Stockholm, Sweden | Cruise port of call | CruiseBe
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Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden.

The inner city is made up of 14 islands connected by some 50 bridges on Lake Mälaren, which flows into the brackish Baltic Sea, and passes the Stockholm archipelago with some 24,000 islands and islets.

Stockholm is a cosmopolitan place with both classical and modern architecture, and a captivating Old Town, Gamla Stan. Over 30% of the city area is made up of waterways, and another 30% is made up of green spaces. Air quality is fourth best of the European capitals - behind Berlin, Copenhagen, and Vienna.

Stockholm is not the oldest town in Sweden. As Sigtuna, Sweden's first capital, was sacked by pirates in 1187, the Swedes built up fortresses along the inlet of Mälaren, and Birger Jarl (Jarl is a title... Read more

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Stockholm, Sweden

Destination:
North & West Europe
Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden.

The inner city is made up of 14 islands connected by some 50 bridges on Lake Mälaren, which flows into the brackish Baltic Sea, and passes the Stockholm archipelago with some 24,000 islands and islets.

Stockholm is a cosmopolitan place with both classical and modern architecture, and a captivating Old Town, Gamla Stan. Over 30% of the city area is made up of waterways, and another 30% is made up of green spaces. Air quality is fourth best of the European capitals - behind Berlin, Copenhagen, and Vienna.

Stockholm is not the oldest town in Sweden. As Sigtuna, Sweden's first capital, was sacked by pirates in 1187, the Swedes built up fortresses along the inlet of Mälaren, and Birger Jarl (Jarl is a title corresponding to British Earl) had a fortress built on an island later known as Gamla Stan. The first records of Stockholm were written in 1252 by Birger. As the land raised, the Stockholm straits became the only waterway between Mälaren and the Baltic Sea during the 15th century, replacing Uppsala as the effective capital. Since King Gustavus Vasa liberated Stockholm in 1523, Stockholm has remained Sweden's most important center of commerce, though Gothenburg later became the largest international port. During the 17th century, Stockholm was the base of the Swedish Empire, with a land area twice the country's current size, nearly encircling the Baltic Sea.

The city contains buildings from all ages since the 13th century. Like the rest of Sweden, it was untouched by the World Wars, but particularly between 1955 and 1975, hundreds of old buildings in Norrmalm were demolished in a large-scale modernization process, encouraged by similar projects in other European cities. Since then, only infills and a few areas have been developed with new architecture in central Stockholm.

Climate

Despite its northern location, Stockholm has fairly mild temperatures throughout the year. As a result of its northerly latitude, the city sees a dramatic seasonal variation in sunlight, from more than 18 hours of daylight around midsummer to around 6 hours of daylight in late December. Stockholm enjoys an average of nearly 2,000 hours of sunshine a year. Average yearly precipitation is 539 mm (21.2"), with July and August slightly the wettest months.
Throughout the summer, the average daily high temperatures reach 20-25°C (68-77°F), with lows of 12-15°C (54-59°F). However, summer heat waves are frequent and temperatures above 25°C+ (77°F+) are not uncommon. Autumn tends to be rather cool and often rainy; in October, average daily highs dip to approximately 10°C (50°F). In the winter months, from December through early March, average daily temperatures fall between -3 and 3°C (26-38°F). Milder periods occur, but so do cold spells with temperatures around -10°C (14°F). Snowfall can occur from late November to early April, but the amount of snowfall varies greatly from year to year and through the winter season. Deep snow cover throughout the winter is rather uncommon. Spring is the driest season, with the average daily temperature reaching highs of 9°C (48°F) in April and 16°C (61°F) in May.

Tourist information

  • Stockholm Tourist Center, Kulturhuset, Sergels Torg 5 (T T-Centralen). Open M-F 09:00-18:00, Sa 9:00-16:00, Su 10:00-16:00. The official tourist center has a lot of information in English and helpful staff. They also sell tickets to museums and sightseeing tours.
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Stockholm, Sweden: Port Information


The port of Stockholm consists of several port areas. In the summer Stadsgården, Skeppsbron and Frihamnen are the ports favored by the international cruise liners.

Holland America Cruises use Stadsgårdsterminalen in northeastern Södermalm for one-day port calls and Frihamnen for turnarounds (start and end of cruises). 

Stadsgårdshamnen, Stadsgården, is in Södermalm, with an astounding view of the inner port area. To get there from the city center, go to T-Slussen and go for the bus terminal. Take the 401–422, 442–449 or 471 bus one single stop to Londonviadukten and the port will be on your left. Alternatively, normal town buses 53 and 71 link Slussen and the Viking Line terminal, albeit via the backstreets. Public transport tickets are not sold on board buses, but the tourist office in the terminal sells them (at least day passes). Alternatively, you can walk to Slussen (it's little more than a kilometer) and buy the tickets you need there.

Yet another convenient but more expensive alternative is the shuttle buses operated by Flygbussarna that go directly from the terminal to the central bus station (Cityterminalen) in the city center. Tickets are sold on board, at Flygbussarna's and Viking Line's booths in the bus station, and if you want to buy the ticket on the bus you can do it but only pay with a credit card. There are multiple departures from the port 15–60 minutes after the ferry arrives and from the station 1–3 hours before the ferry departs. If you are driving to the boat, follow the signs to Slussen, then Stadsgårdsterminalen (Slussen is confusing even for locals, so don't feel embarrassed if you end up spinning in the intersection a few times) and then Finland/Viking Line.

For Frihamnen, go to T-Karlaplan, take bus 72 from the avenue to Filmhuset, and then bus 76 to Magasin 3, which is outside that terminal. If you have a lot of luggage, or if your cruise ship is docked at Magasin 9, you may want to consider other means of transport.

Some cruise ships call at Nynäshamn 50 kilometers south of Stockholm. The ferry terminal is served by SL commuter trains. There are also buses which are slightly faster.

Smaller ships may dock at Skeppsbron in the Old Town.
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Get around Stockholm, Sweden


Public transport

Storstockholms Lokaltrafik, SL (Stockholm Public Transport) runs an extensive subway, commuter train, and bus system as well as some light rail and ferry services, all using an integrated ticket system called "SL Access". The SL Access RFID card can load all tickets available in the SL fare scheme.

There are SL Travel Cards or passes on the SL network available for 24 hours, 72 hours, 7 days, and if you are going to be in Stockholm for a while, go ahead and purchase a 30-day card, which allows unrestricted  access to all of the buses, trams, subways, and commuter trains, as well as the Djurgården ferry. When you purchase the 72-hour Travel Card, you also receive free admission to Gröna Lund. Suburban ferries, airport buses, the Arlanda Express, and regional trains are not part of the SL network, and thus not included in any of these tickets.

