Sweden
Top venue in Stockholm with all the best bands making a stop there, probably holds 400-500 and the crowd are right on top of the stage, prices pretty reasonable given its Sweden. We paid about £14 to see the Horrors who were superb. Drinks about £5.50 a beer, you can book in advance on line
www.debaser.se
Karl Johans Torg 1, 111 30 Stockholm
+46 (0)8 30 56 20
Google map: bit.ly/yIBEnr
Big hotel, that somehow retains the charm of a small boutique version, courteous staff, funky decor and decent rates. Breakfast was scrummy and it was a pleasant 10 minutes stroll to the centre
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/stocy-courtyard-stockholm-kungsholmen/
Rålambshovsleden 50 · Stockholm, 112 19 Sweden
Google map: bit.ly/y91AOd
I recommend the city of Stockholm, not only for its beauty but also for the mix of great shopping.
The Swedes are totally into fashion, H&M, hipster trends or uniform (black, black, black). But it is a city to be inspired of.
Most of all, I recommend Sodermalm, the south part of Stockholm with is total mix of affordable vintage, design furniture, catwalk brands and top end trainer shops and amazing cafes.
www.visitstockholm.com/en/
Google map: bit.ly/tWk8yD
When you are walking through the parks in Stockholm, keep an eye out for allotments: they are nothing like the UK equivalents. More like small cottages with beautiful cottage gardens. Take a walk around, enjoy the atmosphere and the people taking a break from the city.
Tantolunden and Vitabergsparken, Sodermalm.
www.visitstockholm.com/en/To-Do/Attractions/tantolunden/1169
Google map: bit.ly/rmsE5i
This is the museum of the Nobel Prize Organisation. Not large or overly technical; very interactive, including videos and interviews describing why the work of particular winners was so significant. Particularly enjoyed the displays of items that had been donated. Check out the way the 2010 Physics Prize winners managed to achieve something no one thought was possible- there is hope for us all!
www.nobelmuseum.se/en
Nobelmuseet Stortorget 2, Gamla Stan, Box 2245, 103 16 Stockholm
+46 8 534 818 18
Google map: bit.ly/rnryFV
Stockholm has lots of veggie restaurants but this is the best. Great location on the river, loads of seats, huge buffet with lots of choice and which changes so if you visit more than once you'll get different dishes. Great for sitting over a huge plate of plate of food looking at the views of the city - really chilled.
www.hermans.se/
Katarina/Sofia, Fjällgatan 23B, 116 28 Stockholm
+46(0)8643 9480
Google map: bit.ly/qAnuuO
This is a great YHA hostel, in the southern bit of Stockholm. It's set in parkland, next to some great allotments. We walked past one morning and a plot holder showed us round their plot and summer house. The hostel is easy to get to from public transport and the area has some good local restaurants.
The hotel room was simple but good, and affordable.
www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-STF-Stockholm---Zinkensdamm-054007.en.htm
Zinkens väg 20, 11741 Stockholm
+46 8 6168100
Google map: bit.ly/quehyY
Zinkens väg 20
11741 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel. 46 8 6168100
Fax. 46 8 6168120
mail@zinkensdamm.com
The 50-metre outdoor pool at Eriksdalsbadet in central Stockholm was built for the 1962 European Aquatics Championships and is an oasis in the summer heat for children and adults alike. But what makes this pool so special is what happens the last weekend before it closes for the summer, when it’s transformed into Popaganda; a two day festival with an impressive line-up. Artists this year include Robyn, Hot Chip, Elle Goulding, Belle and Sebastian, The Concretes and Shout Out Louds. Where else can you go for a cool swim whilst watching some of the hottest bands around, all in the heart of a capital city?
www.eriksdalsbadet.se/
Hammarby Slussväg 20, 118 60 Stockholm, (400m from Skanstull underground station
Skanstull)
Google map: tinyurl.com/2vsqkj4
This is an amazing pool in Stockholm. It's got a roof, so whether it can be officially classed as outdoor could be debated. However, as it's built on a pontoon floating on the Hornstullstrand in southern Stockholm, it definitely feels like an outdoor pool. However, it comes with one overriding advantage: the water is maintained at a balmy 30C, so perhaps it's more of a bath. You can certainly swim in it though, at nearly 20 meters in length. It's as popular as ever, despite being over 80 years old and is still maintained in the original late-20s style. They also have regular sessions with classical music accompaniment. Very Swedish and very civilized.
