Uncovering Stockholm: Surprising Facts about Life in Stockholm

Fika Culture

One of the most unique aspects of life in Stockholm is the concept of "fika," which is a Swedish tradition of taking a break in the middle of the day to have coffee and a sweet treat with friends or colleagues - one of my favourite things to do and you will find lots of my perwsonal café suggestions in my Stockholm guide!

Fika is more than just a coffee break, it's a social activity and an important part of Swedish culture and something I do as often as possible. In my guide you'll find many cozy cafes and patisseries around the city where you can enjoy a traditional fika with a kanelbulle (cinnamon roll) or other delicious options.

Special Food Days

In Sweden, certain days are dedicated to special foods and these are taken serious! Most popular are probably Kanelbulle Day on October 4th and Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday) on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, when traditional Swedish Semla (cardamom buns filled with cream and almond paste) are in season.

Buying alcohol in Sweden

Sweden has a government-run monopoly on the sale of alcohol called Systembolaget and you have to be at least 20 years old to buy anything at Systembolagtet.. If you want to avoid queuing for your bottle of wine, make sure to go before the weekend - Friday evenings and Saturday afternoon are the busiest times. They close earlier on Saturdays as well and you won`t be able to buy anything on Sundays and holidays - so plan accordingly if you want to purchase alcohol. In restaurants you can buy alcohol from 18 years, make sure to always carry a valid ID.

Vegan Food Options

Stockholm is a very environmentally conscious city, and this is reflected in the many vegan and vegetarian food options available. You'll find a range of vegan options in most restaurants and cafes and all places in my guide have at least some vegan option as I eat vegan myself. You`ll also find dedicated vegan and vegetarian establishments throughout the city. Stockholm is also home to many food markets, such as Hötorgshallen, where you can find a variety of vegan options from different vendors.

Spread out City

Stockholm is made up of 14 islands, which are connected by 57 bridges, making it a very spread out city.This means that getting around Stockholm can take longer than you might expect, especially during rush hour or in bad weather. However, the city's excellent public transportation system makes it easy to get around and take in all the sights and attractions Stockholm has to offer.

Overall, Stockholm is a city with many surprises and hidden gems, from its unique fika culture to its environmentally conscious food options, and its spread out 14 islands. It is worth to take your time and explore the city in-depth dive into the Stockholm way of life.