The Swedish capital, Stockholm, is not only Scandinavia's largest city but also its most enchanting, with its centuries-old alleyways and squares spread across an archipelago of 14 islands. Locals are extremely proud of the fact that in Stockholm one can go ocean-fishing in the heart of the city.<br /><br /> This historic metropolis with a small town heart boasts a multitude of museums, restaurants, parks, fun fairs, a never-ending nightlife (licensing hours extend into the early hours) and a rich cultural tradition. It all adds up to 'never a dull moment', particularly in the summer when the sun virtually never sets because of the city's position in the far northern latitudes.<br /><br /> Most tourists are initially drawn to the quaint Gamla Stan (Old Town), a warren of narrow cobblestone streets overshadowed by historic houses, radiating out from the sumptuous Royal Castle, where Swedish monarchs have resided since the 13th century. However, despite the rich medieval heritage, Stockholm is no staid, old-fashioned enclave. Citizens have developed a reputation for being trendy, daring and innovative, especially in the global realms of IT and fashion, often setting the pace in the design and technology fields.<br /><br /> Stockholmers are also immensely concerned with the environment, and the cityscape is made up of one-third water, one-third green space, one-third buildings, and some of the cleanest air of any city in the world. Take a deep breath, pack a picnic, hop aboard a ferry, and make for one of the parks where you will undoubtedly be treated to a free concert; or head for the legendary shopping districts of Biblioteksgatan (exclusive European boutiques), Odengatan (antique treasures), and others. There is culture to be soaked up too, with more than 150 museums to visit, art festivals galore, architecture to be admired (including the beautiful City Hall where the Nobel Prize banquet takes place), and a world-renowned opera or jazz concert to attend.<br /><br /> It may be old, but Stockholm is a destination for the young and energetic, as yet not overrun with tourists like many other European capitals.<br /><br />

Royal Djurgården

Address: A 10-minute walk from the city centre across the Djurgarden bridge. Stockholm

Stockholm's main attractions are conveniently packaged close to the heart of the city on the island of Djurgården, crammed with entertainment options, museums, restaurants and wooded green space. Once upon a time the island was a royal hunting ground. Now visitors can hunt for souvenirs at the Handarbetets Vanner (handicraft centre); browse the art galleries; enjoy the exciting Gröna Lund amusement park; explore Sweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum; meet Nordic wildlife at the zoo; and watch folk dancing.<br /><br /> Also on the island, accessed by a pleasant stroll along the waterfront, is the Junibacken fairy-tale fun centre, the National Museum of Cultural History, and the fascinating Vasa Museum featuring a fully rigged, fully restored 17th-century galleon raised from Stockholm harbour. Top off the day with a meal at one of the many excellent restaurants, some of which are situated on boats and provide excellent views over the water. Djurgården is one of Sweden's most loved recreational areas for locals and foreigners and the island attracts more than 10 million touristic visitors a year. Just a stroll around the island, on the many walking paths, nature trails and waterfront promenades, is a joy.<br /><br />

Royal Palace and Gamla Stan

Address: Slottsbacken 1, Gamla Stan. Stockholm

Admission: Combined ticket for the whole palace: SEK 150 (adults), SEK 75 (children aged 7 to 17 and students). Open daily 10am-5pm (14 May to 25 September), Tuesday to Sunday 10-4pm (26 September to 13 May). Royal Apartments may close fully or partly in conjunction with official receptions of His Majesty The King.

Telephone: +46 8 402 6000

The official Swedish royal residence is one of the largest and grandest palaces in Europe, dating back to 1754 (although it was built on the remains of an earlier medieval castle). The Baroque edifice is in the heart of Gamla Stan, the old city, and many of its 608 state rooms are open to the public all year round. Visitors can admire the Hall of State, the Royal Treasury, the Apartment of the Orders of Chivalry, the Gustav III Museum of Antiquities, the Kronor Museum, and the Royal Chapel. In front of the palace the changing of the guard ceremony takes place (Wednesday and Saturday 12:15pm; Sunday 1:15pm) with splendid pomp and ceremony that rivals the similar tradition played out at Britain's Buckingham Palace. Visitors should note that the palace is used for most of the Swedish monarchy's official ceremonies and receptions and closes to the public during these events - check the calendar on the official website to avoid disappointment.<br /><br /> Gamla Stan itself is a treasure trove of Swedish architecture, much of which dates from the 17th century. Today tourists throng the alleyways once notorious for brothels, but now lined with shops and restaurants, peddling up cutting edge designs and traditional swedish fika. Other attractions in Gamla Stan include: The Nobel Museum, which offers a moving account of one of the world's most coveted prize in literature, economics, chemistry, physics, and medicine; the Royal Coin Cabinet, a museum dedicated to the history of money which contains some fascinating ancient artefacts; and Stortorget, the oldest square in Stockholm, from which the current city grew, where visitors can marvel at street performers and the iconic, multi-coloured building facades for which the square is famous.<br /><br />

