Stockholm
Skeppsholmen: youth hostel on swaying planks
phone Area code for Sweden's capital: 0046/8.
hotels Vandrarhem Af Chapman: in an old schooner on the shores of downtown Skeppsholmen; Cabins with six to eight beds from about 24 euros per person (Västra Brobänken, Tel. 463 22 66, Fax 611 71 55). Vandrarhem Långholmen: located on the island of the same name, in the premises of a former prison; from about 22 Euro per person (Tel. 668 05 10, Fax 720 85 75). Hotel Hasselbacken: next to the open-air museum Skansen, cozy, quiet, good restaurant; Double room from about 135 Euro, in summer cheaper family arrangements (Tel 517 34 300, Fax 51 73 43 11).
restaurants Café Opera: Art Nouveau ambience, in summer the center of nightlife (Kungsträdgården, tel. 676 58 07). ? Restaurants: In-Treff with friendly service and delicious food (Oxtorgsgatan 14, Tel. 22 09 52). ? Storstad: international cuisine, from couscous to herring dishes; open until one o'clock, Wednesdays to Saturdays even until three o'clock (Odengatan 41, tel. 673 38 00). ? Ulla Winbladh: sitting outside and enjoying first-class Swedish cuisine. Salmon dishes; Make sure you book on weekends (Djurgården, Rosendahsvägen 8, Tel. 663 05 71). ? Kungshallen: former market hall with a good dozen fast-food restaurants. Cajun food, pizza, Thai curries, tacos and sushi (Kungsgatan 44).
cafes Lasse i park: the most beautiful café of the city, typical Swedish country house with garden (Högalidsgatan 56). ? Café Kakao: The name says it all, here in the Södermalm district there's the best cocoa (Årstavägen 39). ? Chokladkoppen: is one of the few recommended cafes in the old town (Stortorget 18-20) because of its good value for money. ? Café Panorama: best view of the center of Stockholm (in the Kulturhuset, Sergels Torg).
Extra tips Viewpoints: while driving on the Katarinenberg in the elevator Katarinahissen, view over the whole city (Stadsgarden 6). From the television tower Kaknästornet (155 meters high) even to the archipelago (May to August 9 am to 10 pm, bus line 69 to Ladugårdsgärdet). ? Excursions: to the Tom Tits Experiment, a museum of experimentation, games and science that is worth a visit despite being 40 kilometers away (Mon. to Fri. 10 am to 4 pm, Sat. 11 am to 5 pm, adults approx 10 euros, children about 8 euros, Södertälje, Storgatan 33, Tel 52 25 25 00). ? By boat to Drottningholm, in the marvelous park of the Swedish Royal Castle and to the oldest still used theater in the world (at the end of April until the beginning of September the boats leave at the Stockholm Stadshuskajen at the city hall). ? Relaxation: in the spa on the roof of Åhlens, the largest department store in Scandinavia, with thermal baths, aromatic sauna, facial care, yoga and meditation (Mäster Samuelsgatan 57, Tel. 676 64 50, www.ahlens.com).
info Central tourist office in Sverigehuset (corner Kungsträdgården / Hamngatan 27, tel. 789 24 90, fax 791 86 66, www.stockholmtown.com), information about events and excursions as well as discounted tickets for families.
