travel man stockholm hotel

Joe Lycett shows us how to get the most out of some of the world's most popular mini-breaks

Richard and actor Sally Phillips have a fulsome time with fika, meatballs, scaling high rooftops, singing Abba, and staying up late playing on their phones

Jessica Fostekew and Joe enjoy volcanic vino and cactus croquettes on their Canarian caper

Adam Buxton and Joe explore Czech sights, eat sausages from skulls and hop into a beer spa

Desiree Burch joins Joe in Rovaniemi for aurorae-gazing and sleigh-riding shenanigans

Alan Davies and Joe traverse around Trieste and shoot the breeze at the Wind Museum

Joe and Asim Chaudhry visit an underwater museum and a world-famous skatepark

Joe and Roisin Conaty enjoy a culinary horse-carriage tour and a spot of musical cycling

Joe and comedian Mawaan Rizwan spend two days sightseeing, swimming and swigging stout

Sarah Millican joins Joe for hot air ballooning, cepelini dumplings and gira in Vilnius

96 Hours in Rio

Joe and Stephen Mangan visit Christ the Redeemer and cook Christmas dinner Brazilian-style

Joe and Katherine Parkinson sample local beers and explore Antwerp's subterranean tunnels

Joe and Mo Gilligan get hands-on with halloumi and sample a 24-carat gold ice lolly

Aisling Bea joins Joe for some Croatian cooking, paddleboarding and a visit to Froggyland

The Basque Country

Joe and James Acaster bask in Bilbao's art, kalimotxos and foodie capital San Sebastián

96 Hours in Iceland

New host Joe Lycett is off on his debut voyage to Iceland with comedian Bill Bailey

Richard and Ellie Taylor team up for a two-day meander rich in art, history and ham

Richard and Joe Wilkinson whizz round the historic Polish city, with art nouveau and vodka

Richard and Lou Sanders have a blast in Bergen, Norway

A Game of Thrones tour and a trip to a cursed island with Stephen Merchant

Richard Ayoade and Bob Mortimer go for a spin round cosmopolitan Hamburg

Richard and Alice Levine - DJ, broadcaster & podcaster - do Estonia's capital in 48 hours

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Visit the travel man webpage for detail on all locations and activities featured in the show travel man website, people also watched, comedian bill bailey explores the vast, epic, extraordinarily beautiful state of western australia on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure down under bill bailey's australian adventure, comedians eddie kadi and guz khan immerse themselves in the exclusive millionaires' playground of ghana's capital, accra, exploring its rich culture and lavishly luxe lifestyle my super-rich holiday, eighty-seven-year-old adventurer tim slessor sets out to recreate his own 1955 record-breaking drive from london to singapore - in the same badly behaved old land rover. what could possibly go wrong the last overland, after a lifetime exploring the uk's countryside, matt baker crosses the atlantic to experience rural life in the usa matt baker's travels in the country: usa, a look at the great british holidaymaker abroad - at the largest all-inclusive resort on spain's costa del sol the secret life of the holiday resort, the greek island of zante is the most searched-for destination by young brits. here are the stories of the holidaymakers and workers who made it to zante for summer 2021. party island: summer in zante, tv royalty ricky tomlinson and sue johnston explore the nostalgic and the new on a very special road trip across the country, to the places that shaped their lives ricky, sue and a trip or two, hajj - the great pilgrimage to mecca - is a journey that every muslim, with the means to, must make before they die. this series examines what this means to a variety of believers. the hajj: the greatest trip on earth.

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Travel Man - Winter

Richard is joined by actor Fay Ripley for a wintry mini-break in Oslo. Together they pack two days with sledging, screaming, skiing, sculpture and scoff.

In an hour-long Christmas extravaganza, Richard and Mad Men actor Jon Hamm tour Hong Kong, taking in a tai chi drop-in session, a ride in a chopper and some fusion dim sum.

Richard Ayoade and actress Sally Phillips head to Stockholm for a fulsome 48 hours in the Swedish capital. Together they scale rooftops, sing Abba, eat Swedish-Danish, and stay up late playing on their phones.

Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson joins Richard for a fun-packed whizz round Florence in a mini-break mixing art, action, gelato, a drive in a classic Alfa Romeo, and some tripe.

Hollywood actor Paul Rudd joins Richard to discover Finland's seaside capital, with a time-efficient exploration by kayak, a good steaming in the city's saunas and salty sweets.

Actor and comedian Adam Buxton joins Richard for a high-speed tour of Portugal's capital, with trams, rickshaw, funicular and fado, and a visit to a doll hospital.

Comedian Noel Fielding joins Richard for 48 fast and funny hours in the Danish capital, with cycling, sightseeing, art, sandwiches, beer and rollercoasters.

Travel Man: 48 Hours in...

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Travel Man | Channel 4  

Joe is back delivering the definitive guide to making the most of 48 hours (and sometimes a little longer) in some of the most exciting destinations in the world.  I

Richard Ayoade/Joe Lycett and guests have delivered the definitive guide to a

weekend away in some of the worlds most amazing destinations.

Accompanied by some of the funniest performers from screen

and stage, Travel Man gives the low down on famous attractions

and obscure delights.

Ep1 - Barcelona & Kathy Burke/ Ep2 - Istanbul & Adam Hills

Ep3 - Iceland & Jessica Hynes/ Ep4 - Marrakech & Stephen

Ep1 - Vienna & Chris O’ Dowd/ Ep2 - Paris & Mel Giedroyc

Ep3 - Copenhagen & Noel Fielding/ Ep4 - Moscow & Greg Davies

Ep5 - Seville & Rob Delaney/ Ep6 - Venice & Jo Brand

Ep7 - Dubai & Johnny Vegas/ Ep8 - Berlin & Roisin Conaty

Ep1 - New York & Katherine Ryan/ Ep2 - Helsinki & Paul Rudd

Ep3 - Lisbon & Adam Buxton/ Ep4 - Naples & Jack Dee

Xmas Special - Florence & Rebel Wilson/ Ep1 - St Petersburg &

Rob Beckett/ Ep2 - Budapest & Aisling Bea/ Ep3 - Tenerife &

Lena Dunham/ Ep4 - Miami & Rhod Gilbert

Ep1 - Rome & Matt Lucas/ Ep2 - Valencia & Sara Pascoe

Ep3 - Amsterdam & Joe Lycett/ Ep4 - Stockholm & Sally Philips

Xmas Special - Hong Kong & Jon Hamm/ Ep1 - Brussels & Lee

Mac/ Ep2 - Oslo & Faye Ripley/ Ep3 - Madeira & Robert Webb

Ep4 - Cote D’Azur & Shazia Mirza

Ep1 - Zurich & Frank Sninner/ Ep2 - Ibiza & Jessica Knappett

Ep3 - Ljubljana & Eddie Izzard/ Ep4 - Milan & Morgana Robinson

Xmas Special - Jordan & David Baddiel/ Ep1 - Athens & Dawn

French/Ep2 Porto & Nish Kumar/Ep3 Tallin & Alice Levine/ Ep4

Hamburg & Bob Mortimer

Ep1 - Dubrovnik & Stephen Merchant / Ep2 - Bergen & Lou

Sanders / Ep3 - Krakow & Joe Wilkinson / Ep4 -Madrid & Ellie

Xmas Special - ICELAND & BILL BAILEY

Ep1 - BASQUE COUNTRY & James Acaster 

Ep2 SPLIT & Aisling Bea

Ep3 CYPRUS & Mo Gilligan

Ep4 ANTWERP & Katherine Parkinson

• Cast & crew
• User reviews
• Episode aired Nov 10, 2017

Richard takes comedienne Sally Phillips on a whirlwind tour of Stockholm. Richard takes comedienne Sally Phillips on a whirlwind tour of Stockholm. Richard takes comedienne Sally Phillips on a whirlwind tour of Stockholm.

