Talk to me about Stockholm

[royalmama]

Hello. We've booked our summer holiday to Sweden aftafander much research and I was wondering if anybody's been and what practical advice, experience, tips, pointers etc you'd like to share with me! DS1 is 12, and DS2 is 10. They're both active and love the outdoors.
The Abba museum is undoubtedly on our, err my list but any experience or practical advice for us all would be most appreciated.

The Vasa museum is brilliant! My DC are much younger but I'm sure it would appeal to teenagers too.

I went with DS, then 12, last year for a few days. Yes the Vasa museum is incredible, it is actually breathtaking when you walk in. DS also enjoyed Skansen (open air museums, zoo), the talks about the animals there were really good. One night we went to the viking restaurant which was good fun and not too expensive by Stockholm standards. In the summer I would take some boats trips around the archipelago, it is beautiful but it wasn't the weather for it when we were there. We also went on the evening ghost tour walk which was fun. There is also a free guided tour of the best underground stations, we didn't have time to do it but it looked good. Sounds a bit odd but the stations are full of amazing art work. Sure you will have a great time, we both loved Stockholm.

I agree with everything LeMesmer suggested and must say that Skansen (you can see wolves AND wolverines!) is fantastic. We have a yearly pass as I have family in Stockholm. DD loves it!

Boat trip is essential, the archipelago is gorgeous in the summer. Fjäderholmarna are only a short boat ride out and have lovely little cafes, craft shops, a play area for kids and gives you a taste of the archipelago without having to do a long boat trip.

A good tip is to eat your main meal in the day, a lot of places do a special 'dagens lunch' (daily lunch) which includes a decent cooked meal, non alcoholic drink, salad, bread and coffee. usually around 90-100 krona. 'Max' do the best ever burgers is you fancy a Swedish burger, reasonably priced and made for you as you order it (pricewise it is on par with McDonalds). There are also lots of 'Grills or Sibylla Grills which are little huts that sell korv (Swedish sausage) at reasonable prices. If you aren't on a tight budget a 'Toast Skagen' (prawns in dill and mayo) is one of my favourites, as is a 'plankstek' . can you tell that I am missing Swedish food?!

Any alcoholic drink should be purchased from Systembolaget (who have monopoly on selling alcohol) and perhaps consumed with a picnic or in your hotel room as it's very expensive to drink out... Some places do a 'Stor Stark' deal on pints of lager, if you like a cheeky drink.

If you like a beach there are some in the centre although you may have to ask for directions. Smedsuddsbadet is good, lovely sandy bit by water and big grassy area to sit on. Child friendly and about 10 minute walk from underground stop Fridhemsplan, a pleasant walk through Rålambshovsparken will get you there.

Need to see to DD now but will post if I think of something else!

Definitely Vasa Museum.

Skansen to see the reindeer!

There is a small amusement park Grona Lund (I think!) which is right over the water and older kids might enjoy.

A walk around the old town - Gamla Stan - and coffee and cake in the square. You can walk through the Royal Palace to get there and you can also go in the palace if you want to.

Definitely a boat trip out to somewhere in the archipelago- various options and the poster before has much better tips on this!

You can also get the boat across the lake to Drottningholm which is another Royal Palace and I think where the current royals actually live. The lake side of Stockholm is also better for swimming (the Baltic Sea is freezing!) and various little beaches but again I think the previous poster has more detail on this.

Go upbthe Town Hall tower for a view of the city. You can also go around the town hall - this is where the various Nobel prizes are presented with the exception of the peace prize.

There are a few top division football clubs in the city and the season starts a bit earlier than ours so you might be able to catch a game if your kids into footy.

Enjoy - lovely city!

Another recommendation for the Vasa. It's really interesting. I also liked the Pippy Longstocking museum.

I'm going to agree with everyone else - Vasa and Skansen are must-dos.

And you said active! There is a bike hire scheme (maybe several!) and I think Djurgaden (where lots of the museums are) is a popular spot for a cycle.

Tekniska museet rocks. The views from the fotografiska museum are amazing. But its a pricy place to get into. There are icecream parlours in gamlastan that have funky flavours like lemon and liquorice. If you like social history the nordiska museums good. The mall of scandinavia is nice to just look at inside. Vetekattens nice for cake n coffee. Yes im a swedaholic

Vasa definitely. We also bought the city bus/boat hop on tickets - they actually last 48 hours not 24 (red boat I think they're called?) And were great for getting out and about and going between areas easily.

The old town is gorgeous, and some lovely little hidden food places.

I loved Stockholm. Wish we had stayed longer than the 2 days we had there.

Thank you ever so much Teds77, littleswede, nomad86, LeMesmer.
littleSwede methinks the swede part of your name speaks for itself I really appreciate your time and tips! We're really excited, especially as we love the outdoors! What do you suggest ny the way: do our own exploring and hiking or go on advertised day hiking tours? My DS are not really keen on museums, but I hope they'll at least guve the Vasa museum a chance! Also, they're super keen on anything Viking, so what would you advise?
I'm also considering the spas! I hear they're awesome over there.

We rented a house in the archipelago which was spectacular and I'd really recommend!

YY to Vasa and Skansen. Also wandering around Gamla Stan. You can get some lovely views wandering across the bridges.

