GO STOCKHOLM

BY METTE LOMHOLDT 

Stockholm is a fabulous city! The city consists of a group of islands – so you’re always next to the water in Stockholm.
Rocks, green spaces, nice shops, lively neighborhoods, good restaurants and that very particular Northern light all make it hard not to fall in love with Stockholm!

OH – NO GO

Forget about Västerlånggatan, the main street in the old town; Gamla Stan. It is a long street packed with insignificant souvenir shops and poor - but expensive - restaurants. Content yourself with taking one glance down Västerlånggatan – and explore the many charming side streets instead.

GO AREAS

Stockholm consists of a series of islands, which are connected by bridges and subterranean tunnels. The water and the many green spaces make Stockholm a unique city. The natural delimitations by the water provide each part of the city with its own individual character.

Södermalm

Södermalm – or just Söder – is the old working class neighborhood, which during the last ten years has become the most happening place. The young and creative people have moved in, and this is reflected in the many small shops, cafés and bars.
 
Söder is one of the bigger islands and there is so much going on here that you can easily spend several days exploring this part of town.

One part of Söder is called SoFo (South of Folkungagatan), and this is where you will find many art galleries and funky clothes stores. The neighborhood has its own web site: 

www.sofo.se

Norrmalm/Vasastan

Norrmalm, which is situated west of Östermalm, is the modern and commercial center of Stockholm. There are some great shops and department stores here.
Another part of Norrmalm is Vasastan, where it’s easy to find lovely restaurants and cafés, particularly in Rörstrandsgatan.

Östermalm

Östermalm is the neighborhood for the wealthy Stockholmers, and on Strandvägen you will find the city’s most expensive residences. The area around Östermalmstorg and Birger Jarlsgatan has plenty of exclusive stores. Stureplan is enriched with beautiful restaurants and a lively nightlife.

Skeppsholmen

Also named Museum Island. Svensk Form (Museum of Design), Arkitektmuseet (Museum of Architecture) and the amazing Moderna Museet (Museum of Modern Art) are all located here.

Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan (The Old Town) is the center of Stockholm and the oldest part of the city. The ancient facades and the small and crooked cobblestone streets attract lots of tourists. Despite the huge amount of tourists, the area is definitely worth visiting. Particularly if you avoid Västerlanggatan, you can find lots of charming cafés and antique shops. It is also in Gamla Stan that the royal castle beautifully dominates the city.

Kungsholmen

The beautiful promenade, Norr Mälarstrand, is Kungsholmen’s greatest attraction. Kungsholmen is also an up-and-coming area for young creative forces, and several little cafés and art galleries have cropped up here.

Djurgården

Stockholm’s number one breathing hole! The island is one huge park and even though you’re only a ten-minute walk away from the center, you get the impression of being in the countryside.
 
On Djurgården you will find a series of interesting museums, an amusement park, a zoo and several good restaurants and cafés. Rosendalsträdgård offers organic food at reasonable prices and is really worth a visit:  HYPERLINK "http://www.rosendalstradgard.se/" www.rosendalstradgard.se
Djurgården is also great for a biking trip or other kinds of physical exercise in a peaceful green environment.

GO SEE & DO

Sailing!

In Stockholm you’re always right next to the water, and therefore you must go sailing! If the weather allows, go on a trip to Skärgården (the skerries). There isn’t a more beautiful way of experiencing Swedish nature. Rocks and lots of islets and possibilities of getting off the boat for lunch. Sail to the Fjäderholmarna, which is a trip of about 30 minutes, or to the ”capital” of the skerries; Vaxholm, which lasts about an hour and a half.

There are also lots of possibilities to do shorter trips, with or without tour guides, for instance an early dawn trip around town or a historical sightseeing.
Strömma Kanalbolaget and Stockholm Sightseeing offer many different trips. Check out their schedules:

www.stockholmsightseeing.com
www.stommakanalbolaget.com

Ice skating

In the winter you can be lucky to see Stockholm dressed as a Christmas postcard, with all the snow, lights and people with obligatory red cheeks and woolen mittens.

