# Filling three days in Stockholm **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 26, 2018, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320 "2018-08-26T22:34:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/1 "2018-08-26T22:34:09Z")
I’m going to be in Stockholm for Labor Day weekend (which I realize isn’t a thing in Sweden). Basically, I’ve got Friday evening and all day Saturday–Monday to fill. I’ve never been, and I don’t speak Swedish (I do speak French, Spanish, and a little Dutch, but I imagine English will be more useful than any of those). Tell me what to do, Dopers. My interests include history (although I know next to nothing about Sweden’s) architecture art (the old-fashioned representational kind, not that weird stuff the kids are all into these days :D) theater, but again, I have no Swedish miniatures — a particular favorite; I’ve been to miniature museums in the Cotswolds (dioramas) and Paris (military installations), but I know there aren’t a lot of them in the world Restaurant recommendations are welcomed as well. I’m not traveling on my own dime, so low- to medium-priced would be best. Although I’ll probably take myself out for a fancy-dancy meal one night. I’m currently booked into a hotel in Vasastan (I believe that’s the name of a neighborhood), although that can be changed — I’d like for all the good stuff to be within walking distance of or metro-accessible from my hotel. Any and all suggestions are welcome. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/2 "2018-08-26T22:56:02Z")
Here is the official brochure [https://www.visitstockholm.com/](https://www.visitstockholm.com/) Sweden is expensive compared to the UK or USA so you need to be aware of prices. Almost everywhere takes credit cards, but some make a charge for it so get some SEK before you leave for small purchases like coffee and use a CC for anything else. Public transport is very good. Here is some help from a local that he posted on another forum: > [@](#): > > Getting around: > Stockholm have an extensive network of public transport consisting of buses,trams, subway, commuter trains and harbour ferries. > Bus tickets Important!! > Buses, trams, Sjövägen, commuter trains (and to some extent subway) requires tickets or travel cards to be bought BEFORE you board the transport. > The only exception is the vintage tram, that goes to Skansen during summers, > which will allow you to buy tickets onboard. > Tickets can be bought on various locations in Stockholm, including cruise ship terminals, tourist offices, 7-eleven shops, > Pressbyrån shops and many other places. Many locations are listed at sl.se but I have found that their map with the locations are not 100% trustable. > You can also use the official SL ticket app which is available for Android and iOS. [http://sl.se/en/eng-info/fares/app/](http://sl.se/en/eng-info/fares/app/) > I have no personal experience of using it. > Also note that central Stockholm is Zone A, Nynäshamn is located in Zone C. > For more info regarding tickets and travel cards goto : [http://sl.se/en/fares--tickets/](http://sl.se/en/fares--tickets/) > > Public transport (SL) map: [http://sl.se/contentassets/729d4a6ae...tan.pdf?id=943](http://sl.se/contentassets/729d4a6ae...tan.pdf?id=943) > > Buses, trams, commuter trains, subway (Tunnelbana/T-bana) and some of the harbour ferries (Sjövägen and boat route 85; Riddarfjärdslinjen), are operated by SL; [In English | SL](http://sl.se/en/) > > Bus route maps: > [http://sl.se/resources/maps/geograph...stan.2015.html](http://sl.se/resources/maps/geograph...stan.2015.html) > > Bus terminal maps: > Cityterminalen/Central station:[http://sl.se/ficktid/karta/vinter/City\_term.pdf](http://sl.se/ficktid/karta/vinter/City_term.pdf) > > Slussen: > [http://sl.se/ficktid/karta/vinter/Slussen\_term.pdf](http://sl.se/ficktid/karta/vinter/Slussen_term.pdf) > [http://sl.se/ficktid/karta/vinter/S%...storg\_term.pdf](http://sl.se/ficktid/karta/vinter/S%25...storg_term.pdf) > > Handenterminalen/Haningen centrum:[http://sl.se/ficktid/karta/vinter/Handen\_termdec15.pdf](http://sl.se/ficktid/karta/vinter/Handen_termdec15.pdf) > > Nynäshammn: [http://sl.se/ficktid/karta/vinter/Nynashamn\_term.pdf](http://sl.se/ficktid/karta/vinter/Nynashamn_term.pdf) > > Time tables (all SL traffic): [http://sl.se/sv/reseinfo/](http://sl.se/sv/reseinfo/) In the text box below “Sök tidtabell” enter the desired route number / stop / station you want info for and click “sök”. > Current bus, subway, commuter train and tram time tables are valid to: 2016-06-23 > Bus time tables: [http://sl.se/sv/info/puffar/tidtabel...LL/BUS/35/0/10](http://sl.se/sv/info/puffar/tidtabel...LL/BUS/35/0/10) > Commuter train time tables: > J35 Bålsta–Nynäshamn: [http://sl.se/ficktid/vinter/V35.pdf](http://sl.se/ficktid/vinter/V35.pdf) > > J36 Märsta - Södertälje centrum: [http://sl.se/ficktid/vinter/V36.pdf](http://sl.se/ficktid/vinter/V36.pdf) > J38 Uppsala C–Älvsjö: [http://sl.se/ficktid/vinter/V38.pdf](http://sl.se/ficktid/vinter/V38.pdf) > Boat time tables: > [http://sl.se/ficktid/vinter/V80.pdf](http://sl.se/ficktid/vinter/V80.pdf) > [http://sl.se/ficktid/vinter/V85.pdf](http://sl.se/ficktid/vinter/V85.pdf) > Metro map: [http://sl.se/ficktid/karta/vinter/Tub.pdf](http://sl.se/ficktid/karta/vinter/Tub.pdf) > > Note that tram line #7 no longer goes to Sergelstorg but stops at Kungsträdgården due to construction work at Sergels torg. > Harbour ferries: > > Waxholmsbolaget are operating Djugårdfärjan, a harbour ferry between Slussen and Allmännga Gränd at Djurgården (Wasa). > [http://www.waxholmsbolaget.se/visito...rry-terminals/](http://www.waxholmsbolaget.se/visito...rry-terminals/) > The terminal at Slussen will have a new location from March due to construction works at Slussen. The new terminal will be 130m north of the current one; > See this for more info; [http://www.stockholmshamnar.se/om-os...urgardsfarjan/](http://www.stockholmshamnar.se/om-os...urgardsfarjan/) > For Djurgårdsfärjan you will buy tickets during queueing/boarding, either from a manned ticket kiosk which accepts cash and a cards > or from a ticket machine (i think they are chip+pin machines only but I am not sure). > [http://www.waxholmsbolaget.se/visito...ickets-prices/](http://www.waxholmsbolaget.se/visito...ickets-prices/) > > Ressel rederi operates another harbour ferry line from Hammarby sjöstad via Tegelhamnen (berth Stadsgårdskajen S167) Allmänna gränd, Djurgården (Vasa) to Nybroplan. > > The ferry used on this line is named M/S Emelie: > [http://ressel.se/tidtabell-emelie-vardag/](http://ressel.se/tidtabell-emelie-vardag/) > [http://ressel.se/ms-emelie/](http://ressel.se/ms-emelie/) > > This ship sells it’s tickets via ticket machines onboard so a VISA/Mastercard according to Ressel website. > > However according to this post: [http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...0#post47392090](http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...0#post47392090) > They will also accept cash payment. So I would strongly recommend to check with Ressel before making any decisions. > Taxis: > > As for taxis only use one of the reputable companies: Taxi Stockholm, Taxi kurir and Taxi 020. > Make sure the taxis have yellow license plates as well as a yellow stickerin the rear side windows. > The Sticker has valuable price info and always check the price info on the sticker before going into a taxi. > > Airport express train: > [https://www.arlandaexpress.com/](https://www.arlandaexpress.com/) > > Airport coaches: > [http://flygbussarna.se/en](http://flygbussarna.se/en) > [http://www.airshuttle.se/](http://www.airshuttle.se/) > By public transport: > > Either commuter train #J38 (Uppsala - Arlanda C - Stockholm C - Älvsjö (-Tumba) which will stop at Arlanda but > when you Embark/disembark at Arlanda, on a commuter train or regional train, you will have to pay an extra fee. > > [http://sl.se/en/eng-info/fares/arlanda/](http://sl.se/en/eng-info/fares/arlanda/) > > or > > Commuter train J36 to Märsta station (end stop) switch to bus Bus 583 towards Arlanda (SAS-hangaren). > To get this option in the SL.se travel planner use search with more options (fler val) and choose Via hållplats > enter Märsta station and click sök/search. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/3 "2018-08-26T23:02:00Z")
For the ultimate in miniatures, you have to go to Hamburg. [https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/](https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/) This video is an eye-opener. [A Journey through Miniatur Wunderland - official report in HD - world's largest model railway - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff4RWuPx8Co) ---
