Stockholm, Sweden in 48 hours
When planning a 3 week trek through Europe, I was looking for the cheapest flight as well as the most convenient and Stockholm, Sweden happened to win. To think this country was not a radar, I could kick myself for it because in just two days, Stockholm became one of my favorite European cities to visit.
Important Tips:
1. Card is King. Not Cash. I was shocked to see that so many establishments did not accept cash as a form of payment. I’ve never seen this in any of my travels or even at home. So I would recommend using a travel credit card to avoid foreign transaction fees and don’t be so anxious to stop at the ATM here.
2. Stockholm is NOT a budget friendly city so please plan accordingly. The average lunch will run you about $27USD.
3. The Swedish greeting is “Hej” pronounced as “Hey”. If you’re asking someone a question, feel free to greet them this way.
Getting Here:
I arrived in Stockholm from London. A one way flight cost me just $47USD via Scandinavian Airlines. After landing at the airport I spotted the Flybus sign in the terminal and purchased my ticket online here. The buses move quickly and I waited no more than 10 minutes for the next one which conveniently dropped me off right across from my hotel.
Getting Around:
Stockholm is not a very big city so most of it can be explored on foot or by train. I purchased an access card at one of the local train stations. You can purchase an unlimited one for 24 or 72 hours. Another option is to pay as you go depending on how much traveling/walking you plan on doing this might be the best option.
What To Do:
Gamla Stan: With every city I visit, I make it my priority to find a picturesque town to explore and of course do a photo shoot. Gamla Stan was absolutely perfect for this. I took a short train ride from my hotel and explored the area on foot. There are cafes, souvenir shops, restaurants and overall just a great scenery in Gamla Stan.
Train Station Art: Stockholm is known for the mind blowing art work inside of the train stations. I’ll admit that I actually missed a few trains passing because I was too busy admiring the art work. My favorite station and of course the most popular was Solna Centrum. The red painting on the ceiling gives the illusion of entering a red cave and I couldn’t get enough of it. Be sure to stroll through other train stations in Stockholm and catch of glimpse of the amazing artwork.
Photography Museum: I will shamefully admit, I am not a museum lover. Sincere apologies but most of them put me to sleep and I can never stay for more than an hour. Stockholm has quite a bit of museums to explore but the only one I made it to was the Photography Museum. After a few recommendations from some waiters after they saw my camera, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to pop in since it rained one of the days I was there. I am surely glad I took the time to visit because I was so inspired by the photos especially the ones of many African tribes. You can find great photos of indigenous people all over the world as well as some eye popping landscape shots and portraits. Whether you are a museum lover or not, I would highly recommended a visit here. Entry fee is about $17USD.
Where to Eat:
Eating in new cities is always a toss up. You can either be let down or blown away. I must say Stockholm did not disappoint with the food. Here are some good restaurants to try in the city.
Fabrique Stenugnsbagen: A popular dessert in Stockholm is the Kanelbulle which is pretty much a cinnamon bun. As a lover of sweets I popped in this cafe to have one and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. You can find Kanelbulle’s just about anywhere in Stockholm. Just make sure you don’t leave the city without trying one.
The Greasy Spoon: If you’re a brunch lover, you must make a stop here. Whether you’re a meat lover, vegetarian, or vegan, there is something on the menu for you. I was lucky to not wait a long time for a table because I was dining alone, but I would recommend arriving towards the late afternoon around 2pm to avoid long wait times.
Meatballs For The People: Sweden is known for its world famous meatballs. Although I didn’t have any, this place was jam packed. By packed I mean can’t get in the door packed on a Saturday afternoon. So one can assume it must be worth it.
Flippin’ Burgers: With options for vegetarians as well as killer milk shakes, one can’t go wrong with a good burger. Be prepared to wait at this place as I waited 30 minutes for a table for one. Not to worry, it was worth the wait.
Prinsens: For the upscale restaurant lover, stop in here for a fancy dinner, good wine and a high end dining experience.
Where to Shop:
Surprisingly I just recently got into shopping during my travels. I usually overpack like most people but this time around I left a bit of extra room in my luggage. While getting lost in the streets I came across a few stores worth stopping in for clothing and footwear:
Monki: A very trendy and colorful store with tons of casual and chic clothing for women.
Weekday: Similar to Monki with trendy clothing but also a bit more casual options.
Gina Tricot: Just across the street from Monki, take a stop inside this boutique with a bit more dressier clothing for women.
6/5/4: This store is more for the adventure traveler looking for comfort and/or warmth. With options for men and women, you can find casual and comfy sweaters and pants as well as wet suits for my surfers out there.
Where I Stayed: I found Stockholm hotels to be a bit pricey when it came to accommodations especially if you want to stay close to the city center. After doing some searching I found “Best Western Plus Grow Hotel” to be the best choice. My room was the perfect size for a solo traveler, clean and comfortable. It cost me about $65USD per night which was a huge deal compared to the rest of the options available. I also appreciated how it was right in front of the airport bus stop so no dragging luggage around for blocks was needed.
Visiting Stockholm solo was a great experience. It was easy to get around, there were plenty of things to do and I never felt unsafe at any time. The city wasn’t on my radar before but it definitely is now and I plan to make a second visit in the future.
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