At momondo, we regret not being able to guarantee frost - and in recent years, the winter climate has been particularly unpredictable – but if you have the chance of seeing frosty weather, get a pair of ice skates on your feet! The best thing is of course if the skerries freeze, in which case you can skate between the islands.

If the skerries aren’t frozen, there are several possibilities on land:
On Kungstradgarden in Östermalm you can rent ice skates for four Euros. It is most fun to skate in the evening, when the ice rink is lit up.

www.kungstradgarden.nu

Medborgplatsen in Södermalm is a good place to go ice-skating with children.  The rink is full of families and amateurs. Sometimes it can get a little too crowded. You can rent ice skates here as well.

On Zinkensdamms Idrottplats there are hockey games most of the day. It is great fun to watch, but you can also go ice skating on the rink inside the large center. Open all year and admission is free.

Zinkensdamms Idrottplats,
Ringvägen 12–14, Södermalm

The Street

”The Street” is a lovely and alternative market on Södermalm, by Hornstullstrand (Beach of Hornstull).

An interesting mix of art, organic food, crafts, poetry readings, flea market, concerts and raves. The market is located in a large abolished garage right by the water. The Street started out as a Christmas market, but the success was so great that it now takes place every weekend of the year.

The Street has its own restaurant, and as opposed to the market, it’s open all week. On a summer weekend, it’s lovely to sit by the pier and enjoy a brunch, and the view over the water and the buzzing activity from the market. Indoors seating is offered as well. The place concentrates on local, and preferably organic, products. You can taste a Swedish kind of sausage (isterband) from Åseda in Småland, blinis with Swedish caviar or just a hamburger with Swedish beef and potatoes.

The Street is situated at the far end of Södermalm with a view over Liljeholmen. You get there by T-track to Hornstull, red line, or by bus number 4 or 40 to Bergsunds Strand.

The Street,
Hornstulls Strand 4, Södermalm
www.streetinstockholm.se

Close to The Street is Bergsundsgatan and Hornsgatan, where you can find many good second hand stores and shops selling retro furniture and lamps.

MUSEUM TRIP

There are a lot of beautiful and interesting museums in Stockholm. If you should choose only one, it ought to be Vasamuseet.
Vasamuseet
The first time I visited the Vasa Museum was ten years ago, and it blew me away. I was completely overwhelmed – not only by the history of the war ship Vasa – but also by the museum’s architecture. The same thing happened when I went back this fall.

The war ship Vasa was supposed to secure the Swedish control of the Baltic, but sank on its maiden trip after only 20 minutes of voyage. 333 years later, Vasa was salvaged and today the ship can be seen in the huge museum building on Djurgården.

The old wooden ship is very well preserved and it is fascinating to have a look at its thousands of dramatic sculptures and ornaments.

Vasamuseet, Djurgården
www.vasamuseet.se

If you have the time and the energy to visit yet another museum, go on the boat from Djurgården to the museum island Skeppsholmen. There are several other museums to see here, especially the museum of modern art: Moderna Museet.

Moderna Museet

Moderna Museet houses one of the world’s largest collections of art from 1900 up until today. You can find works here by Picasso, Munch, Warhol, Tinguely, Pollock and De Chirico. The museum also has changing exhibitions - in 2007 there were solo shows of William Kentridge and Robert Rauschenberg.

The museum’s café is also worth a visit. You are seated in designer furniture – of course – with colorful pictures on the walls and a magnificent view of Stockholm’s harbor through the giant panoramic windows. The food in the café is very good, and the prices more than reasonable. The daily special plus a salad costs about 10,5 Euros.
You can get to Moderna Museet by other means than the water. The museum is a ten-minute walk from Kungsträdgården and about 20 minutes by foot from the T-Central or Gamla Stan.
The nearest T-track stop is Kungsträdgården (blue line).

Moderna Museet,
Skeppsholmen
www.modernamuseet.se

A walk along the water

One of Stockholm’s most beautiful spots is Norr Mälarstrand. You should treat yourself to a walk along the docks, looking over at Söder, which emerges from the rocks on the opposite shore.

