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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

What to pack for Stockholm - early December

11 replies

MissChanandlerB0NG · 02/11/2023 10:35

I'm going away for 5 days end of November to early December.

Trying to travel light if I can.

What would you suggest I bring along with me? And also, anything I should try whilst there or gifts to bring home.

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Madickenxx · 02/11/2023 10:46

Stating the obvious but layers! You'll be outdoors mostly so will be miserable if you're cold. Hat, scarf, gloves and sensible walking shoes. Other than that I wouldn't bring anything specific that you wouldn't bring on any winter city break. It's not cheap so enough money to enjoy some good food and "fika" (coffee with cake). In my biased opinion, Scandinavian countries have the best Christmas decorations so leave some space for things you will undoubtedly pick up. If you have time, go to Skansen for the Christmas market and the Winter lights. You will have to pay entrance / book tickets but from what I hear it's lovely.

MissChanandlerB0NG · 02/11/2023 11:22

@Madickenxx thankyou so much!

DH and I have always travelled to warm countries for holidays so this is the start of our colder region visits. I feel a little out of my depth.

That's great advice. I'm going to grab some thermals and extra layers this weekend. I haven't got decent walking shoes so I'll grab some of those. I read online it can snow around then.

Ooh, I'll look into skansen. Sounds right up my alley

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Alaimo · 05/11/2023 14:19

I'd say a waterproof/rain jacket and warm clothes. It could be -5 and snowing, but equally it could be 5 degrees and raining. Either decent walking shoes with thick socks, or some insulated/lined boots would be perfect.

Skansen is lovely and definitely worth a visit. If it is snowy, then walking around Djurgården (the island on which Skansen is located) can be really nice and pretty, especially the park/forest next to Skansen. There is a lovely cafe there too, Rosendals Trädgård. The Vasamuseet is also really impressive. I had low expectations (I was not super interested in a museum about a boat...), but I am really glad I visited.

For fika, Vete Katten, near the central station, is one of my favourites, nice baked goods in a beautiful setting. However, unless you arrive early (say, 10am), there is a good chance you'll have to queue to get in.

It's quite common for Swedish restaurants to serve a set lunch, usually a warm main dish, with some salad & bread on the side, and including coffee/tea for £10-12. It's much better value than bakeries/cafes, where you pay almost as much for a small sandwich. Note that Swedes eat lunch early, most places will serve lunch between approximately 11am&2pm.

Stockholm is not cheap, but the Swedish krona has dropped quit a bit in value, so it's a bit cheaper for overseas visitors compared to a couple of years ago. Getting the local ferry between islands (such as Gamla Stan en Djurgården, or further out to Vaxholm is a nice and affordable way to see a bit more of the city from the water.

TakeMe2Insanity · 05/11/2023 14:22

If you wear jeans you might need something under them even tights/leggings/thermals. A longer thicker coat. We’ve been in mis november and it was freezing. Also as a tourist you tend to be outside more. Everywhere is extremely well heated so I always took a cloth bag to throw things into eg hat/scarf/gloves.

Crikeyalmighty · 05/11/2023 14:44

We go at new year very often and have been 5 times - a good padded coat, gloves, warm hat, thick socks and layers. I've been at minus 10 and snowing and 7 degrees and pissing it down and everything in between - it's not cheap but if I can say the espresso house coffee chain ( all gave very nice interiors) do such massive coffees at around£5 - you can easily carry round a beaker or spare paper cup and split them -- same goes for their fantastic cheese, mustard and ham focaccias - Sweden also does fantastic Selma cakes- which are cream buns with a kind of liquid marzipan layer. I also recommend Skansen , the vasa and the Abba museum (great cafe for lunch)

OnedayIwillfeelfree · 05/11/2023 16:56

Google ‘meatballs for the people’ it is such a lovely restaurant, with out of this world loos! Not overly expensive, but such a lovely vibe.

Crikeyalmighty · 05/11/2023 17:42

@OnedayIwillfeelfree ah yes that's an excellent place- cozy, warm, great vibe!!

KristaK · 05/11/2023 17:52

We go every year at exactly that time - I love it and it is super Christmassy! Main clothing advice i would have (other than to agree with everyone else on everything) is to stress the importance of warm and comfy footwear. People are right - it could be snowing or raining or icy and having warm dry feet makes such a difference!

skansen at Christmas is lovely - a highlight of my year every year. Museums - vasa museum is great and Abba museum also fun!

in Kungshallen there are snacky type restaurants that we often go to for cheapness and speed! Dinner is also often a little bit earlier than we would normally have it :-)

have an amazing time!
ps if you get up really early one morning the city is empty and really peaceful - Gamla Stan especially is often packed but lovely and quiet in the early morning

Rewis · 05/11/2023 19:58

It might be rainy, it might be slushy, it might be snowy, it might be freezing, it might be +5. So check the weather before going.

Winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves, ankle boots, long johns (under jeans if needed), jeans and top and you should be fine. That's my go to scandinavian fall/winter look in the city. If venturing in the nature then you need proper outdoor clothing and shoes.

MissChanandlerB0NG · 07/11/2023 18:43

Thankyou so much! This has been so, so helpful. Looking so forward to going now 😁

We have added skansen to the list!

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MissChanandlerB0NG · 29/11/2023 08:23

So, were here! Thanks again for all the suggestions for clothing - it's -9°c! 🥶

Were going to follow all your ideas of places to go, thanks again 😀

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