Bergsunds Beach 2
117 38 Stockholm
www.stockholm.se/KulturFritid/Sim--och-idrottshallar/Liljeholmsbadet/
For resident Stockholmers, Langholmsbadet is a well-known summer haven for dropping a bike and spreading a towel. But for first-timers like us, it's a guaranteed breathtaker of a beautiful surprise. With all the buses, cars and urban bustle firmly behind you, you make down a wooded path, the branches part and behold - a strip of tree-fringed, golden sand and a piece of perfect, swimmable water for cooling off after a day's sightseeing. As if one's needs weren't already beautifully met, bang beside the beach is a cottage garden filled with runner beans and sweat peas and a little tea room with tablecloths, cake and coffee. Pleasure indeed ...
Langholmsbadet is situated on Stockholm's southern island of Sodermalm. Walkable from the city centre or take the T-bana to Hornstull and follow signs to the youth hostel.
Quite simply Stockholm's sexiest hotel! Located on hip and trendy Södermalm, the funky Rival was the brainchild of ABBA singer Benny Andersson, who turned this former cinema into the most rock ’n roll place to stay in Stockholm. Excellent design and lighting, gorgeous staff, a bakery and cinema on site and a teddy bear to welcome guests in every single room. Cuddle up with your loved on your balcony and watch life go in the small park opposite the hotel, or mingle with other guests in the stunning art deco cocktail bar downstairs before heading for a night out on the town. Is the Rival romantic?? Well I certainly fell in love with it :-)
Mariatorget 3, Södermalm, Stockholm
Tel: (08) 5457 8900
www.rival.se
Google map: tinyurl.com/yjtpma4
Fun shopping. Cool things for women and children. Nice prices in nice local neighboorhood with lots of small shops, coffee shops and restaurants.
Vikingagatan 18, Vasastan, Underground: S:t Eriksplan
www.yosoyfeliz.se
Google map: tinyurl.com/y9sxcn9
A charming ecological hostel from the 1920´s with heating from wind power and a bed rock pump. It's by the small lake of Masnaren and has walking trails, canoeing and swimming right next door. It's also only 30 minutes away from central Stockholm.
Stadanvägen 2, Södertälje
www.tvetagarden.nu
info@tvetagarden.nu
+46 8 550 98025
Södertälje central
Google map: tinyurl.com/yz28fzu
It's a small personal hostel in the middle of the Old Town in Stockholm. You have everything within walking distance, from historical plays to shopping and night life areas.
They offer single, twin, triple and four-bed room. You have free wireless in all rooms and a guest kitchen.
A more central hostel you can't find.
Stora Nygatan 38 11127 Stockholm
+46 (0)8 22 99 40
www.archipelagohostel.se
8 min walk from central station
It might be a former prison, but the idyllic setting of Langholmen's now pretty posh hostel is a far remove from any institution we'd ever heard of. Staying in the (extensively upgraded) original cells (which sleep up to 4 people) was not only clean and comfortable, but positively deluxe compared to other hostels we'd stayed in across Europe, even coming complete with free wireless web access in all the rooms. Located bang in the heart of Stockholm, we were on top of all the sights and restaurants, though we spent plenty of time on the beach right outside the hostel entrance and exploring the 'jogging' trail. Probably the most unusual and delightful hostel experience ever, and certainly cheap for such accommodation in Scandinavia.
www.langholmen.com From Arlanda airport, take the coach or train then subway to Horsnstull, along Langholmsgatan, turn left before the bridge at Hogalidsgatan, then right at the traffic lights, over the bridge and on to the island of Langholmen, +46 8 720 8500
The owner blocked completion of the luxury suites but all other amenities are there - terrace, restaurant, two bars. Great spot to relax, enjoy great food, great cocktails and then dance into the evening downstairs.
Linnegatan 18 Stockholm 11447 Sweden
At Junibacken in central Stockholm you can meet Pippi Longstocking and all the other famous characters created by the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren.
I guarantee children will love this place.
Galärvarvsvägen at Djurgården (next to the Djurgården bridge, the Vasa museum, Skansen, Gröna Lund theme park and the Nordic museum. Bus 47 from Sergels Torg or Tram from Norrmalmstorg.
www.junibacken.se/
Stockholm city walks with a local. Layed back, relaxed tours of the Old Town or Södermalm.
A small company that offers B&B accommodation and flats to rent. We rented a small central studio flat for 850SKR a day, not bad for Stockholm and with the advantage of being able to cook for ourselves occasionally.
In the Old Town, this little café is friendly and cheaper than most places in the area. The coffee is decent and there’s a little cult bookshop downstairs along with free wi-fi for all which is a real bonus for travellers with laptops as using the internet can be a pricey experience in Stockholm.
Stora Nygatan 35
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