The ten Stockholm streets you just have to walk down
The Local Sweden - [email protected]
Published: 18 Jul, 2015 CET.
Updated: Sat 18 Jul 2015 10:00 CET
Stockholm is a small city with a big history and is easily explored on foot. The Local's pulled together our guide to the ten unmissable streets you've got to stroll down, whether you're a visitor or a veteran in the Swedish capital.
1. Långa Gatan, Djurgården
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
Långa Gatan translates as 'Long Street' in English and you'll find it on Djurgården island. As you stroll past the large, wooden family houses you'll feel like you're hundreds of kilometres away in the Swedish countryside. But this is a part of Stockholm where old meets new and you're also just up the road from inner city theme park Gröna Lund, the new ABBA museum and open air museum Skansen.
If you don't have time to walk all the way here, you can catch a tram from central Stockholm or take a ferry from Slussen, all with a standard public transport (SL) card.
2. Strandvägen, Östermalm
Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se
With high-end fashion stores, stunning eighteenth century buildings, opulent restaurants and a harbour packed with luxury boats, Strandvägen is part of the most exclusive district in Stockholm, Östermalm, although the area used to be a ghetto back in the 1800s. There are just 37 residential properties on this long street, with apartments here costing at least a couple of dozen million kronor - not that they're sold so often.
Don't miss the area's smaller boutiques too. Family-run Malmsten store was recently listed among the ten hottest places to shop in Europe by one British newspaper.
3. Svartensgatan, Södermalm
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
For another slice of history, visit Svartensgatan and its wooden houses for a reminder of how Stockholm used to look. It’s located in eastern Södermalm with the beautiful yellow dome of Katarina church towering above the area. Follow the cobbled street to the nearby Södra Teatern where you can eat, drink and mingle with the hip locals and experience an amazing panorama view of Stockholm.
4. Sickla Kanalgata, Hammarby Sjöstad
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
Sweden is internationally known for being eco-friendly, and the trendy, sustainable suburb of Hammarby Sjöstad is a prime example of this. On Sickla Kanalgata you'll find well insulated apartments with huge windows surrounded by plenty of plants and green space. There are hip bars and an outdoor gym nearby. One of the reasons this area is so sleek is because it was part of Stockholm's bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games. Although Athens got the honour, Hammarby Sjöstad got some extra special attention and it remains innovative, environmentally friendly and incredibly well maintained.
5. Norrbro, Gamla Stan
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
Stockholm’s only remaining stone arch bridge connects Gamla Stan (the city's Old Town) with the Norrmalm district. You can still spot the occasional horsedrawn carriage passing by here, but most visitors flock to the area to soak up Stockholm’s history at the Medieval museum underneath the bridge or to take photos of Riksdagshuset (the Swedish Parliament House), the park Strömparterren or just the beautiful view of the water surrounding this tourist hotspot. Head here as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
Watch The Local's video of Stockholm's ten most unmissable streets here:
6. Nytorget, Södermalm
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
Right in the heart of Stockholm’s hipster area SoFo (which stands for South of Folkungagatan) is Nytorget. This is the place to go to escape the brats of Östermalm and find yourself surrounded by quirky coffee shops, vintage stores and plenty of pretty red, orange and yellow buildings. There's also a small park where you can sun yourself in the summer.
Our top tip here is Urban Deli, a restaurant, bar, bakery, grocery store and food market all under one roof. We recommend the Bundaberg ginger beer imported from Australia. Nytorget 6 next door is a gorgeous bistro offering good value lunch deals.
7. Zinkens Väg, Södermalm
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
If you ever feel need to get out of the buzzing city, you don’t need to go very far. This cute little street packed with colourful mini-summer houses is just a 45 minute walk or 10 minute subway ride from central station. Located in the middle of a park yet just around the corner from the high rise buildings of Hornsgatan, this is an oasis in the centre of the capital. Here, people come to relax, do a bit of gardening or just to look at the pretty flowers being tended to by others. Tanto Beach is close by, so you can even head out for a swim once you've re-energised in this green spot.
8. Norr Mälarstrand, Kungsholmen
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
From the City Hall at one end to the Boule Bar in Rålambshov Park at the other, the gorgeous promenade Norr Mälarstrand right by the waterfront is a street that can keep you busy for a whole day if you let it. Walk along Riddarfjärden, the most eastern part of Lake Mälaren, to watch all the boats and make sure to stop halfway at the Italian gelato stall. Keep heading towards the park (known as ‘Rålis’ by locals) to top up your tan, sip on a delicious drink or play boule or football.
9. Snoilskyvägen, Kungsholmen
Photo: Maddy Savage/The Local
Kristineberg, to the far west of Kungsholmen is off the usual tourist trail but offers another stunning view of Lake Mälaren, the main waterway flowing through the Swedish cafe. Snoilskyvägen is the first part of a beautiful cliff top walk starting in the sleepy suburb. Stop off at Solstugan for a delicious snack or head down one of the trails to stroll even closer to the water. Keep heading east and you'll eventually join Norr Mälarstrand (see point 8) and find yourself back in the buzzing city.
10. Augustendalsvägen, Nacka Strand
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
Slightly further afield but still easily reachable by a 20-minute ferry from Djurgården or a short bus ride from Slussen, Nacka Strand has the feeling of a Mediterranean promenade. Check out brasserie Restaurant J, right at the water’s edge in the marina which offers a spectacular view over the bay. Follow the street up to Hotel J and stop by the mansion Tornvillan next to it, which boasts features from the late 19th century and an interior design modelled on the relaxed and comfortable style of New England. You can also get to this dreamy spot using your SL card.
