Visitors to Stockholm might be surprised by how low the city is – this is a place largely without skyscrapers, hugging the ground. Add to that the islands and water and you get a sense of space and freshness, a city that’s invigorating both to the senses and the soul. It might be a chic city, but it’s also unpretentious and very welcoming.
Food and foraging
Whether you want a taste of New Nordic cuisine or traditional dishes that have been served for hundreds of years, there’s no shortage of fine places to eat in Stockholm.
Classics such as pickled fish, gravlax, open sandwiches with baby shrimp, egg and salad are all staples you’ll find across the city. The same is true of meatballs, although they’re somewhat elevated at the lively Meatballs for the People in Södermalm – they do take-out too.
Stockholm’s most recent foodie innovation has been an emphasis on foraging, led by chefs such as Mathias Dahlgren, who has several excellent destination restaurants dotted around town. Currently leading the way is Oaxen Krog, a two Michelin-star restaurant which focuses on local Nordic ingredients and wild herbs, including vegetables from their own farm. This is the place for turbot with black kale butter and roasted cabbage in potato miso with hazelnut and forest leaves.
The best of old Stockholm
For such a lively, youthful city, Stockholm doesn’t skimp on the history. Make time to wander around the old town of Gamla Stan, here since the 13th century. The vast Royal Palace is a must-see, with its 600 rooms and lavish treasures, while the Nobel Museum celebrates the Nobel Prize, its founder Alfred Nobel and the many Laureates across various fields.
Stortorget Square with its colorful buildings is a great place to grab a coffee and people-watch before heading to the Vasa Museum. Dig into the country’s maritime history at the site of the 17th century wreck the Vasa, which didn’t make it out of the harbor on its maiden voyage. Skansen is also worth a visit. An open-air museum paired with the Stockholm Zoo, Skansen shows Swedish life as it used to be, with over 100 buildings transported here from all over the country.
Round off your history lesson with a trip to the Storkyrkan – Sweden’s Royal Cathedral. Much adapted since its 12th and 14th century incarnations, it mixes Gothic and Baroque elements, and has an incredible sculpture of St. George and the dragon.
Literary Life
Scandi-Noir might have taken over television, but it very much started in books. Stockholm has been a backdrop for many of these, and fans have been visiting in droves. The district of Södermalm is where much of Stieg Larrson’s Millennium trilogy is set (and where he wrote much of it too), featuring his heroine Lisbeth Salander.
It’s regarded as one of the hippest neighborhoods in Europe, full of cafés serving world-class coffee and pastries. You might hear the locals mention ‘fika’ – that’s a very Swedish tradition of catching up over coffee and cake.
Car rental in Stockholm will ensure you make the most of your trip to this justly celebrated city, before heading out to see what the rest of Sweden has to offer.
Looking for more inspiration for things to see and do in Stockholm? Check out our comprehensive Travel Guide