TRAVEL:

WHERE TO STAY:

GETTING TO STOCKHOLM FROM THE AIRPORT:

MONEY:

DAY 1

After a loooong morning of travelling, we arrived in Stockholm centre at around half 12. From the central bus station, we made our way over to the hostel, which was only about a ten minute walk. The hostel was so central which was an absolute dream, as it meant we could nip in and out when we needed to.

Once we'd freshened up and felt a bit more human, we went on an explore and made our way to Mahalo in the Sodermalm district for lunch. This completely vegan cafe was so warm and inviting. I opted for the 'golden milk' (if you're a fan of chai, this is HEAVEN) and the 'loaded fries before guys'. I didn't expect the portions to be so huge, but to be fair it was around £12 but it was great to set us up for the day. The fake bacon and garlic mayo with sweet potato fries was sooo tasty that I wish I could order it back to Manchester. They had lighter options like acai bowls too, so it's definitely worth popping in if you're in the area.

in the Sodermalm district for lunch. This completely vegan cafe was so warm and inviting. I opted for the 'golden milk' (if you're a fan of chai, this is HEAVEN) and the 'loaded fries before guys'. I didn't expect the portions to be so huge, but to be fair it was around £12 but it was great to set us up for the day. The fake bacon and garlic mayo with sweet potato fries was sooo tasty that I wish I could order it back to Manchester. They had lighter options like acai bowls too, so it's definitely worth popping in if you're in the area. Location: Hornsgatan 61, Stockholm, Sweden, 118 49

'Loaded fries before guys'

There are some amazing vintage and second hand stores dotted around Stockholm - on pretty much every street there's a different emporium of antiques and second hand goods. Some good ones to look out for are:

Beyond Retro - Drottninggatan 77 111 60 Stockholm.

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Grandpa - stores can be found on Södermannagatan, Södermalm and the city center.

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Stockholms Stadsmission - multiple locations.

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Lisa Larsson - Bondegatan 48, 116 33 Stockholm.

- We spent the rest of the day exploring, mainly around Gamla Stan, as it has so many cute little streets full of touristy trinket shops and cafes where you can stop for 'fika', which is a swedish tradition of stopping mid-afternoon for a coffee and pastry (something I can definitely get behind and think should be implemented everywhere tbh).





Miss u love u cinnamon bun babies x





I'm not going to lie, I wish my account of our first day was a bit more exciting, but after returning to the hostel for a rest, I was snoring away by 5:30pm and honestly was ready to sleep for the rest of eternity. Thankfully Lucy woke me up, and we decided to have a chilled night in. We borrowed a board game from the hostel reception, and picked up some snacks from a local supermarket. Probably not the wildest night I've ever had, but it was definitely needed after the longest day of travelling and exploring!





DAY 2

We started our second day with brunch at Greasy Spoon Cafe . This place is an Instagram dream, and you can tell it's popular for that reason. There were a couple of veggie and vegan options, and I opted for the veggie breakfast. If you were planning on going here, I'd definitely recommend getting down there early! It was sooooo busy and even though we were there relatively early, we still had to wait around half an hour for a table. It was about £15 each for a breakfast and tea. It was good and I would still recommend it, but I wasn't absolutely blown away and wouldn't mark it as a "must try". It has 2 locations, one in Sodermalm and one in Vassastan.

Lucy opted for the smoked salmon benny, and I went for the veggie breakfast.

Next up on our list was probably the thing we were most excited about for the whole trip, the Abba Museum ! I grew up listening to Abba and I'm not in any way embarrassed to admit that they have some absolute bops so I was buzzing to spend a couple of hours learning about their history. We bought the tickets online beforehand (£20 each), which was definitely worth doing as it allows you to skip the long tourist queues once you get there. The museum is soooo well done and there are so many different interactive aspects, including one where you can perform with holograms of Abba. Try and catch the Mamma Mia exhibition too if you can! Travelling too and from the museum is easy - you just need to catch a tram, and you can buy tickets at the stop.





Strong merch choice imo





Once we made our way back into town, we were lucky enough to catch the Stockholm Christmas Lights switch on . From November 16-January 13, Stockholm is lit up with one million LED-lights in more than 40 streets, places, and squares. If you happen to be in town at the time, I'd definitely welcome heading over - there's even a free ice rink. They also offer a guided walk of all of the lights, which I thought was a really nice touch.





Stockholm has a really good offering of free exhibitions and events, so I'd definitely check sites like Visit Stockholm before your trip. We happened to stumble upon the 'Rockstars Don't Smile' exhibition by Danny Clifford, which was a really cool touch to our trip.

before your trip. We happened to stumble upon the 'Rockstars Don't Smile' exhibition by Danny Clifford, which was a really cool touch to our trip. For our big 'treat yourself' dinner, we headed across to Dirty Vegan , a vegan fast food and zero waste restaurant. I was sooo excited about going here after seeing it on Instagram, and it definitely didn't disappoint. Their cocktails are to die for, and I would honestly die for another plate of their 'broccoli fondue'. This was our treat night, but I still think it was reasonably priced - we had two cocktails and a burger each and shared two sides, which came to £35 each.