You can start at Kungsholmstorget and walk along the quay until you reach Stadshuset. Then you should ascend the wide stone stairway, all the way up to the tower, from where you have a marvelous view of the city.

GO EAT

In Stockholm there are plenty of opportunities for great and expensive dining, but there are also lots of restaurants that serve excellent food at moderate prices. If you choose the daily special for either lunch or dinner, you won’t get ruined.
In traditional Swedish restaurants, you should taste herring or “köttbullar” (meat balls), of which most restaurants serve some kind of variety. Another Swedish specialty is “surströmming”, which – let’s be honest – is quite a challenging experience! In a few words, “surströmming” is canned rotten herring – something they affectionate particularly in the northern part of Sweden.

On weekdays, many restaurants in Stockholm are half empty. Like most other Scandinavians, the Swedes mainly go out for dinner on weekends. The evenings during the week are spent at home with family and friends.

In Sweden lunch is taken between 11.30 am and 3.30 pm. For dinner, most kitchens are open between 5 pm and 11 pm.

Kungsholmen

Kungsholmen is a combination of a food market and a restaurant, located in a low building on the quay with a view over the water. You enter a huge space with dark furniture and big white lamps. All the patrons are seated in the center of the space, surrounded by seven different food-bars and open kitchens for sushi, salad, soup, barbeque, bistro food, ice cream and cocktails.

On a huge pontoon in the water, Kungsholmen has a large floating bar where you can also have your food served, or maybe just take your dessert. There are heaters and lots of blankets so you don’t get cold.

The atmosphere is lively and informal and the clientele is very mixed. In the late hours it gets more party minded and the cocktail bar becomes crowded.

Once you’re full, it is enchanting to walk along the quay. It is simply one of the most beautiful places in Stockholm. Go for a walk with your loved one and enjoy the lights from the opposite quay. Or continue out in the city’s night life.

Kungsholmen,
Norr Mälarstrand, Kajplats 464
www.kungsholmen.com

SALOUHALLEN

In the center of Östermalmtorg you will find Salouhallen, which is a horn of plenty as far as fresh food products are concerned. You can get meat, fish, vegetables and lots of delicacies.

The lovely space with high ceilings bears resemblance to a giant circus building and houses several intimate restaurants, cafés and bars. Savor a delicious fish soup or an open sandwich with shrimps at the counter of fish expert, Lisa Elmquist. Everything is prepared from exquisite fresh products and served in an informal atmosphere.

There is another Salouhall on Hötorget, but momondo’s favorite is the slightly more exclusive one on Östermalm.

SALOUHALLEN,
Östermalmstorg 1
www.ostermalmshallen.se

Wärdhuset Ulla Winbladh

On Djurgården you will find Wärdshuset Ulla Winbladh, where you can get authentic Swedish home cooking.

A gravel path leads you to the white farmhouse, which is home to the restaurant. You can sit in either the heated garden room or the pretty indoor restaurant with light green chairs. The place is far from modern, but it’s authentic and super cozy and it attracts business people, parties of retirees celebrating birthdays as well as young couples on romantic dates. 

Needless to say, we had to try the “köttbullar” at 17 Euros. They were delicious, and as the tradition prescribes, they came with mashed potatoes, pickles and lingonberry.

It is an atmospheric experience to visit Wärdshuset Ulla Winbladh. Even though you’re in the middle of Stockholm, it feels like you’re in the countryside.

Wärdhuset Ulla Winbadh,
Rosendalsvägen 8
www.ullawinbladh.se

Bergamott

In the middle of Stockholm you can find Bergamott, which is a new place to eat that has quickly gained popularity among the Stockholmers. The atmosphere is good and the food is great and not too pricy.
The waiters are attentive and talkative and will quickly lead you to your table (remember to book!) and fill up your glass.

The selection is primarily French and Swedish and changes daily. The menu is written in chalk on a big blackboard that the waiters carry to your table when you order. Lovely fish dishes are offered as well.

