½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Menu
½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Adjusting to Stockholm's culture

Adjusting to Stockholms local culture
Shutterstock.com
Updated byAnne-Lise Mtyon 20 August 2019

From understanding Swedens different neighbourhoods to sniffing out the best attractions, newcomers have a lot to keep them busy. As an expat, it is your unspoken responsibility to get in touch with the local culture. 

Out and about Stockholm

A great way to get an overview of the city is the bus. Yes, it's a terribly touristy thing to do. However, it will help you begin to navigate Stockholm's 14 islands. Navigating the 'Venice of the North' is a challenge at first.

You'll also be rewarded with some of the best views of the city. During summer months (May-August), you can buy an add-on boat tour to get a better perspective of the city from the water.

If you're more of a wander-around-and-get-lost type of explorer, renting a bike and taking to the streets is a great option ' and environmentally friendly! Stockholm has a well-developed network of bicycle paths and plenty of bike rental options. See transportation in Stockholm for more information [hyperlink to article 13].

Eating out in Stockholm

Once you've hopped around the city enough to work up a good appetite, it's time to track down some typical Swedish delicacies.

Here are some local favourites to look out for:

Meatballs: Now, we did say that Sweden isn't just meatballs and IKEA, but meatballs are a very important and famous part of Swedish history. Treat yourself to Stockholm's best meatballs at upscale restaurant . If your budget doesn't quite stretch that far, maybe it's time to combine Swedish favourites and head to IKEA for an affordable dinner (by the way, Stockholm's IKEA is the biggest in the world, and there's a from downtown).

Game meat: Reindeer and moose are traditional foods in Sweden. Appetisers often include cold-smoked reindeer, although many game meats are prepared as roasts. is an upscale restaurant serving Swedish favourites. Remember to book a table since the place is popular with locals and tourists alike.

Korv: Hot dogs in Stockholm aren't your traditional budget eat consisting of a tantalising greasy sausage tucked into warm, slightly soggy but still delicious bread. Stockholm has a number of that serve sausages with delicious toppings and sometimes, other favourites like potato or tunnbröd (a type of Swedish flatbread) replace the typical bun.

If you're looking for variety, head to the hip between 10:00-18:00 for a choice of both local and international favourites. Still hungry? Find out more in our article about Gastronomy in Stockholm.

Take a stroll

Take a stroll through Södermalm to experience some less-touristy areas of the city. Södermalm, or Söder, is a great neighbourhood to find trendy cafés and cute little coffee shops with limited but always full outdoor seating. The locals love it here, and it's not hard to understand why.

Head to nearby Tantolunden to get away from the city lights and see some of Stockholm's most creative gardens. Depending on the season, you can see everything from picnics and swimming to downhill sledging. If you're not in the area, don't worry ' Stockholm has 11 beautiful green areas for you to explore.

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

About

Anne-Lise studied Psychology for 4 years in the UK before finding her way back to Mauritius and being a journalist for 3 years and heading ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ's editorial department for 5. She loves politics, books, tea, running, swimming, hiking...

Back to Stockholm expat guide

Comments

See also

  • Things to do on weekdays in Stockholm 
    Things to do on weekdays in Stockholm 

    Stockholm is an exciting city with lots to offer for visitors and locals. In addition to three UNESCO world ...

  • Getting around Stockholm
    Getting around Stockholm

    Whether you are heading to work or planning to go shopping, there are several means of transportation for your ...

  • Finding a job in Stockholm
    Finding a job in Stockholm

    As one of the biggest Scandinavian capitals in Northern Europe, Stockholm is an attractive location for expats. ...

  • Studying in Stockholm
    Studying in Stockholm

    Non-European citizens and European Union passport holders alike are able to study at Stockholm's impressive ...

  • Accommodation in Örebro
    Accommodation in Örebro

    Finding accommodation in Örebro is going to be relatively easier than in other Swedish cities. A magnet for ...

  • Work in Örebro
    Work in Örebro

    Örebro is Sweden's seventh largest city and a very picturesque destination thanks to its famous ...

  • Discovering Stockholm
    Discovering Stockholm

    Stockholm is a grand city; views of the royal palace and impressive architecture will simply take your breath away ...

  • Gastronomy in Stockholm
    Gastronomy in Stockholm

    Tracking down a good meal can quickly become an arduous task, but with a city like Stockholm that is bursting with ...

All of Stockholm's guide articles