Guides to Sweden

Whether you're visiting Stockholm with your kids over the school holidays or you live here and are looking for new ideas, there are plenty of fun things for young people to do in the capital. Climb a climbing wall, try out amazing experiments, watch films on the big screen, swim in the open air or d...

Gothenburg city centre isn't exactly short on restaurants, but it's not always easy to know which ones are best. There are plenty of really good central restaurants and whether you want to round off a shopping trip around Kungsportsplatsen or kickstart an evening out on Magasingatan there are plenty...

The British tea-drinking tradition is said to have begun with the 6th Duchess of Bedford, who introduced the custom of partaking in afternoon tea between 3 and 5pm. Whether tea should be drunk weak or strong is up to the individual, but accompanying it with a few savoury and sweet tasty treats is ne...

With nearly 30,000 islands, Stockholm's archipelago has a lot to offer, from the north to the south the islets and rocks each have their own characteristics. Beautiful scenery, nature, wildlife and - believe it or not - restaurants. Escape the bustling city and enjoy the calm and fresh air. Several...

Italians love their coffee - but so do Swedes; Sweden is one of the top ten coffee-consuming countries. Hence, in a city like Stockholm the coffee competition is steep. The city hosts an ever-expanding array of espresso bars, coffee shops, baristas and cafés. Whether you fit into the on-the-go-I-hav...

Stockholm is renowned for being one of the most fashionable cities in the world and is an excellent shopping destination. You will find contemporary Scandinavian aesthetics and up-and-coming designers alongside high-street fashion labels and luxurious powerhouses. To help you navigate through this m...

Stockholm's Old Town has gone from being full of tourist traps to one of the city's most exciting areas for lunch. You'll find some really great lunch spots, from good-value fine dining to Italian fast food and lots of other stylish and well-priced gems. Looking for some innovative cooking in a hist...

Stockholm's Old Town used to have a reputation as a bit of a tourist trap but in recent years it's become one of the city's culinary meccas - not least on the bar front. Some of the absolute best cocktail bars in town can be found here, serving up everything from innovative and ambitious creations t...

Uppsala's lunch offering has never been as extensive and varied as it is today, but it can still be hard to find the right restaurant when hunger starts to set in. Whether you're looking for a restaurant for a long business lunch, a hole in the wall for something quick and tasty on the run or some g...

A perfectly balanced dry martini really sorts the wheat from the chaff bar-wise, particularly when serving beer as fast and cheaply as possible seems to be the main aim of many joints. Uppsala has a few really fabulous bars, from laid-back haunts to glamorous cocktail bars and sophisticated lounges...

Eating lunch out can turn into an expensive habit, but luckily there are plenty of places in Stockholm serving delicious and relatively cheap lunches for anyone who "forgot" to bring last night's leftovers in to work. Follow our guide to Stockholm's best budget-friendly lunch, from healthy fastfood...

Vasastan's selection of lunch restaurants includes everything from classic Swedish homecooking to innovative green concepts. You'll find options for both business lunches and lunch dates, but make sure you get to the most popular restaurants in good time. To help you find the right spot, follow our...

In a country whose capital city is regarded as one of the world's most fashion conscious, it's not surprising many visitors' thoughts turn to shopping. Malmö's shopping scene includes plenty of Stockholm names and international design, along with their own fashion and interiors gems. Browse among li...

Södermalm is packed with cafés, making it a great neighbourhood to explore if you're a fan of the Swedish fika tradition. Many of the cafés are in SoFo, but you'll also find little gems dotted around the rest of Södermalm, such as in Hornstull and on Mariatorget, and these days they generally serve...

Whether you're a hardened clubber or in the mood for a rare night out while passing through town, it can be hard for even the most street-smart among us to find the right nightspot. To help guide you through the club jungle, we've collected Gothenburg's best nightclubs in one guide. We've summarised...

If you're in the mood for French food, you don't have to travel to Paris for an outstanding meal. Elegant, rustic and exquisite — French cuisine both intimidates and inspires diners around the world. Stockholm boasts an abundance of excellent French restaurants ranging from quaint cubbyholes to impr...

Stockholm Central Station is the capital's main transport hub, with trains, commuter trains, underground trains, buses and the Arlanda Express airport shuttle all coming and going from here. Every day around 222,000 travellers pass through Centralen in Stockholm and the building houses a large selec...