In one end of the restaurant there is a small bar, and as the night moves on, that part of the room gets more and more crowded.

Bergamott,
Hantverkargatan 35
www.restaurangbergamott.se

NOX

With its black walls, black leather couches and a bright green bar, Nox sets the tone! It’s an unusual place with a carried out style and one of Stockholm’s swankiest restaurants. Cocktails can be enjoyed upstairs and dinner is served under large chandeliers downstairs.

The food is mainly French and a three-course menu including wine costs around 80 Euros. You should definitely stay after having had dinner, since Nox is a fabulous place to hang out at night. In the summer they have one of the best outside terraces in Stockholm.

Nox,
Grev Turegatan 30
www.nox.se

GO SHOP

If you have a soft spot for shopping, you have come to the right place. Stockholm offers overwhelming department stores, designer flagship stores and many small and interesting shops. If you have an uncontrollable urge to experience IKEA in the homeland of this furniture giant, do it in Stockholm. Since it’s here that you will find the world’s largest IKEA, and, trust us, that is one large IKEA.

Normalm/Vasastan

Acne Jeans

A visit to Stockholm ought to include Acne Jeans’ flagship store on Norrmalmstorg. You will find jeans galore as well as cool sweaters and dresses.

Acne Jeans,
Norrmalmstorg 2
www.acnejeans.com

Designtorget

Designtorget is a Forum for new designers. The objective is to give designers a chance to show their products. Consequently, the store’s stock changes regularly. Designtorget can be found several places in the city, but the branch on Sergels Torg is one of the largest in Stockholm.
It is always interesting to check out, and it’s hard to leave the place without making one or two purchases. Mostly something you had no idea you needed!

Designtorget,
Kulturhuset Sergels Torg
www.designtorget.se

In Normalm you will also find the warehouses Åhléns, NK and PKhuset. NK is Stockholm’s equivalent to Selfridges and has many good branches. In Åhléns you can find a branch of Japanese brand Muji, among others.

NK,
Hamngatan 18-20
www.nk.se

Åhléns,
Klarabergsgatan 50
www.ahlens.se

PKhuset,
Hamngatan 14
www.pkhuset.com

In Hamngatan, where NK and PKhuset are located, you will also find several large chain stores, such as Zara and giant H&M stores.

Refill

Xoko

At Xoko, they make heavenly desserts. You should try their chocolate truffle or the hot chocolate.

Xoko,
Rörstandsgatan 15

Mellquist Caffé

Right across the street from Xoko is Mellquist Caffé, which a lot of people consider to be Stockholm’s best coffee bar. You can get a cheese sandwich and a cup of gourmet coffee. 
Mellquist Caffé, Rörstandsgatan 4

Östermalm

Östermalm can be compared to London’s Chelsea or Knightsbridge or New York’s Upper East Side. This is where you find all the expensive and exclusive brands. A good place to start is in Birger Jarlsgatan, where Gucci, Mulberry and French Zadig & Voltaire reside.

Nathalie Schuterman

In Birger Jarlsgatan you can also find Nathalie Schuterman, which is a great shop with a fine selection from top designers like Prada, Marni, Marc Jacobs, Chloé, Balenciaga, YSL, Jil Sander, Michael Kors and many others.
The shop itself is just as stylish as the clothes with white walls and built-in shelves and a large counter in the middle.

Nathalie Schuterman,
Birger Jarlsgatan 5
www.nathalieschuterman.se

Whyred

The Swedish brand Whyred has repeatedly been voted best Swedish design in several surveys. Discover why in Whyred’s large flagship store.

Whyred,
Mäster Samuelsgatan 5
www.whyred.se

TLC

If you continue up Birger Jarlsgatan, you will get to Stureplan. At number 2 you will find a well-kept secret. Just a tiny sign on the door buzzer reveals the existence of the boutique, and you have to buzz to be granted access and bankrupt yourself in clothes from Alexander McQueen and Zac Posen.