Stockholm City Hall

Address: Hantverkargatan 1, Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm

Admission: Guided tours cost between SEK 70 and SEK 100 for adults, depending on the season. Concessions are available. Tours are available every day.

Telephone: +46 8 508 290 58

Stockholm's main landmark, the distinctive red brick City Hall (Stadshuset) building, has stood on Kungsholmen (King's Island) since 1923 and become world-renowned as the venue for the annual Nobel Prize Banquet. A visit to Stockholm's City Hall is a must for architecture lovers: the rather practical and austere façade, dominated by three golden crowns atop a tower, hides an extraordinary interior. The plush council chamber itself has a vaulted ceiling resembling an inverted Viking longboat, echoing the Viking tradition of using overturned vessels as shelter in winter. Most impressive, though, is the magnificent Golden Hall, its walls covered with handmade mosaics, while the view of Stockholm from the tower is unsurpassed.<br /><br /> The Stockholm City Hall can only be visited on a guided tour, which can be done by joining one of the public tours that depart every day, or by arranging a private tour. Accredited guides can also bring groups into the City Hall for tours. The public tours last about 45 minutes; private tours can explore at their own pace.<br /><br />

Museum of National Antiquities

Address: Narvavagen 13–17, Stockholm. Stockholm

Admission: SEK 100 (adults), children under 18 are free. Open daily 10am to 6pm (June to August); open Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm, Wednesday 11am to 8pm, and closed Mondays (September to May).

Telephone: +46 8 5195 5600

Sweden's history from prehistoric times to the present day is fascinatingly laid out in the Museum of National Antiquities in Stockholm (often just called the Swedish History Museum), which contains a hoard of archaeological artefacts and treasures, including an impressive collection of gold objects recovered from the tombs and treasure caches of the Vikings (in the basement Gold Room), going back all the way to the Stone Age. The museum's most prized possession dates from the Middle Ages: the splendid gold reliquary, set with precious stones, which contained the skull of Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia.<br /><br /> The museum has a good gift shop and cafe with plenty of seating. Photography is allowed in the permanent exhibitions but tripods are not permitted. Free audio guides in English, German, French, Spanish and a number of other languages can be downloaded on your phone or borrowed from the front desk. Guided tours are also available. The displays are well laid out and there is sufficient information for English speakers, but the audio guide greatly enriches the experience. This world-class museum can occupy visitors for a few hours at least, and even kids enjoy the experience.<br /><br />

Stockholm Archipelago

Address: Archipelago tour information is available from the Tourist Centre, Sweden House, Hamnagatan 27 Stockholm

The city of Stockholm stretches across 14 islands, but the archipelago, of which they form but a tiny part, consists of more than 24,000 islets, famed for their natural beauty, wildlife, fjords and spectacular channels and straits. A highlight of any visit to Stockholm is exploring this unique natural wonderland, whether independently or on one of the many organised boat tours on offer.<br /><br /> The standard tour is the 'Thousand Island Cruise', lasting about 11 hours, which takes you to the outer islands and allows passengers to spend time on some of the larger islands, like Nämdö, renowned for its handicrafts. Those with less time to spend can opt for a shorter cruise from between two to six hours, or travel on the high speed 'Cinderella' waterjet boats that service many of the islands. Do-it-yourself travellers can make use of the regular Waxholmsbolaget ferries that service the inhabited islands.<br /><br /> Bed and breakfast accommodation is available for those seeking a longer getaway and perhaps wanting to stay a few days to experience island life. Although most visitors opt to cruise the archipelago in the summer, there are winter cruises available that showcase the area's nature in a unique way.<br /><br />

Skansen

Address: Djurgarden. Stockholm

Admission: Admission fees for adults vary according to season and occasion, between SEK 100 and SEK 170. Daily 10am-10pm (20 June to August), 10am-8pm (May to 19 June and September), 10am-4pm (March, April and October); the rest of the year 10am-3pm (until 4pm on weekends). Market days 11am-5pm on weekends. Opening times are likely to vary frequently - check website for details.

