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March 31, 2016 7:20 AM Subscribe
On somewhat short notice, my wife and I are going to Stockholm for several days. I know next to nothing about Sweden. Tourism tips, please!
Looking for tips on places to go/things to do in Stockholm next weekend. We'll be there about three days, will not have a car. We're reasonably adventurous, particularly up for historical or outdoorsy things
Any other general advice on the culture and so forth is also welcome - I like to be a good guest!
Looking for tips on places to go/things to do in Stockholm next weekend. We'll be there about three days, will not have a car. We're reasonably adventurous, particularly up for historical or outdoorsy things
Any other general advice on the culture and so forth is also welcome - I like to be a good guest!
Best answer: We went last year and had a blast! A few quick ideas:
The Vasa Museet is amazing. Really nothing else like it. We spent a few happy hours mesmerized.
While you're traveling to/from The Vasa Museet, the rest of the island it's on, Djurgården, is full of parks, other museums, an amusement park, etc. We walked most of the perimeter of the island and just explored.
Also make sure to spend some time wandering Gamla Stan and adjacent Riddarholmen, the islands with the oldest, medieval part of town. Amazing narrow cobblestone streets and architecture.
But try to get out of town, too. There are a few different ferry lines that serve the archipelago from a couple points in downtown Stockholm, and we took a day trip to Vaxholm, which was probably a 90ish minute boat ride from downtown. It was beautiful and peaceful, both the ride and the island itself. There was an approx 10km path around the island which lead us to a lovely beach, then back around the island to town for lunch and fresh strawberries from a farmers' market. (I still dream of those strawberries.) The ferry was an experience in itself, seeing how all these tiny islands are connected by daily boats.
Stockholm was absolutely great - friendly people, nearly all of whom speak English. Things are expensive but high quality. We never had a bad meal, and there was lots of good seafood. Make sure to try a cardamom bun at some point. If you're into craft beer, check out Akkurat for one of the most interesting draft lists, including a dedicated Cantillon tap. Public transit (subway) is plentiful and relatively easy, but the city is very walkable, flat, and clean.
We felt very safe everywhere, even late at night. (Granted, it was June, so the sun was up until 11pm.)
We both wish we'd spent more time out in the countryside, as it's gorgeous and pristine, but we wouldn't hesitate to go back. Mr. McWriterson had business in Stockholm, which was the reason for our trip and kept us in/near town. If we did it again, we would have spent at least one more day out on an archipelago island, or possibly Uppsala, which is inland a bit.
Have a fantastic trip!
posted by writermcwriterson at 7:47 AM on March 31, 2016 [4 favorites]
The Vasa Museet is amazing. Really nothing else like it. We spent a few happy hours mesmerized.
While you're traveling to/from The Vasa Museet, the rest of the island it's on, Djurgården, is full of parks, other museums, an amusement park, etc. We walked most of the perimeter of the island and just explored.
Also make sure to spend some time wandering Gamla Stan and adjacent Riddarholmen, the islands with the oldest, medieval part of town. Amazing narrow cobblestone streets and architecture.
But try to get out of town, too. There are a few different ferry lines that serve the archipelago from a couple points in downtown Stockholm, and we took a day trip to Vaxholm, which was probably a 90ish minute boat ride from downtown. It was beautiful and peaceful, both the ride and the island itself. There was an approx 10km path around the island which lead us to a lovely beach, then back around the island to town for lunch and fresh strawberries from a farmers' market. (I still dream of those strawberries.) The ferry was an experience in itself, seeing how all these tiny islands are connected by daily boats.
Stockholm was absolutely great - friendly people, nearly all of whom speak English. Things are expensive but high quality. We never had a bad meal, and there was lots of good seafood. Make sure to try a cardamom bun at some point. If you're into craft beer, check out Akkurat for one of the most interesting draft lists, including a dedicated Cantillon tap. Public transit (subway) is plentiful and relatively easy, but the city is very walkable, flat, and clean.
We felt very safe everywhere, even late at night. (Granted, it was June, so the sun was up until 11pm.)
We both wish we'd spent more time out in the countryside, as it's gorgeous and pristine, but we wouldn't hesitate to go back. Mr. McWriterson had business in Stockholm, which was the reason for our trip and kept us in/near town. If we did it again, we would have spent at least one more day out on an archipelago island, or possibly Uppsala, which is inland a bit.
