Let me tell you about one of my favorite cities: Stockholm. I have visited Stockholm many times by now and have to admit that each time I go there I fall in love anew. Since spring is coming up, my favorite time to go there, find here my ultimate 24 hours guide.
Where to stay?
If you are looking for a cool and hip hotel you should definitely stay at the Rival Hotel on Södermalm. Each room is furnished with a different movie inspiration. Also the hotel has a theatre and a cinema and one of the coolest bars in Stockholm where all the locals hang out. Make sure you get a room facing the lovely square.
The Rival Hotel in Stockholm is where all the locals hang out
The Rival Hotel, Mariatorget 3, 118 91 Stockholm, Sweden; www.rival.se
Old Town
Put on good walking shoes and go and visit the old town. It is absolutely beautiful to walk around. The old buildings and streets are a highlight of the city. In the middle of the old town there is a quirky bookstore called ‘SF‘ in Västerlånggatan 48. Entering it, you dive into the world of superheroes, dragons and our favourite fantasy villains. The people working there share a passion for anything fantasy and scifi related and you will get excellent tips on books, comics, board games or just general nick-nacks.
Once you’ve navigated your way out of this beautiful maze (some of the houses date back to the 13th century) its time for lunch. Pick up a rental-bicycle from one of the unmanned stations dotted around town and head towards Stureplan. While riding there you will be directly next to the Baltic Sea and pass the famous castle, have a view on the parlament, drive past the Royal Dramatic Theatre, see the beautiful ‘Grand Hotel’ and the ‘Af Chapmann’, which is an old ship that has been turned to a youth hostel. While driving around the Islands you will really see why Stockholm is sometimes referred to the Venice of the North.
Lunch break – Sturehof
The restaurant ‘Sturehof‘ is a stockholm institution, serving its people of taste since 120 years. The menu is Swedish/French with a focus on fish and seafood so this is the place to get your herring on. For the less adventurous I recommend the classic, “Torsk på nork” (Steamed cod with potatoes, horseradish, shrimp and melted butter). However, it’s not only a restaurant it is also a stage for art exhibitions, concerts and artist performances. They have a good mixture of people and its a great place to have lunch.
Delicious Swedish specialities at Sturehof in Stockholm
Sturehof, Sturegallerian, Stureplan 2, 114 35 Stockholm, Sweden; www.sturehof.com
Museums to visit
Afterwards go to Djurgården. There you will find interesting museums and see spring come to life on this green island. I would recommend first to visit the Skansen Museum. It is the worlds oldest open-air museum which was founded in 1891. It is a large enclosed park with a mixture of Swedish architecture, a Zoo of animals that roam the Swedish forests and waters and cosy picknick areas. It is a beautiful walk and it will take you through five centuries of Swedish history. After you have seen all of that, go and visit the Vasa Museum. It is the most visited museum in Scandinavia. It shows the Vasa Ship which has sank 1628. After 333 years the ship has been salvaged just a stones throw away from where the museum is located today. You have to look at it yourself!
Skansen open-air museum: five centuries of Swedish culture
Skansen, Djurgårdsslätten 49-51, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden; www.skansen.se/sv
The Vasa ship is 389 years old and can be visited at the Vasa Museum.
Vasa Museum Galärvarvsvägen 14, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden; www.vasamuseet.se
Mamma Mia! The Party
What would a visit to Stockholm be without a little bit of that ABBA magic? ‘Mamma Mia The Party’ is a fun evening experience. There will be tourists, but it is a great combination of dining, performances and music. You will dine in the ambiance of a warm Greek Island while being a part of the show that, like the movie, uses all our favourite ABBA songs to tell its story. At the end of the dinner the show will turn into a party. Make sure to book your table in advance.
Mamma Mia! The Party, Lilla Allmänna Gränd 2, Stockholm 115 21, Schweden; www.mammamiatheparty.com
Still up for a drink?
If you’re into going for some drinks and listening to powerballads instead of staying at the party, go to ‘Bernies Bar‘ in Nosh and Chow or ‘Natten‘, a club at Färgfabriken.
Have fun!
www.noshandchow.se
www.fargfabriken.se/sv/aktuellt/item/1038-klubbar-konserter
Photo credit: Helena Schoeller, Matias Larhag, Karolina Kristensson (the Swedish National Maritime Museums) and Charlie Drevstam
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