Travel cards and discount travel tickets may be bought in advance at SL Centres, “Pressbyrån” kiosks, or tourist information offices. Tickets cannot be bought from bus drivers. Instead, there are cash and credit card machines at most bus stops and metro entrances.

The SL website has detailed ticket and price information, and a journey planner. A better trip planner for Stockholm and Sweden is ResRobot and best is its App for smartphones (iOS and Android).

Metro

Stockholm has a metro system called the Tunnelbana, commonly abbreviated T-bana, and symbolized with a blue T on a round white sign. With exactly 100 stations, it is extensive for a city of this size and will get you around almost all the downtown places as well as many inner suburbs. Trains run from 05:00 to 01:00 on weekdays and around the clock on weekends. Night buses replace the trains on weekdays. The metro is probably the fastest way to travel to many inner suburbs not served by suburban rail, as well as offering a scenic view from the bridge between Gamla Stan and Slussen.

The SL website offers a guide to the artwork that is featured in many subway stations, with nearly all stations offering some form of permanent artwork on display. The artwork on the blue line, in particular, is of note.

Directions in Stockholm are often accompanied by the name of the closest subway stop, using T as an abbreviation for "Tunnelbana", e.g. "T-Gamla stan". This practice is followed below when appropriate.

Suburban rail

Stockholm also has a suburban commuter rail network called Pendeltåg. Reaching 53 stations, including Uppsala, Knivsta and Bålsta in Uppsala län (county), plus Gnesta in Södermanlands län (county). There are four lines:

  • 35: (Bålsta) - Kungsängen - Stockholm C - Västerhaninge - (Nynäshamn)
  • 36: Märsta - Stockholm C - Södertälje C
  • 37: Södertälje C - Gnesta (connects with line 36 at Södertälje hamn)
  • 38: Uppsala - Arlanda Airport - Stockholm C - Älvsjö - (Tumba).

Off-peak sees 4 tph (trains per hour) on lines 35 and 36 (2 tph in the bracketed sections), 2 tph on line 38 (only peak services run Älvsjö-Tumba) and 1 tph on line 37. Additional services run during peak hours, giving the core section Karlberg - Älvsjö a peak frequency of 14 tph.

In the north-east, the Roslagsbanan narrow-gauge rail network connects the central Östermalm district with suburbs in the Danderyd, Täby, Vallentuna and Österåker municipalities.

  • 27: Stockholms östra - Roslags Näsby - Ormsta - (Lindholmen - Kårsta)
  • 28: Stockholms östra - Roslags Näsby - Åkersberga - (Österskär)
  • 29: Stockholms östra - Djursholms Ösby - Näsbypark

Off-peak sees 4 tph (1-2 tph in the bracketed section) on lines 27 and 28, 2 tph on line 29. The station Stockholms östra is directly adjacent to T-Tekniska högskolan on the red line towards Mörby centrum.

Saltsjöbanan starts adjacent to T-Slussen and reaches the suburbs Saltsjöbaden and Solsidan, south-east of the city.

Suburban trains are included in Stockholm's transport ticket system, with the exception of Knivsta and Uppsala on line 38, which employ Uppsala's local transport fares.

Light rail, tram, bus and ferry

  • Tvärbanan is a light rail line connecting the western and southern suburbs with a new section forming a 3/4 loop around Stockholm.
  • Lidingöbanan connects Ropsten on Östermalm to Lidingö. This line provides a scenic view at the end of Lidingö across the archipelago. Several ferry services also call at Gåshaga brygga at the end of the line.
  • Nockebybanan in the western suburbs connects the district of Nockeby to Alvik on the green line of the Tunnelbana. The buses heading to

    Drottningholm Palace

    call at Nockeby (although in practice, taking the bus from Brommaplan on the green line of the Tunnelbana is more efficient) as well as passing through the quaint garden-city of Bromma.
  • Buses serve most populated areas where rail does not reach. Four inner city main lines numbered from 1 to 4 are operated by large blue buses (weekdays every 3-10 minutes), the other, generally less frequent lines (weekdays 7-20 minutes), by red buses.

There are also ferries going to Djurgården and Skeppsholmen. Bus and light rail are included in any SL ticket or pass, and travel with the Djurgården ferry are included with any 24- or 72-hour pass, 7-day pass as well as the monthly pass. Suburban ferries, airport buses, the Arlanda Express, and regional trains are not part of the SL network, and thus not included in any of these tickets.

There's an SL ferry called Sjövägen that runs between Nybroplan and Frihamnen with stops at Allmänna gränd (Djurgården), Saltsjöqvarn, Finnboda and Kvarnholmen in Nacka, Blockshusudden (Djurgården), Nacka strand and Dalénum (Lidingö). A second SL ferry line opened in 2016 connecting Kungsholms torg (Kungsholmen), Söder Mälarstrand (Södermalm) and Klara Mälarstrand, located between the

City Hall

and Central Station. Apart from the fact that it's free (with a valid SL card), the boats also have free wifi (and electrical sockets), and even free tea and coffee. Some boats sell alcohol. At Blockhusudden and Nacka Strand, there are nice restaurants just by the water.

Bike

Cycling is an attractive option during warm seasons, and there are many bike paths. On a bike, a journey across the inner city takes no longer than 30 minutes and can be faster than traveling by subway or car. There are cycle paths along most major streets and drivers are generally considerate towards cyclists. In winter, when paths can be covered by ice, extra care should be taken. Bikepaths have a bicycle painted on the ground and/or round blue signs with a white bike. Make sure you bike on the right-hand side of the street, just as the cars.

