The capital of Sweden, Stockholm embodies everything about Scandanavia - the reliable public transit, the bikes, the tall, attractive people, the proximity to water, the well-ordered green spaces. Read on for my overview of things to do in Stockholm, Sweden. Tour bus crowds can be heavy. Less character, more function. Walking trails and parks are plentiful. Lots of hostel and hotel options can be found here. Things to keep in mind while planning your vacation solo or otherwise!
A lot of blogs will tell you to pick up the Stockholm Pass before you go. Know that there are pay-what-you-can walking tours available, and cheaper ferries to some of the surrounding archipelago islands. But if you have a lot of things you want to see on your list? Pick up a Stockholm Pass. Winters in Stockholm can be dark, cold, and very gray. Boat tours run occasionally, if at all. However, it can be much cheaper.
The summer months are beautiful, but will be more crowded. Stockholm has a reputation for being a very expensive city. I did find the food, at least, was similarly priced to other cities such as New York, LA, London, etc.
And grocery store prices are quite low. For drinks, beer is actually fairly inexpensive in Stockholm again, compared to other urban areas. Wine and cocktails will cost noticeably more.
Swedes believe in equality in all things. This socialist utopia has a lot of upsides, but as a tourist, remember that service people are not going to go out of their way to do something extra for you - anyone who asks for favors, a bending of the rules, or in some way wants special consideration may be given a dirty look. As Swede Alexander Skarsgaard explains, even the Royal Family apologizes for their high class lifestyle. Fika is a mid-afternoon coffee and pastry break.