Is there any better way to luxe up your working week than with dinner out at a nice restaurant every now and then? Whatever the size of your wallet, there are plenty of good value restaurants in hip Södermalm. Follow our guide to Södermalm's wide choice of dinner restaurants that offer good food and...

Stockholm city centre doesn't have exclusive rights to really great cafés. You'll also find plenty of fab cafés outside the city limits where you can fika, eat lunch or just grab a cup of good coffee to-go in whichever neighbourhood you find yourself. Several of these are so popular they draw in the...

Walpurgis Night, Valborgsmässoafton in Swedish, takes place every year on the last day of April. The holiday is celebrated in Estonia, Finland, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Germany and Sweden. The name Walpurgis is taken from the eighth-century English Christian missionary Saint Walburga bu...

When the city's outdoor dining areas start to open up around April 1st it means the summer season has begun. Gothenburg is full of fantastic spots with sunny alfresco areas, perfect for enjoying a summery lunch or a refreshing cocktail on a warm evening. More and more rooftop terraces open up each y...

There's no place like home - or so the saying goes. Hence the process of decorating your humble or not-so abode is an important task, make sure its furnished with a hefty dose of both style and function. Adding a personal touch, with unique pieces is the key to success. Whether you let your home evo...

Linnéstan is one of Gothenburg's most popular restaurant neighbourhoods. Linnégatan, which runs from Järntorget up to Slottsskogen, is lined with restaurants and bars, and you'll also find numerous foodie gems hidden away on the neighbourhood's smaller streets. To make it easier for you to choose, w...

In need of a change of scene? There are plenty of lovely places to visit just outside Stockholm. You don't need to travel more than an hour by car to find picturesque small towns, historical sites, idyllic archipelago islands, rolling countryside and magnificent castles. Naturally you can also trave...

Bread culture is alive and thriving in Stockholm - these days we're spoilt for choice with true craftsmanship and seriously high quality ingredients. In each and every part of town you'll find a charming little bakery selling delicious bread in all its forms, fresh from the oven. Levain, sourdough b...

The first date can be really tricky. Where to go? What to do? How full-on, romantic or spontaneous should you be? The singles scene is as full of unwritten rules as Stockholm is full of date-friendly spots. To help you on your way we've rounded up some great ideas for things to do when you've taken...

The fact that secondhand and vintage shopping is more popular than ever has hardly gone unnoticed, at least not in Gothenburg. It's not only environmentally friendly, great fun and one of the hottest trends – it's also easy on the wallet. With vintage items you can create your own style and find bar...

Stilettos, moccasins, sandals, wedges, wellies, boots, ankle boots, knee highs, sneakers - little wonder the Swedes say that shoes are a woman's best friend, but they're often just as important to men too. And whether you're a serious shoe fetishist, love an on-trend trainer or are more of a comfy s...

Hungry and on the run? No worries, just follow our guide to the best takeaway joints in Stockholm, from classic pizzerias and popular sushi spots to well-loved restaurants with ready meals and take-away menus. Or why not explore everything an entire food court has to offer? We also link to other rel...

For many, prawn (or shrimp) sandwiches are synonymous with a visit to Gothenburg - if you're in town, you've got to eat at least one prawn sandwich. Opinions vary widely on how the perfect prawn sandwich should taste. Most agree on the basics - hand-peeled prawns, egg and mayonnaise - but after that...

Pizza has a very special place in our hearts and in recent years the perenially popular dish has managed to find its way onto menus beyond the purely Italian. This guide gathers together both pizzerias and other restaurants in Gothenburg that serve pizza as part of their menu. Pizzas these days are...

Stockholm's skybars, roof terraces, rooftop gardens and other well-loved vantage points provide gorgeous views and a real natural high. What could be better than the view over Stockholm from a really cool skybar? Or eating a romantic dinner as the sun sets over the water? Many of these places are un...

The restaurant scene is constantly evolving but traditional flavours and tried-and-tested recipes will always influence modern cuisine. Home cooking is a perennial favourite and there are plenty of places in Gothenburg still rolling meatballs and frying herring the way grandma used to. We've gathere...

