🇸🇪Stockholm: my favorite places⭐️

This guide is a sum-up of my stay in Stockholm for the last 5 years. It is divided between things to see, where to eat, and where to stay. These are all the places I love to share with my Italian friends and family who come to visit. 🤩 Like every Scandinavian city, the weather can be very mutable, so be sure to dress accordingly with many layers that can be taken off if needed. And always remember: There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes 😄 I have added a section of places I love that are subjected to seasonal openings, I specify it in the guide 😉 There could be many many other places worth of being included, but these are my faves :D

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Areas to visit

Gamla stan

@beatricelugano

Gamla Stan, the old town, is a must-see. You can get lost in the small cobblestone streets, arrive at the Royal Palace, take a ghost tour, and see the beautiful German Church as well as interesting statues. As a photographer, I am all the time amazed by the turns and perspectives that the streets take as well as the architecture. Go to Stortorget and take a look at the colorful houses and to the beautiful Historishen Brunnen, the big fountain in the square.

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Skeppsholmen

@beatricelugano

Skeppsholmen and its little sister Kastellholmen are two small islands located between Gamla Stan and the Gröna Lund, the amusement park in the Royal Djurgården. Beyond a very nice stroll and nice views of downtown, the island hosts the Moderna Museet, the museum of modern art. I love to come here to photograph my clients who want couple portraits because the setting is very romantic.

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Fjäderholmarna

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A very nice day trip is to visit Fjäderholmarna, a group of islands set at the entrance of the popular Archipelago, the door to the Baltic Sea. Taking the boat from Nybrokayen in Östermalm, after just half an hour you arrive at the main island, where you can see the beautiful natural reserve and enjoy some artisanal souvenirs. You can indulge in some delicious meals, at the typical restaurants on the island.

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Mariatorget

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This lovely quarter in Södermalm (the south island of the city center) offers many interesting walks with stunning sights on Gamla Stan. You can also take the "Millennium Tour", a 2-hour tour that covers the most famous places described in Stig Larsson's Millenium Trilogy.

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Grand Hôtel

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One of the most iconic places in Stockholm, the Grand Hotel offers, beyond the usual services, also a spa that can be visited without staying at the hotel. The view of the Royal Palace offers an incredible experience. The restaurants and bars are led by the most renowned chefs of Stockholm and you can book an afternoon tea as well.

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Rosendals Trädgård

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A wonderful botanic garden where you can enjoy many different plant species and beautiful views. There is a beautiful café where you can enjoy a lunch out of time and there are many workshops to better know plants and flowers. The garden is in the middle of the Royal Gardens, you can arrive by bus or tram.

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Skansen

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The world's largest open-air museum, Skansen offers loads of activities for all ages, especially to get children to know how life was lived in the past in Sweden. Depending on the time of the year there are different events in place for this reason, it is always good to check the website for the latest news.

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Gröna Lund

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Historical amusement park (founded in 1883) in the center of Stockholm, inspired by the famous Tivoli park in Copenhagen. Beyond the traditional attractions, Grönan offers concerts in the Summer with popular singers and various activities connected to the period of the year. Very popular is the Halloween opening.

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Östermalms Food Hall

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This is a hidden gem! Lately refurbished after a fire this 1800 building hosts the best specialties you will find in Stockholm. Indulge yourself in some oysters or in a typical salmon dish and get back to the wonderful times of liberty era.

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Museums

Nordiska museet

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Let's start with my favorite museum, Nordiska, which comprehends all the traditions and lore of the Nordic heritage. This museum, like most of the museums in Stockholm, offers kids' activities and many different exhibitions. I love to go just to have the opportunity to get lost in this amazing building that reminds me of Monsters University. On the Museum's website there are several options for small to bigger tours, I have linked the specific page here

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Vasa Museum

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One of the most famous museums of Stockholm was built around the popular relic that sunk in Stockholm's Gulf on the day of its launch. The incredible state of perfect preservation allows the visitors to get immersed in the past and experience life in the 17th century. The tickets are on sale directly on the website and the entrance allows you to stay as long as you want. For the little ones, there is an animation movie available in different languages, that tells the story of a lovely little pig that was on the ship and survived the sinking. The museum's restaurant is one of our favorite places to go with the whole family

