Stockholm / Gothenburg ideas

[Wigeon]

We're off to Sweden in a couple of weeks, staying nearish to Gothenburg, then staying in Stockholm for a bit. Me, DH, DDs are 13 and 16. We all like most things! We have researched all the obvious touristy things and will certainly do some of them - but wondering if anyone has any recommendations for less obvious things? Eg things like:

Food walking tour (did this in Naples and it was brilliant)
Art or crafty type workshop in the countryside (DH and the DDs are quite arty)
Some other kind of foodie experience (we all like eating / trying new food!)

I've found a guided tour by bicycle in Gothenburg which looks good.

Any other suggestions?

Bump

Skansen (if I remember thye name correctly) is a historical theme park outside Stockholm or was in 1985 when I went:

DH has been and really liked Skansen - which would be great if you are interested in craft but that bit passed him by.

He also thought the food was great without him actually trying that hard.

Ferry hopping in the archipelagos. Goes for both Gothenburg and Stockholm. Think you can mostly just use the normal public transport tickets for this, at least in Gothenburg.

The obvious I'm assuming is including Liseberg and Universeum (in Gothenburg) and the Vasa museum and Skansen in Stockholm? Did a ghost tour of Gamla Stan which was quite fun. We had an expat Brit who was good. Not so much of a ghost tour but interesting and engaging.

We are definitely going to Skansen and the Vasa - both are right up our street. Ferry hopping also in the plan.

I'm not at all keen on rollercoasters, and also DH and the DDs do like them, they aren't that bothered, so probably not going to do Liseberg.

Ghost tour sounds fun! Although maybe in the spring/autumn/winter when it's actually dark, than on a summer's evening?

@lbwagain - do you remember if your ghost tour was this one?

I saw your post when it was new OP and have been wracking my brains to see if I can think of anything, seeing as I live here. But nothing really concrete, am useless.

I agree with a PP that you should try to get out on the water in Sthlm. This is the big USP there. You could island hop, or there’s apparently some sort of amphibian bus tour, or boat tours around the city and nearest archipelago. In fact, if you want to do some real anthropology you could book a 24 hour cruise to Helsinki, giving you the opportunity to observe the Swede on the institution that is The Finland Ferry. V interesting.

I once went out on some paddle boats with a friend somewhere near the centre. It was fun because you’re not in a pond or quiet river, you really are on a quite big waterway so need to think a bit.

I saw this museum https://upplevelsemuseet.se/museum-of-new-experiences/ which might be fun? Haven’t been.

Haven’t been to Gothenburg much, but when I was there with younger child we enjoyed Aeroseum outside Gothenburg (we took a bus). It’s in a whatchamacallit mountain room and has all sorts of planes and things and lots you can climb into. And a flight simulator. https://aeroseum.se/en/about-us/history/ Can’t remember how much signs etc were in English though but I think they were. Your kids might be too old though.

For gothenburg: Liseberg is really worth a wander round even if you don’t go on any rides. You can just pay for entrance. Going out to the islands is great. Take the number 11 tram to saltholmen and choose which island(s) to go to. Or going to a lake for swimming can be an equally good day out. By tram: bergsjön or delsjön. A walk through Haga, Linné and then to slottsskogen (big park with a free "zoo" and cafes) is also popular.

Stockholm: skansen, vasa museet, gamla stan (old town) and an archipeligo tour are all great things to do.

By the way, the food is great in sweden. A good tip is to look for lunch menus. It's a real swedish thing where most restaurants and cafes offer a set lunch for a much cheaper price (100 - 150 kr) than normal. You can get some top quality food, with a salad bar, bread and drinks included. Usually between 11 and 2/3. Only week days though.

Sweden is gorgeous in the summer. Have a good trip!

We live in Stockholm

There are some very good free walking tours, the guy who does the vikingwalking tour is very good, it isn’t a viking based tour, so you won’t miss the usual Stockholm history bits.

Food is good but variety can be limited, eating out is expensive so choose wisely and avoid eating in gamla stan. If you want coffee to go go to a Pressbyran (they’re everywhere), its cheap but good.

Don’t be put off if a cafe/coffee shop is full of tradies in hi-viz, this means the food is both very good and reasonably priced.

If you do the evening archipelago tour with the dinner the food is very good, nice views on summer evenings as well. Boat tours book very quickly, at this time of year they can be booked weeks in advance, so sometimes just getting a ferry is easier, cheaper too.

Don’t take cash, nowhere will accept.

A metro self tour is worth it, especially if you have a rainy day.

See if anyone is performing at grona lund, tickets are very very cheap.

If it looks like you’ll have clear skies book to go on the avicii arena skyview, its easy to get to on the metro.

Used to live in Stockholm.

Gröna Lund was my absolute favourite day, especially followed by a band performing there!
I took my son on the Shark Bus tour, the amphibious bus/ boat. That was really fun!
Meatballs for the People was a nice place for Meatballs.

Lots of wonderful places for fika and you have to try the green princess kake. Very swedish!
Södermalm is great for a walk around and exploring as is Gamla Stan. Gamla Stan used to have an outlet store for Swedish Hasbeens which I used to love.
If it rains you could take the commuter train from sentrum and visit Mall of Scandinavia, they have cinemas etc but its a nice large airy mall.
PP is right, don't take cash.
Taxi Stockholm is reliable and there's an app you can use. But the underground is the best way to travel around.

Have fun!

We had a couple of days in both places last summer with DS15. Our Stockholm highlights were Skansen and Moderna Museet, which is on an island that's lovely to walk to and around. Gothenburg highlights were the amphibious bus tour and walking around Haga and up to Skansen Kronan.

We'd had our island fix as we also stayed up in the archipelago but if you're not doing that, would definitely recommend doing some trips out to islands from either city.

Yes, that was the one.

Liseberg is actually rather beautiful and very green, beautiful planting so worth going either way, I think.

Oh, it seems you're not into rides but if I had to choose one between Grona Lund and Lisberg, Liseberg is by far the nicer / better amusement park. Grona Lund is still very good but it was just if you wanted to choose one.

Thanks so much for all the further replies - some great tips! Am enjoying looking them all up!