To get in and out from the airport, the Arlanda express is marvellously efficient (although like all things Swedish, not cheap!).

Thanks eurochick, sundaymorningatwork, chocolatetea and wizzywig. Much appreciated!
We're staying about three week's! So loads of time
Unfortunately, we didn't get one of those idyllic Swedish cabins. However, we did get a great location in the center.
We've heard a lot re how expensive Stockholm is, so we'll be treading carefully the first week untill we get familiar with the place. The food sounds scrumptious!
What kind of souvenirs should I be looking out for?

Definitely agree with the Vasa and Skansen as others have suggested.

If you're in any way interested in politics (or beautiful buildings) then I'd recommend the free guided tour of the Riksdag (parliament building). We loved it!

Probably not the best for kids but we had an amazing (but expensive) meal at Pubologi, they had a 7 course tasting menu full of unusual dishes.

We didn't find it insanely expensive, but we do live in London so maybe our experience is slightly skewed...!

We went when I was pregnant (for the Eurovision semis) and it was AWESOME. Booze is super expensive so I was very glad to be pregnant! The theme park looked like lots of fun, and there were lots of little pop up cafes / restaurants along the front where you catch the boat over which were a nice spot for a drink or lunch. Just across the main road from the street where the ABBA museum is, there’s steps up to hotel with an amazing terrace out front with lovely views - they did a huge Sunday brunch thing which was lovely.

Skansen would be great with the kids, there’s lots of walking (which I struggled with being pregnant!) but it was lovely.

I’d go back in a heartbeat. The public transport (we used trams and metro to get around) was brilliant and wasn’t even that crowded in rush hour.

You must go to the Vasa museum, my DH wasn't that keen, although he generally likes museums, your DC will really love it. We did a free guided tour which was really interesting, even DS thought so and he hates guided tours! DS bought a thousand moose related items! If you like that sort of thing Stockholm glass is lovely. I bought some glass candle holders from the shop in Skansen where they were made.

The food is lovely, and not terribly expensive if you get a guidebook and plan well. The Viking restaurant was about the equivalent of 60 euro for the two of us, and that was the most we paid. We stayed on a boat and the restaurant there was nice, and for the traditional meatballs not too dear. DS ate I dont know how many of the hotdogs from the stands, which are very cheap. At Skansen they have a place where you can buy sausages and cook them yourselves over open air fires, a fun cheap lunch. We also had a great Chinese one day at lunchtime. Not Swedish I know, but a great buffet for about 10 euro, just on the edge of Gamla Stan. We went in as we were too cold to walk anymore. Drinks aren't cheap, but the Systembolaget for wine and beer wasn't expensive.

I envy you 3 weeks. Sorry I cant remember the names of restaurants off hand, but will look if you like.

Sorry DS not keen, not DH.

Yes yes yes to the Vasa Museum. They did an amazing job.

Stockholm card was fantastic when I was there: admissions to loads of places, transport...

The other amazing trip I had was to take the overnight ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki. You can get a cheap bed in a cabin, but spend a lot of time on deck first watching all the little islands go buy. Lovely trip. Spend a day in Helsinki, then take an overnight ferry back.

I was so glad I did it.

If you are going for that long I'd extend the archipelago trip- loads of places with canoes etc (some in the city too but nicer if you are further out) and other outdoorsy activities that might require an overnight stay. There are hostels that are reasonably priced. But mainly go waking in the city - it's beautiful. And the near suburbs have so much to offer too so do venture out a bit by foot. Anew I echo the "dagens". Limited choice but will fill you up at a reasonable price.

Skansen is good
The Vasa is v dark and pretty dull for kids imho

Gamla Stan and whatever they call the changing of the guards is good

Are you in Stockholm now OP?? Because we are too arrived 6am today on the overnight train and can't check into our hostel until later so are pondering what to do with luggage and two very tired adults children under 7...

Any recommendations for things you've found will be welcomed- and I hope you're having a great time

Hello misty 5 .we're back now and I can say we had a lovely time despite there being an annoying heatwave when we arrived!
Here are my recommendations:

Skansen,
Gamla Stan
Djeurgarden (sp?)( take a paddle boat..kids will love it!) Even walking in the nature reserve there is great..( go through the blue gate once you've crossed the bridge)
Go to helissgarden (sp?) and the dc can swim in the beautiful lake and have fun.
See the town hall and from there go for a stroll along the water front..you'll find many boats, swim spots, then a huge park.
Check out the sweet shops!
Have fun on a boat tour! There are endless choices according to your budget.
Check out the food halls -names I can't recall now(Google Stockholm food halls)

Hiking was our favourite free fun activity!

Have fun and enjoy the food.

@royalmama thanks for the recommendations. We're at skansen today but slightly frustratingly it changed to low season as of yesterday so lots of it is closed (but paid high season prices...). Stockholm is beautiful and I'd love to explore more - without the kids! As it is, our eldest is being so difficult and we're all a bit holiday weary so are going to change flights and come home earlier than planned.

Maybe I'll come back alone one day

Hi Misty9 so sorry to hear you're having to cut your holiday short.
I hope you're able to return and enjoy Stockholm again soon!