Telephone: +46 8 442 8000

Visitors can explore Sweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum, the oldest in the world, where historical buildings dating mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries have been relocated from around the country. Strolling from north to south visitors move through five centuries of Swedish history, gaining a real sense of the nation's character and past. The exhibits include a full replica of a 19th-century town complete with craftsmen in period dress who demonstrate the arts of tanning, shoemaking, baking and glass-blowing. Many shops are available to visitors, selling everything from blown glass to cinnamon buns, making Skansen a good place to shop for souvenirs. On summer evenings there is often folk dancing and other cultural displays to enjoy. Skansen is also home to an aquarium and the World of Monkeys within the Skansen Zoo, which focuses on Scandinavian animals such as reindeer, wolverines, elk, lynx and brown bears. Every December the central square hosts a Christmas market that attracts thousands of visitors every weekend. The various restaurants and shops have their own opening hours, which can be confirmed on the website; the many special events held at Skansen also make it worthwhile to check the website before planning your visit.<br /><br />

Gröna Lund

Address: Lilla Allmänna Gränd 9, Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm

Admission: Open between June and August and for part of May and September. Opening times vary according to season, but in peak summer the park is often open from 10am to 10pm. Confirm opening dates and times on the official website to avoid disappointment.

Telephone: +46 10 708 91 00

Gröna Lund is Sweden's oldest amusement park and an amazing attraction for families. Built in 1883, the park features a number of rides including classics like bumper cars, carousels and ferris wheels of varying thrill levels for adults and children of all ages. There are also several fast-paced roller coasters, including the Jetline and the Twister, and many other high-adrenaline rides to keep adults entertained. Height charts for the rides are available on the park's website so parents can see what is available to their children before going. There is an on-site baby care centre for parents to use. A great selection of restaurants and eateries, ranging from fine dining to buffet and fast food options, ensures nobody will go hungry in the park. Gröna Lund hosts plenty of live music concerts during summer evenings, with some serious performers attracting big crowds. The amusement park only opens seasonally; a calendar detailing opening days and times can be found on the official website listed below. Those likely to be enjoying lots of the rides should buy the ride pass which allows access to all rides all day, because buying the coupon booklets as required usually works out to be much more expensive.<br /><br />

Gotland

Address: Stockholm

Sweden's largest island, Gotland was once an independent kingdom taken over by Denmark in the 14th century and ceded to Sweden in the 17th century. Located in the middle of the Baltic Sea, Gotland is a popular holiday destination for Swedish tourists. The medieval atmosphere of farmlands and churches and the old walled city of Visby (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) draw foreign tourists, while locals holiday at the beaches along the coast.<br /><br /> Boat tours around the island are available to interesting locations like the karst limestone formations of Lummelunda Grottan and the dwarf forests and moors of northern Gotland and Fårö. For visitors to Visby interested in the ancient history of the island the Gotlands Museum is a must; it is a fairly small museum but boasts some fascinating picture stones and Viking relics as well as some interactive sections geared towards children. The beautiful national park island of Stora Karlsö, a 30-minute ferry ride from Klintehamn, just south of Visby, is definitely worth a visit for nature lovers; a night or two can even be spent in the lighthouse on this unspoilt gem of an island.<br /><br /> Daytrips are easy to arrange between early May and the end of August.<br /><br />

Sala Silver Mine

Address: Drottning Christinas väg, Sala, Sweden. Stockholm

Telephone: +46 224 677 260

Formerly a working silver mine in Västmanland County, Sala stopped major production in 1908, and has since been transformed into something of a tourist attraction. Guided tours are conducted down the mine, which also hosts concerts and other events. There is even an unusual hotel room located several hundred metres below ground, said to be the world's deepest hotel room! There are a number of different mine tours to choose from, descending to different depths and ranging between one and three hours. Tours should be booked in advance via phone or email. It gets very cold down in the mine, with ice formations in some areas, so visitors should come prepared with warm clothes and good shoes. Some of the tours are suitable for people with limited mobility and are accessible to wheelchairs.<br /><br /> Above ground, many buildings in Sala have been converted into shops, art galleries, and museums. The town hosts Christmas markets on weekends in December, while in July the Mine's Days are celebrated. As if mine tours weren't exciting enough, there are sometimes high wires, ropeways, hanging bridges and other adventure activities set up at the mine, allowing visitors to play high in the air, as well as explore deep underground.<br /><br />