  • Stockholm City Bikes. In the summer months, you can use the city-operated bike loan service by purchasing a key-card. Bike stands throughout the city allows you to pick up a bike in one stand and leave it in another. You may not use a bike for more than three hours at a time, but it is possible to switch to a new bike when returning a used one. Key-cards can be bought at an SL Center. Major hotel in the city will have three-day key-card available for guests at the front desk. Note if you want to register for a key card, you will need proof of ID, for example, a passport or driving license.
  • Bike Sweden offers a variety of high-quality bikes in the center of the city. From mountainbikes to children's bikes and city bikes. Child carriers and child seats are available. Helmets and locks are included in the rental price. The bikes have at least 7 gears and are maximum of two seasons old. Very competitive pricing. Located at Narvavägen 13-17, in the front courtyard of the Historical Museum (Historiska Museet). Open 10:00-18:00 April-October. Call or email to rent bikes off season +46(0)8-52 52 7000, info@bikesweden.se
  • Cykel- & Mopeduthyrningen, Strandvägen, Kajplats 24 (T Östermalmtorg or T Karlaplan). Only open in the summer months.
  • Djurgårdsbrons Sjöcafé, Galärvarvsvägen 2 (on Djurgården, just to the right as you cross Djurgårdsbron). Only open in the summer months. Also rents roller blades and kayaks.
  • Gamla Stans Cykel, Stora Nygatan 44 (T Gamla Stan). Open all year. 
  • Servicedepån - Cykelstallet, Scheelegatan 15 (T Rådhuset). Open all year. Rents 3-speed city bikes, 21-speed mountain/hybrids, and racers. They have metal-stud snow tyres for winter ice use, but you will have to ask in advance. Helmets are free with the bike, other accessories like panniers can also be rented. Rental period is from 10:00-18:00, full 24 hours, or several days.

Taxi

Taxis are on the expensive side. Even worse is the fact that some small dodgy operators charge outrageous prices. The antidote is to always check the black and yellow price sticker on the rear passenger window. The taxi market was deregulated several years ago which made it considerably easier to find a taxi but the downside is that the rip-offs aren't even illegal, just "supply and demand"!

As long as you check the sticker you'll be fine, but if you're still nervous choose the major companies TopCab, +46 8 33 33 33; Taxi Kurir ☎ +46 8 30 00 00; Taxi 020, 020 20 20 20 (free calls from Swedish phones); and Taxi Stockholm ☎ +46 8 15 00 00. Note that many minor companies use "Stockholm" in their names to mimic their competitor, so look for the phone number 15 00 00 which appears below the logo on all Taxi Stockholm cars. Among the companies to avoid is Taxi 08 that operates at the limit of the legal rate.

Most taxi firms operate a fixed price regime between central Stockholm and Arlanda airport. It's a good idea to check with the driver that you will get the fixed price before you set off - the meter price for the same ride may cost twice as much. Note that the taxis often have big stickers advertising their airport price: do not confuse them with the black and yellow price sticker pictured in this article.

Authorized taxis have yellow license plates. Late at night in the city center, you may be offered a ride with an unauthorized taxi, svarttaxi (literally "black taxi"), usually by discrete whispering of "taxi". Most of the time this will get you home for roughly the same cost as ordinary taxis, just don't ask for a receipt. Rumors say that these cabs are usually controlled by organized crime, and some unpleasant episodes have been known to happen to passengers, so try this at your own risk, and preferably not alone.

It's often possible to negotiate a price with a licensed taxi driver before entering the cab. In this case, it's implied that you won't receive a receipt, and the driver won't be paying any taxes or his employer. The money (paid in cash) will go straight into the driver's pocket, which means that you can often get a cheaper ride. However, if you don't know the area well enough to estimate the regular metered price you might get ripped off. Negotiating the price also undermines the Swedish tax and wage legislation system, which will be considered very rude by many (not all) Swedes.

Car

Cars driving into or out of central Stockholm between 06:30 and 18:29 on weekdays are charged a congestion tax. Some car rental companies charge their customers separately for the cost of toll passages, while others don't. Foreign-registered cars are NOT exempt from the tax; see. Driving in Stockholm is easy compared to many larger capitals in the world. Just make sure to use your indicators when changing lanes. Fees are not charged at all in July, on holidays (such as Sundays) or on the day before a holiday (such as Saturdays).

Private Car

An alternative to taxis, bus, train & any public transport, car services are useful for getting to the airport from the outer boroughs where taxis are harder to find, or if you prefer to have transportation reserved in advance. Some options to hire a private car service in Stockholm: Rent a Wreck (Rent a Car) & DotTransfers (Private Car Service with chauffeur).

Parking is restricted and expensive in the center of the city, and free parking is scarce even in the suburbs, except at external shopping centers. It is recommended for peace of mind to make use of SL services to avoid parking and congestion charges.

Boat

There are two hop-on/hop-off boat tours that run loops between various sites in Stockholm. Both have approximately 8 stops, including the cruise terminal, Gamla Stan, the Vasa Museum, Skansen, and Skeppsholmen.

The Stockholm archipelago is served by two major shipping companies.

Waxholmsbolaget runs inexpensive public transit ferries, slowed down by stops at several different docks. Waxholmsbolaget also runs two steamboats, that offer even slower, but genuine, round-trips with classical Swedish cuisine.

Strömma is a private company, aimed at international tourists, with fast boats and audioguides.
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What to see in Stockholm, Sweden


Stockholm has many spectacular tourist attractions, ranging from the interesting architecture of the City Hall to the stunning natural beauty of the archipelago. In the several Royal Palaces (Stockholm Palace, Drottningholm, Haga, and several others) visitors can get in close contact with traditions of the Swedish monarchy. Among the wide range of museums, the Vasa museum with its 17th-century warship and the Skansen open air museum are unique experiences.

  • Stockholm's Old Town (Gamla Stan), is the beautifully preserved historical heart of Stockholm. T Gamla Stan station is on the west side of the compact quarter, which is best covered on foot. Riddarholmskyrkan is a beautifully preserved medieval church.
  • The Stockholm archipelago (skärgården) is one of the world's most spectacular. Stretching 80 kilometers east of the city center, the archipelago comprises 24,000 islands, islets and rocks. Regular ferries are operated by Waxholmsbolaget and from April through September also by Cinderellabåtarna.

Buildings and structures

Religious buildings

Stockholm has a large number of interesting churches, some of them dating back to medieval times. Most of them are in active use by the Lutheran Church of Sweden. There is also a synagogue and a mosque in the city center. The Skogskyrkogården cemetery, in the southern suburbs, is one of the very few UNESCO World Heritage sites from the 20th century.

Other buildings

  • The Ericsson Globe is a white spherical building. Occasionally, at least at game-nights, it is lit by colored light.
    • The Sweden Solar System is the world's largest scale model of any kind. With the Globe as the Sun, models of the planets are displayed at Slussen (Mercury), the Royal Institute of Technology (Venus), the Natural History Museum (Earth & Moon), Mörby Centrum (Mars), Arlanda Airport (Jupiter) and Uppsala (Saturn).
  • Kungliga biblioteket (The RoyalLibrary) is the national library of Sweden. It was designed by Gustaf Dahl and is located at Humlegården T Östermalmstorg.
  • The Stadsbiblioteket (The City Library) by architect Gunnar Asplund is a beautiful building in the short gap between the styles of classicism and modernism, close to T Odenplan or T Rådmansgatan.

