Did you know?
A few things that make Stockholm a little easier.
Right to roam
Sweden’s right to roam lets everyone walk, cycle, ski and camp briefly on most natural land, even if it is privately owned. You must respect privacy and nature: do not disturb, damage, litter, enter gardens or cultivated land, and follow restrictions in protected areas.
Systembolaget
Systembolaget is Sweden’s state owned retail monopoly for wine, spirits and most beer. It offers an unusually wide selection, but is closed on Sundays and has limited Saturday hours, so plan ahead. It is not run to maximise sales or profit, but to reduce alcohol related harm, and it is genuinely worth a visit, even as a tourist.
Public transport
Stockholm’s public transport system is called SL and includes the metro, buses and trams. But did you know you can also travel by boat using the very same ticket? For a single journey, simply tap your contactless bank card at the gate or card reader.
How to travel with SL →The metro
Stockholm’s metro, or “tunnelbanan”, is often called the world’s longest art exhibition, famous for its stations with exposed bedrock walls and vivid colours. It has three lines: red, green and blue, and is known for being clean, quiet and safe. Tip: look for the white signs with a blue T to find a station.
See some of the station art →Dagens lunch
On weekdays, look out for “dagens lunch”, meaning “today’s lunch”. Many restaurants serve a set lunch menu from around 11:00 to 14:00, usually one or two main dishes at a much lower price than their regular menu, often including bread, salad and coffee.
Places worth a visit
My favourite corners of the city. Tap a place to open it in Google Maps.
Neighbourhoods
Rörstrandsgatan
A popular pedestrian street among locals, with a wide selection of cafés, restaurants and bars. A great place for lunch, fika or a late night drink.
Open in Google Maps →SoFo
A trendy area south of Folkungagatan on Södermalm. Come here for vintage shopping, independent boutiques, cafés, restaurants and bars.
Open in Google Maps →Djurgården
Literally the king’s old hunting ground. The island is home to some of Stockholm’s top attractions, such as Gröna Lund, Skansen and the Vasa Museum, but the island itself is beautiful and a favourite for locals’ walks. A hidden gem is the Rosendal gardens in the middle of the island, very cosy in the summer months.
Open in Google Maps →The archipelago
Vaxholm & Fjäderholmarna
Taking a boat out to these islands is a must if you want to see some of the Stockholm archipelago. At the time of writing, your regular SL ticket is valid on Waxholmsbolaget’s boats between the city and Vaxholm. Boats to Fjäderholmarna are run by other companies and need their own ticket. This may change, so please double-check before you go.
Vaxholm in Google Maps → Fjäderholmarna in Google Maps →Viewpoints
Skinnarviksberget
Great spot for sunsets, bring a snack or a drink and enjoy.
Open in Google Maps →City Hall
Stockholm City Hall has a great view of Old Town, Norrmalm and Södermalm.
Open in Google Maps →Skeppsholmsbron
Close to Nationalmuseum, with a good view of most of Stockholm.
Open in Google Maps →Where to eat & drink
Places I actually go to, sorted by area. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.
Vasastan & Norrmalm
Restaurants
- Cucina Povera: Simple but well made Italian food for a fair price.
- Portal: Lots of Swedish ingredients, nice location and great staff. Kind of expensive though.
- 800 Grader: Neapolitan pizza in a cozy location.
- Sandhäxan: Funky sandwiches, bring a napkin. “Sandhäxan” is a playful Swedish take on the word “sandwich”: sand means sand, and häxa means a witch.
- Berns Asiatiska: Set inside one of Stockholm’s most beautiful buildings (seriously, it’s like a palace in there), serving upscale, curated Asian-style food. Worth a visit.
Bars
- Apropos: Old school cocktail bar with character. Note that Apropos can be very hard to find as it does not have a sign.
- Bron: Not a fancy bar, but always lively, reasonably priced and popular with locals, with a great view. Expect it to be full.
- Urban Deli (Sveavägen): It has a rooftop bar in summer. It is a little expensive, yet I somehow always come back.
Östermalm & Djurgården
Restaurants
- Nybrogatan 38: Something for everyone and every occasion. An all-round great restaurant.
- Kouzina: Greek food. I personally recommend the souvlaki.
- Trattoria Montanari: A cozy Italian restaurant that feels family-owned (no idea if it actually is). Small, authentic and with delicious pasta.
- Artilleriet: Located inside the Army Museum.
- Ulla Winbladh: Authentic Swedish food. It has been around forever and is beautifully located on Djurgården.
Kungsholmen
Restaurants
Södermalm
Restaurants
- Ho’s Kina: Authentic Cantonese food. Always busy at dinnertime.
- JA Thai Wok & Sushi: Classic “Swedish” Thai food, cheap and tasty, but nowhere to sit.