Stockholm deserves more stardom—in our opinion, it has all the high-scoring qualities other European metropolises boast. A contagious buzz hums through the city’s lively streets: denizens pour into vibrant bars, international restaurants freckle each walkable block, and Nordic-style shops sell items imbued with Scandinavia’s quintessential minimalist, neutral looks.
Where to Stay:
Ett Hem
When it comes to a hotel that feels like a home, Ett Hem outperforms. The name means ‘at home’ in Swedish—and it couldn’t be more accurate: the hotel sports communal spaces that flow into one another, including an open kitchen that blurs the line between working chefs and dining guests, operating like a friend’s inviting estate with an ‘order whatever you want’ type of menu. Just as superb as the hotel’s homely ethos and physical attributes are its welcoming staff, whose profound attentiveness wins over guests.
Sparrow Hotel
This 87-key hotel is right in the city’s heart-throbbing center. While purposefully not Stockholm’s most luxe place to spend the night, this pleasant stay is accessible, affordable, and boutique on all fronts (how we like it). Rooms and suites are both well-appointed and spacious.
Where to Eat:
Sturehof
Those looking for a hearty Swedish meal should consider Sturehoff in Stockholm’s city center. Specializing in fruits of the sea, the Cured Char, which comes with dill-creamed potatoes and fish eggs, is a must-try.
Berns Asiatiska
This Pan-Asian restaurant is one of Stockholm’s most beautiful. It occupies a sumptuous, historic, ornate-paneled dining room with high ceilings and expensive, sparkly chandeliers. The electronic music playing in the background is a testament to Sweden’s long roster of talented DJs.
Where to Drink:
Lucy’s Flower Shop
Word of mouth has spread Lucy’s Flower Shop’s name like wildfire. The 25-seat cocktail bar specializes in distinct flavors—you won’t find libations with too much citrus or anything run-of-the-mill, for that matter. Sip-worthy concoctions come to life as owners and master bartenders Ola Carlson and Alex Skarlen experiment with recipes in the bar’s onsite cocktail lab.
Where to Visit:
Stockholm’s Metro Stations
Stockholm’s metro system is not just a place for transport but also a canvas for free-range artists. On your way in and out of the train, you’ll see stations bedecked in painted artworks, sculptures, rock figures, and mosaics. Our favorite is T-Centralen, which has a flower motif plus blue and white walls. The metro stop opened its gates in the late 1950s, grandfathered as the first Stockholm station to showcase artwork.
Fotografiska Stockholm
This world-class photography museum is for those who love contemporary captures. Fotografiska Stockholm’s current exhibit on the ‘selfie’ and its representation as a modern-day ‘self-portrait’ is pure brilliance. In addition to its myriad photos, the museum sports a restaurant on its top floor with sensational views of Stockholm and the waterways that serve as its gushing veins.
Djurgården (Museum Island)
Djurgården—dubbed “Museum Island”— is a cultural launchpad hosting a medley of museums suitable for visitors of all ages. Make sure to mosey around the jaw-dropping Vasa Museum, which hosts a real-life relic of a gargantuan ship that sunk centuries ago, then stop by the Viking Museum for Nordic history aplenty.
Södormalm
This hipster-packed neighborhood is one of Stockholm’s trendiest. It beams with creativity—when walking around the area, you’ll find a medley of vintage shops, indie boutiques, and design-oriented shops. Some of our favorite pitstops include trendy thrift shop Grandpa, Swedish fashion brands Asket and A Day’s March, then Esteriör for furnishings, posters, potted plants, and shape-varied lamps.
