Stockholm, Sweden — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Stockholm
The city of Stockholm has a vast selection of attractions to offer visitors. During summer there are extensive hours of daylight for sightseeing outdoors, and on winter days there are plenty of museums and galleries to visit. Popular sightseeing attractions include the Royal Palace, the Skansen open-air museum and the distinctive City Hall (Stadshuset), while an excursion to any of the 24,000 archipelago islets is also worthwhile. Djurgården Island has a number of museums and galleries to explore, and the Museum of National Antiquities is another interesting Stockholm attraction.
Shopping in Stockholm
Shopping in Stockholm can be an expensive affair but savvy consumers know the classic adage of 'you get what you pay for'. Treasured souvenirs from Stockholm include Swedish glass products, wooden furniture in blond pine or birch and, of course, Swedish clogs. There are a number of shopping areas in Stockholm, some of the trendies being Gamla Stan, Sergels Torg, Kungsgatan and SOFO.
Västerlånggatan Street in Gamla Stan has good antique shops, while Kungsgatan is home to the Drottninggatan pedestrian mall. The renowned Gallerian shopping center in Sergels Torg has a variety of high-street and brand-name outlets to browse through, and nearby department stores include NK and Åhléns. The PUB department store is located in Hötorget.
On Södermalm Island, the hip shopping district of SOFO has plenty of popular fashion stores to explore, as well as jewelry, craft and fine art galleries. The Hornstullstrand Street Market, at the western waterfront, has a plethora of bargains including clothing by up-and-coming young designers and funky costume jewelry.
Most shops in Stockholm are open 10am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, and from 10am till lunch on Saturday. The VAT charged on all products can be refunded on purchases exceeding EUR78 with the presentation of a tax-free check from the store. *Note: do not unwrap the goods before leaving Sweden.
Stockholm Nightlife
Stockholm has a vibrant nightlife with a multitude of bars, clubs and jazz venues to enjoy. Admission and drinks prices are quite high in Stockholm but the opening hours are long, ensuring a good night out. The most popular nightlife venues are in Stureplan and surrounds. Favorite Stockholm bars include the stylish Spy Bar on Birger Jarlsgatan, and Café Opera on Kungsträdgården. Kvarnen, on the island of Södermalm, is another trendy spot while Gondolen, in Stadsgården, has great views. Kvarnen is a popular beer hall on Tjärhovsgatan, and Absolut Ice Bar (in the Nordic Sea Hotel) features temperatures below freezing year-round, and lots of ice! Köket, in Stureplan, is one of the trendiest nightclubs in Stockholm, rivalled only by Solidaritet on Lästmakargatan, and Blue Moon on Kungsgatan. For live music and excellent DJs, head to Källaren in Skånegatan. On Kungsgatan, the Fasching Jazzclub features soul and Latin American music, and there are also jazz performances at Stampen in Stora Nygatan.
