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Last weekend we set off on our second Scandinavian adventure, this time to Stockholm, the Swedish capital. Here are some of my favourite finds. . . |
We stayed at Hotel Scandic Malmen on the island of Sodermalm.
The hotel lobby was adorned with these black and white photographs which formed part of an exhibition called 'Playing Dirty' by Swedish photographer Frederick Etoall, to see the full collection of images click here
If photography is your thing then a trip to Fotografiska is definitely worth a visit.
Situated on the docks of Stadsgarden in a former industrial Art Nouveau style building, Fotografiska which opened in 2010 is a centre for contemporary photography.
After viewing exhibitions you can take in the waterside scenery especially well from the bistro situated at the top of the building.
My favourite exhibition was The Painting Series by Maria Friberg which was created by positioning her camera under a large glass sheet.
As she directed her assistant to pour coloured inks onto the glass, the people in the images began a choreographed series of movements to allow the inks to flow and merge together around their bodies.
I especially liked the effect of the rain machine which caused the water droplets to resemble tiny twinkling stars in some of the shots.
A wander around the old food hall, Saluhall, in Ostermalm is a nice way to soak up some traditional Swedish atmosphere.
of friends battling for a table at one of the numerous restaurants and cafes.
It's a great people watching spot!
One dish I was insistent on trying the traditional way on this trip was meatballs but for this I had another place in mind.
I had carried out a bit of research beforehand and Bakfickan or 'hip pocket', the tiny intimate counter bar seating just 28 guests within the Royal Opera House building seemed like the winning recommendation.
It opened in the Spring of 1972 and specialises in traditional Swedish quality fare at affordable prices.
meatballs, potato puree, pickled cucumber and lingonberries, mmm-mmm
we left happy with full tummies!
Nytorget Urban Deli was close to our hotel and a really nice place to hang out.
Restaurant, bar, deli and grocery store all rolled into one with a great buzzy atmosphere, a popular spot for after work drinks.
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| image credit www.urbandeli.org |
Gondolen is the place to go for one of the best views over looking the city.
33 metres up, we went for cocktails in the evening and saw the skyline lit up by night.
In the old Medieval town of Gamla Stan we came across Chokladkoppen on a square and took welcome shelter from the heavy rain.
Here they serve up giant bowls of hot chocolate in a cosy space, dimly lit with bare bulbs, scatter cushions and absurdly small wooden chairs to perch upon.
Berns is a boutique hotel, restaurant, bar, bistro, music venue and night club with design by Terence Conran.
The local's living room and oasis to curious cosmopolitan visitors.
We had drinks in the bar in the old ballroom beneath giant ornate chandeliers.
Finally, had I more space in my suitcase I would have stocked up on a few bits and pieces from Granit, Sweden's answer to Muji, a great place to pick up cool homewares and stationary.
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| image credit www.granit.se |
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