Viewpoints

  • The heights of northern Södermalm give a great view of central Stockholm. Get off the underground at Zinkensdamm, walk up the street Ringvägen and then the old and partly cobbled Yttersta tvärgränd until it terminates just next to an abandoned stone quarry on the right. Climb the quarry on either side and enjoy this somewhat steep and unprepared location, which has a tendency of attracting a pretty lively crowd on new year's eve and summer nights.
  • Get off the underground at Slussen and walk up Katarinavägen and then on to the lovely Fjällgatan, where tourist coaches make a stop to let everyone enjoy the most popular vantage point.
  • Hammarbybacken, a semi-artificial ski slope, walkable around the year, great during summer. (L Sickla kaj)
  • Högdalstoppen, a man-made hill south of the city. See Stockholm/Southern Suburbs.
  • Kaknästornet contains Stockholm's highest observatory floor and restaurant, giving a good view of the central town, and the inner archipelago.
  • Skyview is an elevator to the top of the

    Ericsson Globe

    .
  • Bars and restaurants with a good view: Gondolen, Herman's, Och himlen därtill, or the penthouse lounge of Sjöfartshotellet on Södermalm, or the SAS Radisson Hotel Skybar on Norrmalm.

Museums

Stockholm has more than 70 museums, ranging from those large in size and scope to the very specialized, including Fjärilshuset (The Butterfly House), Spritmuseet (where it is possible to get English speaking guides informing about Swedes and their rather complicated relationship with spirits and alcohol in general) and Dansmuseet (a.k.a Rolf de Maré's museum of dance, theatre, art and photography), to name but a few. The list below is a selection of widely acclaimed museums.

  • Nobelmuseet. At the Nobel Museum, you will learn more about the Nobel Prize and its founder, as well as the Nobel Laureates and their creative endeavors.
  • Naturhistoriska riksmuseet (Östermalm). This museum of natural history has permanent and temporary exhibitions popular with both young and old, including an Omnimax cinema. Easily reached from T-Universitetet, it is situated on the edge of an area which has lot to offer in terms of nature and recreation.
  • Moderna museet (Norrmalm) on the island Skeppsholmen, has one of the world’s finest collections of 20th and 21st-century art.
  • Nationalmuseum (Norrmalm) has its regular building closed for renovation until 2017. Connoisseurs of classical art and design are requested to look up Konstakademien at Fredsgatan 12 in the central City area for current exhibitions and more information.
  • Armémuseum (Östermalm) displays Sweden's military history, with frequent wars from the Middle Ages until 1814, followed by two centuries of peace.
  • Historiska museet (Östermalm) The Swedish History Museum includes Scandinavian prehistory, the notorious Vikings as well as an impressive treasure vault called The Gold Room and also stunning medieval church art.
  • Djurgården is the vast royal park within the borough of Östermalm, and it holds museums such as:
    • Vasamuseet has been built around the spectacular but ill fated warship 'Vasa'. It sank in the Stockholm harbor shortly after its launch in 1628 and was salvaged 333 years later. The Vasa Museum provides an unsurpassed insight into marine and every day life almost 400 years ago.
    • Skansen is a large open-air museum, which has a zoo showcasing Swedish fauna (moose, bear, wolf, lynx, reindeer, seal, etc.) as well as hands-on displays of Sweden's cultural heritage.
    • Nordiska Museet has a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions presenting Swedish history and cultural heritage.
  • Millesgården (Lidingö) is an impressive open-air sculpture museum, focusing on the works by Carl Milles
  • Fotografiska (Södermalm), a photo gallery opened in 2010.

Art

Beyond the art museums mentioned above, Stockholm has a vivid art scene and offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy contemporary art in galleries, exhibition halls, and public places. The Stockholm official visitors guide has a list of galleries.

Art galleries

  • Galleri Magnus Karlsson is a small, local gallery showcasing local artworks. It can be found at Fredsgatan 12, a short walk from both T-Centralen or T Gamla Stan. Mon-Fri 12:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-16:00.
  • Lars Bohman Gallery is another small gallery located on Karlavägen 9 within walking distance from T Rådmansgatan or T-Tekniska högskolan. Mon-Fri 12:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-16:00.
  • Galerie Nordenhake is located at Hudiksvallsgatan 8. The gallery can be reached by walking from T Odenplan or by bus 65. Tues-Fri 11:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-16:00.
  • Magasin3 is located at Frihamnen and can be reached by walking from Radiohuset on bus 4 or by taking bus 76 to Frihamnen which stops right outside the gallery. Thurs 11:00-19:00, Fri-Sun 11:00-17:00, Closed Mon-Wed.

Exhibition spaces

Art colleges

  • The two major art university colleges in Stockholm hold regular exhibitions where the Swedish artists of tomorrow show off their talent. Information about upcoming events are available in English on their web sites:

Public art

  • The Stockholm Metro has plenty of artistic decoration in its stations, and promotes itself as "the world’s longest art exhibition". Some of the most interesting features include the moody dark blue cave of Kungsträdgården with details from the former palace Makalös, the giant black and white "drawings" by Siri Derkert at Östermalmstorg and the celebration of science and technology at Tekniska Högskolan. In the suburbs, Rissne has a fascinating timeline of human history on its walls. A free guide in English to the art in the Stockholm Metro can be downloaded from the SL website.
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What to do in Stockholm, Sweden


Outdoor Tours and activities

There are many companies involved in outdoor tourism in and around Stockholm county.

During winter

  • Cross country skiing. Stockholm offers a great opportunity for cross country skiing. There are lots of skiing tracks that are well-taken care off. Most of them are made of natural snow, but some tracks are prepared throughout the winter (if the temperature allows it) with artificial snow. Cross country skiing is usually possible during the later days of December, January, February and the early days of March.  
  • Ice skating. Skating on natural ice is a popular way in Stockholm to enjoy the winter. Inland lakes freeze up and sometimes there can even be skated out in the archipelago. The skates used are long distance skates rather than ice hockey skates, with poles to assist. Ice skating can usually be done between January and March.  
  • Winter hiking. There are lots of nature reserves in and around Stockholm where hiking is possible and allowed. Some places become more accessible during winter when the lakes are frozen. In some area's the use of snowshoes can be recommended during heavy snowfall.  

