Swede dreams
Stockholm is the perfect blend of hi-tech glamour and old-school charm – hop over for a weekend
My knowledge of anything Scandi was, well, somewhat scanty – limited to boxset binges of Nordic noir drama The Bridge. So in spring I did my own bit of detective work on a swift visit to Stockholm – and uncovered a few revelations, starting with our base, the Hotel Hobo.
This new boutique hotel in Brunkeborgstorg in the centre of the Swedish capital is the work of designer Werner Aisslinger.
And from the hydroponic plants at the entrance to the area displaying the work of local artists, it seamlessly blends all that is cool Sweden – fashion, design and technology.
This is one of the most tech-savvy cities in the world, giving Silicon Valley a run for its money. Mega companies such as King, maker of Candy Crush, and streaming site Spotify are among the many top tech names that have their head offices here.
Ingenuity and innovation isn’t limited to the sleek architecture – it’s reflected in every aspect of the capital, from public transport to galleries and museums. Moderna Museet on Skeppsholmen island is renowned for its contemporary exhibits. modernamuseet.se
There’s thriving foodie scene too, from revered Mother to the award-winning restaurant found in photo gallery Fotografiska. Named World’s Best Museum Restaurant at this year’s Leading Culture Destinations Awards, it focuses on local food where instead of greens with meat, roles are reversed. If you’re looking for more traditional food, Portal has uncomplicated dishes from award-winning chef Klas Lindberg.
We also explored trendy Södermalm island (Sofo) a favourite haunt for Stockholm’s hipsters. After lunching on fresh crab at the Urban Deli, we slipped over to Omnipolos Hatt in the Mosebacke design district for a pint of craft beer.
Suitably refreshed, we nipped up the road to Snickars Records, where we spent a couple of retro hours browsing through their impressive vinyl collection.
Although this dynamic city continues to push into the future, it holds firmly on
to its historic roots, as we discovered weaving through the cobbled streets and alleyways of Gamla Stan – the Old Town.
You can take a stroll through the country’s history at Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum, with over 150 reconstructed buildings. There’s also an aquarium and children’s zoo, making it a fine family day out. skansen.se
The city’s famous Vasamuseet, which houses the world’s only preserved 17th century warship, is fascinating. The Vasa’s maiden voyage in 1628 was rather short-lived – she sank in Stockholm harbour shortly after launch.
In 1961 the 204ft vessel was raised from the deep and installed in her very own museum. vasamuseet.se
For now, it’s back to Scandi noir boxsets for me... while I plot my return to this exciting city.