Vasa Museum

Address: Galärvarvsvägen 14, Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm

Admission: SEK 130 for adults, SEK 110 for students, and free for children under 18. Open daily 10am to 5pm, and Wednesdays 10am to 8pm (September to May); open daily 8:30am to 6pm (June to August).

Telephone: +46 8 519 548 00

One of the most popular attractions in Sweden, the 17th-century warship Vasa sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was salvaged in 1961, with thousands of artefacts, including coins, tools, clothing and other historical items. The ship has been carefully restored, and half the upper gun deck, along with the admiral's cabin and the steering compartment, have been recreated.<br /><br /> Exhibitions detail the hardships of life at sea, and showcase the primitive supplies and medical equipment sailors had to contend with. There is even a museum garden where the vegetables, herbs and flowers once used by the crew for food and medicine are grown in season. Guided tours are included in the entrance fee. They are conducted in English and Swedish several times a day and take about 25 minutes, but the schedule varies according to season and day so travellers should check the website before visiting. Groups of more than nine people will need to book guided tours in advance for a fee.<br /><br /> There is a restaurant and a shop at the museum for refreshments and souvenirs. The Vasa Museum is consistently one of the top rated tourist attractions in Stockholm and is an intriguing place to visit for people of all ages.<br /><br />

Midsummers Eve

Where: Skansen Museum.,Stockholm

When: 23 June 2018

Sweden's most beloved of festivals, Midsummer's Eve is celebrated around the country with great gusto. In Stockholm, thousands enjoy the festivities laid on at the Skansen open-air museum, which centre around the raising of a garlanded maypole. Dancing and singing around the maypole is spurred on by the consumption of plenty of schnapps and beer, although the festival is also greatly enjoyed by children and is an affair for the whole family.<br /><br /> The festival has its roots in ancient, pagan fertility rituals, but for modern Swedes it is an excuse to enjoy a merry party as they emerge from the long, dark winter. Many locals migrate out of the cities and towns for Midsummer celebrations, seeking out festivities in the countryside. Flowers and ribbons feature prominently and there are many traditional songs and dances to enjoy. Those who buy into the stereotype about Swedes being dull and serious should visit the country during Midsummer's Eve to see how much fun they can have! Midsummer celebrations tend to last for a few days. Although it is not officially a public holiday Midsummer's Eve is widely celebrated throughout Sweden and many shops and businesses close for the day.<br /><br />

Stockholm Jazz Festival

Where: Main venue: Museum of Modern Art, Skeppsholmen.,Stockholm

When: 5 - 14 October 2018

After more than 20 years the Stockholm Jazz Festival has earned a reputation for being one of the biggest and best events of its kind in Europe. Top international and local jazz, blues, soul, funk and Latin stars perform over the seven-day festival on the island of Skeppsholmen. The Jazz Festival has already grown a huge amount, now taking place over a full week, including about 20 different venues and more than a hundred concerts. Skeppsholmen is still the main venue, giving the festival its beautiful trademark backdrop of the Stockholm harbour.<br /><br /> Apart from the best jazz musicians Scandinavia has to offer, the festival attracts heavyweight international stars. Past performers include the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, BB King, Stan Getz and Miriam Makeba. Although the festival embraces a loose definition of jazz, and includes some related genres, there is a drive by locals to ensure the event ultimately remains about jazz, which will keep purists happy. No festival pass is available so tickets must be bought for individual concerts. Tickets are sold at each venue and online. More than 30,000 people attend the festival annually. Prospective attendees should check the official website for the full programme.<br /><br />

Stockholm Pride

Where: Pride Park (Tantolunden), Pride House (Medborgarplatsen) and various other venues around the city. The parade starts at Blasieholmskajen next to the Grand Hotel and the National Art Museum and ends at Pride Park.,Stockholm

