A trip to Ikea (aka Sweden)

Travelling to Stockholm airport(s)

Four airports, remember that all of them may be named as “Stockholm airport”, but can be really far away from the city of Stockholm, the most accessible airport is Arlanda. Every hour you can find either coach or train heading to and from this airport with a fairly low price.

Staying in Stockholm

On-boat hostels provide an unusual experience for those bored of regular accommodation. Pros: new experience, view to the sea, low prices Cons: lack of space, shared showers & toilet

Apartments, tend to have more competitive prices than the hotels, most of them are well equipped with the elemental appliances for a short stay such as microwave, oven, washing & tumbling machine. ( Personally suggest - Hammarby apartments)

Pros of renting an apartment: can cook to avoid expensive eat-outs, flexibility in check-in & check-out, lower prices than hotels

A typical "Fika" Sample

Living in a nordic country requires a lot of energy to catch up with daily life, the solution was found by the Swedes, establishing the habit of “fika”. Fika, stands for a small social gathering with friends to enjoy a cup of coffee with a snack (mainly cinnamon bun), having a major role in the daily life of Swedes.

You can try a quick fika in one of the many 7-11 shops located all over Stockholm, which are more-or-less small super markets mainly selling coffees, bakery stuff, magazines, snacks and food. Don't forget to grab a mini map of Stockholm with the location of all 7-11 round the area!

Moving around

A well structured network of frequent trams and buses allow you to move around the city round the clock, remember buses and trams may share the same stations. After midnight the time schedules are spread, though not causing any trouble for a night-out goers.

A great experience is traveling within Stockholm using the ferry lines, offering a good chance to relax and take great pictures of the city and sites along the sea (included in the pass ticket except St. Emelie line).

Using ferry lines : When taking the ferry remember to use the special sign to attract the attention of ferry's captain and place it back to its initial state, once the ferry arrives.

You can find more information about tickets and moving round Stockholm over here

Wi-fi, is available in every place in Stockholm some of them may be free whilst other are locked.

Sightseeing

Royal Palace, the ticket is 160 SEK includes visiting the Royal apartments (180 SEK with a 45 min tour - Sep 2016), unfortunately not all rooms are open to the public for visiting as they are still used by the Royal family.

The architect of this fine palace was inspired from the romantic features of the “Palace de Versailles” in France, making both palaces to look similar.

In the price of the ticket you have access to 2 more exhibitions the Treasury and the Tre Kronor museum. The Treasury presents the original crowns and symbols of power belonging to the Royal family from the old times, whilst the Tre Kronor museum outlines the architecture of the palace, before a huge fire  and renovation that led to its nowadays style.

Armoury museum (free entry), an interesting collection of armors through the ages

Historika museet

Historiska museum (free entry), well organised museum outlining the history of Sweden, with a rich variety of exhibitions related mainly to the great Viking era.

Additional exhibitions may be found with the wealth of Viking culture in tools, jewellry and presenting parameters affecting the progress of the culture from that time.

The museum offers special activity programs for children as well as free lockers, where you can store securely your belongings.

Gamla stan, the oldest neighbourhood of Stockholm with traditional alleys spread over a small island, the old buildings host various hostels, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Outside view of Vasaa museum

Vasamuseet, a museum dedicated to one of the greatest ships built in the beginning of the 17th century, which unfortunately sunk 24 minutes after leaving the shipyard and remained for 333 year in the bottom of Stockholm port. The guided tour lasts approximately 25 minutes, giving in depth explanation about the history behind the ship, after the tour you can enjoy a short film about the ship  too.

The museum includes 3 different levels, the first level analyses compartments of the ship, items found onboard, their use and purpose, in the ground floor the museum describes the techniques used to lift the ship from the bottom of the ship. While in the -1 level, you can find you can learn more about the conservation process of the ship, the chemical processes affecting it, the project of conservation as well as the history of it since it has been moved from Stockholm's seabed.

ICEbar, a bar made entirely out of ice covering an area of about 40 sqm with the temperature stuck at -5 C degrees all year long. Walls are decorated with pieces of artwork of nordic fauna, music played is mainly EDM (Electro, Dance, Mainstream), whilst you can stay for a 45min slot until your toes freeze! A special cloak and gloves that will keep you warm is supplied once you enter, remember that your glass made out of ice is slippery if you hold it with bare hands! Booking your tickets online gets you a -15% discount to the entrance fee!