Rob and I decided to swap a wet, windy and mild England for an extra chilly and crisp but beautiful Stockholm. I thought I would share my weekend guide highlights if any of you guys were heading there soon. We both loved Stockholm, the people (their style!), the architecture and even the really cold weather. It was definitely a holiday on a budget though so we avoided drinking too much wine and only paid for a small amount of sights, spending a lot of time just wandering the streets, taking it all in and people watching.
1. SCANDIC NO 53
We didn't know much about Stockholm so after a little research decided to stay at Scandic No. 53 hotel in the Norrmalm neighbourhood. It was close to the train station, restaurants and bars and we walked to all sights from here too. It was reasonably priced at around £100 a night (we paid extra for a window because y'know, claustrophic much) had a nice Scandinavian vibe, lush breakfast and small but perfectly formed rooms. Would definitely recommend!
Kungsgatan 53, scandichotels.com
2. KUNGLIGA SLOTTET - THE ROYAL PALACE AND THE CHANGING OF THE GUARDS
3. STORTORGET
4. CHOKLADKOPPEN
5. EXPLORING GAMLA STAN
6. RIKSTELEFON PHONE BOX
7. FABRIQUE BAKERY AND COFFEE SHOP
8. ICY WATERWAYS
9. STOCKHOLMS STADSHUS
10. STADSHUSPARKEN
11. GOLDEN HOUR
12. HUMLEGARDEN
13. HEDVIG ELEONORA KYRKA
14. SKANSEN
15. SNICKARBACKEN 7
16. KATARINAHISSEN & FOTOGRAFISKA
17. GRANDPA SODERMANNAGATAN
18. VETE-KATTEN
Stockholm is an expensive city and Rob and I were on a tight budget so we were a little picky about the sights we paid for. One not to miss was the Royal Palace, it is a beautiful building inside and out and there is so much to explore inside for the entrance fee of around £13. There was a royal wedding dress exhibition on whist we were there too which was really beautiful.
Make sure to time your visit around the changing of the guards which is an incredible spectacle that happens every weekday at 12.15pm and 1.15pm on Sundays.
Slottsbacken 1, Old Town, kungahuset.se
3. STORTORGET
Stortorget is Stockholm's oldest square and the one you see photographs of every time you look up the city. Take a little break here from sightseeing for a rich hot chocolate (see below) and some great people watching. I can imagine it being extra pretty in the run up to Christmas too during the markets.
Stortorget, 111 29, stortorgetsjulmarknad.com
4. CHOKLADKOPPEN
That rich hot chocolate I was talking about above? Yeah, that was from Chokladkoppen and the only thing you will crave on a crisp and freezing cold morning in the Old Town. I believe the cafe, Kaffekoppen is pretty good too if you happen to arrive at lunchtime.
Stortorget 18, chokladkoppen.se
5. EXPLORING GAMLA STAN
Once you have warmed yourself up head off the main streets to properly explore the little island of Gamla Stan. There are picturesque winding cobbled streets, art studios, vintage shops and lots of cute little cafes.
Gamla Stan, visitstockholm.com
6. RIKSTELEFON PHONE BOX
I'm guessing the excitement I felt when stumbling across one of these Rikstelefon booths is how people feel when they see a red telephone box in England. It was just so cute and imagine all the conversations that could have happened here many years ago!
Various locations
7. FABRIQUE BAKERY AND COFFEE SHOP
A gorgeous coffee shop with beautifully tiled floors and marble tables perfect for a quick pastry or a longer ponder over a flat white. We went to the Gamla Stan location however there are several around the city.
Lilla Nygatan 12, fabrique.se
8. ICY WATERWAYS
We arrived just after a snow spell so most of it had melted but take a walk along the waterfront in Stockholm and you may just see the frozen sea instead! It wasn't frozen everywhere but the area in between Riddarholmen island and Södermalm was amazing.
9. STOCKHOLMS STADSHUS
Riddarholmen island is also a great place to view Stockholm's town hall across the water and only a 10 minute walk to see it up close. It is a real Stockholm landmark! You can opt for a guided tour for SEK 120 per adult (season dependant) but we settled for external viewing as we didn't have enough time.
Hantverkargatan 1, stockholm.se
10. STADSHUSPARKEN
The park on the waterfront by the town hall was a lovely place to relax and people watch and provides sweeping views over Gamla Stan and Södermalm.
Kungsholmen, stockholm.se
11. GOLDEN HOUR
I don't know if it's the same all year round but Stockholm's January golden hour is incredible! The setting sun reflecting on the warm brick buildings created such rich and interesting pictures. Pretty pretty.
12. HUMLEGARDEN
Surrounding the public library the Humlegården is a lovely place to relax and get a little more fresh air. Although a tad bleak in the chill of January there were still people walking their dogs and yoga classes and you can imagine the atmosphere on warmer summer days.
Karlavägen 32, stockholm.se
13. HEDVIG ELEONORA KYRKA
We walked pretty much everywhere we went in Stockholm so when heading the the Vasa Museum we went to look at the Army Museum and just behind the uniquely shaped and very pretty Hedvig Eleonora Church - worth the little detour for sure.
Storgatan 2, hedvigeleonora.se
14. SKANSEN
Open-air, super interactive - my favourite kind of museum! Skansen is the world's oldest open-air museum and shows the history of Sweden with houses, shops, farmsteads, a zoo, churches, school and everything in between. You could spend all day there exploring and it is just truly fascinating. Although in the off peak season some things are closed it was still well worth the SEK 125 entrance fee. We can't recommend Skansen enough.
Djurgårdsslätten 49-51, skansen.se
15. SNICKARBACKEN 7
Another really good coffee spot with quirky decor and nice vibes. There is also a little shop inside selling an array of eclectic goodies.
Snickarbacken 7, facebook.com
16. KATARINAHISSEN & FOTOGRAFISKA
On the way to Fotografiska you will mostly likely pass by the construction around the Katarina elevator but it is worth working your way around and up the steps for a panoramic view over Stockholm, all for free! Then head to Fotografiska, an unforgettable photography museum with changing exhibits. Tickets are SEK 165.
Stadsgårdshamnen 22, fotografiska.com
17. GRANDPA SODERMANNAGATAN
Grandpa is an environmentally conscience clothing store in Scandanavian with 3 locations in Stockholm. Go to add carefully curated pieces to your wardrobe or my favourite travel guide 'Lost In' to your bookshelf.
Södermannagatan 21, grandpastore.com
18. VETE-KATTEN
A very cute cafe just down the road from our hotel, nice to defrost your hands with a coffee and refuel with a light lunch.
Kungsgatan 55, vetekatten.se
I feel like I just need to add some honourable mentions because I have missed a few great places off this list, mostly just because I didn't have any pictures.
- H&M Home. One of the few home stores and they style it so beautifully. Drottninggatan 50, hm.com
- Grand Hotel. For a treat and a typical Swedish smörgåsbord, Verandan is an amazing experience. Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8, grandhotel.se
- Vasa Museum. A really fascinating museum about the Vasa warship and definitely one of our highlights from the trip. Galärvarvsvägen 14, vasamuseet.se
I would really like to go back to Stockholm one day, we have lots of happy memories from our trip there and really loved the city. Are you guys planning a trip there soon?
♥
.JPG)
Post a Comment