**Author:** ![vd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b19c9b/32.png) [@vd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vd)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/4 "2018-08-26T23:18:29Z")
I had a day and a half there about 10 years ago and pretty much winged it. There’s a lot of stuff there, the public transportation is excellent, and it’s not hard at all to find interesting things to look at. The old part of the city, Gamla Stan, is definitely where you want to go for old architecture. There’s also 300 year old restaurant there that’s pretty cool: Den Glydene Freden. It wasn’t cheap, though. The little island just north of Gamla Stan, with the government building, has a smallish museum about medieval life that was free when I was there. The Vasa is a 17th century ship recovered from where it sank, and is now a museum. It was closed when I was there, but it sounded interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/5 "2018-08-26T23:33:17Z")
We were in Stockholm for a cruise, but only for the day. We went to the Vasa Museum which is well worth a visit. We also happened upon the changing of the guards. We took the subway with no issues, and no problem with only knowing English. I envy you - Stockholm is one of our cruise stops we definitely want to go back to. ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/6 "2018-08-26T23:38:35Z")
It has been ten years for me too, but one thing I enjoyed that isn’t mentioned yet is climbing to the top of the [Stockholm City Hall Tower](https://international.stockholm.se/the-city-hall/the-city-hall-tower/). I remember the internal brickwork of the tiny corridors and stair cases to be cool, and the view from the top was good. Since history and architecture were the first things on your list I suspect this might be just up your alley too. Vasa was interesting. A ferry ride out to the Archipelago was nice too. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/7 "2018-08-27T01:30:24Z")
Hej! We were just there earlier this month. - The Vasa Museum is a must-see, go early to avoid the crowds. Allow plenty of time, too, especially as you’re a history buff. - We had a lovely meal at Bakfickan, the “hip pocket” rear bar/terrace (we ate outside) of the opera house. [Bakfickan | Operakällaren](https://operakallaren.se/en/restaurants/bakfickan) - We also really enjoyed the concept of fika, and ate a LOT of kanelbullar (cinammon and/or cardamom rolls) with tea/coffee. - We took a ferry to the holiday island of Grinda. It was a 90ish minute ride, the island was charming, and full of happy Swedes. There are a few restaurant options, so don’t feel the need to pack a picnic unless you really want to. The ferry took us past Vaxholm fortress, which was nice to see from the water. - Just wandering was great. We had lovely weather, although hot, and did a bunch of sitting in parks, people watching, admiring buildings. You know you’re in Europe when you glance up a side street and see a beautiful verdigris-y dome. The watersides were chock-full of swimming and boating Swedes (like I said, it was HOT) so if you’re into that, take your swimming gear and look up somewhere local to where you’re staying. (Where are you staying? We rented a nice AirBnb in Norrmalm). - Not sure if you’re flying into Arlanda, but the Flygbussen were cheap, clean and ran well into the night (we arrived at 1:30AM, a very delayed afternoon flight from Oakland. Norwegian Airlines doesn’t have the best reputation for timeliness…!) - The underground (T-bana) was easy to use. Overall we did not use any cash, although our US credit cards, sans PIN, were useless at many unmanned kiosks, e.g., those to buy underground tickets. We bought tickets instead in the newsagents adjacent to the station. Some station did not have a convenient newsagent, though! - Everyone spoke English. EVERYONE. I’d been learning Swedish on an app, and was quite disappointed when my halting Swedish questions were answered in impeccable English! - We had a great experience too at the Stockholm Visitors Centre next to the cultural center. A chirpy guide gave us exactly the info we needed, timetables and brochures, etc. I bet if you asked in person about your more esoteric questions (miniatures) they could help you out. Have a great trip! ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/8 "2018-08-27T03:09:05Z")
Since the OP is looking for advice, let’s move this to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/9 "2018-08-27T09:10:22Z")
