Hidden Stockholm

17th January 2025

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is a captivating blend of history and modernity. Built on 14 islands, the city boasts stunning waterways, charming cobblestone streets, and vibrant green spaces.

Explore Gamla Stan, the medieval Old Town, with its colourful buildings and narrow alleyways. Visit the Vasa Museum, home to a remarkably preserved 17th-century warship.

Away from the tourist hot spots there are many hidden delights to explore in this historic city.

First up is the Stockholm Metro Art Gallery. Travelling by subway in Stockholm is like being in a personal, mobile art gallery that allows everyone in transit to experience the beauty of incredible mosaics, paintings, installations, and sculptures. It evokes feelings of being part of a modern-day archeological expedition, full of undiscovered secrets and surprises. The best part? Admission to this gallery costs nothing except for the train ticket, which has been extremely well-received by citizens of Sweden, as well as foreign visitors.

Next is Victoriahuset. Hidden near the royal Brunnsviken Lake is the Bergian Garden, an 18th-century academic botanical garden. The garden’s most intriguing structure is its unique 20th-century aquatic greenhouse, which was built specifically to house tropical lilies. This greenhouse is not only unusual in Sweden, but also in most of Europe, as very few original Victoria greenhouses have survived since the time of their popularity.

On to the Stadsbiblioteket. This is the main branch of the Stockholm Public Library System and one of the most distinctive buildings in the Swedish capital. The 360-degree tower of books at the top is a bibliophile’s temple to reading in-the-round. The graceful rotunda is open to the public, who can climb to the top of the stacks and peer down on the collections below. The library is an example of Nordic Classicism, pioneered by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund in the 1920s. The slightly chilly façade is, at the same time, oddly inviting, as if to say ‘we are here to work, but all are welcome.’

The Snösätra Wall of Fame is next. The run-down industrial area of Snösätra in the southern suburbs of Stockholm seemed like it was forgotten long ago. That is, until 2014, when it was transformed into one of Europe’s largest graffiti exhibitions. Practically every sliver of the walls along the streets running through the neighbourhood is covered by graffiti. Eye-catching images of people, animals, and objects adorn whatever space is available.

The paintings are done by different street artists from around the world, transforming Snösätra into a canvas that displays a mishmash of different graffiti styles and themes. The owners of the buildings are perfectly willing to let the artists cover the walls with their work.

Finally, before some food, the Love Locks of Västerbron. Love locks can be found in cities all over the world, but usually not on a bridge mostly known for the suicides committed there. Regardless of its difficult reputation, the bridge, like many of its kind around the world, has begun to accumulate a collection of love locks attached to its railings. These padlocks are put in place by swooning romantics as symbols of their everlasting love. Even with the romantic intention, this tradition has damaged countless bridges around the world, although the Västerbron seems to be holding up okay so far.

For an excellent and authentic eating experience, try a Smörgåsbord brunch cruise aboard S/S Stockholm. The company offers several brunch, lunch and dinner cruises around the archipelago. It’s best to opt for a three-hour long brunch cruise serving the authentic Swedish smörgåsbord, a buffet with several authentic Swedish dishes. It truly is a very unique Swedish dining experience, and many of the people on board are normally locals. If locals love it – you know it is an authentic experience! Brilliant food and brilliant views.

We hope you have enjoyed your virtual tour of some of Stockholm’s hidden delights!

Tony for the TripFiction team

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