During summer

  • Mountain Biking. Stockholm has become a very popular destination for mountain biking. There are a lot of tracks in forests and nature reserves where mountain biking is allowed. The routes are usually marked by color by mountain bikers themselves. But since there is no company or employees involved in keeping track of the trails, the quality of the marking can be from poor to quite good.  
  • Kayaking. The archipelago in Stockholm is an important tourist attraction, and kayaking is a popular way to experience the archipelago. The archipelago exists of approximately 30.000 islands. Seals and eagles can be seen.  
  • Kitesurfing. Kitesurfing is one of the biggest growing sports in Stockholm and in the world right now. In Stockholm with its many coastlines and beaches, there are plenty of spots to practice and watch kitesurfing during Spring, Summer & fall. Some of the popular places to practice and watch are Torö, Askfatshamnen, Dalarö & Sandarna, Ingarö. To practice kitesurfing in Sweden or any other country you need an international certification that you get after enrolling in a kitesurfing course. In Stockholm, you can enroll a kitesurfing course with Kitesurfers - Stockholm Kite school that have courses every day with the right wind. After the course, you are free to enjoy kitesurfing anywhere in the world.  
  • Hiking. Hiking during summer time is very popular among Swedes. There are lots of good hiking trails and off the beaten track areas which allow hiking. There are also long hiking trails running past Stockholm such as Sörmlandsleden.  
  • Camping. Camping in nature is allowed in many places in Sweden because of the 'every man's right'. Although in nature reserves this is only allowed at certain places.

Guided tours

There is a wide selection of guided tours available, by boat, by bus, and on foot.

By boat

Stockholm Sightseeing (part of the Strömma group) has several different guided boat tours.

  • Under the bridges of Stockholm is one of the most popular. Departing from Strömkajen by Grand Hôtel and opposite the Royal Castle (T Kungsträdgården), this tour on both the sea and on lake Mälaren passes under 15 bridges and through two locks. Several departures every day, depending on the time of year.
  • Royal Canal Tour departs from Strömkajen and takes you around the eastern parts of the city, passing through the lush Djurgården canal.
  • Historical Canal Tour departs from Stadshusbron next to the City Hall (T T-Centralen), and passes Kungsholmen and other western islands of the city.
  • Stockholm Grand Tour combines a boat and a bus tour.

Alternatively, and cheaply, there is the eight-stop "Hop On-Hop Off" boat service of Stockholm Sightseeing (not promoted as one of the Strömma carriers) - as near as we can tell (August 2010), this is the only boat service that honors the Stockholm Card for full fares. Two of the most frequented stops are at the Palace, and at the Gamla Stan, right across the canal from T Slussen. The recordings on this loop service are reasonably informative.

The competing Aphrodite boat service offers a similar hop on-hop off service for a modest fee for 24 hours.

By bus

City Tours and Open Top Tours (also divisions of the Strömma group) offers bus tours:

  • Stockholm Panorama is a tour of some major tourist sights that departs from Gustaf Adolf Torg (T T-Centralen).
  • The Hop-on Hop-off Bus is a tour with open top double decker buses that allows you to get on and off the bus as often as you want at bus stops along the route. The tour passes some major sights, but only in the central and eastern part of the city.

Stockholm Excursions has a few specialized bus tours:

  • The Nobel Tour visits several sights connected to Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prize.
  • The Royal Tour takes you out of the city center to Ulriksdals Palace and Drottningholm Palace.

By taxi

Taxi Stockholm, +46 8 15 00 00, offers a personal guide service, allowing up to 4 people to travel in their own taxi.

On foot

Free Tour Stockholm offers zero-charge guided tours in English year round, find out when through the webpage. It runs completely on tips and you don't have to book in advance, just show up. Highlights include finding out which Nobel Prize is a kind of fake, why Queen Christina had to sleep under her dead dad's heart and how not to rob a bank. This tour is currently the highest ranked tour on TripAdvisor, and since it's free, check it out! It starts from the big staircase at Sergels torg and takes 1 hour 30 min.

Talk of the town offers self-guided walking tours in six languages all year round.

  • Talk of the town download your own audioguide to your mobile phone or mp3-player. Audioguide at 56 of the best sights in all Stockholm. The 56 sights are spread over the old town Gamla Stan, City, Södermalm, the island of Djurgården, at Skansen open-air museum and the Drottningholm Palace.

City Tours offers a walking tour in the summer months:

  • City Photo Tour finds the best photo views and panorama of the main sights. Explore the nature at djurgården at first light with Swedish breakfast.
  • Old Town Walkabout takes you through the Old Town.

For sightseeing on a higher level, Upplev mer has a special tour:

  • The Rooftop Tour lets you look at Stockholm from the roofs of Riddarholmen island. An exciting experience if you're not afraid of heights. April-September.

Gallivant Productions offers year round walking tours including the Viking Tour: Sweden: From the Ice Age to IKEA, which is a performance walk and runs on weekends throughout the year and daily between May and September. 

  • The Millennium Tour is hosted by the Stockholm City Museum and gives a view of the locations of Stieg Larsson's Millennium series.

There are several other agencies that offer occasional guided walking tours in English during the summer months. Check with the Stockholm Tourist Centre for information.

By bike

Talk of the town offers self-guided bike tours in six languages.

  • Talk of the town memory card for your mobile phone can be rented at several bike rentals in Stockholm. Load your mobile phone with audioguides at 56 of the best sights in Stockholm.

Swimming

There are several beaches in inner Stockholm, as well as the suburbs. They might be crowded when Swedish people have time. The water in central Stockholm is so clean you can drink it, even though it looks dark. The quality of the water is controlled by Miljöförvaltningen (the municipal authorities) and the reports for all the beaches in the city is available online. Would there be a problem with the water, signs would be posted at the beach. If the water in Lake Mälaren is too cold for your tastes, you can opt for one of the outdoor swimming pools: Stockholm also has several indoor swimming pools and spas in very special settings, for instance, Centralbadet, Sturebadet, and Yasuragi spa.

Watching sports

Stockholm is home to several elite sports teams, and if you're a sports fan you might want to watch a game. The most popular spectator sports are football (soccer) and ice hockey. Also, bandy has something of a cult following. Speedway is another big spectator sport in Sweden, and it can be experienced only 16 minutes from the Central station by subway, station "Gubbängen". Handball and basketball are also available.

