MORNING WALK: ANTIQUE SHOPPING IN GAMLA STAN (THE OLD TOWN)
The stucco walls of its red, orange and vanilla buildings sag toward each other exhaustedly over countless souvenir shops and ice-cream parlours, while the Royal Palace crowns the tiny island. Just to the south of Gamla Stan is another island neighbourhood, Södermalm, where high waterfront hills are graced by lovely old residences and the main drags are lined with bohemian shops, art galleries and rollicking clubs. On the other side of Gamla Stan is the main city centre, a buzzing metropolis whose boutiques and restaurants can hold their own against just about any big city on the continent. (lonely planet)
Photo: Michael Cavén
LUNCH SPOT: SALUHALL
Jamie Oliver Agrees: You must stop at Saluhall!
To sample all the staples of the Swedish kitchen, simply go to Saluhall, a 19th-century indoor market, in the fashionable Ostermalm neighbourhood. Wander various ornate wooden-fronted booths housing fascinating food emporia packed with local delicacies: heady bottles of spice-flavoured schnapps; fruit liqueurs; elderflower vinegar; jars of intense jams, compotes and jellies; farmhouse cheeses such St Olof and västerbotten; and punnets of delicate wild cloudberries, elderberries, blueberries and lingonberries. (jamie oliver)
Photo: JPlpagan
AFTERNOON VISIT: STOCKHOLM PUBLIC LIBRARY
Stockholm Public Library is the largest public library in Sweden and is a common access point for all the inhabitants of Stockholm who can share in published information, the libraries’ extensive book and media collections, and the expertise of the staff, free of charge.(Stockholm Public Library)
Photo: emdumen
Photo: Hirotomo