I wish I could tell you what it is I love about Stockholm so terribly much, but I’ve yet to pinpoint it.
Perhaps it’s the kindness of the Swedes. While Scandinavians in general are known to be a bit standoffish, I found the Swedish population gentle and warm and friendly, nonetheless.
Or maybe it’s the fact that after more than a month of cold and pouring rain, we arrived to summer in Sweden. Locals will tell you there’s no better place to be in warm, summer months than Scandinavia, and as someone who once lived in Denmark, I’m inclined to agree.
It could be because we were there during a massive food festival and, as such, got to eat all the delicious things.
Or maybe it was those sweet, sweet midsummer nights when the sun doesn’t set until nearly dawn.
It also might have had something to do with my companionship.
Plus getting to see Hanna, an old friend from my Europe-living days who showed up with a bulging belly. (Surprise! She’s pregnant!)
Or the fact that the city was abuzz with excitement for the Royal Wedding, which happened the day we were leaving.
Whatever it was, I am sufficiently impressed with the Swedish capital, and it instantly made its way to my top five cities, ever.
Interested in going to Sweden? I’m offering some killer deals on next year’s Iron & Ice Enrichment Voyage through Scandinavia and Russia. Email me for more details.
I am so happy to hear this. We’re heading to Stockholm in a few weeks for our first visit. We’ve been living in Norway for a year now so we’re certainly familiar with Scandinavia yet I’m quite excited for my first trip to Sweden!
Oooh you are going to love it! I like Oslo a whole heck of a lot, but think I prefer Stockholm even more.
Oslo is a bit ‘meh’ for me – we live in Western Norway in a smaller city but much, much more beautiful! I don’t think I’ve heard a bad thing about Stockholm but we shall see in August 🙂
Such a photogenic city
I love the pictures! Seems like a very good place to visit but I am admiring it from the distance for now. 🙂
Maybe one day you can admire it up-close!
Wonderful pictures! I love Stockholm, too- my three favorite European cities are Stockholm, Barcelona, and Berlin.
I long to return, but posts like these are a nice substitute until then 🙂
We would be good travel buddies–you’ve got three of my top five European cities right there (plus Edinburgh and probably Paris…or maybe Tallinn).
I was in Stockholm many years ago and I absolutely adored it. I’m not sure why, but there was definitely something about it that really stuck with me. Can’t wait to go back!
I know, right? I’ve spent a lot of time in Scandinavia, and while I *like* it all, there aren’t a whole lot of cities I just *love*…until I met Stockholm.
Hey Kristin, the photographs are really wow! Well, I was planning a tour to Stockholm next year, but the way you have captured the city tempts me a lot and am thinking of rescheduling the tour sometimes in this year. 😉
You should do it! And thanks for the nice words.
Yeah, I heard Stockholm is AMAZING. Havent been that far north in Europe, yet! However, I would like to argue that no matter where you go you will have an AMAZING time bc it’s not just the location but it’s the people around you who make or break your world…and I think 100% of the time you are surrounded by those who make your world! ;D
PS: the old lady behind SVV is so cute!
That’s definitely my philosophy toward travel!
And life!!!!
“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” -Oprah
I’m intrigued, what are your other top-five cities??
Definitely Edinburgh and Cape Town and New Orleans. The fifth spot could easily go to Savannah, Georgia, though it’s not really a “city” in the traditional sense of the word. And you?
Mmm tricky, I’m not really a city person, but let’s go with St Petersburg, Quebec City, Istanbul, Sydney, with contenders for the last spot being Stockholm, Cambridge, Malacca and Newcastle. Possibly.
I was just in Stockholm, Helsinki and St Petersburg in May. What a trip! I was a little bummed it was still a bit chilly, but it was absolutely gorgeous and I couldn’t believe how late the sun set! I stayed in Gamla Stan while I was in Stockholm, and it was great to just wander through the narrow alleyways.
I’m totally jealous on your white nights cruise though! It was a couple weeks too early for that when I was there.
Great post, very refreshing read for a Swedish person. You had some luck with the weather judging from the pictures! Looking forward to another post if (*when) you come back.
Stockholm is one of my 8 year old’s favorite cities in the world! We fell in love with it 2 years ago and went back again last year, this time in the summer. Such an amazing city with so much to do.