Football (soccer)

The Swedish National football team plays international games on Friends Arena in Solna. The Swedish top football league, Allsvenskan, is considerably weaker than most of its Western European sister leagues, and Swedish teams generally struggle in the European cups. Instead, the clubs are famous for their passionate supporters. Therefore, going to a game is an exciting experience – especially the Stockholm derbies where the rivalry is intense. Unlike in continental Europe, the football season starts at the end of March and ends at the beginning of November. There are currently three teams from Stockholm in Allsvenskan: Djurgården, playing at Tele2 Arena; Hammarby, playing at Tele2 Arena and AIK, playing at Friends Arena in Solna (northern suburbs).

Ice hockey

The Swedish top ice hockey league, SHL, is one of the top leagues in the world, after North-American NHL and the Russian KHL. The season starts at the end of September and ends with finals in April. Stockholm currently has one team in SHL: Djurgården, playing their home games at Hovet.

Bandy

Bandy Bandy is a sport popular mainly in Sweden, Finland, and Russia, and slowly gaining popularity in North America, played outdoors on ice with sticks and a small ball. The field is roughly as large as a football (soccer) field, and the rules show some similarities. If you visit Stockholm sometime between November and March and want an exotic experience, this is for you. Remember to dress warm, the game is played in two 45-minute halves. Stockholm currently has one team in the top men's bandy league: Hammarby. The games are played at Zinkensdamm arena on Södermalm. (T Zinkensdamm)

Doing sports

There are many opportunities to do sports in the Stockholm area. Hellasgården is a good spot close to the city center, see Södertörn.

Skiing

The Stockholm area contains several semi-artificial ski slopes. The height is modest, but the view is usually great, well worth a hike anytime during the year. Tracks for cross-country skiing are available throughout Stockholm.

Riding

There are few stables close to the city where you can ride ponies and horses. Both available for adults and children with various riding-experience.

Golf

There are many golf courses in the Stockholm region, several of them open for green-fee.

Outdoor games

There are many open fields in Stockholm. Gärdet (T Karlaplan or T Gärdet) is a good one for outdoor sports. Just bring a ball of your choice.

Running races

  • One of the most visible sporting events is the Stockholm Marathon, held annually on a Saturday in late May or early June, when some 18,000 participants run two laps around the inner city, while the Stockholmers gather on the sidewalks to cheer.
    • Lidingöloppet, branded as the world's largest cross-country race, and a part of the Swedish Classic Circuit, on Lidingö in the last weekend of September.

Performances

Stockholm has several national stages, such as the Royal Swedish Opera (Kungliga Operan), and several playhouses staging international musicals.

  • Stockholm Culture Festival

There is also a growing scene for stand-up comedy in Swedish and English. The Big Ben Bar, Folkungagatan 97, has a free-entrance comedy club in English each Thursday at 20:00. Skrattstock is an annual free-entrance comedy festival on Långholmen, always in May/June on the same day as the Stockholm Marathon, with at least one hour of English-language comedy.

  • Live Music

The live music stage in Stockholm is something else. There are never any signs of anyone playing but a few posters in specific areas. Although a lot of the cities bar's have live music, the most common place to find it is around Södermalm. There you will find places like Debaser, Hornshuset, and Trädgården. Besides Södermalm both Norrmalm and Vasastan have a few interesting venues.

Cinemas

There are many cinemas in Stockholm. With the exception of children's movies, films aren't dubbed but subtitled, so if your English is good enough this is a good leisure activity. Many cinemas are THX certified.

Many of Stockholm's most charming classic cinemas have been closed in recent years, victims of the competition from modern multiplex screens. The elegant Röda Kvarn on Biblioteksgatan was recently transformed into an Urban Outfitters store, and Astoria Nybrogatan was closed in 2007. A few splendid venues are especially worth a visit: Park, Rigoletto, Grand Sveavägen, Saga, Victoria, and Skandia.

Stockholm International Film Festival

In November, Stockholm hosts an annual international film festival that draws large crowds.

The Stockholm International Film Festival also hosts an open air cinema in the Tantolunden park during one week in August.

Photography

Stockholm has a range of architectural backdrops and natural settings that appeal to traveling photographers.

Amusement park and children's activities

  • Gröna Lund is the main amusement park in Stockholm, on Djurgården island. It can be reached by Spårväg City. The ferry to Djurgården also stops right outside Gröna Lund. Opening times vary across the year. Check the website before visiting.

Gambling

  • Casino Cosmopol on Kungsgatan 65, at the Central Station.​
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What to eat and drink in Stockholm, Sweden


Eat

Stockholm features a large variety of restaurants. However, dining in Stockholm can be expensive, if you aim for something else than the fast food bars, the run-of-the-mill British-style pubs or the ethnic restaurants that dominate the budget bracket. If you are on a tight budget, self-catering is probably the best option.

Most hotels and hostels have a good breakfast buffet, in many cases included with the room.

Most restaurants have "dagens rätt" - a lunch offer, normally including a non-alcoholic beverage, bread, butter, salad, and coffee M-F, usually 11:00-14:00. Generally more expensive downtown and cheaper in the suburbs. Many Asian, Indian, Mexican and fast food restaurants offer rather cheap "all you can eat" lunch buffets. Office workers usually go for lunch at noon, so try to show up just before, or past 13:00.

Most restaurants' kitchens close at 22:00 even on weekends, so don't get out too late. Alcohol in restaurants is expensive. Sweden has enforced non-smoking in all bars, pubs, restaurants and enclosed areas. Smoking is usually permitted outdoors or in designated smoking rooms/outdoor seating.

Many Stockholm restaurants are closed for vacation for a few weeks in July and/or early August. In December, many restaurants offer a "julbord" ("Christmas buffet"), a variation of the classic Swedish smörgåsbord with traditional seasonal dishes such as ham, pickled herring, "lutfisk" (stockfish from cod or ling, prepared with lye) and much more, which might require advance booking.

In this cosmopolitan city, traditional Swedish cuisine, known as husmanskost or husman can be hard to get by. Many fine diners have a not-too-expensive husman course: some other places to eat Swedish are the Nystekt strömming wagon (meaning "freshly fried herring") at Slussen, Ät gott (S:t Göransgatan 74, Kungsholmen) and Tennstopet (Dalagatan 50, Norrmalm).

  • Sandys, several locations throughout the city: Sergelarkaden 6 (T T-Centralen), Klarabergsgatan 31 (T T-Centralen), Stureplan 2 (T Östermalmstorg) and Götgatan 28 (T Slussen). A large Stockholm-based fast food chain focusing on submarine sandwiches, wraps, and salads, Sandys offer a wide selection, reliable quality and acceptable prices, although not by any means a bargain.

