Destination

Top 10 places to visit in Stockholm: Shopping, dining, culture & coffee

The charm of Sweden’s stunning capital is undeniable: think picturesque, winding streets with colorful houses, tiny islands surrounded by water and that admirable Scandinavian approach to designing both interiors and exteriors with aesthetics and ‘hygge’ in mind.

But where to start and what to discover in a city that boasts a booming culinary scene, interesting art museums, some seriously swoon-worthy shopping, as well as cozy cafés for a coffee/fika break? Look no further, we’ve got your next trip up north covered with this ultimate Stockholm guide!

Blog and images by Nana Hagel

15 Jul 2024 5 min to read

Our beautiful base for exploring it all?

The iconic Radisson Collection Strand Hotel, Stockholm located in the very heart of town. Right on the waterfront of Nybroviken overlooking hallmarks of town with a direct view to the kind of rush hour you won’t want to miss: sailing boats traversing the waters of Stockholm.

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Blog and images by Nana Hagel

Two museums you can’t miss :

Stockholm is big on museums — and whether you’re into modern art, architecture, photography or the world’s only Viking ship preserved on ground (it’s the Vasa Museum!), there’s something for everyone. Today, we’ll guide you to two of the most spectacular places in our eyes.

Carl Eldh’s Ateljémuseum is more than a museum. A Stockholm local, Carl Edh was a recognized portrait sculptor in the early 1900ies. His old studio from 1919 located in Bellevue-parken holds the largest collection of Eldh’s stunning works. The beautiful wooden house was designed by Eldh’s friend and architect Ragnar Östberg, and is open to the public today. Eldh’s daughter Brita Eldh transformed the studio to a museum, and today the well-visited house and garden exhibits both the permanent collection by Eldh, as well as contemporary designs by female artists from Sweden and beyond.

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Blog and images by Nana Hagel

Moderna Museet located on the tiny island Skeppsholmen in the heart of town just a few minute’s walk from Radisson Collection Strand Hotel, Stockholm is one not to miss. The museum holds both Swedish and international modern and contemporary art, as well an outside sculpture park and a beautiful café and restaurant with a great view of Stockholm. Discover one of the current exhibitions focussed on society and queer culture, or spend hours wandering around the classic artworks by Picasso, Dalí, Bourgeois, and Matisse. Just outside the museum, acclaimed Danish artist Per Kirkeby’s BRICKS is an impressive presentation of red bricks; known as the building stone of Denmark, Kirkeby wants us to stop and notice the humble, red bricks; so familiar to Scandinavians, they tend to go almost invisible to most.

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Blog and images by Nana Hagel

Time for a coffee & fika break?

Stockholm is not short on cosy cafés, but if you want a really great quality coffee, go to one of these two spots:

Drop Coffee is a neighborhood favourite amongst the hip crowd of Södermalm. In this small but cosy space, guests greet and chat to the barista, the vibe is relaxed, and a few seats outside offer a perfect break in the sun with a coffee, homemade pastries, or sandwich for lunch. Having won several awards for their coffee and beans, Drop Coffee is quite the institution in town. The location on Wollmar Yxkullsgatan makes for a great stop before exploring more of Stockholm’s hip Södermalm.

Blog and images by Nana Hagel

Gast Café in central Stockholm is a stylish venue for breakfast, brunch, fika and speciality coffee. In thus dusty pink space, locals meet up to catch up, have work sessions on laptops, and indulge in American pancakes (there are three versions to choose from!), local pastries, avocado on rye bread, or Eggs Benedict with salmon. Definitely a café to add to your Stockholm favorites.

Blog and images by Nana Hagel

And shopping, of course!

Looking for a stylish, long-lasting addition to your home or wardrobe? We’ve got you covered. While Stockholm boasts an abundance of inspiring shops; here’s our favourite picks:

Dusty Deco inspires with eclectic objects for your home and designs both larger furniture pieces such as sofas and arm chars (looking for a comfy and cool leopard couch? Look no further!) as well as smaller interior objects such as candle holders, sculptural vases, and characteristic mirrors. In the two-story shop centrally located on Linnégatan, you’ll get an entire interior universe served as inspiration. Do visit, even just to browse around and get inspired.

Blog and images by Nana Hagel

Tambur Store is another design favourite in Stockholm, popular amongst interior aficionados for its pastel colors, beautiful wooden kitchen and handpicked home goods. Located in the center of Södermalm, there’s plenty of shops to browse, cafés to visit and parks to chill in around here.

For fashion, some flagship stores of celebrated Swedish design houses you can’t miss are Filippa K, Rodebjer, Toteme, and ACNE Studios. Most are located in central Stockholm around Kungsträdgården and surrounding streets, just a short walk from our Radisson Collection Strand Hotel.

Getting hungry? Here’s where to go:

Café Nizza is a local favourite on Södermalm, offering a relaxed yet buzzing atmosphere in the evening, where tables very quickly fill up with a hip crowd (so book ahead, if you want to be sure to grab a table!). In the open kitchen, French cooking meats local, seasonal ingredients, and guests can choose a fixed menu or order à la carte. Wines are mainly biodynamic, and menu dishes in season such as Wild asparagus, colatura & goat’s cheese, fermented cacio e pepe (don’t miss that one!), and cod with chard, green peas & garden sorrel.

Blog and images by Nana Hagel

Charm, tradition and a view at Radisson Collection Strand Hotel, Stockholm

With unhindered views to the Stockholm archipelago plus a location as central as it gets, the Radisson Collection Strand Hotel, Stockholm is a historic hotel with beautiful, Scandinavian interiors. Inaugurated in 1912, this classic venue has a long tradition of hosting the high society of Stockholm and beyond, welcoming regulars such as Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman, Frank Sinatra and Audrey Hepburn.

Today, guests enjoy the newly renovated surroundings by renowned Swedish architectural studio Wingårdhs, who have preserved the historic details and added a modern and minimal, yet warm touch. With an emphasis on natural materials, legacy Scandinavian design objects, and the hotel’s unique custom color ‘Strand Gray’, the vibe is sophisticated and welcoming.

Looking to spoil yourself and get the ultimate Stockholm experience?

Why not book the Tower Suite — a two-storey private apartment with a gorgeous terrace overlooking the city and archipelago. Spend the night under the stars, relax in the bathtub, and take a break in the comfortable sofa area of your own suite.

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Blog and images by Nana Hagel

In the downstairs bar and restaurant, ISSEI Stockholm attracts both hotel guests and locals offering a fusion kitchen inspired by Japan and Peru. Cocktails are served at the bar, the floor-to-ceiling windows offer a stunning view of the waters of Nybroviken, and warm velvet sofas and stylish décor makes for a perfect evening at your home away from home.