Stockholm City Guide: Exploring History, Culture, and Culinary Delights
Day 1: A Royal Welcome
Our adventure in Stockholm commenced with an early morning arrival. We were thrilled to stay at the exquisite Bank Hotel, a former bank headquarters converted into a hotel. The rooms were cozy by American standards, but the ambiance, choice of bars, and delightful breakfast awed us. Its central location made it the perfect base for our Stockholm exploration.
Storkyrkan
Our first stop was the iconic Storkyrkan or Stockholm Cathedral. This magnificent church, with its stunning architecture and rich history, left us in awe. It was a serene and spiritual beginning to our trip.
Stortorget Square
After visiting the cathedral, we wandered through the enchanting Stortorget Square in Gamla Stan, Stockholm's old town. The cobblestone streets and colorful buildings provided a charming backdrop for our photos and exploration.
Swedish Meatballs at Den Gyldene Freden
Lunchtime brought us to a delightful dilemma: Den Gyldene Freden or Tradition? We eventually opted for Den Gyldene Freden, where we indulged in traditional Swedish cuisine. The flavors and ambiance were absolutely enchanting.
Royal Palace
In the afternoon, we made our way to the impressive Royal Palace. The palace, the official residence of the Swedish royal family, offered an intriguing glimpse into the country's history and regal traditions. Various exhibits and entrances surround the castle so we had a great afternoon exploring and learning about Swedish history and the sovereign.
Our hotel being so close to Gamla Stan, we had time before our evening activities to wander back (stopping at the majestic final resting place of Swedish Kings, Riddarholmen Church) and take a nap before embracing Stockholm’s mystique with a 7 pm Ghost Walk. This atmospheric tour regaled us with tales of the city's haunted past, adding an eerie yet fascinating element to our trip.
Hillenberg
After the tour, it was time for a delectable dinner at Hillenberg. The restaurant's exquisite tasting menu was a perfect introduction to Stockholm featuring both familiar dishes along with Swedish delicacies like caviar with a sipping vodka as pairing.
Day 2: A Dive into History and Culture
On Tuesday, we embarked on an exploration of Stockholm's cultural treasures. The day started with a visit to the renowned Vasa Museum. The Vasa, a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage, was a remarkable sight to behold and learning about the incredible feat to save and restore it opened my eyes to the wonders of modern science & preservation.
Rosendals Tradgard
We then headed to Rosendals Tradgard for lunch and a leisurely walk around the picturesque gardens. The lush greenery and serene ambiance were a refreshing change of pace.
Next on our itinerary was the Skansen Museum. This open-air museum offered a fantastic glimpse into Swedish life throughout history. We enjoyed watching folk performances, interacting with animals, and exploring traditional Swedish buildings.
Liquor Tasting at the Sprit Museum
To end the day on a high note, we indulged in a wine tasting at the Museum of Sprits, savoring local wines and spirits. The experience was both educational and enjoyable and the Swedish wines were impeccable. Dry and crisp with the perfect amount of acidity. The sweet liquors gave us an insight into drinks that are served on special occasions or with traditional Swedish dishes.
Restaurant Oxenstiernan
We ended the day with dinner at Restaurant Oxenstiernan. I was able to have a completely vegetarian meal and didn’t even miss the meat, while my partner enjoyed the best duck of his life.
Day 3: Island Adventures
Wednesday saw us venturing beyond Stockholm's urban charms to explore its beautiful archipelago. We took the ferry to Vaxholm Fortress, where we immersed ourselves in history and stunning coastal scenery. Although the fortress museum was closed as it was the off-season, we enjoyed wandering the grounds and reading the placards at our own leisurely pace.
Vaxholm
After our exploration, we enjoyed lunch on Vaxholm Island and took a leisurely walk around, embracing the tranquil island vibes. We stopped in home decor stores to shop for souvenirs & checked out the local grocery store’s vast candy selection.
Our return to the hotel was made easy by taking the bus back to the city center.
Dinner that evening was at Woodstockholm in the trendy Söldermalm neighborhood. It was the best meal of the trip featuring contemporary Swedish cuisine with global influences. Only serving a set menu which is based on a “theme” which gets more creative as the meal progresses. At the time of our dinner, the theme was “pancakes” but nary a traditional pancake was served. Instead, the thoughful dishes were explained in detail and pancakes from around the world were the inspiration and incorporated into each dish.