By Elin Jönsson
Comments
See Also
1. Långa Gatan, Djurgården
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
Långa Gatan translates as 'Long Street' in English and you'll find it on Djurgården island. As you stroll past the large, wooden family houses you'll feel like you're hundreds of kilometres away in the Swedish countryside. But this is a part of Stockholm where old meets new and you're also just up the road from inner city theme park Gröna Lund, the new ABBA museum and open air museum Skansen.
If you don't have time to walk all the way here, you can catch a tram from central Stockholm or take a ferry from Slussen, all with a standard public transport (SL) card.
2. Strandvägen, Östermalm
Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se
With high-end fashion stores, stunning eighteenth century buildings, opulent restaurants and a harbour packed with luxury boats, Strandvägen is part of the most exclusive district in Stockholm, Östermalm, although the area used to be a ghetto back in the 1800s. There are just 37 residential properties on this long street, with apartments here costing at least a couple of dozen million kronor - not that they're sold so often.
Don't miss the area's smaller boutiques too. Family-run Malmsten store was recently listed among the ten hottest places to shop in Europe by one British newspaper.
3. Svartensgatan, Södermalm
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
For another slice of history, visit Svartensgatan and its wooden houses for a reminder of how Stockholm used to look. It’s located in eastern Södermalm with the beautiful yellow dome of Katarina church towering above the area. Follow the cobbled street to the nearby Södra Teatern where you can eat, drink and mingle with the hip locals and experience an amazing panorama view of Stockholm.
4. Sickla Kanalgata, Hammarby Sjöstad
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
Sweden is internationally known for being eco-friendly, and the trendy, sustainable suburb of Hammarby Sjöstad is a prime example of this. On Sickla Kanalgata you'll find well insulated apartments with huge windows surrounded by plenty of plants and green space. There are hip bars and an outdoor gym nearby. One of the reasons this area is so sleek is because it was part of Stockholm's bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games. Although Athens got the honour, Hammarby Sjöstad got some extra special attention and it remains innovative, environmentally friendly and incredibly well maintained.
5. Norrbro, Gamla Stan
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
Stockholm’s only remaining stone arch bridge connects Gamla Stan (the city's Old Town) with the Norrmalm district. You can still spot the occasional horsedrawn carriage passing by here, but most visitors flock to the area to soak up Stockholm’s history at the Medieval museum underneath the bridge or to take photos of Riksdagshuset (the Swedish Parliament House), the park Strömparterren or just the beautiful view of the water surrounding this tourist hotspot. Head here as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
Watch The Local's video of Stockholm's ten most unmissable streets here:
6. Nytorget, Södermalm
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
Right in the heart of Stockholm’s hipster area SoFo (which stands for South of Folkungagatan) is Nytorget. This is the place to go to escape the brats of Östermalm and find yourself surrounded by quirky coffee shops, vintage stores and plenty of pretty red, orange and yellow buildings. There's also a small park where you can sun yourself in the summer.
Our top tip here is Urban Deli, a restaurant, bar, bakery, grocery store and food market all under one roof. We recommend the Bundaberg ginger beer imported from Australia. Nytorget 6 next door is a gorgeous bistro offering good value lunch deals.
7. Zinkens Väg, Södermalm
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
If you ever feel need to get out of the buzzing city, you don’t need to go very far. This cute little street packed with colourful mini-summer houses is just a 45 minute walk or 10 minute subway ride from central station. Located in the middle of a park yet just around the corner from the high rise buildings of Hornsgatan, this is an oasis in the centre of the capital. Here, people come to relax, do a bit of gardening or just to look at the pretty flowers being tended to by others. Tanto Beach is close by, so you can even head out for a swim once you've re-energised in this green spot.
8. Norr Mälarstrand, Kungsholmen
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
From the City Hall at one end to the Boule Bar in Rålambshov Park at the other, the gorgeous promenade Norr Mälarstrand right by the waterfront is a street that can keep you busy for a whole day if you let it. Walk along Riddarfjärden, the most eastern part of Lake Mälaren, to watch all the boats and make sure to stop halfway at the Italian gelato stall. Keep heading towards the park (known as ‘Rålis’ by locals) to top up your tan, sip on a delicious drink or play boule or football.
9. Snoilskyvägen, Kungsholmen
Photo: Maddy Savage/The Local
Kristineberg, to the far west of Kungsholmen is off the usual tourist trail but offers another stunning view of Lake Mälaren, the main waterway flowing through the Swedish cafe. Snoilskyvägen is the first part of a beautiful cliff top walk starting in the sleepy suburb. Stop off at Solstugan for a delicious snack or head down one of the trails to stroll even closer to the water. Keep heading east and you'll eventually join Norr Mälarstrand (see point 8) and find yourself back in the buzzing city.
10. Augustendalsvägen, Nacka Strand
Photo: Elin Jönsson/The Local
Slightly further afield but still easily reachable by a 20-minute ferry from Djurgården or a short bus ride from Slussen, Nacka Strand has the feeling of a Mediterranean promenade. Check out brasserie Restaurant J, right at the water’s edge in the marina which offers a spectacular view over the bay. Follow the street up to Hotel J and stop by the mansion Tornvillan next to it, which boasts features from the late 19th century and an interior design modelled on the relaxed and comfortable style of New England. You can also get to this dreamy spot using your SL card.
By Elin Jönsson
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.