Have a fantastic trip!
posted by writermcwriterson at 7:47 AM on March 31, 2016 [4 favorites]
Yeah, the Vasa museum is great, I went back there the second time I was in the city I was so impressed by it and its not my usual type of thing. If you are going to blitz a pile of things on Djurgården or go to other attractions think about getting a 24 hour pass.
posted by biffa at 8:51 AM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by biffa at 8:51 AM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
Consider checking out City Hall; it's pretty strange.
I normally hate photography exhibits, but I really, really enjoyed Fotografiska.
We had an amazing meal at Bakfickan.
And nthing the Vasa, but mostly I'd say set aside time to wander. It's a beautiful city.
posted by phooky at 10:23 AM on March 31, 2016
I normally hate photography exhibits, but I really, really enjoyed Fotografiska.
We had an amazing meal at Bakfickan.
And nthing the Vasa, but mostly I'd say set aside time to wander. It's a beautiful city.
posted by phooky at 10:23 AM on March 31, 2016
My most favourite thing in Stockholm turned out to be the Moderna Museet, to the point I'm trying to plan a trip back this summer specifically just to go again. There's a park out front with the most amazing giant Picasso statues, so it's worth walking past even if you don't go in.
We also sat at a beach-side bar on one of the little islands, sipping beer and looking across at the city. I don't remember where it was exactly, we just found somewhere that looked nice and had a good view while wandering around the different islands. There are bridges everywhere so it's all very walkable. Just maybe avoid the main drag down the middle of Gamla Stan because it's full of touristic crap and pickpockets and crowds. The island is plenty pretty enough in all the side streets instead.
posted by shelleycat at 10:25 AM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
We also sat at a beach-side bar on one of the little islands, sipping beer and looking across at the city. I don't remember where it was exactly, we just found somewhere that looked nice and had a good view while wandering around the different islands. There are bridges everywhere so it's all very walkable. Just maybe avoid the main drag down the middle of Gamla Stan because it's full of touristic crap and pickpockets and crowds. The island is plenty pretty enough in all the side streets instead.
posted by shelleycat at 10:25 AM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
Some very good suggestions here.
If you'd like to take a nature walk or two I can wholeheartedly recommend Nackareservatet and Stora Skuggan - both can easily be reached by public transportation. And Vinterviken is a very nice park.
Stockholm is not the friendliest of bike cities, however it's getting better all the time. So if you'd like to get around the city on wheels, consider picking up a CityBikes card. Unfortunately kayak season hasn't begun yet, otherwise I'd recommend renting a kayak and experience Stockholm that way. Sightseeing by boat (and by bus) is also an option - a very nice one. Give me a wave when you pass Fredhäll! :) According to the local weather services we're in for some nice spring weather next weekend, so I definitely think you should take some kind of boat trip!
And if you're a fan of singer-songwriter/folk music (as your title suggests), you should give Folklore Centrum a visit.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 3:10 AM on April 1, 2016
If you'd like to take a nature walk or two I can wholeheartedly recommend Nackareservatet and Stora Skuggan - both can easily be reached by public transportation. And Vinterviken is a very nice park.
Stockholm is not the friendliest of bike cities, however it's getting better all the time. So if you'd like to get around the city on wheels, consider picking up a CityBikes card. Unfortunately kayak season hasn't begun yet, otherwise I'd recommend renting a kayak and experience Stockholm that way. Sightseeing by boat (and by bus) is also an option - a very nice one. Give me a wave when you pass Fredhäll! :) According to the local weather services we're in for some nice spring weather next weekend, so I definitely think you should take some kind of boat trip!
And if you're a fan of singer-songwriter/folk music (as your title suggests), you should give Folklore Centrum a visit.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 3:10 AM on April 1, 2016
I would recommend a visit to the Woodland cemetary. It's a short subwayride and a lovely place for a walk.
posted by Tawny Owl at 1:32 AM on April 2, 2016
posted by Tawny Owl at 1:32 AM on April 2, 2016
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posted by Etrigan at 7:25 AM on March 31, 2016 [2 favorites]