK at the moment and was thinking about a trip to Oxford later in the week. Would love any tips you have! Glad you enjoyed the tips 🙂
very interesting and great post. thanks for the tips.
TechSmartLife
Hi Nic. Found this helpful as I wll be travelling to Stockholm soon and u sparked quite a discussion there on what to do etc. Was wondering if there any art galleries/museums of interest in Stockholm (sure there are, but in case you happened to visit any)
thx!
Hey Stellasbella, glad this post was helpful. I didn’t actually get to any museums while I was there but I did have Fotografiska highly recommended by a friend (photography gallery) and I very much enjoyed their bookshop. Other readers have raved about the Vasa Museum and Skansen, so maybe give them ago. Have a great trip!
I love Stockholm! I highly recommend a daytrip to Uppsala too.
Check out my views on Stockholm here:
http://sugarbabylove.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/plopp,%20indeed
Thanks,
Amy
Thanks for reading Amy. I actually spent 4 days in Uppsala too. Loved that little uni town!!
Hello , thanks so much for this post! I am French/Italian married to a Swedish fellow from Stockholm. We live in USA but we miss the city and go there every year, sometimes twice a year. I love it there! We say in Italy that there is only one Venice. Well not really Stockholm is the Venice of the North, a splendid city in summer as well in winter, alive and even in the dark of winter when the lights of many candles flicker inside the cafes and restaurants of the city, and always in the hearts of beautiful Swedish people! Go!! read Stieg Larsson, enjoy the streets of Old town, have a capuccino, coffee or a drink on the banks at Soder , enjoy boutiques, stop at one of trendy bars around, Visit Ostermalmshallarna – A long name to say :The old indoor produce market with the best shrimp sandwich in the world! Take a ferry to Djurgarden and enjoy nature walks, you can go far for miles. It is a wonderful trip to have, make the city well known you will come back enchanted!
Thanks Nic ..to bring a little piece of Sweden back today
Hey Delizie, thanks for commenting. Appreciate your tips. You can’t put a price on local knowledge! One thing you’ve mentioned that I didn’t in my post is the flickering cafe candles. I loved that every cafe, bar, foyer – no matter what the standard – had candles flickering to warm the winter air. Sadly, candles are usually reserved for romantic moments in Aus, so I enjoy their everyday role in Sweden.
Thanks, Nic! Thinking about visiting for two days after a short trip to Finland. Super helpful – definitely look forward to upcoming posts! 🙂
No worries Susan, hope you enjoy Finland and Sweden if you get there! Thanks for reading.
lovely….
Reblogged this on Banana fish talks and commented:
No concrete plans of going there but just in case… 🙂
Thanks for reblogging me cafeula!
Thanks Nic.. Plan to visit Scandinavia this year and your posts are very helpful.
Nice post, a visit to the Palace at Drottningholm is highly recommended as you can wander around the grounds for free. Take the lake steamer from Stadshuskajen to enjoy the scenery on Lake Lake Malaren. Id’ also recommend the Vasa and Skansen
Thanks for commenting and sharing those tip Ship’s Cook!
Good work
Thx for tips.
Im from Sweden and I used to live in Stockholm, this brings me back! Haha, yes, we love our way of doing laundry 🙂
/Hanna
Nice post !
http://www.amiarting.wordpress.com
Great post and beautiful images, especially of the old town. I can’t wait to see the real thing in a few weeks’ time!
Thanks Goneout – glad you enjoyed it. All the best for your trip! Hopefully you will have some blue skies while you’re there.
Hay! I envy you. Sweden is in my bucket list. I would like to see the midnight sun and take pictures of the architecture at 3AM. Thanks for this, I feel like I have been there too. Oh they have 84+museums??? I would probably die there happily. and I can not wait to see Gamla Stan…
Hey – the midnight sun is on my list too. So far I’ve seen the polar nights on this trip, but still to see a light night. Will get there though… thanks again for commenting.
Reblogged this on Biegi Zagraniczne and commented:
Running in Stockholm, Sweden. I would go for it 🙂
Thanks for the reblog!
I like traveling. Stockholm, Sweden dream queen. I have never been to Sweden yet. But i must visit her. So thanks for your tips.
Great blog, we are thinking of traveling to Sweden in the summer. Thanks for the insight!
Ok you’ve just given me a new destination for my next trip! I can’t get this out of my head now with the Skogskyrkogården, old town and 84+ museums! Everything that I love – cemeteries that encompass a rich history, museums that further highlights a country’s culture and an old town that never fails to makes me want to travel back in time – all in one wonderful place!
Thanks again for sharing!
Thanks for reading RR! So glad you liked the post and have a new travel destination to get excited about. Let me know if you have any questions when planning the trip. Cheers, Nic
Hello,
I came across your website and found your articles on travel interesting. I just had a couple of questions so if you could e-mail me back that would be great!
Thanks for reading Megan. Happy to email you. Nic (mail@nicfreeman.com)
Thanks a lot for sharing all these tips! I am travelling to Sweden in mid-March for the cross-country world cup finals and will spend 4 days in Stockholm in total, so I am really looking forward to make the most of your recommendations ^-^
No worries – glad you think they’re useful! Enjoy your trip in March – I’m sure the cross-country world finals will be heaps of fun.
Hey how are you doing? I just wanted to stop by and say that it’s been a pleasure reading your blog. I have bookmarked your website so that I can come back & read more in the future as well. plz do keep up the quality writing
I used to travel to Stockholm a lot and really miss it. Nice to read this blog about this wonderful city.
I really miss travelling to Stockholm. Such a wonderful city. Loved reading your blog.
Stockholm ,the charm of its setting lies in the intermingling of land and water, the skerries fringing the coast, the crags rearing up from the sea, the intricate pattern of waterways encompassing the city. Thanks for sharing travel tips for travelling in Stockholm .
Very useful tips – thanks! I’m planning a budget break to Stockholm in the near future, this info will come in handy!