Guides to Sweden

Eating chocolate releases endorphins which make us feel good, it includes a caffeine-like substance that gives us energy and it's also said to increase our life expectancy. People consume chocolate all over the world; we eat it on its own, use it in drinks and pastries or even as an ingredient in sa...

Gothenburg is famous for being a fantastic shopping destination with several different retail areas around town, all charming in their own way. The city offers everything from huge department stores to small stores with unique designs and flagship stores with exclusive ready-to-wear fashion. Wander...

As a LBTQ+ visitor to Gothenburg, there are plenty of rainbow-coloured places to hang out. Several have a specific LBTQ+ focus, others have occasional LBTQ+ clubs and events. This guide points the way to places in Gothenburg where the rainbow flag flies high, from restaurants, bars and cafés to the...

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...

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...

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...

Fancy alternating lazy days with energetic activities or gathering together a group of friends for an adventure in the heart of the city? Malmö has plenty of activity options for when you're in the mood for doing something fun and active. Whether you want to make the most of the sun with outdoor act...

Looking for a really good restaurant in Halmstad? You're in luck - this city on Sweden's southwest coast has a wide selection of restaurants to suit all tastes. Its proximity to the sea means fish and shellfish play a starring role on many menus, but Halmstad also has plenty of other kinds of restau...

Fancy rounding off the week with a leisurely brunch in the heart of Stockholm city or among the cobblestone alleyways of the Old Town? There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, whether you're in the mood for a classic brunch buffet or a sit-down à la carte brunch. Tuck into goodies such as waf...

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...

Looking for something fun to do with family, friends or work colleagues, or have you got a special occasion to celebrate? It's not always easy knowing what to do in a new city, particularly if you're just passing through. We've made the job a little easier for you by gathering together some of the b...

Whether you're looking for a relaxing mid-week treatment, a deep-cleansing facial after work or to sweat out the stress and toxins in a sauna there are some fabulous spa facilities to choose from in Gothenburg. Treat yourself to a moment of peace and quiet in one of the city's oases with our guide t...

French, Spanish, Asian, South American, Polynesian, American, Swedish... Vasastan's bar scene takes its inspiration from all corners of the globe. Whether you're in the mood for experimental cocktails or a great glass of wine, this part of town has something for even the most discerning of drinkers....

Culture vulture, history buff, art lover or just curious and hungry for knowledge? Stockholm is a gold mine for everyone who enjoys visiting museums and the choice has grown and grown over the past few years. There are plenty of great museums for children, museums young adults will enjoy and of cour...

Exclusive Östermalm has numerous excellent restaurants and most of them include bars that maintain an equally high standard. There are also a few recently-opened spots that specialise in drinks. This part of Stockholm is geographically large and draws in a wide crowd, with bars offering everything f...

There's never been a better or easier time to be a vegan. Plant-based food is taking up an ever-increasing amount of space on the menus of Stockholm's cafés and restaurants - offering tasty and healthy choices for everyone, whether you're a vegan, carnivore or omnivore. The city has several cafés th...

Looking to escape the city centre during the lunchtime rush hour? Stockholm is packed with fantastic restaurants outside town, well worth a short trip. Just a few minutes journey from the hustle and bustle of the big city you'll find waterfront restaurants and award-winning suburban gems. Jump on th...

Finding somewhere to eat good grilled food in Stockholm is no problem - the city is full of smoking hot restaurants serving everything from hearty steaks to grilled fish, grilled vegetables and other top notch ingredients. Whether you prefer charcoal grilled, BBQ, Japanese grill techniques, stylish...

It's not always easy to find peace and relaxation among the stress of everyday life. Sometimes you need more than a cup of tea in front of the telly to really let go of everything, and that's when it's time to check in to a great spa for a few hours. A facial, massage and pedicure later, or perhaps...

We all love Italian food - especially when it comes to really delicious pasta. Visit one of Stockholm's Italian restaurants and fill your belly with pasta vongole, truffled macaroni or some other tasty dish, served "al dente". Below you'll find our recommendations for restaurants with particularly g...

Eating out on a budget's all well and good - but sometimes you just want to go all-out and make lunch out in town a really special occasion. If you're looking for somewhere to go for a seriously luxurious gourmet lunch, we've rounded up the city's finest bistros and most glamorous restaurants. From...

Mexican cuisine has given us something that is now an integral part of Swedish culture – tacos. Stockholm's restaurants have tacos for both the traditionalist and the modern taco lover, from authentic Mexican flavours to innovative interpretations and fusion. Exactly what belongs and doesn't belong...

Stockholm's restaurant scene is flourishing - outside the city centre. There are masses of exciting restaurants to discover if you've got time for a short detour. Those of you looking to explore new culinary ground will find everything from idyllic archipelago inns to critically acclaimed party spot...

A great hairdresser should treat your hair the way you want, but also be able to see the potential in your crowning glory and give you tips and advice on how to update and maintain your style. Craftsmanship and skill is at least as important as an awareness of trends and fashions. Getting on with yo...

Sushi, Thai food, Vietnamese spring rolls and pho are all well and good, but for anyone who loves Asian flavours Korean food is a must. For a long time, the rest of the world has wondered at South Koreans' long life expectancy and attributed it partly to their love of fermented and pickled vegetable...

Really great restaurant experiences don't always have to mean gourmet deluxe. More and more restaurants in Stockholm provide ambitious, out of the ordinary gastronomy, without ascending to the luxury stratosphere. Forget classic fine dining restaurants with tasting menus, wine packages and ten minut...

