WHY GO: For Scandinavia. Beautiful colours, clean air and water.
FOR HOW LONG: 3 days
WHAT'S MY BUDGET: jeez. I was warned it would be pricey but totally the most expensive place in Europe I've been so far
WHERE TO STAY: Generator Hostel was awesome, if you've got more to spent, an Air B&B around Mariatorget
GETTING AROUND: Bikes would have been perfect, but its not really done until its hot, so walking it is, plus a few Ubers when knackered.
LANGUAGE: the EU norm. The English is great, but wish we could have joined in with the swedes.
After falling in love with Scandinavia last year, the capital seemed like the smartest choice for another city break. And boy, SPOILER ALERT, it didn't disappoint.
One again again, we were so lucky with the weather. Even though it was only March, the sun was putting on a show and we were really grateful for it. On our last day the sky showed off again and even teased us with some beautiful snow. (Unfortunately not enough to ruin our flight home.)
This trip was the least prepared I've ever been for a city break, and that's saying something. But I left feeling like we got a good intro to the city, and still lusting over the Scandi life; so that sounds like a perfect trip to me!
The Must's
Sunset at Ivar Los Park: This is the absolute highlight of my trip. On a clear night, get some beers and a blanket and head up to the hidden viewpoint. I fell in love with the city all over again, as I did in the morning.
Getting lost in Gamla Stan: Translated as Old Town, Gamla Stan used to be the centre of the city before it outgrew itself. Getting lost here won't actually take very long as turns out to be pretty small, but the cobbled streets, colourful buildings and independent shops are totally something I crave when in a European city.
GAME TIME: Try and find the cheapest souvenir... I'm still winning with 80krone!
Vasa Museum: You may have noticed by now that I'm much more of a viewpoint lover than a history buff, however, this could be the best museum I've ever been too! The Vasa was a Swedish navy ship that set sail back in 1628... But sank in the harbour! Awkward.
Fast forward 333 years later, after generations and generations of Scandis lived their lives, forgetting about Vasa, the wreck was salvaged! AND they have built a building around the vessel, of which 98 bloody percent of it is still original! Mind. Blown. It may not sound too impressive... (*cough*THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY THREE YEARS)... But go and just see the amazing space. If you want more geeky stats to help convince, just ask.
Generator Hostel: Stockholm. Is. Expensive.
So save where you can. This hostel doesn't feel like one, it's super clean and has amazing customer service. We were chatting to one of the girls at the lobby and she gave us so many recommendations which was a lifesaver given how unprepared we were.
Urban Deli: craving a Scandi hipster fix? This is your first port of call. £10 for a little prosecco in a pretty glass, in a dimply lit room, surrounded by pretty people wearing black. Need I say more.
Nightlife: clubs are fairly spread out in Stockholm so it's worth doing some research beforehand. We decided to head to go to a gig, which had a real local vibe.
The Munch
Breakfast in St Eriksplan
Non Solo Bar: for an authentic breakfast. This place feels like a real local cafe, it's nothing too spectacular to look at but the food was exactly what we wanted. I'd go there again. So you probably should too.
Lunch in Gamla Stan
Cafe Gramunken: opposite to the above. Tucked away in old town, this is totally a right place, right time cafe. Still with locals inside, and the food is amazing, BUT be prepared to pay £5 for tea, £15 for an awesome sandwich, and £9 for a dessert, if you're prepared, this it's perrrrfect.
Dinner in Mariatorget
We had been recommended a few restaurants around here, originally not too desirable, it's meant to be the new hipster area of Stockholm with property prices suddenly booming. We were trying to go to Raca Maca, it sounds incredible. However so many places weren't open when we were there so ended up going to Da Luigi And it was such a lovely night. Food was really reasonably priced, tasted great and really, really lovely staff. A great find.
Fotografiska Museet: Confession time, we actually ran out of time to go here, but it's the first place is go to on another trip. Food and drinks next to an outstanding view, but remember to book.
The Meh's
Time of Year: it's worth holding off and going in the higher season if you want to pretend to live the full Scandi picture. Bike hire is pretty sparse in the quieter months which is a shame. In warmer months you can hire in Old Town and from Generator Hostel plus loads of other places. (And rumour has it, some place hire our CANOES.)
Sunday's: Stockholm on a Sunday, (out of season) is fairly quiet and a lot of restaurants close fairly early. If you're rationed to a weekend, I'd recommend taking a Friday - Sunday trip rather than a Saturday - Monday.
Krone: I think I mentioned it's pricey didn't I?! It's not a real, meh, but I wish I had prepped for that a bit better. People mentioned it was a lot, but I was still surprised. It just requires a bit more planning, especially when it comes to eating and drinking.
'Luxury' Sighteseeing Tours: This is only going in my meh's as we were really oversold this boat trip by a street vendor. Totally fell for his 'business degree charm he learnt from the Vatican.' I imagine in the summer it's totally worth doing, if you can take advantage of the hop on/hop off. But an hour and half sight seeing random buildings in an overcrowded boat wasn't totally my thing.
(Really I'm just bitter as he said there would be free snacks...)
Those meh's were actually harder to think of than I thought so all in all... Stockholm is awesome. Scandanavia stands out for me against other European cities, and Stockholm encapsulates it perfectly. It boasts a relaxed and fulfilling lifestyle, in a clean and colourful environment, and it's beyond me why anyone would want to damage that.
All in all, you should go there. What's your excuse not to?
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