Besides the world-famous City Hall and the boats to Drottningholm and the other islands in Lake Mälaren, the island of Kungsholmen relatively unknown to visitors. The island is a popular neighborhood among the people of Stockholm and features local restaurants, bars and shops. Here is one of Stockholm’s most expensive residential addresses, Norrmälarstrand, functionalist architecture, one of the most popular parks and parts that are characterized by having been an industrial island.

Attractions
City Hall - One of Stockholms most famous silhouettes and home of the Nobel Prize Banquet in december. Must sees are ofcourse the Blue Hall and the Golden Hall. Don’t miss the City Hall tower which offers amazing views and the lovely garden. Where: Ragnar Östbergs Plan 1

World heritages by boat - Strömma offers several day trips from the quay on Kungsholmen. Among them to two of Stockholms World heritages; The Drottningholm Palace (home of the King and Queen) and the former viking village Birka. Strömma also offers a shorter boat sightseeing around the island named Historical Canal Tour.

Rålambshovsparken - Picnic, swimming at Smedsuddsbadet, beach volleyball, theatre performances, outdoor movies or rent a canoe. Rålambshovsparken is one of the most popular places a warm sunny day. Where: Norrmälarstrand.

Shopping
Grandpa Kungsholmen - The sister to Grandpa in SoFo, Södermalm offers the essence of Kungsholmen style. Vintage and new in a eclectic selection of its own. Where: Fridhemsgatan 43.

Västermalmsgallerian – a smaller shopping mall in the middle of Kungsholmen island. Where: Cross St Eriksgatan/Flemminggatan.

59 Vintage Store - Glamorous, feminine fashions from the 60s and 70s. Where: Hantverkargatan 59.

Camilla Norrback - Camilla, one of the leading sustainable designers, have just opened a Concept store on Kungsholmen. Camillas trade mark is EcoLuxury. Where: Flemminggatan 15.

Food & drinks
Trattorian (former Kungsholmen)- The popular Kungsholmen restaurant is being refurbished and will open May 16 under the new name: Trattorian. The bar next door – Orangeriet offers a cosy atmosphere and superb drinks. Where: Norr Mälarstrand, Kajplats 464.

Restaurang AG - One of Stockholms raising stars mainly for meat lovers. They offer the best porterhouse, clubsteak, entrecôte and such in Sweden, hand picked by Fällmans Meat, Royal Purveyors. The bar and the nightclub is also very popular. Where: Kronobergsgatan 37.

Restaurang Jonas - Opened in October 2011 and has already gained recognition from Guide Michelin and the swedish White Guide. The restaurant offers tasting menues based on the season. Where: Flemminggatan 39.

Lemon Bar - A popular but small bar has a good atmosphere and a mix of locals every day of the week. Where: Scheelegatan 8.

Vurma - popular and cosy café. Where: Polhemsgatan 15.

Mälarpaviljongen - a popular bar and restaurant located on a pier on Riddarfjärden Lake offering a stunning view. Gay-friendly. Where: Norr Mälarstrand 64.

Kafé Kajak - A stone throw away from the burstling city life you will find this picturesque villa by the waterfront between Rålambshovsparken and Smedsuddsbadet. You can’t believe that you are still in the city. A small café and kayak rental. Where: Rålambshovsparken

Lokal - The bar is popular and tends to get buoyant and noisy as the night goes on. Where: Scheelegatan 8.

Staying
Kungsholmen is a great place to stay if you are on a tight budget. There are several hostels on the island and some priceworthy hotel chains, such as the Courtyard Marriott situated next to Rålambshovsparken viewing the water, with the popular Björken Bar and Restaurant.

When and where: Sunday May 13 at 11:00 starting at Järntorget, Gamla Stan (Old Town). Free of charge. Sign up here.

The focus is on finding unexpected photo opportunities rather than a long walk. And, yes, the images will be on display at Fotografiska. And atleast one thing is certain; Stockholm, with its topography offers amazing views.

The staff at Stockholm Visitors Board loves our city and share our Stockholm images on Instagram. Check it out. You are also welcome to share your photos from Stockholm on Facebook.

The focus is on doing things well rather than quickly, on quality over quantity. The exhibition will present 30 or so works of applied art – all unique examples of superb craftsmanship, among them the dress in leather and silk by Helena Hörstedt and the necklace made by eggshells, gold and sweet water pearls by Helena Sandström (image above).

Few people remain unmoved by things made with great care and attention to detail. In the old days, fine craftsmanship was much sought after. Since the industrialisation of the early 20th century, however, such skills have no longer been so highly valued. Instead, efficiency and time-saving processes have been the desired goal for many in modern Western society.

It can therefore be difficult to fathom why some people still choose to develop their artistic creativity by immersing themselves in one or more craft techniques. It might even feel a little frightening and provocative to some. After all, what is it that these artists achieve through their persistent, slow and often long-winded work, punctuated by repeated tasks that commonly lead to physical pain?