TLC,
Stureplan 2, plan 1

Södermalm

We at momondo find that Söder is the best shopping area in Stockholm. A good starting point for shopping in Söder is Götgatan, where you will find Makeup Store, Granit, Designertorget as well as many other exciting shops. From Götgatan you continue to the Söder area, SoFo. Don’t forget that The Street (see Go see & Do) can also be found in Södermalm.

Konsthantverket

A very nice shop right by Slusen. Swedish designers who work with ceramics, glass, precious stones, textiles  have opened a joint store that sells quality arts and crafts in modern designs.

Konsthantverket,
Södermalmstorg 4
www.konsthantverkana.se

C/O

C/O has it all! You can buy Vanessa Bruno and Marc by Marc Jacobs among many others and you can have a facial and get your hair cut. There is also a café and a DJ to create the perfect atmosphere.
C/O,
Götgatan 30 and Götgatsbacken 36

Bruno Götgatsbacken

A mini mall on Götgatan with lots of Scandinavian designers like Filippa K, H&M, David Designs, Whyred, Munthe plus Simonsen and many others.

In the middle of all this is Ljunggrens, where you can rest your feet in between the shopping.

The newest shop in Bruno Götgatsbacken is the L.A. brand American Apparel, which stocks colorful casual-wear for men and women.

Bruno Götgatsbacken, Götgatan 38
www.brunogotgatsbacken.se

SoFo

SoFo is a lively and vibrating part of Söder, where new shops, cafés and restaurants keep cropping up. If you walk about in Södermannasgatan, Nytorgsgatan, Skånegatan and the side streets, you will not be on the wrong track.
Grandpapa
A funky store for men and women. The clothes are both old and new. A DJ is mixing in the middle of the store, while you try on the clothes. The atmosphere is informal and you tend you hang out for a while.

Grandpapa,
Södermannasgatan 21
www.grandpa.se

Påkläderiet

Next to Grandpapa is Påkläderiet, a beautiful second hand clothes shop, filled with pretty lace dresses, shoes and handbags.

Påkläderiet,
Södermannasgatan 19

Beyond Retro

Stockholm has gone vintage crazy, and Beyond Retro is an awesome place to hunt for cool stuff.
Beyond Retro, Åsögatan 144
www.beyondretro.se

Jenny Hellström

Swedish designer Jenny Hellström does classic clothing with a twist and lots of fine details. In the shop on Hornstulls Strand you will find a great selection and perfect service.

Jenny Hellström, Hornstulls strand 11
www.jennyhelstrom.com

Nitty Gritty

Do not miss Nitty Gritty. You enter through a big branch of the French brand A.P.C., and as you continue, the store reveals lots of great fashion for both men and women, like Sonia Rykiel, Paul Smith and various smaller brands.

The store has it’s own hair salon and a nice café with good sandwiches and delicious coffee.

Nitty Gritty,
Krukmarkargatan 24

Refill

There is plenty of cafés and good places to eat on Söder. Check out:

Svart Kaffe

This coffee place doesn’t look like much with its worn-down furniture, but the coffee is very good and the clientele is entertaining to watch.

Svart Kaffe,
Södermannagatan 21

Koh Phangan

Excellent Thai food. Recognize the place by its quiet unusual bamboo façade.

Koh Phangan,
Skånegatan 57
www.kohphangan.se

GO NIGHT

Stockholm has a vivid nightlife. On weekdays it isn’t too crazy, but on weekends, the city awakes. Lots of restaurants transform into cocktail bars after dinner hours, so you can stay and hang out ‘till the wee hours.
If you want to explore the nightlife, you have to be prepared to spend some money. A beer easily costs 5 Euros and cocktails start at 10 Euros.
A night out often starts late. Many locals have dinner (and a few drinks) at home until midnight, before they move out to a bar or a nightclub. Most clubs stay open until 5am.
Here are a few places where you won’t be bored:

Riche

Riche – popularly named “Lilla Baren” (Little Bar) – is a perfect spot to hang out and maybe grab a bite to eat before you let your hair down on the dance floor. For years, it has been a favorite place among trendy Stockholmers, and it’s still very popular among the thirtysomethings. A lot of Champagne goes over the Riche counter.
Riche,
Birger Jarlsgatan 4
www.riche.se

Sturecompagniet

This is one of the hippest and most posh places in Stockholm. Many people might find it a little too flashy. Lots of pretty blondes and Swedish celebrities.