• Nicola Silk
• Richard Ayoade
• Sally Phillips
• 1 User review

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews 1

• November 10, 2017 (United Kingdom)
• United Kingdom
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Den of Geek

Travel Man’s Best Episodes: feat. Bob Mortimer at the E Numbers Museum and the Happiest Richard Ayoade Has Ever Been

They went, but should they have gone!? Travel Man is back with brand new episodes!

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Since 2015, there’s been no need to go on a minibreak to a cultural European destination. Richard Ayoade and Joe Lycett have gone for us. They’ve waited at airport security lines displaying their miniature toothpaste tube in a clear plastic bag. They’ve bought mystery crisps from railway vending machines. They’ve been to the museums, tried the local delicacies and gone on the sightseeing tours, so that we could stay luxuriously put.

Indeed, for a good chunk of 2020, staying put was the only option, which is when Travel Man: 48 Hours In… really came into its own. During lockdown, you could spin the globe, choose a location, load up All4 (as it was then known), and have a packed weekend there from the comfort of your sofa. All the experience of short haul travel with none of the having-to-mime-migraine-symptoms-to-a-Hungarian-pharmacist. Bliss!

Now Travel Man: 48 Hours In… is back with four new Joe Lycett-fronted episodes starting on Friday March 22 at 8.30 p.m. on Channel 4 and Channel 4.com. Joe’s guests this time around are comedians Alan Davies, Desiree Burch, Adam Buxton and Jessica Fostekew. While Davies, Burch and Fostekew are all Travel Man first-timers, this is a repeat visit for Adam Buxton, who also went with Richard Ayoade to Lisbon back in 2016.

Respectively, the new travel guests are being taken to Italy’s Trieste, Finland’s Rovaniemi, Czechia’s Prague, and the Canary Island of Lanzarote. Expect a visit to the wind museum, scenes of eating sausages out of skulls, volcanic wine and some sleigh-riding (not necessarily in that order).

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To celebrate the show’s return, let’s salute some of its most entertaining trips from previous series.

10. Hamburg with Bob Mortimer

Adding “…with Bob Mortimer ” to anything makes it better. (Try it. The One Show… With Bob Mortimer. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire… With Bob Mortimer. Year 10 Parents’ Evening… With Bob Mortimer.) That’s definitely the case on this 48-hour stint in Hamburg, the high point of which has to be the visit to the German Food Additives Museum. It starts off niche, and just gets more niche from there as Mortimer encourages Ayoade to ingest out-of-date E numbers. A solid best-of list entry.

9. Amsterdam with Joe Lycett

Here’s the point at which Travel Man ’s producers must have scribbled down the note ‘ Joe Lycett – new host if Richard leaves?’ The two have more in common than you may think – they’re both sardonic clothes horses who run on irony – but while Ayoade’s persona leaves little room to express genuine delight, Lycett is a joy machine. We see it here when he’s confronted by a Dutch street organ that plays Wham. Immediately, he starts to jig, hands held aloft screaming “I feel so alive!”, while Ayoade nods along barely perceptibly. A strong audition for the main part.

8. Moscow with Greg Davies

Worthy of celebration solely for the local outfit Greg Davies wears at the traditional steam bath: a kind of toga worn with – as the Taskmaster describes it – a hat that makes him look like a sinister children’s character. Add to the outfit the ‘being whipped by two men using birch branches’ treatment that Davies volunteers to undergo, and we are entertained. See also: space food.

7. Split with Aisling Bea

This is Aisling Bea’s second time as a guest on the show and both are good fun, but this pips the other because it features what is officially the most adorable Travel Man sequence of all time: Bea and Joe Lycett walking extremely sweet rescue dogs from a local animal shelter along a dedicated dog beach. As Lycett puts it, “it’s the cutest day I’ve ever had and that’s saying a lot.” If a tiny puppy stand-up paddle-boarding doesn’t do it for you, then there’s also strudel-rolling, a fish cookery class, and a museum of frog taxidermy that genuinely makes you worry for humanity. Clearly mates who get on, these two are great company.

