I wish I could say it was I who spent the weekend in Stockholm, but alas no. My friend Carly (who has been helping me put together the Pinterest travel guides) recently spent several weeks in Sweden—including a weekend in Stockholm. As it’s one of the places I’d most like to visit, I asked if she would share some details of her trip…
I jumped at the chance to spend a weekend in Stockholm. I didn’t know what to expect: Stockholm has something of a bad rap for being expensive and, well, expensive. But I hope to encourage you to make a stop there—because Sweden is so much more than the place where IKEA was born, and Stockholm can easily rival, or even outshine, other major European destinations like London, Paris, or Rome.
WHERE TO EAT:
There’s no other adjective for it, Nytorget Urban Deli is cool. Located in the hip Södermalm district, stop by for brunch on the weekends- yes, they do brunch in Stockholm- or come for dinner and drinks in the evening. There is a bar menu and rotating entrees to choose from, in addition to charcuterie plates and appetizers. The scene is a vibrant mixture of young professionals and families and the whole place sits in the middle of an upscale grocery store. Put your name down with the host, order a drink at the bar and go wander the shelves. Maybe you’ll find some Lakrits Syrup (licorice) to take home as a souvenir.
Another great option is Tradition, which offers traditional yet inspired Swedish food for a reasonable price, at two separate locations in the city. We visited the Vasastan restaurant and were impressed with the food which was executed expertly and loved the iconic minimalistic Swedish design.
WHERE TO SHOP:
Stockholm is the epicenter of Swedish fashion, I was there in January, (think: lots of black) but used the opportunity to stock up on sleek, Swedish designs that will become beloved favorites. Look for brands like House of Dagmar, Rodebjer and—if you can stretch that far—Acne Studios.
The archipelago of Stockholm is stunning, and you should seize the opportunity to use the ferry that serves as public transport to travel between the islands. A designated “Design Hotel” on the island of Skeppsholmen, Hotel Skeppsholmen was originally built in 1699 to house Sweden’s Royal Marines and was designed by award-winning architect and designer trio Claesson Koivisto Rune. I imagine that in summer it would be even more glorious.
Visit the old heart of Stockholm, the Gamla Stan. Dating back to the thirteenth century Stockholm’s old city is one of the best preserved, and most colorful, in Europe. It’s packed with art galleries, independent boutiques, and criss-crossed by winding, cobblestone streets.WHAT TO PACK:
Swedes dress well but don’t let that intimidate you. I stuck to a black monochrome outfit that took me easily from daytime shopping and brunching in Södermalm, to sipping drinks in a dimly-lit bar. Wear comfortable chunky shoes for walking up and down steep hills—Swedish women seem to favor these—and save room in your suitcase to bring home some small decor pieces.
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