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...

Italian restaurants are popping up all over Gothenburg. In certain parts of town, Italian restaurants are a dime a dozen, but who cares - we love Italian food! Several places make their own pasta from scratch and cook it using both traditional and modern recipes from all over Italy. In the mood for...

Whether you're visiting Gothenburg for the first time or enjoying a staycation, being pampered at a hotel is always a pleasure. Several hotels in Gothenburg offer luxurious package experiences and have top-notch restaurants, allowing you to stay "at home" for your entire stay. Why not check into an...

Norrtälje, the main town of the Roslagen area, is around 45 minutes north of Stockholm. The idyllic small town, with its cobblestones and harbour, has everything you could want in terms of day trips, activities, spas and - naturally - food and drink. Many of Norrtälje's restaurants serve local delic...

The Stockholm archipelago is a source of great pride and pleasure, with good reason - there's an endless variety of idyllic large and small islands and skerries just beyond the city to explore. Even if you don't belong to that lucky group of people who own a summerhouse on Sandhamn or Utö, there are...

Stockholm is the perfect summer city for anyone who loves to swim, but don't let the fact that the temperature's dipped below zero stop you from taking a dip during the winter months. Diving into ice-cold water before warming up in a steaming sauna is a hard-to-beat Nordic experience. Cold-water swi...

Is it time to gather the team together for a conference? Stockholm has masses to offer in terms of fantastic conference hotels and venues. Build up your company's team spirit, communicate and inform in inspiring venues that include conference facilities, food and accommodation. Choose from everythin...

Many people believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day - we happen to think it's also the most delicious meal of the day and should therefore on no account be skipped. For anyone who deserves a little everyday luxury - and don't we all? - Östermalm has a number of excellent breakfast sp...

Are you a fan of rich, forest flavours? Game may not be something most of us eat every day, more of an occasional luxury, but game meats such as venison and moose are growing in popularity as healthier and more humane alternatives to farmed meat. Restaurants with game dishes on their menus often ser...

Working with the entire city as your workspace is becoming more and more popular, and city-dwellers and visitors alike are choosing to swap their office or library for a welcoming café with wifi. Gothenburg is packed with fantastic cafés and most of them offer free wifi connectivity alongside great...

Can't get enough of peaceful breaks and gorgeous spa treatments? Then perhaps it's time for a weekend at a spa in Stockholm. The city is full of calming spas perfect for relaxing and rebalancing. In this guide we list spa weekends far from the madding crowd, where you can get both reinvigorating spa...

Looking for a charming, intimate restaurant in Stockholm's most exclusive neighbourhood, Östermalm? It's not the easiest part of town in which to find that perfect little spot as the selection of restaurants is so large. Of course everyone has slightly different ideas about what makes for a really c...

The range of vegetarian and vegan food on offer in Stockholm is constantly expanding and there are plenty of places to eat breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner meat-free or without any animal products at all. There's much more variation these days too, with everything from gourmet food to vegan fastf...

Are you in Malmö and fancy a little change of scene, or just want to experience something new? There are plenty of fantastic outings close to the city, as well as a little further afield towards Österlen or in neighbouring Denmark. Just an hour's drive will take you to picturesque villages, farm sho...

Stockholmers love moule marinières (mussels steamed in white wine) and it's a favourite dish on countless brasserie menus all over Europe. Whether you prefer your mussels served with fresh baguette to soak up the juices or with chips and aioli, this classic French dish can get addictive. We've scout...

Pretty little dresses, smart shoes in mini sizes, gloves for tiny fingers, woolly hats with little ears... Going into a shop filled with cute clothes for babies and children can make you want to buy one of everything, but the most important thing is to find clothes that are hard-wearing, long-lastin...

Are you in the mood for a relaxing facial, would you like to get your skin sorted, smooth out those lines or just have a little quick-fix before a night out? Follow our guide to Stockholm's best beauty salons when a peaceful session in the hands of specialists is what's called for. You'll find profe...

Since the turn of the millennium, a whole new generation has moved into the Kungsholmen district - and the ever-expanding range of bars and restaurants is an obvious result of the shift. These days you'll find well-established gems alongside hip upstarts that draw in Kungsholmen locals and visitors,...

The smart, somewhat sleepy northeastern part of the city is home to numerous traditional cafés and patisseries that have been around for generations. Filter coffee with free refills accompanied by classic cakes and buns is the norm in Östermalm and even the more recently opened cafés have embraced t...

Östermalm isn't exactly one of Stockholm's cheapest neighbourhoods, but you can still find plenty of restaurants where you can treat yourself to a meal out that won't break the bank. The area is full of well-loved neighbourhood restaurants and popular regular haunts. Follow our guide to reasonable r...

What would summer in Stockholm be without all the charming cafés in leafy surroundings? As you might expect, many of these verdant spots can be found on Djurgården and the outskirts of town, but there are also some hidden oases in the heart of the city. We show you the way to delightful park cafés,...

Stockholm has a selection of Irish pubs for anyone who enjoys beer, whiskey, live music and a friendly atmosphere - perfect for anyone looking for that "at home" feeling and wanting to socialise in unpretentious surroundings. Watch a sports match, join a pub quiz, eat and mingle with English-speakin...

There aren't many things that will refresh and re-energise your body and soul as quickly as a peaceful timeout at a spa, and Malmö has some wonderful oases to choose from when you're in need of some serious pampering. A deep body scrub, relaxing massage or invigorating spa treatment for your face or...

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...