I instantly took to Stockholm the moment I arrived as I found myself walking along the tiny, colorful corridors of the old town Gamla Stan. The city oozes charm and history. Its people are incredibly friendly, the food comforting and delicious and it’s easy to see a lot in just two-three days. It’s also a city undergoing a lot of change. The population is exploding and therefore there is a ton of building going on. Apparently the secret is out on this charming city…!
I spent two and a half days in Stockholm and am excited to share my highlights with you today.
Where to Stay:
The At Six Hotel was the best home base I could have asked for. The location is excellent if you prefer to see the city on foot like I did and the rooms are so chic and comfortable. Better yet? The attention to detail such as outfitting every room with adaptors, sewing kits and other thoughtful amenities. The hotel also has a beautiful restaurant on property (with one of the best, most robust hotel breakfast buffets I’ve ever had in my life) and a cozy wine bar with excellent bottles on the menu. If I were to go back to Stockholm again I wouldn’t think twice about booking at the At Six.
Where to Eat:
Rolfs Kök: I loved this cozy spot for dinner. The menu features traditional Nordic dishes in a beautiful ambiance and it felt like the place to be on the evening I spent dining at the bar.
Kryp In: This place feels like you’ve been invited over to someone’s home and I loved that about it. It was my first meal in Stockholm and it didn’t disappoint. They have a nice prix fixe available for dinner and the fish I had was lovely. Note that they are not open for lunch during the week.
Cafe Saturnus: On a delightful little street this is a great spot for breakfast. They had the best cardamom cinnamon bun I had all week (be warned: it is MASSIVE!) and some of the most delicious orange juice I’ve ever had. There’s also free wifi so it’s a great spot to start your day over coffee as you plot out your next moves.
Speceriet: This place is the tiny sister restaurant to neighboring Michelin-starred Gastrologik (which I didn’t make it to but comes highly recommended). The space itself is a great representation of Swedish minimalism and the large family style table in the main dining room makes it a great option for solo dining. The menu is limited but I had a lovely preparation of traditional herring along with a glass of wine and killer roasted potatoes. If the potatoes are on the menu, do not make the mistake of not ordering them! They source everything locally and aim to spotlight fresh produce which means their menu is constantly being updated.
Nytorget 6: This was my other favorite meal of my trip. Nestled off of Nytorget Square on the island of Södermalm this spot had beautiful interiors, a long welcoming bar and delicious food and drinks. I had their take on a Swedish pancake and while a strange combination of bacon and lingonberry and jam – I practically licked the plate clean. Staff was super friendly and the atmosphere lively. I went for lunch but imagine it is an excellent dinner spot as well. Pop into nearby Pärlans Konfektyr before or after your meal for delightful boxes of caramels packaged in darling boxes. Perfect little souvenirs but also buy yourself some because they are divine.
Drop Coffee: Also on Södermalm, you can grab an excellent cup of coffee at Drop Coffee. It’s plenty big to find a table and rest your feet as you re-caffeinate.
Pom & Flora: This cafe is more Aussie than Swedish but I loved it. The menu has loads of delicious offerings like grain bowls, acai bowls, avocado toast, smoothies and fresh cold pressed juices. I made this my breakfast stop for the day I spent on Södermalm.
What to Do & See:
Boat Tour: The best thing I did was take one of many boat tours offered along the river near The Grand Hotel. I had gotten a Stockholm Pass from Visit Stockholm and in the brochure spotted the various boat tours offered and I absolutely loved the 90 minute tour out and around the city. I learned a lot about Stockholm and it’s beautiful to see the city from out on the water. I can’t recommend doing a tour enough. And, if you plan to hit the ground running soaking in the various museums and other attractions, definitely pick up a Stockholm Pass. You’ll save money and make the most of your time in the city.
Gamla Stan: Stockholm’s old town is a tiny island with major charm. I recommend going early in the morning when the light is beautiful and the streets less filled with tourists. Don’t miss walking down Västerlånggatan and Prästgatan and snapping a photo of Stuténska huset which may be the most photographed spot in Stockholm. Also see if you can spot Mårten Trotzigs gränd (Mårten Trotzigs alley). It’s the narrowest alley in Gamla Stan, only 90 centimeters wide at its narrowest point. Be sure to pop into Designfirman as well which was my favorite shop in all of Stockholm.
Fotografiska: A true highlight of my trip, the photography museum is a must-see. The exhibits on display while I was there were all excellent and, given the museum is on the water, the views are breathtaking. Many people recommended the cafe to me and while I didn’t end up eating there it is in fact a beautiful space.
. . .
Know before you go:
- The city is extremely walkable. I didn’t take a single cab except from the airport to my hotel.
- Everyone speaks English beautifully.
- The city is $$$. Be prepared to use your Converter app on your phone so you’re aware of what you’re paying. Food and drinks are especially expensive when dining out.
- The currency is the Swedish Krona. I found nearly every single spot to take credit cards though.
I will be sharing my Copenhagen guide soon as well. I can’t recommend both cities enough. I took the train from Stockholm to Copenhagen and it was so wonderful! Not only was the countryside beautiful but the booking was super easy. I used Rail Europe again (I used them to book train travel for my trip to Bordeaux two years ago) and they make train travel in Europe seem far less intimidating. I also find it nicer to travel by train vs. dealing with airports.
More to come on my travels through Scandinavia! Have you been to Stockholm?
p.s. my travel essentials and a Paris photo diary.
Great recap! I was recently in Stockholm but only for about 36 hours. I loved the city, there’s so much more I need to do there! Hopefully I’ll get back there one day.
So appreciated your recs! Truly so much to see and I hope to return some day!
you take the best photos. Have wanted to go to Sweden for a while now.
This comment made my day!! Thank you so much. I’ve loved photography ever since high school so it is so nice to have the chance to practice while I travel.