6. Copenhagen with Noel Fielding

The happiest Goth on Earth in the happiest place on Earth? That’s what you get with Noel Fielding in the Danish capital. The Mighty Boosh star giggles his way through open sandwiches, bakery windows, a beer museum and a tiny rollercoaster. They both love the fairground, and both appear to provoke genuine antipathy from their cycling tour leader Mike the Bike (he doesn’t like trouble), who makes every effort to ditch them mid-tour. The chemistry is good, the mood is… as relaxed as Richard Ayoade appears to get (key quote from Fielding: “I thought this was going to be a holiday, not one of your weird, anally retentive fright-fests.”) And they’ll always have Galoppen.

5. Berlin with Roisin Conaty

In which: they travel in a jazz lift, very much almost die on the road in what was voted the World’s Worst Car of 1975, improvise a blues jam session, and go to a bowling alley. Not a bowling alley but a kegelbahen, where Richard Ayoade appears to reveal genuine anger and a surprisingly intense competitive streak (plus a serviceable Daniel Day Lewis impersonation) when he refuses to leave until he gets a strike.

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Comedian, writer and actor Roisin Conaty makes an excellent audience for Ayoade’s patter, awkward Kula Shaker jokes, and the break’s Cold War theme in general. He’s great, she’s great, and it just works.

4. Hong Kong with Jon Hamm

An extended-length Christmas special, this is a joy of an hour. Watch as the former star of Mad Men and the former host of The Crystal Maze take a ludicrously short journey in a Rolls Royce, have their portraits ripped out of paper by an artist named “Uncle Man”, and get a foot massage – or, as Ayoade describes it, “an onslaught of unparalleled brutality”. (Squirming and grimacing under the touch of his masseur and telling him to stay the heck away is as aggressive as you’ll see the man). The best bit? When they get measured for dandy bespoke suits with which they are clearly – and rightly – overjoyed.

3. Ibiza with Jessica Knappett

Companionable banter is all very well, but sometimes it’s fun to witness a clash of personalities so extreme you wonder if it’ll end in violence. And that clash isn’t just Ayoade (sardonic, reserved) vs Knappett (wahey-the-lads! ‘BEEFA), but Ayoade vs Ibiza itself. Put simply, the party island/hippy hangout is his nightmare, and this episode features genuine appeals to camera for rescue. From what? From a gong bath, a surfing machine, the hotel where Wham’s Club Tropicana video was filmed, and from a hotel manager who insists on taking them to a place “where membership is a smiling face.” Despite Knappett’s appeals for Ayoade to have an open mind and go with the flow, his mind remains resolutely closed and stressed, and it’s quite a lot of fun to watch.

2. Miami with Rhod Gilbert

There’s no personality clash here. Ayoade and Gilbert are like two complementary grape varieties blended into the same refreshingly dry wine. It’s a wine that you’d think would be too acerbic for Miami’s brand of relaxed Cuban cool, but you’d be wrong. Humidity aside, they both have a great time on the Florida coast. They eat crab meat lollipops that cause Ayoade to break out in a spontaneous smile, and which Gilbert describes as the most amazing meal he’s ever had in his life. They wear crab bibs, are rubbish at beach yoga, nervous of alligators, live it up at a domino game and sip drink thick, sweet coffee and freshly squeezed juice you feel like you can taste. A beautiful combination.

1. Vienna with Chris O’Dowd

The best Travel Man episodes are the ones where chemistry between host and guest really chimes, and here, it’s unimprovable. This trip to Vienna with his The IT Crowd co-star Chris O’Dowd is the happiest Richard Ayoade has ever looked on screen – possibly the happiest he’s ever been in life? Perhaps that’s down to the relief of not having been the one to have accidentally smashed a snow globe in Vienna’s national snow globe museum (O’Dowd is now banned from Austria). Or perhaps he’s just relaxed, having fun and enjoying making his pal laugh over partially fermented grape juice and cheesy sausage. They eat apple strudel, drive hotrods, explore the sewers and ride a Ferris wheel as part of a locations tour for The Third Man , and generally have a lovely, lovely time.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Dublin with Mawaan Rizwan who is cute as a button and really did not enjoy wild swimming.