Sturecompagniet,
Sturegatan 4
www.sturecompagniet.se

Klubb Kajko

If you prefer beer and live music to Champagne and local Swedish celebs, go to the straightforward live music venue, Klubb Kajko in Söder.

Klubb Kajko,
Götgatan 99

Eriks Gondolen

You get delicious food and lovely drinks here, but what’s best about the place is the beautiful view. Eriks Gondolen is located by Slusen in Södermalm. Go up on the elevator and party! You will not forget that you are in the middle of beautiful Stockholm, surrounded by water.

Eriks Gondolen,
Stadsgården 6
www.eriks.se

Berns

At Berns you can eat, drink, party and sleep. Berns is one of Stockholm’s oldest havens of amusement, but they have been capable of renewing the place. At the cocktail bar you can get some of the best cocktails in the city, and they host special club nights with number one international DJ’s.

Berns,
Berzelii Park
www.berns.se

Mosebacke

Mosebacke is the place for lovers of jazz, DJs and live music, but Mosebacke also offers a restaurant, a night club and various theater events. A lively place with a beautiful location on Söder.

Mosebacke Etablissement,
Mosebacke Torg 3
www.mosebacke.se

Other places to check out on a night out in Stockholm:

Operakällaren,
Operahuset, Karl XIIs Torg,
www.operakalleren.se

Centro,
Regeringsgatan 66,
www.centro.nu

The White Bar,
Regeringsgatan 61,
www.thewhiteroom.se

Inferno,
Drottinggatan 85,
www.barinferno.se

Don’t forget Nox (see Go Eat) where some of Stockholm’s best DJs mix on weekends.

GO SLEEP

Hotels 

Most hotels in Stockholm primarily make their money from people on business trips, so it’s quite expensive to sleep over in the city. But luckily a lot of hotels have cheap weekend offers. And there are several good hostels in Stockholm.
Some suggestions of hotels at various price levels:

Rival                             

Hotel Rival, owned by Benny Andersson from ABBA, is momondo’s favorite hotel in Stockholm. The reason for that is simply that the service is so carried out in every detail. Great service, lovely rooms, lively restaurant, delicious breakfast, awesome café, private bakery, cinema and a cocktail bar, where you can let go of your inner Dancing Queen.

The hotel’s theme is movie stars, and there are big black-and-white photographs on the walls in every room. There are cool glass mosaic in the bath rooms that all have windows from which you can look into the bedroom. 
Every room has wireless Internet, big plasma screens, CD players and Playstation. In stead of pay-per-view, the hotel has a free DVD library where you can borrow all kinds of movies, from “Amélie” and “Cinéma Paradiso” to classics like “Citizen Kane” and “Dr. Strangelove” as well as newer pictures like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Queen”. In the DVD collection you will - unsurprisingly - find “ABBA, The Movie”!
There is 24 hour room service, but you will probably be so well asleep in the soft Dux bed, that you will not lie awake and need any kind of service in the middle of the night.  Another thing that will secure you a good night of sleep is the hotel’s “pillow menu”, which offers you the pillow that suits you best.
The hotel frequently hosts various cultural events that add to the lively – but not too loud – atmosphere. To complete all of the above, Hotel Rival is situated on beautiful Söder.

160 € and up 

Hotel Rival,Mariatorget 3,
www.rival.se

Hotel Birger Jarl

Hotel Birger Jarl is located in a building from the 1970’s and it does not look like anything special from the outside. But inside, some fun surprises are expecting you.

Twelve of the hotel’s room have been individually designed by Swedish designers and have their own names. You can get your beauty sleep in The Polka Dot Room (number 705) or in Miss Dottie (709).

The rest of the hotel’s standard rooms are simpler with minimalist Scandinavian design and white walls.