Cafés

Taking a break for coffee and a biscuit is a Swedish tradition, commonly called fika in Swedish, and there are many coffee-bars around the city. Traditional Swedish filter coffee is relatively strong when compared to American, but a far cry from the Italian espresso. Espresso, caffe latte, cappuccino and other varieties of Italian coffee are generally available. If you prefer tea, note that many cafés only offer a few flavors, but generally some black, red and green teas.

There are not many Starbucks located in Stockholm but there are however several Swedish counterparts - Wayne's Coffee, Robert's Coffee and Espresso House are the most common names here - that are strikingly similar in design. Just as everywhere else, the small local cafés offer more personal experience and often better coffee.

Don't hesitate to ask for a refill (påtår in Swedish) at self-service cafeterias, as it is often free.

Drink

Retail drinks

Drinking alcohol is generally allowed in public areas, with some obvious exceptions, such as schools, playgrounds, indoor malls, and public transport areas. In some parks, drinking is prohibited from midnight. Map of dry areas

  • Systembolaget. Generally, open M-W 10:00-18:00, Th-F 10:00-19:00, Sa 10:00-15:00, all stores closed Su, is the government monopoly chain for selling alcohol. The stores have a wide assortment and very helpful, knowledgeable staff. Swedish alcohol taxation makes beer and hard liquor expensive. Surprisingly, more exclusive wines can be a bargain. Ask the staff for advice. You need to be able to prove that you are over 20 years old, so be sure to bring photo ID. They could occasionally ask people that are well above 30 for photo ID. For more information, see the section on Systembolaget in the Sweden article. Central locations include:
    • Lilla Nygatan 18 (T Gamla Stan).
    • Klarabergsgatan 62 (T T-Centralen). Extra late hours: Closes 20:00 all weekdays.
    • Regeringsgatan 44 (T T-Centralen). The largest Systembolaget store in Stockholm, with a special selection of exclusive wines.
    • Vasagatan 25 (T T-Centralen)
    • Nybrogatan 47 (T Östermalmstorg)
    • Folkungagatan 56 (T Medborgarplatsen)

Bars and nightclubs

The cost for drinking out in Stockholm can vary a lot. Bars usually have no cover charge, but may have an arbitrarily set (and arbitrarily enforced) minimum age limit (usually 21 or 23, sometimes as low as 18, other times as high as 27). Long, and very slow moving lines tend to form outside most popular clubs - expect to have to wait as much as 1 hour or more if going to a trendy place after midnight, even if raining or snowing. Don't forget to bring an ID, as bouncers could at anytime ask for identification at the door in both pubs and clubs.

As in many other Swedish cities, clubs are quite often arranged illegally and underground outside of the city center. During the summer months, many open air parties are arranged. During fall and winter, there are underground parties in abandoned factories and other industrial buildings, like in many other cities. Some parties are only held once, while others are recurring. These are, naturally, not listed and are often informed of on a word of mouth or online community basis. Generally, such clubs play techno, house, and other electronic music, and so, ask locals for advice in legal clubs that play the same genre. The Swedish word for clubs arranged illegally is svartklubb (literally black club). Due to the nature of such events, undercover police presence may be apparent and individuals could be searched for illegal substances at any moment.

Stureplan is a district dominated by posh dancefloor nightclubs, at the crossing of Birger Jarlsgatan, Kungsgatan and Sturegatan, (T Östermalmstorg). The mushroom-shaped rain shelter is a common meeting point. High entrance fees and long lines. Can be difficult to get into the clubs here if you are considered not fit in.

Södermalm is a district which has many smaller bars and nightclubs focusing on art and electronic or alternative music. Look in nightlife magazines for places around Hornstull (such as Strand), Mariatorget (such as Sidetrack, Marie Laveau and the Wednesday pop-club Baba Sonic), Slussen (such as Debaser, Kolingsborg), Skanstull (such as Trädgården, Under Bron).

Major bar streets are Götgatan (where most places are rather cheap pubs) and Bondegatan (with a younger and more trendy crowd), both on Södermalm, Rörstrandsgatan in western Vasastan (also rather trendy, but drawing a slightly older crowd) and the area around the Rådhuset and Fridhemsplan subway stations on Kungsholmen (with many small, cheaper and relaxed places). There are also many local pubs outside of the city center, where many locals go and the beer is cheaper. Ask any swedes for directions and they will be happy to help you.

Most restaurants and bars close at 01:00, larger clubs usually at 03:00. There are an exclusive few open till 05:00.

More trendy clubs might have a long queue from midnight till closing time. Get out early (at least before midnight). A few posh and expensive clubs in the Stureplan district have an informal or outspoken dress code, vårdad klädsel. Do not behave drunk in queues, as the guards may not be willing to let you in. Arguing aggressively with bouncers and security staff will certainly lead to serious consequences and is not recommended.

If you can read Swedish, you can get more information about Stockholm's nightlife in the free monthly magazine Nöjesguiden, the newspaper Dagens Nyheter on Thursdays, the free QX gay magazine for LGBT events and the free Metro on Fridays.
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Shopping in Stockholm, Sweden


As in the rest of Sweden, VISA and Mastercard are accepted by nearly all stores, and ATMs are readily available. There are even ATMs inside some bars and nightclubs (which might accept payment in cash only). Only a few places accept foreign currencies, such as Euros or US Dollars.

Sweden is internationally known for its design, and Stockholm has many stores where you can find Swedish-designed clothes, textiles, and interior decoration items. Hand-made and hand-painted glassware is also a famous Swedish specialty.

Popular Swedish clothing brands that you can find in several major stores include Acne Jeans, WESC, Cheap Monday, J Lindeberg, Whyred, Tiger and Filippa K. Recent years have seen an explosion of young designers starting their own small labels. Many of these can be found in the small shops in the SoFo area. Examples are Nakkna, Jenny Hellström, Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair, and The Stray Boys.

Shopping areas

Drottninggatan in Norrmalm is dominated by major brands down at the Sergels Torg end before giving way to smaller and more specialized shops further north.

Also connected to Drottninggatan is the square of Hötorget (T-Hötorget). Here is a daily fresh food market outside as well as Hötorgshallen, an indoor food market.

Mood Stockholm on Norrlandsgatan opened in 2012. This mall contains a lot of interesting boutiques not represented elsewhere in the city. (Mon-Fri 10:00-20:00, Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 11:00-18:00).

