Field Guides

Stockholm, Sweden

At the intersection of calm, culture, and colorful, Stockholm is the perfect destination for a design lover looking for a 4-5 day escape. The city, built on an archipelago of nearly 30,000 islands, is walkable, clean, and comfortable; coffee is main piece of the culinary scene, and the meatballs and mashed potatoes that grace many menus are a welcome snack after exploring in the cold. Similar to Amsterdam, you’ll want to pack lightly for your trip to this design epicenter - the apparel and home boutiques leave shopping in NYC in the dust.

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Photography by Chesley McCarty, shop on iPhone

Trip Snapshot

Stockholm is a chic, subtle city. When I visited one May, the golden hour lasted from 5:30 PM - 10 PM, which made a long, leisurely dinner over multiple glasses of wine almost a necessity. It’s interesting how the second you are in a new place, reading a book over wine while watching the sun cast warm shadows over the city suddenly feels incredibly indulgent.

This trip was my first time travelling abroad alone, and I was sure to savor every moment. I had about three and a half days total in Stockholm - it was the first stop of my trip (which continued into Amsterdam and Poland), as well as the last stop before flying back to DC. If you visit Stockholm, I would also recommend taking a day trip to Gothenburg - I didn’t have time to visit, but I’ve heard great things.

I knew that Scandinavia was always known for their design, but I didn’t expect Stockholm to be such a stakeholder in the conversation. There were so many cute boutiques for fashion and home accessories, but not enough room in my suitcase (or bank account). The style in Stockholm shares quite a bit in common with its minimal-forward neighbor Copenhagen, but with much more color.

Eat & Drink

The Swedes love their coffee, and there is really never a bad time of day to take a fika break (a moment for rest, a coffee, and a pastry). I peeked into as many cafes as I could, sometimes enjoying three espresso and kouign-amanns (morning buns) within a day. I also enjoyed a fair share of Swedish meatballs, which are served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries. You won’t be disappointed by the culinary scene here, so long as it is not the sole reason you are visiting.

Fika, Small Bites, & Drinks

Fabrique (multiple locations in Stockholm)
Pharmarium
Bageri Petrus
Cafe Pascal
Bakery & Spice
S:t Paul Bageri
Grain Cafe
Pom & Flora
Rosendals Tradgard (cafe in a greenhouse!)

Full Meal

Vete-Katten
Meatballs for the People
Urban Deli (multiple locations)
Den Gyldene Freden (The Golden Peace)
Nomad
Kaffeverket

Shop

Stockholm’s shopping scene was surprisingly eclectic and eccentric. From the notes I gathered, my feet most often wandered into the boutiques filled with furniture and home decor, but there were great fashion boutiques as well. You’ll definitely be inspired to purchase a new coat or pair of sneakers as you drink your morning coffee and watch the locals meander through the city. Ever since visiting Stockholm and Amsterdam, I’ve been attempting to emulate much of what I saw.

Gifts & Home Accessories

Byredo Flagship
Oscar & Clothilde
Superfront
Norrgavel
Erika Petersdotter Keramik
Iris Hantverk
Konst-Ig
Pen Store
L:a Bruket
Christoffers Blommor
Esterior
Floor One
GAD Stockholm
Welcome Home

Apparel

Acne Studios
Grandpa
Swedish Hasbeens

(There are so many great clothing boutiques in Stockholm, but I apparently only photographer / recorded the stores for gifts & home accessories - will definitely need to go back!)

Walk & Wander

There are so many different areas to explore in Stockholm that you would be doing yourself a disservice to spend less than 3 days here! The metro in Stockholm is world-renowned, so after you’ve explored a neighborhood or island, hop on to quickly get to your next destination. Once you tire of the city’s streets, which are already fairly quiet and reserved, take a quick hike to one of the city’s parks and relax with a view overlooking the water.

Remember, there are a number of great day trips to take from Stockholm; whether you are looking to explore Gothenburg or to rest at a quiet island for the day, these adventures will truly round out your experience of the country, and I wish I had taken the time for them. A friend of mine went swimming with an AirBNB experience and loved every minute of it.