Milan with Morgana Robinson whose superior pasta-making skills leave Ayoade humiliated.

Iceland with Bill Bailey for boiling eggs in a geyser, the Icelandic punk jam and the hot tub hats.

Stockholm with Sally Phillips for Ayoade’s obvious discomfort and Phillips’ obvious joy at the ABBA museum.

Porto with Nish Kumar for Nish’s excitement about his religious wax buttocks.

Dubrovnik with Stephen Merchant for them going on the Game of Thrones locations tour without having seen Game of Thrones .

Travel Man: 48 Hours In… airs on Fridays at 8.30pm on Channel 4. All episodes are available to stream in the UK on Channel4.com . Series one to seven are available to stream on Plex and Prime Video in the US.

Louisa Mellor | @Louisa_Mellor

Louisa Mellor is the Den of Geek UK TV Editor. She has written about TV, film and books for Den of Geek since 2010, and for…

TRAVEL MAN: 48 HOURS IN STOCKHOLM (S5 Ep4)

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48 Hours in Stockholm: What not to miss!

Stockholm is a city of islands (14 to be exact!). It’s a city where traditional gabled buildings line cobble-stoned streets. It’s a city of stunning green landscapes, incredible architecture, gastronomy, cultural landmarks and of course, the ABBA museum.

Stockholm prides itself as being known as the ‘Open City’. No matter who you are, your religion, gender, race, sexuality, whether you are looking for adventure, history or luxury, Stockholm is for you.

Stockholm was not on our original travel plan, and we didn’t know what to expect. All we really knew was that it was the capital of Sweden, and being located in Northern Europe we would be due some very cold weather – especially as we were visiting Stockholm in winter! However, after spending a very busy 48 hours in Stockholm exploring this Scandinavian capital, we were completely sold and already planning a return trip in Summer!

We have pieced together a travel guide below which you can use to fill your time in Stockholm. We have also provided practical tips such as how to get around, how to get there, where to eat and whether or not you should bring cash.

Stockholm is a city built on 14 islands. You can expect to be surrounded by beautiful lakes and ocean wherever you turn.

How to get to Stockholm

Stockholm has 4 airports receiving international flights, however the main airport used by most of the major airline carriers is Stockholm Arlanda Airport. It’s more than likely that this is where you will both arrive and depart from.

Bromma Airport is a little closer to the centre, but is not served anywhere near as frequently by international flights. Whilst some international flights do arrive into Skavsta Airport and Västerås Airport, these are few and far between, and most flights arriving or departing from here are domestic.

See our practical tips on how to get to and from Stockholm airports to the city centre at the end of this article.

Top things to do in Stockholm in Winter

When we travelled to Stockholm in winter we enjoyed beautiful clear blue skies, stunning scenery and some chilly temperatures – make sure you wrap up warm! Everything that we list below should also be on your list for summer visits, but we found these activities the best way of experiencing Stockholm in winter and remaining warm! See how many of these you can fit in to your 48 hours in Stockholm.

Try the Best Fika in Stockholm

Have you ever heard of fika? Fika is essentially a coffee break with friends or family and is part of everyday life in Stockholm. However, unlike places like Italy where you might grab a very quick espresso, the culture of going for fika involves slowing down, taking your time, enjoying a sweet treat and spending quality time with friends.

Traditionally, the concept was to have 7 different types of sweet cakes or buns. This originated from a time when it was considered that preparing 7 options was the sign of a good housewife. Preparing any less, the housewife would be considered lazy! This is a very old-fashioned concept but Swedes visiting their grandparents might still be treated to this tradition.

When it comes to cakes and buns, make sure you try the cinnamon bun and the ‘princess’ cake. The ‘princess’ cake is a very traditional sweet treat. This is a very light sponge cake with jam, cream and then topped with marzipan (usually green or pink).

The princess cake is the third cake in.

