Travel: How to spend 48 hours in Sweden’s capital Stockholm

Stay

To feel like a local, find an Airbnb in the Tantolunden Park area. Its close to the restaurants and cafés of Hornstull, Mariatorget, and SoFo has made the area a popular meeting place for young Stockholmers.

Or go all out in one of Långholmen’s colourful, traditional Swedish cottages.

Eat

You have to try the national dish – meatballs, with mash potato, lingonberry jam and a thick gravy. The best place for this is the simply named Meatballs for the People in the trendy Södermalm district.

French-style Brasserie La Rouge in the Old Town offers excellent cuisine and wines in elegant surroundings with rich red & gold décor.

Drink

Stockholm has a thriving café scene and you’re never far from a coffee shop. You’ll be spoiled for choice in Hornstull, Mariatorget, and SoFo.

For night-time drinks, Hommage in Södermalm offers friendly service in a cool repurposed fire station while theatre and music venue Södra Teatern has a wonderful outside terrace with amazing views over the city.

See

Even though it’s scattered over 14 islands, most parts of Stockholm can easily be explored on foot but you can buy a public transportation card.

In summer the city comes alive and most Swedes spend much of their time outdoors whether it’s in the pavement cafes or picnicking on one of the leafy islands which make up this fascinating city archipelago.

Join a guided walking tour in the Old Town to experience the beautiful buildings and learn about the history of Stockholm.

If you’re into boutique shopping head to trendy Södermalm where you can browse cool vintage, retro and second hand shops.

A 15-minute bus journey to Hellasgården, will take you to a recreation area inside Nacka nature reserve. Strip off for the sauna’s there before cooling off in Lake Källtorp.

ABBA fans should not leave without visiting the ABBA museum. Adult entry is around £20.