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Wikinger-Museum

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The Viking Museum is not far away from Vasa and offers guided visits included in the ticket, which is not super economical considering the size of the museum, but is worth the experience in my opinion, especially if you have kids. We had loads of fun doing the treasure hunt and the movie at the end is really interesting. And again, the interaction with all the tools and things of the Vikings is simply priceless, we had a great time! I have heard great things about the restaurant though I have not tried it yet, will keep posted

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Army Museum

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3 different floors that comprehend the history of war in different historical times, with trophies, machines, and heraldic banners. I was so excited when I saw, in the area of World War II a perfectly preserved German cipher machine. In this museum, as in most museums in Stockholm, there are many interactive parts, and a treasure hunt to complete.

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Stockholm City Museum

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The city museum, in Slussen, collects the whole history of Stockholm. It has free entrance and an interesting User experience. It has been the first museum that I visited when I relocated here from Italy.

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Nationalmuseum

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Six Centuries of Art and Design, more than 500 paintings, drawings, sculptures, and applied arts. The collection is presented chronologically and the museum offers different guided tours. The museum offers also a downloadable app.

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Where to eat - Restaurants

Kvarnen

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Kvarnen is the place to go if you want to eat traditionally Swedish. From the meatballs to the Västerbottenostpaj it is always a pleasure to go to this restaurant. The personnel is kind and welcoming and during the summer they open a lovely dehors in Medborgerplatsen. It was the first restaurant where we had lunch just arrived in Sweden. Kvarnen is also featured in Stieg Larsson's Millennium-books as the meeting place for Lisbeth Salander and her bandmates in the rock band Evil Fingers

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Flippin' Burgers

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If you want to try a burger done with love and premium ingredients Flippin Burger is the place to go. I usually cook burgers at home but once in a while, I love to treat myself and the family with this experience. There are two Flippin Burgers in Stockholm, I linked the one in Östermalm because is the one where we go more often. The quality and kindness of the waiters is the same in both places though :) Absolutely suggested!!!

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THE ITALIAN COUSINS - pizza, bar, natural wines, specialty coffee

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Being Italian I could not include some great place to eat properly Italian. The Italian Cousins serves "pizza al taglio" the slice of pizza you usually have as street food. Premium ingredients and a home vibe make this one of my favorites. The owners started with a food truck and now have three shops in the city! Bel lavoro ragazzi!!

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Madame Thu restaurant

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Ahhhh the aroma of the Pho broth, I was missing it so much!! This restaurant is amazing, the level of the dishes is incredible and its seasonal change in the menu allows you to never get bored. The restaurant is set in one of the new quarters of Stockholm that offer a lot of entertainment. Worth one (or more) visits! I definitely suggest the rolls and the pho!

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China!

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A good traditional Chinese restaurant could not be missing in a respectful guide and China! meets the expectation. I fell in love with the spicy eggplant but every dish is an incredible opening of flavours. I linked the restaurant in Södermalm but now it is available in Kungsholmen as well!

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Boule & Berså

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The relaxed and chill atmosphere of Boule & Berså makes this place special. Enjoy a beer and a burger while playing the boule game, looking at the canal, and watching the big cruising ships leave for the archipelago. Pancakes and gelato for the little ones. Nice reggae music. Seasonal opening from Easter till Halloween.

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A la Crêpe

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Cozy little place that offers great crepes with curated ingredients. Suggested the cider.

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Restaurang Rökeriet

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If you decide on a day trip to Fjäderholmarna, consider spending lunch at the Rökeriet, a restaurant with a specialty of smoked shrimp. They have their own smoke room and eating a plate on the seaside is really one of the best memories you can gift yourself :)

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Meno Male Södermalm

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The typical Neapolitan pizza, thin but with a thick "cornicione" and the best ingredients. Meno Male has many restaurants in Stockholm, but the one in Söder feels like home. If you want to remain true to the tradition order a "Salsiccia e Friarielli"

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Cafés

Café Tårtan

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A nice, small café that offers good cakes and kanelbullar. Great to relax and to have a nice fika. Good choice of vegetarian and vegan foods. It often hosts exhibitions of emerging artists.

