A Long Summer Weekend in Stockholm

Thursday – Sunday

Summer in Stockholm is something truly special

While many parts of Europe become hotter every year, Stockholm still offers what many Europeans would describe as the perfect summer climate. Days are pleasantly warm without being overwhelming, there's almost always a gentle breeze, and in the evenings the temperature drops enough to enjoy a wonderful night's sleep. Best of all, you can spend an entire day walking through the city without constantly looking for shade or arriving everywhere drenched in sweat.

During July and August, many Stockholmers leave the city and head to the Stockholm Archipelago—a collection of more than 30,000 islands, skerries and rocky islets scattered just outside the capital. Many own summer houses there, while others stay in charming boutique hotels, all easily reached by boat from central Stockholm.

Perhaps the most famous island is Gotland, whose beautiful medieval town of Visby can also be reached by plane.

As a result, Stockholm feels noticeably quieter during the height of summer, making it one of my favourite times to visit.

Before You Go

One small piece of advice before we start.

Make sure your hotel room has proper blackout curtains—or pack a sleep mask.

During June and July the sun barely disappears below the horizon. It never gets completely dark, which is magical during the day but can make sleeping a little challenging if you're not used to it.

First Things First — Where to Stay?

Our recomandation hotel is Stadshotell on Södermalm.

Beautifully designed, wonderfully located and equipped with thick blackout curtains and air conditioning—just in case the Swedish summer feels a little warmer than expected.

Another hotel we absolutely love is Ett Hem. If you decide to stay here, I highly recommend setting aside one full day simply to enjoy the hotel itself. Ett Hem isn't just somewhere to sleep—it's an experience unlike any other.

Day One — Arrive & Wander

Depending on when you land, drop your luggage at the hotel and head straight out for your first coffee.

Start at Baggio Kaffebar, a favourite café in Stockholm. If you're feeling hungry, their sandwiches are just as good as their italian coffee.

Just across the street you'll find Papercut, a beautiful independent bookshop filled with carefully curated books and magazines. It's exactly the kind of place where you pop in for five minutes and leave an hour later with three magazines you didn't know you needed.

Right next door is Nitty Gritty, one of Stockholm's best menswear stores. Expect beautifully curated collections from contemporary designers and timeless wardrobe staples. Although it's primarily a men's store, women who appreciate oversized tailoring or borrowing-from-the-boys styling will easily find something they love.

If you're ready for an aperitivo afterwards, simply wander over to Hommage. Whether you're only stopping for a drink on the terrace or deciding to stay for dinner, it's the perfect way to ease into your first Stockholm evening.

Papercut Shop

Day Two — A Slow Summer Day

Plan a small excursion to Rosendals Trädgård.

This place feels like a quiet escape from the city.

Hidden on Djurgården, it's a flourishing garden, greenhouse café and biodynamic farm where the seasons dictate the rhythm. Flowers spill from the cutting gardens, vegetables are harvested just steps from the kitchen, and long wooden tables invite guests to linger beneath the trees.

Grab a book and spend a few unhurried hours in this magical place. Treat yourself to something delicious from the café before browsing the wonderful Farm Shop & Wood-Fired Bakery, where you'll find freshly baked bread, seasonal produce, flowers and beautifully curated pantry staples to take home. It's the kind of place that makes you slow down and simply enjoy the moment.

For dinner, we highly recommend Adam/Albin.

If you love the philosophy behind Ett Hem, you'll probably fall in love with this restaurant too. Awarded a Michelin star, Adam/Albin celebrates seasonal Swedish ingredients while drawing inspiration from cuisines around the world.

Their newly opened restaurant is an absolute must for anyone passionate about food and design. Just make sure you reserve well in advance.

Adam Albin

Rosendals Trägård

Day Three — Shopping & One Last Perfect Dinner

If you enjoy shopping, dedicate today entirely to exploring Stockholm.

From July onwards, the summer sales begin, making it the perfect time to invest in a few Scandinavian wardrobe staples.

Visit one of the many Filippa K boutiques—you might just leave with your favourite wool sweater for the coming autumn.

The A.P.C. store on Jakobsgatan is also well worth a visit.

If you're interested in beautifully crafted homeware, don't miss Iris Hantverk. We could easily spend hours browsing their handmade brushes and timeless everyday objects.

For lovers of Scandinavian design, Svenskt Tenn is an absolute must. Their beautiful showroom is reason enough to visit, and the café inside makes it even harder to leave.

Café of Svenkst Tenn

When lunchtime arrives, head to Sturehof.

A true Stockholm institution since 1887, Sturehof combines the elegance of a classic French brasserie with the very best of Swedish seafood. The menu changes daily according to the catch of the day, and the restaurant even works with its own fishing boat and local farms to ensure exceptional ingredients.

It's also one of Stockholm's very best places for people watching.

inside Sturehof

If you find yourself back on Södermalm instead, visit Grandpa Store for beautifully curated Scandinavian fashion for both women and men. Afterwards, treat yourself to an espresso and something sweet at Il Caffè, just next door.

Dinner

To finish your Stockholm weekend, there's one place we truly recommend.

Främmat.

Without question, it's our favourite restaurant in Stockholm.

With its small pavement terrace on a quiet side street, Främmat feels like one of the city's best-kept secrets.

The kitchen is rooted in classical French cooking but interpreted with a distinctly Nordic sensibility. The menu changes constantly according to the seasons and the finest available ingredients, while unexpected flavour combinations add a playful edge.

Every dish feels thoughtful yet completely unpretentious—refined without trying too hard, exciting without ever becoming complicated.

The atmosphere is exactly what we love most. Relaxed, warm and effortlessly welcoming. The service is casual but exceptionally professional, making you feel at home from the moment you arrive.

It's the restaurant we return to every single time we're in Stockholm.

P.S. Don't leave without ordering the Kycklingskinn.

Topped with whipped chicken cream, trout roe and pickled onions, this impossibly crisp chicken skin has become Främmat's signature dish. Rich, salty, creamy and delicately fresh all at once—it's one of those bites you'll still be thinking about long after you've gone home.

Kycklingskinn

Day Four — One Last Lunch

If you still have time before catching your train to the airport, stop by Schmaltz Delikatessen.

Only a twenty-minute walk from Stockholm Central Station—where the Arlanda Express departs—it makes the perfect final stop before heading home.

Order the Belini or the Dirty Martini (both soo good!), pair it with the smoked mackerel and potatoes or the Reuben sandwich, and take your time.

P.S. Whatever you do, don't skip the Gherkins with Smetana & Honey. They make the perfect starter and are worth visiting for on their own.

Gherkins with Smetana & Honey

Enjoy your days in Stockholm.

It's a city that somehow manages to feel vibrant and peaceful at the same time—and in summer, there's simply nowhere quite like it.