Stockholm has an ever-growing and well-reputed selection of LBTQ+-friendly nightclubs, bars, restaurants and cafés. In this guide we follow the rainbow flag and lead the way to great places around town with an open mind and an LGBTQ-friendly crowd. You'll find everything from popular cafés and resta...

If you want to enjoy a traditional Swedish "julbord" Christmas buffet in Stockholm in 2025 there are masses of fabulous alternatives - some classic, some slightly more modern and alternative. Some lay out all the festive favourites such as pickled herring, meatballs and Janssons Temptation, while ot...

It's hard to beat a really good kebab - served in wraps, on platters, in salads or as a pizza topping (yes, kebab pizzas are a thing here). If you're dreaming of a hearty helping of kebab, generously topped with tasty sauces and other appropriate accompaniments, there are plenty of places in Stockho...

If you fancy going out for brunch in Östermalm there are plenty of popular spots in the neighbourhood to choose from. Take a break from shopping or a long walk, or just relax with a long, relaxing weekend lunch. We guide you to Östermalm's and Djurgården's best brunch spots, whether you're in the mo...

Stockholm has numerous excellent hotels perfect for tourists and staycationers alike. Staying at a hotel is a perfect way to rediscover a city. Check into one of Stockholm's hotels and enjoy spas, restaurant visits, shopping and attractions. This guide shows you the way to Stockholm's best hotels, f...

With so much happening on the Malmö restaurant scene it can be hard to keep track of all the hottest must-visits. But never fear, we've got our finger firmly on the pulse. From Michelin-starred restaurants and foodie favourites to hidden gems - these are the restaurants you shouldn't miss when you'r...

Are you on the hunt for the perfect place to spend a romantic date, an intimate meal with friends or to surprise your father on father's day? We've listed Malmö's best restaurants for when candlelight, good food and a warm, intimate atmosphere are the order of the day. Follow our guide to Malmö's co...

Given Stockholm's proximity to the archipelago, it is hardly surprising that the city hosts a great number of amazing seafood restaurants. Whether you're on the market for traditional Swedish flavours such as herring and salmon or French bouillabaisse, luxurious oyster and shellfish plateaus you've...

Jiro may dream of sushi, but it is safe to say that Stockholm natives are also hooked. Stockholm may have a sushi restaurant on every other block, but quality and freshness vary widely. Beyond the world of black plastic trays and too-salty soy sauce, there exists a selective clique of top-quality su...

Getting a table at a restaurant when you're part of a large group can be easier said than done in Stockholm. But don't let that stop you. We've done the leg work for you so follow our guide to the restaurants that work particularly well if you're planning to take a big group of friends, or your enti...

Whether you prefer yours filling, healthy, light or smothered in dressing - a salad is always a good idea. Stockholm is packed with restaurants and cafés with salads on the menu, but sometimes you need a proper salad bar where they really know how a salad should taste. We guide you to some really gr...

Cafe society is alive and well in Stockholm and there are numerous gorgeous patisseries in the city for when you want to treat yoursef to exquisite pastries and good coffee. Are you in the mood for artistic creations served in contemporary surroundings or do you prefer a classic cinnamon bun in an o...

There can't be many towns as packed with cafés as Uppsala. Cosy cafés, classic konditoris, fragrant bakeries and slick franchises can be found on every street corner, sometimes right next door to each other. In a city full of hard-working students and ambitious businesspeople it's not surprising the...

What would a great weekend be without brunch? As the culmination of a long Sunday morning, a vital pick-me-up after a late Friday night, or just as an excuse to eat waffles and scrambled eggs on the same plate, brunch is hard to beat. Since globalisation introduced Swedes to this fantastic American...

Time to trim those split ends or go for a totally new look? Finding a cheap hairdresser in Stockholm isn't easy if you're not tempted by the real budget salons on the corner. But there is a middle road offering good value for money. Follow our guide to good value hairdressers in Stockholm who offer...

Healthy and organic food has never been more on trend and the city's food stores and restaurants are very much in step with the increase in awareness about healthy eating and sustainability. Stockholm has a great deal to offer when it comes to organic and health-conscious options - including restaur...

Stockholm's Old Town is, just like the historic parts of all cities, packed with tourists from all over the world. Some Stockholmers tend to avoid the area because of its rather tacky tourist traps, but if you look beyond the facade you'll find some excellent restaurants, bars and cafés serving ever...