Sweden | The Ultimate Weekend Guide to Stockholm
Arrival & Stay
As most likely you will land to the international Arlanda Airport, it will take you just 15 min & ~15 Euro to get to the Stockholm city by Express train. If you travel from Bromma Airport, it takes apprx. 40min from the city centre to get there by train or bus.
As it was kind of spontaneous trip, we ended up with the most geographically & financially convenient option among all available ones with good included breakfast right in the city centre.
However, I've been also advised on some other tested & approved hotels:
Brunch & Coffee
Desserts & Bakery
By far, my favourite spot for the best salted cookies in my entire life. Feel free to ask the friendly founder Kaja to warm it up for more chewy texture while ordering your coffee to pair it with.
The Swedish chain of tiny yet cozy bakeries around the world. Well, guys...name the better combo than marzipan & black pepper croissant!
I mean…just look at this one & dare to resist💔🤌🏼
Lunch & Dinner
After long city strolls you are most certainly willing to fuel up with something atypical & traditional, right?
While you’re waiting for your main course, they serve both soft & crispy bread with a saucer of whipped salted butter & salmon mousse🥹💔
Named after the theatre Astoria, which used to be a cinema in the same building, the space has undergone extensive renovation with original details from 1870s. The atmosphere of old-school brasserie-style staff uniform & chic interior design is conducive for a cocktail or two with your friends, partner or solo😉
Bars
We haven't drank that much to try out them all in just 3 days yet these are highly-recommended by my Swedish friends who know the vibe!
Traditional Food
For fresh seafood & some traditional delicacies we headed to the local food market which turned out to be our best decision as most ones from the list below we’ve discovered in just one place. Order at one of preferred stalls or take-away & grab a seat in/outside.
Keep in mind, that most of spots don’t really like welcoming you with their ‘competitors’ food but we managed to agree on it :)
▪️Pea soup & pancakes
The weirdest yet one of the most traditional mix of sweet & savory dishes.
▪️Smörgåstårta – fish sandwich cake
▪️Köttbullar – meatballs served with mashed potatoes, pickles & lingonberries
▪️Räkmacka – shrimp sandwich
P.S. as you may see Swedes are quite generous for serving caviar in a platter with a spoon :)
▪️Kolapaj — salted caramel tart got my heart!🥵
▪️Sill — pickled herring
▪️Smoked salmon
▪️Ostkaka — cheesecake
There 2 different recipes: Smaland from South & Halsingland from North
Both recipes contain milk, wheat flour & rennet. But in the southern version, almonds, egg, cream & sugar are added, leading to a slightly different texture.
Historically, the cheesecake used to be baked in copper pots, which left traces of copper in the cake. Therefore, guests were encouraged to begin to eat from the centre of the cake. The edges with copper traces were left for the servants & the children.
▪️Kanelbulle — cinnamon bun
▪️Semla — cinnamon roll & whipped cream
▪️Chockladball- chocolate ball
▪️Smulpaj — fruit crumble: apples or berries?
▪️Crisp Bread & Filmjölk
The wide selection of various crispers makes you dazzled & healthier!
Filmjölk, which is often combined with the crisp bread, is fermented milk that leaves it with a bit of sour taste. The texture is like yogurt, but a little less creamy. Because of its sourness, you can top it with fruits, berries, cinnamon, jam, or cereals. The bacteria in filmjölk are very healthy and good for the stomach and digestion.
▪️Lingon Cava — signature local cocktail with a perfect sweet-sour mix of cava & berries.
▪️Surströmming – Sour Herrin
Last but not least😂By far the smelliest food you’ll ever try. It's saved for summer to be served outside and the tin must be opened outside or underwater. Otherwise, you could barely handle that bad smell from fermentation as a part of the preserving process. It’s a very traditional & popular dish, especially in northern Sweden served in some restaurants as well as sold in the grocery store. It even has its own day, which is the third Thursday in August. Would you dare? (not me lol)
Other Activities
Museums:
Landmarks:
Take a boat trip from the Stockholm city to the Vaxholm island to explore another slow life of Swedes. 1 hour of picturesque views from the window in the comfort of your seat or at the boat nose for just 2 Euro one-way!
Local shops
Best Photo Spots
Hope you enjoyed this guide & your stay in Stockholm!🧡
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