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Sosta Bar

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The best cappuccino in Stockholm!! The ambient is a chic Italian bar, the owners and bartenders are super nice. You can eat as well a slice of pizza or a schiacciata. Definitely to try!

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Magnus Johansson Bageri & Konditori

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French-inspired bakery that offers many interesting products depending on the season. At Christmas, a must is the cloud-like saffransknut while after the Semlor start to become favorites. The laboratory is at sight you can have a sneak peek at the production!

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Petite France

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Another french inspired bakery that offers wonderful croissants. Lunch is also very interesting and the ambient is relaxed and cozy. During the summer the dehors is very nice

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Under Kastanjen

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This lovely Café in Gamla Stan is ideal to pause after a stroll in the Old town. During the summertime, you can enjoy your stay at the dehors, under the popular chestnut tree where the cafè gets its name, otherwise, get cozy for a fika in the inner rooms. I suggest you order one of the homemade kanellknut, a must-have!

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Mälarpaviljongen

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Seasonal bar restaurant created on a floating jetty on the Mälaren. The main structure is a pavilion where the artists used to meet to paint the river and the view of the town. The gay-friendly location offers many activities during the pride month.

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Bageriet Bulleboden.

@beatricelugano

A gem! The homemade pastries are a treat that you can enjoy in a cozy atmosphere. The cappuccino that I had with an amazing pain au chocolat was perfect and I will definitely come back to enjoy some more dishes.

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Places to stay - Hotels

Biz Apartment Hammarby Sjöstad

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This was our first stay once we moved to Sweden. The small apartments have all the commodities, washing machine and dryer, microwave, etc. It is clean and near to the city. It is part of a chain that is present in other locations in Stockholm.

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Elite Hotel Marina Tower Stockholm

@beatricelugano

Wonderful hotel with a spa, one of the two locations in Stockholm that offers a Turkish bath. The SPA can be accessed also daily with wellness packages even by non-guests. THe SJ restaurant offers seasonal plates. The hotel is inside an old building that once was a mill.

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Yasuragi

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Japanese hotel and SPA at the beginning of the beautiful Archipelago of Stockholm. In this area, the wealthy Stockholm citizens were used to spend the summer. This gem offers Japanese baths and treatments, activities and food.

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Vår Gård Saltsjöbaden AB

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This beautiful boutique hotel is ideal for getting away from the city stress. The restaurant has a curated and seasonal menu and the location is breathtaking.

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Things to do

SkiStar Hammarbybacken

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During the winter season, why not try some ski at Hammarbybacken? You can also rent the equipment and near to it you have as well the Nacka Natural Reserve for some hiking. During the summer Skistar offers summer activities as the mountain tube and the mountain coaster. Worth giving it a try!

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Hellasgården

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A bathing facility that offers a well sauna and "stugan", small houses for vacation. During the summer it is possible to rent kayaks, tennis, outside gym, etc. During the winter it is possible to do the isvaksbad (the winter bath) a popular skandinavian tradition.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Beatrice Lugano

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👋🏻 Hej allihoppa! My name is Beatrice and I am an Italian 🇮🇹 living in Sweden 🇸🇪. I left Milano 6 years ago for the Venice of the North and can't wait to show you all my favorite places to experience the true Swedish lifestyle. Så mysig!! 🧁☕️ Here in Stockholm, I do couple and portrait photography and always help my clients (most tourists) to have a wonderful time in this beautiful city. I love giving them the best suggestions and I will do the same for you. I also love to explore the city with my family, most itineraries will be family-tailored! Milan is where I was born and lived. most of my life, so I will share with you all my secrets about this incredible city. My background is artistic, so I will always include some nice museums or activities to visit in my guides. I have worked many years as a photographer on location this is why I have good experience of Egypt, the Caribbeans, Zanzibar, Madagascar, and Viet Nam. I am a food lover too, so I will include the best spots to eat amazing food. Can't wait to share all of this!!! See you soon ⭐️

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Stockholm, Sweden