Spring and summer is a truly magical time for a vacation in Stockholm, Sweden. Flowers and leaves and grass seemingly burst out of nowhere. It’s warm too, gentle and sweet most of the time. Hell, I even like those mild summer showers.
However, if you stay in Stockholm in the Autumn or Winter it’s a different story. And if you’re anything like me, an easily frozen person, without unlimited resources, and restless 7-year old, you could very well find yourself at a loss for finding fun and staying warm.
Here’s a shortlist of things I’ve discovered in my 16 years here:
1. Go swimming at Eriksdals Badet
This is an enormous facility located on the south of Stockholm – a 5 minute stroll from the Skanstull tube station. And this place is incredible, it’s got two Olympic size swimming pools, good for all of you lap takers and diving board daredevils, saunas, hot tubs, showers. However, between the two pools is where you’re going to spend most of your time – if you have children. I’m talking about the adventure park complete with short and long water slides, a whirlpool cave, shooting wall water, jacuzzi bubbles, a wading pool, and access to an outdoor pool. The outdoor pool is neat to swim to, you swim under a glass wall, and out into steaming water. My kid loves it! Circa cost: 35 kronor for children, 65 kronor for adults.
2. Discover Kulturhuset (The Culture House)
This is one of Stockholm’s best indoor features, a huge building with something for everyone. You’ve got an enormous children’s playroom, contemporary art on display, a great lunch/café place with cityscape views and terrace, places to read and talk, millions of CDs and movies to listen to or watch there. What’s more you have a great comic book library called Serietecket. Here you can find something cool to peruse, kick back on some beanbags and relax. Just try not to fall asleep! Kulturhuset is centrally located, a few minutes walk from the central station (T-centralen). Easy to find, cheap, and loads to discover.
3. Check out Högtorgshallen
This basement level market offers meats, cheeses, fish, spices, coffee, tea, and thousands of other tidbits. It is the most diverse market I’ve found in Stockholm, celebrating flavors and foods from all over the planet. Here you can browse for a few hours, sampling foods, talking food with the many different proprietors. I just love the feeling there, so diverse, and such a beautiful aroma – all those fresh foods! There are three or four street food vendors too, good, cheap food in a rich atmosphere (typically 35 to 55 kronor per person). Högtorgshallen is located in Stockholm city center, a five minute walk from T-centralen. It is also directly under Stockholm’s biggest multi-cinemas, called Filmstaden – another good place to warm up!
4. Eat at Kungshallen
From Högtorgshallen, this is located on the opposite side of Högtorgs plaza, 30 second walk. You take the escalator down into a large circular room. Here you’ve have 6 or 7 different restaurants: Asian wok/stir fry, Mexican, Indian, American BBQ, pizzas, various kebab and falafel dishes. As per the typical food court, you order and locate a seat. But if you’re like me and value flavor and de facto culture, Kungshallen is the perfect place – and fun to hear Swedes talk and interact to boot. This is an inexpensive and delicious experience, and fun food for kids too! An average dish costs: 50 to 100 kronor.
Good luck, and stay warm!
Photo of Stockholm house window originally posted by teamaskins
Topic: Travel with kids |
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Tags: family, Stockholm
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About the author
John Starcluster is a songwriter, linguist and social anthropologist. Originally from California, he now resides in Stockholm with his wife and daughter. He is currently writing his first – somewhat autobiographical – novel.
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