Stockholm

[OZDUCK]

As I mentioned in the 2019 Travel Thread, we will be dropping into Stockholm (mid- August) before we move over to Norway. We have been to Stockholm before - but it was in 1976 so our memories are a perhaps a little bit vague. So far we have been tossing up between spending 3 or 4 full days in Stockholm.

Has anybody any firm views on how long we would need to get a reasonable look around? We wouldn't be doing any trips outside Stockholm except for a possible ferry trip to Drottningholm Palace.

 

[Austman]

I was based there for 14 years.

August is a great time to visit and there is lots to do and see. Most Stockholmers are back from their vacations and the city is vibrant, enjoying the last real month of Summer. By the end of August it can be getting a bit on the cold side!

A toss up between 3 or 4 days should probably be based on cost, because it's not exactly a cheap city. But longer stays could easily keep anyone occupied.

To save money, is to think a bit like a local! Lunch in cafes is often a bargain (dagens rätt ). There are lots of free things to do. Public transport is probably close to the best in the world.

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks a lot. We were there in late August in 1976 and I do remember the weather being mostly very good. I even went for a swim in one of the waterways. All I remember is that it was a nice sandy beach with lots of people - and yachts moored outside a net. The water was still pretty cold however.

Yes the prices for hotels etc are pretty much as I remembered - very expensive. We are happy "eating like a local". I had a quick Google for a cafe, and as you said, the prices were reasonable enough. For example the Café Schweizer in the old town offers a "Set Menu" lunch for 98 SEK ($15 Aud) with a choice of hot/cold dishes and including tea or coffee.

I do remember getting around easily by Metro. The Vasa was still being sprayed with water/preservatives every few hours in those days.

 

[Anna]

1 day to wander around in the Old Town (Gamla Stan) including the palace and the Nobel Museum, and maybe also the nearby Kungsträdgården.
1 day to wander around the zoo/open air museum at Skansen and the museums on Djurgården
1 day to go out to Drottningholm
1 day to take a ferry trip out to the archipelago or to Vaxholm

So my vote is 4 days You could add Uppsala for a fifth day. The cathedral, the Karolina Rediviva library and Carl Linné's garden are interesting.

 

[OZDUCK]

1 day to wander around in the Old Town (Gamla Stan) including the palace and the Nobel Museum, and maybe also the nearby Kungsträdgården.
1 day to wander around the zoo/open air museum at Skansen and the museums on Djurgården
1 day to go out to Drottningholm
1 day to take a ferry trip out to the archipelago or to Vaxholm

So my vote is 4 days You could add Uppsala for a fifth day. The cathedral, the Karolina Rediviva library and Carl Linné's garden are interesting.

Thanks - covers the places I had been considering plus some more. As the sun does not set until after 20:00 we should be able to fit in a fair bit in each day.

 

[Anna]

And I forgot the food market at Östermalm. Currently not in its usual historic building during renovations but still worth a look. You can pick up some sliced bear to make sandwiches with Or maybe stick to berries and cake

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks for the replies and I welcome any new suggestions about things to do/see in Stockholm. My wife has now said that we are staying for 4 full days - so that question is settled.

 

[tgh]

We were there for a time a little while back (1990).. ( we have also been in port for a day more recently)
Time dulls the recall.. but we caught a ferry to somewhere (was it Djurgarden ?? ) and walked across the island.
I remember it as very atmospheric… uninhabited and wild..but we made the return ferry on time and returned to civilisation satiated...
Suggestion box is ….to branch out...

 

[defurax]

I go to Stockholm 2-3 times per year, a beautiful city! If you are looking for good restaurants I recommend Oaxen Krog for great seafood and Östgötakällaren in Södermalm for some traditional Swedish dish. Try to avoid Pelikan in Södermalm, yes it's a very old institution with traditional Swedish dish, but the food is not good and overpriced. Another really great place where you won't see tourists is Bockholmen on a small island east of Solna.

 

[defurax]

Also, on a nice sunny day it's worth visiting Millesgården to look at the outdoor sculptures and gardens on Lidingö island.