A Healthy Guide To Stockholm in 24 hours
As Neat embarks on a brand new adventure in Scandinavia, where we're getting ready to launch with SATS ELIXIA later this month, we recently flew over for a very exciting meeting in snowy Stockholm. With only one day to spend exploring in the beautiful city, we set off in search of good food, Scandinavian culture and everything else Stockholm has to offer. Here’s our top recommendations from our whistle-stop trip:
Wander The Shops
There’s just something so cool (and so on trend) about Scandinavian style and design. Their homeware and clothing screams of a sleek minimalism, their plant-porn is top notch and their interiors definitely live up to their cosy reputation. If you’ve got any money that’s burning a hole in your pocket, then Stockholm is definitely the place for you.
Hang Out In The Library
The library, really? It might seem like a strange spot for a tourist to visit, but Stockholm’s public library has an amazing circular design that makes it quite the sight. There’s plenty of books in English if you fancy relaxing with a good book and escaping the cold weather outside, or simply have a quick browse along the shelves and absorb the quietness of this unique spot.
Pom & Flora for breakfast
All that walking certainly built up our appetites, so we headed to Pom & Flora to see if this popular cafe lived up to it’s hype. Of course, being in Sweden, it had to be all about the rye bread, and their avocado toast combinations certainly lived up to our high expectations. We also tried their acai bowl, which was not too sweet (as they often can be), still retaining a nice hint of sharpness, as well as being topped with all the good stuff - buckinis, chia pudding, peanut butter and banana. As if the food wasn’t enough to persuade you to visit, Pom & Flora has a super cosy atmosphere. The warm, candle-lit room was the perfect place to escape the snow - we told you Sweden are experts of hyyge!
Ostermalm Saluhall - Sweden’s Harrods Food Hall
Workout done, it was time to explore some more. Ostermalm Saluhall is Sweden’s answer to Harrods food hall. Expect to find deli counters full of fresh fish, meats, cheeses and breads. There’s plenty of places inside to relax with a drink, or for those looking to pick up a healthy snack, you’ll find stalls selling juices, health shots, raw snack bars and fresh salads too.
Stop for a Snack at Fabrique Bakery
Time for fika? Fika, in Swedish culture, essentially means "to have coffee", often accompanied with pastries or sweet treats… it’s no wonder that we’ve fallen in love with Sweden for good! After a busy day, it was time to indulge a little and truly experience the Scandinavian culture, so we stopped off at Fabrique for one of their famous Kanelbullars mid-afternoon. These Swedish cinnamon buns are different to the American version you may be more familiar with, and are not as rich or sickly and don’t come smothered in icing. The doughy rolls are baked with cardomom, warming cinnamon and are flecked with sugar - quite heavenly to say the least and definitely worth every bite!
Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan is the old town in Stockholm, and is the more touristy part of the city. It’s no wonder visitors flock to this district, as wandering through the winding, cobbled streets and famous, colourful buildings in the snow was a pretty beautiful sight. It’s the most Instagrammable spot in town and will be a firm favourite of any hopeless romantics and keen photographers.
Grab a coffee at Johan & Nystrom
When it comes to Stockholm’s coffee scene, Johan & Nystrom is known to be THE place to go. You can tell that the owners are serious about their coffee, and although it’s not cheap, you can get every type of coffee imaginable. Whether you prefer a pour over, aeropress, straight espresso or flat white with oat milk, you’ll be certain to get a cracking cup of coffee here. We’ve also heard good things about their neighbours at Drop Coffee, so we’ll be certain to stop by next time to check out the competition!
Finish off the day at Ardbeg
Last on our list, we stopped at Ardbeg for a bite to eat before it was time to head back home. It’s conveniently located in the midst of the Old Town, yet doesn’t feel like a tourist trap, and we were big fans of the atmosphere and the vast array of whisky and microbrewery beers it had to offer. Definitely more favourable for the meat eaters (although there was fish and a veggie option available), this is a great place to try out local delicacies like the elk burger with root vegetable crisps or the classic Swedish meatballs.