Sweden is quickly (but not officially) getting rid of cash. Especially bar and restaurants. Look for “Kontantfritt” (No cash) as you enter an eatery. You do want some cash for small purchases. Get it from an ATM, not an exchange office even though ATMs have also entered the endangered tech list. There are a bunch of them at Arlanda Airport so get your cash there, since they are getting harder to find on the streets. $50 should be more than enough for a three day stay. Tipping. It follows the general European way of "rounding up. " Don’t think in terms of percentages. If the check comes to SEK 380, You might give 400. That tip is about $2. And since many places won’t accept cash, when you pay by card, the waiter will enter the amount of the check and then you’re supposed to enter the final sum. Again, this is where you enter 400 and ok. If you want to splurge, check out the Gondola (“Gondolen”) [https://tomasrudin.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/20120318-080748.jpg](https://tomasrudin.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/20120318-080748.jpg) It’s a bit pricey, but not awfully so. [http://www.eriks.se/gondolen/#meny-a-la-carte](http://www.eriks.se/gondolen/#meny-a-la-carte) The views are spectacular. Don’t eat anywhere in the Old Town. Everything there is a tourist trap, with cheesy, kitschy gift shops and horribly overpriced restaurants and coffeeshops. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/10 "2018-08-27T10:12:02Z")
I could fill 3 days just walking around; it’s a lovely city and most of the pretty tourist sites are within reasonable walking distance. Since you’re going in early autumn there’s a couple of things you may be able to do that were not available when I was there: 1. Bus that drives directly into the water (“ocean bus”). Just a gimmick, but still I’d go on it. 2. Rooftop sightseeing tour. Or did I dream both of the above activities? 🙂 Also a note about the coffee: Swedes drink the strongest coffee in the world. By the end of my trip I was just saying “Hey, give me the weakest latte you can imagine” to get what I considered to be a “normal” coffee. And it’s true about the level of English. I remember at one point a guy working in a service station saying the following to me: “Please pardon my English; I don’t think \*Converge \*is correct, I should have said _Merge_”. I of course reprimanded him for his atrocious English 🙂 (Although, that was a young person, I did encounter some older Swedes that did not speak English at all, but not many) ---
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/11 "2018-08-27T11:13:02Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Since the OP is looking for advice, let’s move this to IMHO. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator Whoops. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Bert\_Nobbins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@Bert\_Nobbins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bert_Nobbins)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/12 "2018-08-27T17:32:17Z")
> [@Cayuga](#): > > My interests include > > miniatures — a particular favorite; I’ve been to miniature museums in the Cotswolds (dioramas) and Paris (military installations), but I know there aren’t a lot of them in the world > > Any and all suggestions are welcome. Nothing to do with Stockholm, but ifd you like miniatures you should see the Canal Museum in Amsterdam. One room contains a big dolls-house that is a model of the actual museum building. Through each window you can see a room decorated as for a given point in history- with miniature semi-transparent people dancing the minuet, etc. I assume it’s an example of Pepper’s Ghost. Part of the garden is modelled and the fish ponds have moving fish. The climax of the model is the present-day room- which is the room containing the dolls-house. Therefore through the window you can see another, tiny doll’s house- with inside tinier people moving about… It quite blew me away. Beautifully done. See: [https://www.amsterdam.info/museums/canal-house-museum/](https://www.amsterdam.info/museums/canal-house-museum/) ---
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2018, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filling-three-days-in-stockholm/820320/13 "2018-08-29T13:38:45Z")
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone —and for all the information, **bob**. I’m really looking forward to this. And now I have to plan trips to Bonn and Hamburg.