, a vegan fast food and zero waste restaurant. I was sooo excited about going here after seeing it on Instagram, and it definitely didn't disappoint. Their cocktails are to die for, and I would honestly die for another plate of their 'broccoli fondue'. This was our treat night, but I still think it was reasonably priced - we had two cocktails and a burger each and shared two sides, which came to £35 each. Location: Södermannagatan 53, Stockholm, 11666.

DAY 3

We spent our final few hours in Stockholm having a nice leisurely walk through Gamla Stan, where we also stopped for a quick coffee and cinnamon bun. We took this opportunity to get loads of pictures of the beaut scenery.





PLACES WE WANTED TO VISIT BUT DIDN'T GET CHANCE TO:

Go Up To The Monteliusvägen Viewpoint For Sunset . Cross the bridge through Riddarholmen island to the Södermalm island and walk up a hill. You will find a 500-meter long walking path with a magnificent view of Lake Malaren, the City Hall, and the Riddarholmen island.

. Cross the bridge through Riddarholmen island to the Södermalm island and walk up a hill. You will find a 500-meter long walking path with a magnificent view of Lake Malaren, the City Hall, and the Riddarholmen island. Walking tour - I'm so sad we didn't get chance to do this. There are lots of operators in Stockholm, and plenty offer free tours. There was also walking tours running from City Backpackers Hostel - check at the reception desk for updated timetables.

- I'm so sad we didn't get chance to do this. There are lots of operators in Stockholm, and plenty offer free tours. There was also walking tours running from City Backpackers Hostel - check at the reception desk for updated timetables. Glenn Miller Café - live jazz cafe with music Weds-Sunday.

- live jazz cafe with music Weds-Sunday. Brunnsgatan 21A, 111 38 Stockholm.

The Height/Takpark by Urban Deli - one of Stockholm’s largest roof terraces. For the price of a coffee, you can admire the views over Stockholm. They also have a cocktail bar up there, and they run a no reservation policy.

- one of Stockholm’s largest roof terraces. For the price of a coffee, you can admire the views over Stockholm. They also have a cocktail bar up there, and they run a no reservation policy. Sveavägen 44, 111 34 Stockholm.

Museums

Swedish History Museum - one of Sweden's largest museums with one of the biggest Viking exhibitions in the world. Better yet, there's free entry for all visitors.

- one of Sweden's largest museums with one of the biggest Viking exhibitions in the world. Better yet, there's free entry for all visitors.

Entrance at Narvavägen 13–17.



Moderna Musset - Museum highlights include works by Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Andy Warhol. They even have a gingerbread house exhibit, and entry is free to all visitors.

- Museum highlights include works by Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Andy Warhol. They even have a gingerbread house exhibit, and entry is free to all visitors.

Exercisplan 4, 111 49 Stockholm.

Food

Coffee, Lunch and Bakeries



Brod & Salt - coffee and baked goods. This is a chain, so there are multiple shops around the city.

- coffee and baked goods. This is a chain, so there are multiple shops around the city.



Drop Coffee - award winning coffee shop in Sodermalm.

- award winning coffee shop in Sodermalm.



Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 10, 118 50 Stockholm.





MyVegina - Vegan restaurant/deli, serving sandwiches, acai bowls and other hot food too. Acai bowls are around £7.

- Vegan restaurant/deli, serving sandwiches, acai bowls and other hot food too. Acai bowls are around £7.



Söderhallarna Food Hall, Medborgarplatsen 3, Stockholm, 118 72.



Dinner



La Neta - Mexican food at very reasonable prices. There are multiple locations around the city, and they serve a wide range of vegan options including tacos.

- Mexican food at very reasonable prices. There are multiple locations around the city, and they serve a wide range of vegan options including tacos.



Vigarda - High end fast food hamburgers, with good veggie and vegan options too. They also have an extensive cocktail menu and live DJs. Vigårda has a branch in the K25 food hall and a second restaurant at Vasagatan 44. Burgers range from 94-115 sek (£7-9). They also have multiple locations around the city.

- High end fast food hamburgers, with good veggie and vegan options too. They also have an extensive cocktail menu and live DJs. Vigårda has a branch in the K25 food hall and a second restaurant at Vasagatan 44. Burgers range from 94-115 sek (£7-9). They also have multiple locations around the city.



Pinchos - Circus-themed restaurant. The separate vegan menu includes a mini oumph burger, falafel, sweet potato pommes, pasta in cream sauce, beetroot hummus with potato chips, and oreo cheesecake.

- Circus-themed restaurant. The separate vegan menu includes a mini oumph burger, falafel, sweet potato pommes, pasta in cream sauce, beetroot hummus with potato chips, and oreo cheesecake.



Folkungagatan 105, Stockholm.