From Norrmalmstorg on Hamngatan which is accessible from T-Kungsträdgården station or Spårväg City from Sergels Torg up to Stureplan in Östermalm is a collection of high-end shops including Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton amongst others.

In Östermalm is the main square Östermalmstorg, a square which possesses Stockholm's best food hall, Östermalms Saluhall Östermalmshallen at T-Östermalmstorg. (Mon-Thurs 09:30-18:00, Fri 09:30-19:00, Sat 09:30-16:00).

  • Sturegallerian is an upmarket shopping mall at the famous nightlife district, Stureplan. Shopping and food are contained within this upmarket mall with some unique eateries available in the rear of the mall. Stureplan can also be reached by blue bus line number 2. (Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun 12:00-17:00).

Selected stores

Department stores

Nordiska Kompaniet, NK, is a classical department store on Hamngatan near T-Centralen. (Mon-Fri 10:00-20:00, Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 12:00-17:00).

Another famous department store is PUB at Hötorget, T-Hötorget. (Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 11:00-17:00).

Shopping centers

Suburban shopping centers and malls

There are a number of shopping centers and malls in the major suburban centers. While different in size, they all have a similar profile, with cheap restaurants, supermarkets, and major fashion, electronics, and interior design chain stores, as well as some smaller shops. There is no obvious reason to venture outside the city center, except perhaps for the possibility of Sunday evening shopping at Kista Galleria when inner-city shops all have closed.

Fashion

Brand stores of Swedish fashion labels:

  • Store Stockholm - at Tjärhovsgatan 3 (T Medborgarplatsen) specializes in small Swedish fashion designers. In the store, you can find brands such as Noir&Blank, Odeur, Diana Orving, Nakkna, and Göran Kling.

Books

  • Science Fiction Bokhandeln at Västerlånggatan 48 sells science fiction and fantasy books and toys.
  • Serieboden is Stockholm's oldest comic book store. Located at Sven Vintappares gränd 2 in Gamla Stan.
  • The English Bookshop. Only books English, also Scandinavian literature in English. Located in The Old Town (Gamla Stan) at the corner of Lila Nygatan and Kåkbrinken.

Music and media

On Sunday evenings from September to May at Skeppsholmen near the city center, there is live Swedish folk music at Folkmusikhuset. Just go there and listen or why not dance some Swedish folk dances. It is a free entrance.

Glassware

  • The large department stores Åhléns, NK and PUB (see above) all have a wide selection of glassware.
  • Duka, several locations: Västerlånggatan 78, +46 8 22 88 07, Sveavägen 24-26, +46 8 10 45 30, Konserthuset, Kungsgatan 41, +46 8 20 60 41. Duka is a Swedish chain selling both cheaper household items and a limited selection of glassware in several stores in central Stockholm.
  • Nordiska Kristall, several locations: Kungsgatan 9 (T Östermalmstorg), +46 8 10 43 72, Österlånggatan 1 (T Gamla Stan), +46 8 10 77 18, also in Strand Hotel, Grand Hotel and City Hotel. Nordiska Kristall is an exclusive shop for crystal design glass. The Kungsgatan store has an art-glass gallery.

Furniture and design

  • DesignTorget, several locations, including: Kulturhuset/Sergels Torg, +46 8 21 91 50, and Götgatan 31 (T Slussen), +46 8 462 35 20. Open M-F 10:00-19:00, Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 12:00-18:00. A design store specializing in smaller items, ranging from the beautiful to the useful to the downright eccentric.
  • Asplund furniture store, is an upscale store with world-class design. T Östermalmstorg.
  • R.O.O.M. is another great furniture and design store located in the PUB mall, T Hötorget.

Many antiquities shops are located close to T Odenplan. Good place to stroll around.

If the second hand is an option many Stadsmissionen and Myrorna (the Salvation Army shop) have fun and unique products that also contributes to a good cause. Especially Stadsmissionen Stortorget (T Gamla stan) has handpicked design and classical furniture.

Specialty Stores

  • Garderoben at Tegnérgatan 20 is a store which sells clothes and equipment for military, security and outdoors people. Open M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-15:00.
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Safety in Stockholm, Sweden


Stockholm is a safe city by international standards. As in other cities, however, you should avoid late-night walks through deserted areas of the city or through unlit parks.

Stockholm has an exciting night-life. As in most countries, being overly intoxicated is not accepted in most bars and clubs, and could lead to the security staff forcibly ejecting the trouble-maker. Swedish people tend to binge-drink, and as usual, alcohol might fuel violence.

Most crimes against tourists are crimes of opportunity, such as pick-pocketing, bicycle theft, auto theft, and auto vandalism. As always, do not leave valuable items in your car, and watch your bag in crowded places. Most shops and all major taxi companies accept credit and debit cards, so there is no need to carry a lot of cash. Be more aware of your belongings in crowded areas such as festivals, nightclubs, markets, airports, and public transport areas.

Especially at night, avoid the suburbs on the far south end of the red metro line's Norsborg branch, as well as the far north end of the blue line, as violent crime is rife in these areas (by Scandinavian standards).

Prefer the major cab companies (Taxi Stockholm, Taxi Kurir, Taxi 020 and Topcab) to avoid overcharging, and have a better chance of having belongings lost in the car returned to you.

During summer, groups of street gamblers try to scam their audience on Drottninggatan and in other touristed areas. They use a variety of tricks one of them being planting a few of their own in the crowd. Don't play, you will lose.

Though Sweden has an extensive welfare system, and Stockholm has fewer homeless and impoverished people than other cities of similar size, impoverished people can occasionally be seen begging downtown. A responsible way to address their situation is to buy the street paper, Situation Stockholm. You may also come upon beggars feigning disabilities, or handing out laminated begging cards on the subway. Buying food or water for someone begging is also a good way of helping, without risking that your money goes in the wrong hands.

Stockholm is very friendly to sexual minorities. Homophobic and transphobic attitudes will be met with outright hostility from many Swedes. All parties in the Swedish parliament take a radical standpoint against harassment and violence towards sexual minorities. Same-sex couples will have no trouble living openly in Stockholm, which includes holding hands or kissing in public around the city. Despite this fact, common sense should be used late at night in some areas (as in any other city). 
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Language spoken in Stockholm, Sweden


Swedish is the official language. English is widely spoken. 

LOCAL TIME

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October 18, 2021
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13.5 °C/56 °F
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Latest travel blogs about Stockholm, Sweden




Sweden. Stockholm. P.6


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