I used to live in this beautiful capital city of Sweden for five years. It’s still one of my favourite cities and I visit as often as I can.
COOL HOTELS:
If you want to live in the middle of the nightlife and shopping areas, stay at Scandic Anglais at Stureplan. It is a great designer hotel with a large lounge & bar area for afterwork and weekend brunches. Nearby located is also Nobis Hotel, a fashionable hotel with a modern design atmosphere. Family-owned Hotel Diplomat is more elegant and timeless when it comes to interior. Story Hotel opened in spring 2009, also with a perfect location. If you book in advance there’s a good chance to make a bargain, rooms are from 890 SEK. Waterfront Lydmar Hotel offer rooms with views of the Royal Castle. The restaurant and bar area is very popular among Stockholm’s party people. Nordic Light Hotel is located near the Central Station and has different mood rooms depending on what you want – relaxation or energy. I love the design of the whole building. In the same area, Scandic Grand Central is a perfect choice with a cool bar and restaurant, and lot of buzz from people coming and going.
SHOPPING:
I suggest you should start your shopping tour at Stureplan. Inside Sturegallerian houses a lot of different shops. CC Skor is a shoe paradise. Dry Lake offers brands like Juicy Couture, Sass & Bide, Botkier and Swedish girlie brand Rules by Mary. There is also a small shop further into the galleria, Monroe, with lots of cool outfits. Don’t miss the Spanish fashion chain Zara with the latest trends at fair prices.
From Stureplan, go south on Birger Jarlsgatan. Nathalie Schuterman is a good choice if you are looking for the exclusive european fashion brands like YSL, Chloé, Lanvin and Prada. Bags, shoes, accessories, clothes, you name it. On the same street you’ll also find Gucci, Mulberry, Louis Vuitton and other quality brands.
There is also a hidden arcade called Birger Jarlspassagen, and it’s worth entering – just wait till you find Mrs H… A lifestyle shop with carefully chosen clothes, accessories and beauty musts.
Take a right turn at Gucci and at the next corner is Acne’s Flagship Store. Don’t miss this Swedish contemporary brand with supercool jeans and clothes worn by Sofia Coppola and other Hollywood celebs
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The pedestrian street Biblioteksgatan is nearby, don’t miss Mathilde with Swedish brands like folklore-cute Odd Molly and Hunky Dory (basic but edgy knitwear and cotton tops). Urban Outfitters is housed in an old movie theater and Swedish clothing brand Filippa K is on the corner to Norrmalmstorg. While in the neighborhood, check out the crossing streets; cosmetic heaven COW, the trendy Swedish clothing company Whyred and Kiehl’s with heavenly skincare can be found at Mäster Samuelsgatan.
Stockholm’s best department store is NK at Hamngatan. If you like Topshop and other trendy low-price brands, go visit the SOUK mall at Drottninggatan next to Åhléns City. But don’t waste more time on Drottninggatan. It’s too touristic… When in Sweden you must also check out HM of course, the flagship store is at Hamngatan. Another Swedish fashion chain situated at Hamngatan is Gina Tricot – the latest fashion at very low prices (not the best quality but it’s perfect for occasional trend buys)
If you happen to be in the southern part of Stockholm, Söder, I can recommend Brunogallerian with many cool brands. C/o Stockholm is a brilliant shop with trendy accessories and beauty brands. I like! Across the street is Weekday with very cheap jeans of latest style, downstairs you’ll find upcoming Swedish fashion brands. Enjoy your lunch at Ljunggrens in the middle of Brunogallerian. For vintage shopping, go to Beyond Retro at Åsögatan 144.
Check in the latest Swedish interior design at Designtorget in the underground galleria at Sergels Torg.
FOOD AND NIGHTLIFE:
Enjoy an organic breakfast at Albert & Jack’s, Engelbrektsgatan 3 or Skeppsbron 24.
You must have lunch at Zink, a french-inspired place with marvellous plates of cold meat and delicious salamis. And they serve some great steaks as well… In a sunny day, try lisapåtorget at Östermalmstorg. Fabulous fish and Swedish traditional food. And don’t miss Strandvägen 1 for a trendy lunch among Stockholm’s beautiful it-crowd.
For dinner I prefer to hang out around Stureplan at places like Sturehof, Riche, Teatergrillen and East. These four ones are also great for sticking around in the bar. New trendy places that I also recommend are Nosh and Chow and Taverna Brillo.
I strongly recommend that you try one of local restaurateur Melker Andersson’s top places; Grill in Vasastan (don’t miss the Sunday Jazz Brunch) and Moulin Rouge-inspired Le Rouge in the old town (downstairs: gourmet food, upstairs: a casual bar menu and exotic drinks).
For drinks, visit the veranda at Grand Hotel (where all superstars stay when visiting Stockholm) and Gondolen at Slussen, high up in the sky with an astonishing view.
Party on all night long at Village, Collage, Rose Bar or Berns.
STUFF YOU NEED TO BUY:
Swedish clothes! We are so proud of our successful brands like Acne, Whyred, Filippa K, Dagmar, Minmarket. I’ve heard that the Swedish outdoor Kånken-bag is sold at Barney’s, why don’t you get one here for a much smaller price tag?