My love for Scandinavian design, coffee, “The Six Bullerby Children”, and… elks, influenced my decision to movie to Sweden. From the very beginning, I felt that I would stay in Stockholm for longer. Although I have visited many places in this city, most of them I discovered by chance, I would like to visit them again and share my stories with others.
I take my guests visiting me in the Swedish capital to a scenic viewpoint that is rarely featured in guidebooks, namely Skinnarviksberget. While there, you can enjoy the unique panorama of Stockholm. It is a high rocky hill, which can be accessed by a road stretching along perfectly preserved old houses. When in the neighbourhood, it is worth visiting the inconspicuous Sophies Cafe, where I discovered saffron ice cream, or going for a walk to Södermalm, an arts district.
Fika, sweet biscuits and herring
I work as a photographer and a barista. In Sweden, my passion for coffee has transformed into a lifestyle. Although I drank the best espresso in my life in Rome, I truly took delight in this black beverage here in Stockholm, where fika, a break for coffee and cake, is obligatory during the day. For many years, I have been a loyal customer at to Johan & Nyström, a roasting company and a café, which started the Swedish coffee revolution. Another place that serves high-quality coffee is Snickarbacken 7, located in an unpretentious street in the city centre. It is not only a great café situated in a beautiful 19th-century building, but also a small art gallery. You can also enjoy great coffee in the Bergianska Trädgården botanical garden.
The Swedish cuisine is dominated by fish dishes and sweet pastries. In the city centre, you can visit Nystekt Strömming, a stall serving herring prepared in different ways. Up until recently, it was located on Södermalmstorg, but since a major renovation of this part of the city is underway, it was moved to Gamla Stan. You can also try sweet pastries in atmospheric bakeries, such as Fabrique, Chokladfabriken or Vete-Katten.
The former hunting park and Vaxholm
When walking around this Swedish town, you should definitely plan a visit to Djurgården Island, where hunting grounds and a Royal hunting park from the 16th century are located. You can get there by Cafévagnen, the tram line no 7, which is both a café and a prom leaving from Slussen wharf.
From there, it is possible to embark on a bit longer trip to the small and nostalgic town of Vaxholm. It is a part of the Stockholm Archipelago – one of the largest clusters of islands and islets in the Baltic Sea. Relaxing on skerries is for me one of my favourite ways of spending free time in Sweden.
Close to nature
If you would like to spend some time in the open, you should visit Nynäshamn, which can be reached by train from Stockholm. It is a town with a small harbour and booths that offer seaside delicacies. It is also worth going for a few hour stroll along Strandvägen, leading to rocky cliff that will give you a great view of the sea.
One of the more unique Swedish rights is the right to sleep in a tent in almost all open areas. Those protected areas have special camping sites. One of them is Tyresta National Park, situated only 20 km from Stockholm, which you can reach by public transport. It is one of my favourite places in the suburbs. If you ever visit Sweden, it is really worth slowing down and taking a deep dive into the Swedish culture, even just for a little bit, to reap its benefits.
See in Stockholm
See the longest exhibition in the world
The longest exhibition in the world that spreads over 90 underground stations decorated with sculptures, paintings, and installations of 150 artists was created in Stockholm.
Fotographiska
The Swedish Museum of Photography is a centre for contemporary photography in the Södermalm district of Stockholm. It is not only a great opportunity for art lovers. The museum’s top floor has some of the best views of the city.
Visit Vasa Museum
Vasa Museum is a maritime museum located on the island of Djurgården. The museum displays the only almost fully intact 17th century ship that has ever been salvaged, the 64-gun warship Vasa that sank on her maiden voyage in 1628.
Public transport
To use public transport, you must have an SL Access Card, which you can load with funds or purchase time tickets with it. The card costs 20 krona – you have to deposit a minimum of 100 krona. If you travel by bus, remember to get on through the front.