When and where: May 10, 2012-January 20, 2012 at Nationalmuseum, Stockholm.

If camping is not an option for you. Think again. Island Lodge  is something as uniqe as 7 luxury tents, with real beds, wood fired stoves and an amazing sea view in the Stockholm archipelago. 

I just love this mix of genuine ”hardship” but still benefitting from a luxurious and comfortable habitat. The island lodge offers  a high quality, sustainable, all-inclusive concept based on an outdoor tented accommodation  – surely leaving ”green footprints” and memories for a lifetime.

Island Lodge opens this spring on the island of Bergholmen, just 10 minute boat transfer from the northern archipelago hub Vaxholm, or 40 minutes by boat from the Stockholm City center. The island  is an uninhabited beautiful and secluded island with primeval forest & beaches overlooking the beautiful Stockholm archipelago. They offer a wide range of activities for groups, including sailing, fishing, seal safaris etcetera.

More information on the Stockholm Archipelago

Nordic Sea Hotel, the sister to the Nordic Light Hotel and home of the first ICE Bar by the ICE Hotel, reopens in May after an extensive refurbishment of all the rooms. The theme of all rooms will be “reflecting Stockholm”.

Situated just next to the Arlanda Express train and the Central Station,  Nordic Sea Hotel offers a prime location for visitors. One of the most prominent Swedish designers, Alexander Lervik, have been in charge of the refurbishment. 

Alexander Lervik has distinguished himself within both product design and interior décor, designing everything from furniture, textiles, glass and industrial design, to restaurants, nightclubs and shops.

None of their hotels have a reception or sales office, you pay and recieve a doorcode via internet. Amenities include spacious rooms for business travelers and family rooms with up to four beds. The new hotel offers 251 rooms. Where: Torsgatan 10, Stockholm.

Additional hotel openings in Stockholm 2012:

Nordic Sea Hotel - Newly renovated and will reopen in May. Ett Hem Stockholm - A new boutique hotel with 12 rooms in a beautiful townhouse. Opening May 8, 2012. Clarion Hotel Arlanda - New airport hotel with 414 rooms and 40 meetingrooms. Opens November 2012.

On Walpurgis Swedes welcome spring by lighting huge bonfires, sing songs and celebrate the end of a long and dark winter. 

In university towns, Walpurgis Eve is celebrated as the first sign of freedom. All students (of all ages) put on their characteristic white caps and sing songs of welcome to spring, to the budding greenery and to a brighter future. Walpurgis takes place on April 30th every year. If you are in Stockholm this Walpurgis (Valborg) you can take part of the celebrations at Skansen or in the University town of Uppsala.

More on the Walpurgis Eve Celebration on Sweden.se

If you like rollercoasters you will love Gröna Lund in Stockholm. I believe it has more roller-coasters per square meter than any other amusement park in the world. It opens the gates for a new season on Saturday, April 28 with 7 roller-coasters, 50 concerts and 60 evenings of dance. 

Some of the favorite attractions are the world’s tallest Free Fall Tilt, the “Insane” roller coaster and Twister. Gröna Lund also focuses on live music performances with some of Swedens most popular artists, such as Timbuktu, Rebecca & Fiona, Eldkvarn and Lars Winnerbäck and international stars.

Concerts at Gröna Lund

• LMFAO (May 5),
• Ali Campbell /UB40 (May 11),
• Maskinen – swedish (May 16 )
• Raised Fist – swedish (May 24)
• Timbuktu – swedish (May 31)
• Rebecca & Fiona – swedish (June 1)
• Weeping Willows (June 4)
• Lenny Kravitz (June 12)
• Machine Head (June 14)
• Dropkick Murphys (June 26)
• Iggy and the Stooges (August 10)
• Eldkvarn – swedish (August 24)
• Lars Winnerbäck – swedish (August 27-28)
• Opeth – swedish (Sept 14)

Tired of of ordinary meetings venues? Then check out Nordic Light hotels new creative set of meeting rooms named light meetings that will keep you wide awake, calm or energized. 15 rooms in various sizes each accommodating up to 150 people.

If the group needs to be energised, choose red. To calm things down a little, choose blue. Add sound to enhance the experience. With subtle changes you can stimulate several senses at the same time. The meeting evolves, becoming both effective and innovative. At least that is the intention.

Im rarely speechless – guess it comes with the job. But Stockholms new archipelago destination – Artipelag, just takes my breath away. I just hope that these preview images will do the building and the destination justice. Looking forward to the Grand Opening June 1, 2012.

What is Artipelag?

• It is a new top destination in the Archipelago, including two restaurants (one gourmet), an art gallery, events venue, childrens activities, a design shop and later on even a hotel. The place is huge – approximately 7- 10 000 sqm!!!
• You can reach artipelag by Boat or bus (one hour) or 20 minutes by car.
• Previous posts on the Blog

Beautifully design

On a hill, with beautiful sea view surrounded by pine trees

This will turn into a picnic area