Stockholm holidays

Stockholm’s island setup means it’s got a fair few beaches to offer. Langholmsbadet and Smedsuddsbade are two of the most popular. They’ve got handy facilities like toilets, cafés and dedicated sunbathing space, making them popular with families in the summer.

If you fancy some space to stretch out and make the most of a sunny day, catch a bus to Lake Flatenjson – Stockholm’s largest open-air bathing spot. The beach here is joined by a jetty and a diving tower, and there’s plenty to keep you busy when you’re not swimming and sunbathing, like minigolf and a playground for kids.

For a beach session without the big crowds, Sandhamm is a good option. It’s a two-hour boat ride away from the city centre, and the beach – Trouville – is small in size but big in beauty. You can walk there in around 20 minutes from the island’s harbour.

Hotorget flea market is one of Stockholm’s most popular spots for budget-friendly shopping. You can pick up second-hand clothes, books and bric-a-brac from here every Saturday and Sunday. Plus, it’s set in a square lined with Art Deco hotels, so you’ll have an elegant backdrop to your bargain hunting.

If you’re after Swedish souvenirs, take a look inside the city’s gift shops. Most museums have them, and they sell the likes of stationery, tea towels and replica art pieces. The Swedish History Museum is a great place to start.

The Ostermalm district is Stockholm’s hotspot for upmarket shopping. Here, you’ll find a string of premium stores selling everything from hand-knitted jumpers to gem-studded items of jewellery.

If you fancy a chilled evening listening to the sounds of jazz music, Fasching is the venue for you. It’s the most famous music spot in the city, hosting a year-round programme of live performances. Plus, it’s next-door to Central Station, so it’s easy to get there.

If you fancy dancing the night away in a big club, make a beeline for Stureplan. This area’s packed with glitzy venues that draw big crowds, especially in the summer. There are plenty of bars around to kick off your night in, too, playing everything from jazz to international chart music.

Fika is Sweden’s answer to afternoon tea, and it’s a huge thing in Stockholm. A lot of the city’s cafés have set fika menus featuring the likes of avocado rolls, open sandwiches, flat whites and fruity teas.

As a coastal capital, Stockholm’s seafood scene is – unsurprisingly – top-notch. The catch of the day is sold in restaurants all-over, so you won’t have to look far to get your hands on fresh prawns or crayfish.

Meatballs might not have originated in Sweden, but that doesn’t make them any less popular here. When you order them in Stockholm, you can expect them to come with a generous helping of mashed potatoes, gravy and lingonberry jam.

Pickled herring is a staple in Swedish cuisine, and a popular topping for rye bread or boiled potatoes. It comes in a variety of flavours to mix things up a bit, including dill, mustard, onion and garlic.

Kroppkakor – a type of potato dumpling – is a firm favourite in Stockholm’s food scene. The recipe varies a little depending on the region it comes from, but the dumplings are usually filled with pork and spiced onions, and served with butter and jam.