Stockholm: Can't you hear me? S.O.S.

I would be lying if the home of my favorite band ABBA didn’t draw me to Stockholm, and yes they have an interactive museum there. Post-visit, what leaves me wanting more of Stockholm is the food, culture, beauty, and museums.

Hear me out - deciding to visit Stockholm in January seems like a bad choice, but the town becomes sleepy post-holiday markets and all the hustle and bustle of the New Year. I would argue that it is the best time to go! Yes, you might fall if you aren’t used to walking in the snow, my Georgia a** did, but it is a winter wonderland with very few crowds. 

Also, we were able to obtain cheap flights via Icelandair and stay in a quaint, centrally located hotel for a reasonable price: Downtown Camper by Scandic. 

I rather love the area, but this hotel was a gem. PLEASE book a spa pass (The Nest Wellness)… we did this at sunset and sat in the hot tub while it snowed overlooking the whole city. I felt like I was dreaming. Getting out of the hot tub… once again be careful and don’t fall! 

They have a cocktail bar next to the spa area, a downstairs cocktail bar with board games, and ping pong tables on each floor - a lot of matches were played in the evenings.

Packing for Winter:

• Snow boots

• Thermal underwear 

• Wool or thick socks

• Hat and scarf 

• Layers and warm sweaters

• Lotion and chapstick for the air

Getting to the City: We flew into Stockholm Arlanda Airport, which is about 25 miles from the city center. I recommend taking the train. It was easy and quick. The Arlanda Express takes you directly to Stockholm Central Station in 18 minutes, departing every 10 minutes during busy times. The train also has Wi-Fi and luggage racks!

Things to know: Stockholm is very walkable and safe to explore, even at night. The city dates back to the 1200s (you can find an old church from 1270, Riddarholmen), and a third of the population was wiped out during the plague. If you aren't in the mood to walk or you want to get outside the main part of the city, its stations are beautiful with art and sculptures. Since there is so much water, many compare it to a colder Venice. If you want to do a lot of museums, you can spend a day on the island in the middle of Stockholm's main city: Djurgarden. Some of my favorites are there: ABBA, Vasa, and the Viking Museum.

Where we stayed: Downtown Camper by Scandic r

For this trip, we decided five nights was enough and to only do Stockholm, and I think I was spot on with my planning.

Food and drink:

• Café Schweizer

• Gast Cafe

• Stora bageriet - picture below

• Fabrique

• TAK seafood fusion

• Meatballs for the people 

• Punk royale 

• Pharmarium - for late-night cocktails

• Haket

• O'leary's - we needed a break from the cold and played shuffleboard and arcade games

• B.A.R. (seafood); north-east of Old Town

• Kanelbullar (cinnamon rolls), best spots to get them:

  • Mr.Cake

  • Gunnarsons

Recommended food activity: Something I learned from traveling with a dear friend is to book a food tour for the first full day in a new city. You will see what food you like, get acquainted with the city, and learn about the culture through yummy food. We did this on our first day and it started at Östermalms Food Hall. You can see it here:

Must see and do:

• Nobel Prize Museum

• Nordic Museum

• Viking Museum

• ABBA: the museum - left pictures

• Vasa Museum (famous preserved ship) - HIGHLY recommend - top middle picture

• Skansen - Open air museum

• Djurgårdens IF Hockey game (we had so much fun) - bottom right picture

• Royal palace

• Rejuvenate at the Sickla Saunas

• Nordic food walk

• Drottningholm Palace (1600s, modeled after Versailles); 30 min outside city

• Skinnarviksberget (highest point in city, south-east of Old Town)

• Walk along Sodermalm (island south of Old Town) down Brännkyrkagatan street

• Monteliusvagen Path 

• Mall of Scandinavia (train from Stockholm City Station)

• First (and largest) IKEA (Kungens Kurva) or any IKEA - bottom middle picture

• Boat ride to the archipelago - when it is warm

• Östermalms Food Hall

• And this is biased because I go in every country, but McDonald's - top right picture

In summary, I would love to return to Stockholm when it is warm and the days are longer. However, for first-time guests who want to save some money, winter can be lovely.