Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Welcome to the Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Destination Guides

bthere! Destination guides

Previous issues for Stockholm

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy,
please confirm event/venue details in advance.

Sweden : Stockholm - December 2009

Country Code: Dial for Sweden

Even though the nights are long and the weather’s cold, there’s never been a better time to enjoy the seductive charms of Stockholm. Soak up early good tidings at the Gamla Stan traditional Christmas market (1–23 December) or zoom around outdoors on the many rinks and frozen waterways that striate the city. Xav Judd gets his skates on

Getting around

Airport is 8km west of the city.

Bus: Flygbussarna buses link the airport with Stockholm’s bus/train station, Cityterminalen. The journey costs €14/ SEK 130 return and takes 20 minutes, with departures every 20 minutes at peak times.
Taxi: Licensed cabs are available outside the terminal. The fare to the city centre is about €20/SEK 186.
Tourist information: The main office is at 27 Hamngatan, with the entrance on Kungsträdgården (tel. , stockholmtown.com).

NORRMALM

Although essentially a business district, Norrmalm still boasts the thoroughbred of department stores NK and the rich melting pot that is the Kulturhuset.

Sleep soundly – The Hellsten (68 Luntmakargatan, tel. , hellsten.se, rooms from SEK890/€87) is a hip boutique hotel set in a quiet residential street. All 78 rooms in the quaint 19th-century building were individually designed, and contain Asian, African and Scandinavian antiques. Splurge on a junior suite.

Dance the night away – The new owners of Olssons Skor (41 Odengatan) have cobbled together the perfect bar-cum-club in what was formerly a shoe outlet. Get down to a mixture of hip-hop, house, new rave and electro.

Shop til you drop – Whyred (5 Mäster Samuelsgatan) has two floors of superstylish clothing. Shop here for sleek trousers, knitwear or parkas.

ÖSTERMALM

All leafy boulevards, enchanting neoclassical architecture and huge open squares, this is where Stockholm’s elite come to relax and play. It’s full of luxury emporiums and must-visit galleries like the National and Modern Art museums.

Sleep soundly – Birger Jarl (8 Tulegatan, tel. , birgerjarl.se, rooms from SEK1,600/ €156) is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde. It’s housed in a mundane 70s block, but inside the 235 suites are comfortable and sophisticated.

Must eat – As it opened almost 20 years ago, East (13 Stureplan, tel. ) is more than just a Japanese restaurant and watering hole; it’s an institution. The lime, chilli and coriander ceviche is particularly good.

Shop til you drop – Head to Asplund (31 Sibyllegatan) for quintessential Swedish design; a smorgåsbord of furniture and accessories that are on the cutting edge of cool.

SÖDERMALM

Without doubt the city’s trendiest district. Mingle with boho-chic types and media mavens in a whirl of snazzy bars and boutiques.

Sleep soundly – You’ll be saying thank you for more than just the music if you stay in Benny Anderson’s (from ABBA’s) luxurious Hotel Rival AB (3 Mariatorget, , rival.se, rooms from SEK1,490/€146). Set in a 30s building with its own bakery, cinema, bar and café, the hotel boasts elegantly crafted rooms and superb service.

Dance the night away – Huge white leather sofas surrounded by outlandish plastic drapes create a surreal atmosphere at Marie Laveau (66 Hornsgatan). The DJs play everything from Britpop to techno. Look out for Magnus, who organises the guest list.

Shop til you drop – Specialising in retro apparel from the 30s to the 70s, Lisa Larsson (48 Bondegatan) is renowned as the best secondhand vintage clothing store in Stockholm. The eponymous owner is often on hand to help you pick out a unique item.

KUNGSHOLMEN

An influx of urbane 20-somethings has made this largely residential neighbourhood an up-and-coming place. For an unmissable excursion, grab the ferry from Stadshuset to the majestic Drottingholm Palace.

Culture vultures – Innovative paintings and installations scream out at you from every nook and cranny at Allmänna Galleriet 925 (37 Kronobergsgatan), a gallery-cumrestaurant- cum-bar. Cocktail-wise, the Charlie Chaplin Cup and Suffering Bastard will give you a greatly appreciated kick to your system!

Must eat – Lasse i Parken (56 Högalidsgatan, tel. ) is a rustic space in an 18th-century cottage. Watch snowflakes drift through trees in the park outside as you tuck into Swedish treats such as meringue and hazelnut parfait with warm cloudberries.

Compiled by Xav Judd