225 € and up

Hotel Birger Jarl, Tulegatan 8,
www.birgerjarl.se

SAS Strand Hotel

Even though the Strand Hotel is part of a large chain, the hotel sticks out from most chain hotels.

The location is charming, in the very center on Nybrokajen, with a view of the port and the cobble stoned quay. Close to the shopping areas, Dramaten (The Royal Theater of Sweden) and many great restaurants and bars.
In the lobby, you can sink into comfortable green leather couches and enjoy the wide selection of newspapers and the view of water and sail boats through the large windows.

The rooms are spacious and if your money allows, offer yourself a ”superior guest room” with a view of the harbor.

250 € and up

SAS Strand Hotel, Nybrokajen 9
www.radissonsas.com

Hotel Hellsten                  

Hotel Hellsten is a new place with 80 rooms, and it quickly became a very popular hotel.

It splendidly combines new design, antique furniture and porcelain figurines, which gives you the feeling of being in a homey atmosphere in Stockholm.

195 € and up

Hotel Hellsten, Luntmakgatan 68,
www.hellsten.se

Chapman Youth Hostel

Enjoy the fabulous view of Gamla Stan through your porthole, as your are rocked to sleep. The hostel Chapman is a full-rigged ship, docked alongside the quay of Skeppsholmen. A double room with your private porthole and a shared shower costs around 50 Euros.

50 €

Chapman Youth Hostel, Flaggmansvägen 8,
www.stfchapman.com

Långholmen Hotel & Youth Hostel

A former prison that has been transformed into a combined hostel and hotel. The place is situated on the small island, Långholmen, in rural surroundings, despite its central location in Stockholm.

Most cells/rooms of the hostel have a private bath and toilet, as well as wireless Internet, and cost from 66 Euros and up. You can also sleep in the dormitory, which costs about 29 Euros per night.

If you’re not the dorm kind of person, you can get your beauty sleep in your own private redone prison cell at Hotel Långholmen.

Hostel: 29 € and up
Hotel: 100 € and up

Långholmen Hotel & Youth Hostel, Långholmsmuren 20
www.langholmen.com

More information on hostels in Stockholm and the surrounding area at: www.svenskaturistforeningen.se 

Transport

To and from the airport

The express train Arlanda Express leaves every 15 minutes from Arlanda airport and goes to the Central Station in the center. It lasts about 20 minutes and costs no less than 220 SKR (24 Euros)!

You can also take a taxi, but the trip to Stockholm is long and expensive. If you can fill up the cab and if you’re going somewhere far from the Central Station, a taxi might be a good solution after all. Several taxis have a fixed price for the ride between the airport and the center.
There are also buses that go from Arlanda to the center.

Getting around in Stockholm

Stockholm is a great city for pedestrians, so don’t forget to bring comfortable shoes if you want to explore the city on foot.

There is a good subway, “Tunnelbana”, which is an easy way to get around town.  Don't buy single tickets but get a ticket book from a newspaper store: Pressbyrån, or a weekend pass that grants you free transportation for an entire weekend.

Stockholm has an extensive network of city buses, which are in service every day from 5am until midnight. At most bus stops, there is a map of the city and all the bus routes. Tickets are bought from the bus drivers who are mostly very helpful about getting you in the right direction.

The most fabulous way to get around Stockholm is by boat. Not only does it feel right in a city connected by water, it is also an easy and time saving means of transportation. In the tourist offices, you can get information on schedules and routes.

Consider buying The Stockholm Card when you arrive in the city. The card grants you free access to a series of museums, free transportation in the Tunnelbana as well as on many sightseeing boats.

It is not always easy to hail a cab from a street corner in Stockholm. Most often, it’s better to call for one or have your hotel/restaurant/café call. Taxis are expensive. A short trip within the center can easily cost 20 Euros.
 
Links to make your stay in Stockholm a lot easier:

www.stockholmtown.se
www.aos.se
www.nojesguiden.se - you’ll find the latest news on restaurants, museums etc here.
www.thelocal.com - on-line newspaper