When: 27 July - 5 August 2018

The largest Pride celebration in Scandinavia is the week-long rainbow carnival that turns Stockholm into a free zone for the gay and lesbian community. The action is centred on the largest island, Södermalm, where the Pride Park arena is set up at Tantolunden featuring a stage, restaurants, shops, and varied attractions. The highlight of festival week is the spectacular, colourful parade through the city, usually starting at 3pm on the Saturday.<br /><br /> In recent years about 60,000 people participated in the Pride Parade, and as many as 600,000 came to offer their support. The festival includes many exhibitions, lectures, seminars, debates, theatrical performances, and film screenings, which make it an interesting academic and artistic event (as well as a huge party). Famous international musicians and artists often perform at the event. Tickets for Stockholm Pride can be purchased online via the official website listed below. Many of the city's gay clubs host their own celebrations to mark Stockholm Pride, with themed parties and pageants. As the festival is wildly popular, it is recommended that travellers book tickets and accommodation far in advance to avoid disappointment.<br /><br />

Nobel Prize Day

Where: Stockholm Concert Hall, Hötorget 8, Stockholm, Sweden.,Stockholm

When: 10 December, annually.

Although it is not open to the general public, Nobel Prize Day in Stockholm has the eyes of the world on this northern city when the most prestigious awards for medicine, literature, physics, chemistry and economics (the coveted Peace Prize is presented in Oslo, Norway) are presented each year by the King at the Stockholm Concert Hall, followed by the lavish Nobel Prize Banquet at the City Hall.<br /><br /> The Nobel Prize is the legacy of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist and the inventor of dynamite, who left his huge fortune as a prize-fund to reward those who improve human life through contributions to science or humanitarianism. The award winners are announced in October and the presentation takes place on the anniversary of Nobel's death. Each recipient of the award presents a lecture in the days prior to the award ceremony. These lectures, the ceremony, and the celebratory banquets are prestigious and important international events which attract many world leaders and other famous people, so security inevitably tightens up around the official venues in Stockholm and some delays at airports and general traffic disruptions can be anticipated.<br /><br />

Sture Hof

Address: Stureplan 2, Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm

Food Type: Local

Sturehof is the perfect mix of elegance and relaxation, decked out with multiple bars, a streetside cafe, and stylish interior dining rooms. The contemporary, brasserie-style restauarant is famous for its seafood, serving only the freshest marine delights like Grebbestad oysters, succulent Norwegian salmon, and Swedish classics such as skagen (Prawns, mayonnaise, and dill, served on toast).<br /><br /> There's also more to Sturehof than just good food. Sturehof was established on Stureplan in 1897, and played host to first meeting to establish the Volvo automotive company. Fit for foodies and history buffs alike, Sturehof is open daily for lunch and dinner. Visitors can find the restaurant on Stureplan, the entertainment and nightlife centre of Stockholm, just near the well-helled district of Östermalm.<br /><br />

Operakällaren

Address: Operahuset, Karl XII’s Torg, Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm

Food Type: International

Operakällaren is the epitome of high-society, old-world grandeur. Occupying a magnificent, high-ceilinged room within the old opera house, many of the original finishings are still in place with frescoes and elaborate gilt-panelling. A dinner jacket and evening dress are recommended at Operakällaren, which has high prices to match its excellent reputation for food and service - a reputation responsible for its Michelin star.<br /><br /> In the main dining room guests can choose from a seven-course degustation menu, a five-course chef's menu, or three courses à la carte (all with or without wine tasting). The food itself is a delightful combination of classic french cooking and seasonal Scandinavian ingredients, which means the food is meticulously prepared using only the freshest flavours. As an epicurean partner to the food, the huge wine list at Operakallaren is consiodered to be extyensive and particularly interesting. The main dining room is open Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm and offers beautiful views of Gamla Stan.<br /><br /> Also in the same complex diners can find The Opera Bar, which mixes Art Nouveau with a 'smokey', gentlemen's club atmosphere, as well as Bakficken, which caters to a younger, edgier crowd with countertop dining at reasonable prices.<br /><br />

Lilla Ego

Address: Västmannagatan 69, Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm

Food Type: Local

For the two owners of Lilla Ego, a relative newcomer to Stockholm's culinary scene, fine-dining is a thing of the past. Instead this popular, no-frill bistro focuses on plying patrons with delicious, quality food that is both seasonal and carefully prepared. Think smoked veal with celeriac and chorizo, or fresh cod with cabbage and grape. Lilla Ego asks diners to forego the niceties and instead tuck into some seriously nice food.<br /><br /> Lilla Ego can be found in Vasastan, a previously-residential neighbourhood to the north of central Stockholm which is firmly establishing itself as place where food dreams come true.<br /><br />

Erik’s Gondolen

Address: Stadsgården 6, Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm

Food Type: French

This well-known waterfront restaurant is an institution in Stockholm, with celebrity chef Erik Lallerstedt serving up neo-Swedish cuisine and French specialities in a dining room that hangs beneath a 100-foot (30m) high walkway, much like the gondola of an airship. The unusual setting allows for dining with a spectacular view over Gamla Stan, Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea.<br /><br /> Erik's opens for lunch on Saturdays and lunch and dinner during the week. Examples from the menu are shellfish soup, fillet of venison, and Kaluha cheesecake.<br /><br />

Meatballs for the People

Address: Nytorgsgatan 30, Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm

Food Type: Local

In a country where every traditional dish is "the most Swedish", there is one that has special kind of prominence: the Swedish meatball. There is really only one place to go, and that place is Meatballs for the People, where chunck of carnivorous beauty is made from hand selected game and poultry which is ethically sourced and full of Scandinavian flavour.<br /><br /> Meatballs for the people can be found in Södermalm, a trendy neighbourhood with a focus on grungy-chic and student-friendly prices. They are open every day from 11am to 10pm.<br /><br />

Stockholm has a vibrant nightlife with a multitude of bars, clubs and jazz venues to enjoy. Admission and drinks prices are quite high in Stockholm but the opening hours are long (many nightclubs stay open until 3am or 4am, and big clubs stay open as late as 5am), ensuring a good night out. Stockholm has a busy theatre calendar that runs from mid-August to mid-June, with a few special summer performances in between.<br /><br /> The most popular nightlife venues in Stockholm are in Stureplan and surrounds, while many of the most popular indoor and outdoor events are held in Djurgården. Adventurous (and warmly-dressed) visitors will want to have a drink at Stockholm's permanent Ice Bar, located near the Central Station.<br /><br /> There is also a thriving gay nightlife in Stockholm, with many nightclubs and bars concentrated on the island of Södermalm. Stockholm Pride attracts tens of thousands of people to Stockholm in August every year, for the massive party and parade centred on Pride Park in Södermalm.<br /><br /> There is a busy jazz scene in Stockholm, and there is plenty of live music of all types to enjoy, with a number of popular festivals. There is something happening seven days a week, so pick up a copy of What's On, available at nearly every hotel and tourist centre, to find entertainment listings for Stockholm.<br /><br />

Shopping in Stockholm can be an expensive affair but savvy consumers know the classic adage, "you get what you pay for". Treasured souvenirs from Stockholm include Swedish glass products, wooden furniture in blond pine or birch and, of course, wooden and ceramic Swedish clogs. There are a number of shopping areas in Stockholm, some of the trendiest being Gamla Stan, Sergels Torg, Kungsgatan and SOFO. Other good shopping districts in Stockholm include Drottningsgatan, Harrngatan, Hotorget and Stureplan.<br /><br /> Västerlånggatan Street in Gamla Stan has good antique shops, while Kungsgatan is home to the Drottninggatan pedestrian mall. The renowned Gallerian shopping centre in Sergels Torg has a variety of high-street and brand-name outlets to browse through, and nearby department stores include NK and Åhléns. The PUB department store is located in Hötorget.<br /><br /> However, much of Sweden's pop-cultural influence is designed and sold on Södermalm Island, in a little area known as SOFO, "south of Folkungagtan". SOFO is home to some of the most impressive boutique and concept stores to be found anywhere in the world, where shoppers can delight in minimalist, edgy Swedish fashion, or find organic, local cosmetics. But don't be fooled by some of the high prices, SOFO is for the youth and is home to plenty of to plenty of well-priced vintage stores where some interesting classics can be had on the cheap.<br /><br /> Most shops in Stockholm are open 10am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, and from 10am till lunch on Saturday.<br /><br />