During our time in Stockholm we went to the following two places which we highly recommend:

Wiener Cafeet – open since 1904 this is a very stylish and up market place to go for fika. Here the staff are dressed in suits, the décor is plush and the selection of cakes incredible. Here we did treat ourselves to a selection of 7 different buns – see the above picture!

Kaffekoppen & Chokladkoppen – these are two cafes next door to each other under the same ownership. These are both very cosy, warm and cute. While fika traditionally involves coffee (or maybe tea) these places are known for the best hot chocolate in Stockholm! They serve both milk and white hot chocolate. Naturally, we had to try both! We also loved learning that this was the first cafe in Stockholm to fly the pride rainbow flag!

Gronalund – Stockholm Amusement Park

Stockholm amusement park was a lot of fun! When we went it had been turned into a Halloween themed park with the staff in scary fancy dress and the park dressed up with spooky decorations.

The park has a mix of 31 rides and attractions. There are rides for adrenaline junkies, fun houses (haunted houses when we went!) and everything in between. We highly recommend going on one of the tall rides that takes you straight up in the air as you will be rewarded for your bravery with the best views of Stockholm!

The park can be found at Lilla Allmanna Grand 9, 115 21 next to the ABBA museum and is open from 11am-10pm. The admission charge is 120SEK for ages 6-64; outside these ages it is free to enter. After this you decide whether you want to buy individual coupons for a few rides or an all inclusive pass.

It is one of Stockholm’s most popular attractions! Make sure you check whether it is open by visiting the website before you go as the park opens on a seasonal and event basis.

The ABBA Museum

Whether you are an avid fan or a complete newbie you are guaranteed to have fun here! The ABBA museum is one of the most interactive museums we have ever visited and another must do in Stockholm.

The tag line for the museum is walk in and dance out. That is definitely what we did.

Here you can learn the full story of ABBA, see their original costumes, see their lifelike waxworks but most excitingly of all, you can get involved! Inside the museum you can find karaoke booths where you can belt out your favourite song and you can even get on stage and perform with life size holograms of ABBA! It was a lot of fun!

Make sure you look out for a red phone and if you are lucky it will ring. Each member of ABBA has the phone number and occasionally calls the museum. If you hear the phone, grab it quick so you can talk to a member of the band for real!

The museum is open from 10am-6pm. Entry costs 250SEK for adults, 95SEK for children up to the age of 15 and 175SEk for students with a valid student ID.

Address: ABBA the Museum, Djurgårdsvägen 68 115 21, Stockholm

Explore the Bibliotekstan District

The Bibliotekstan district is just 10 years old and is the heart of Swedish and international fashion. It is also a place where many events and parties are held throughout the summer.

Now fashion may not be one of our usual interests, but we found our time here fascinating. Each shop that we went into was extremely welcoming and the staff were happy to tell us all about what they do and why. Speaking to people so passionate about their trade meant that we learnt a lot and gained a new appreciation for these types of fashion stores.

What we found very refreshing compared to usual high-street stores, was that most of the shops here don’t sell gender specific clothing. This is something fairly innate in Swedish culture and it was encouraging to see, especially with all of the backward steps being taken in other countries.

For example, we recommend you visit Hope. Hope displays both men’s and women’s sizes on all of their clothing. Everything is for everyone and if you want to wear it, then wear it! The style they aim for is very clean cut and utilitarian. Hope also partners with LGBT organisations to design specific ranges and donate the proceeds to charity.

If clothes are not your thing, check out Byredo. Byredo is a Swedish brand with stores in Sweden, London, Paris and New York. They specialise in candles, fragrances and more recently leather goods. All scents are unisex and only use naturally sourced and very few ingredients. Each scent reacts differently on different people. We loved one called the ‘Eleventh Hour’.

Finally, stop off at Eytys. It has been open for 5 years and again is another unisex clothing brand. Their main focus is on shoes with a recent expansion into clothing. They are all about setting trends, pushing boundaries and being a little bit controversial. As a result, they have become hugely successful! Go speak with the staff to learn more.

Vasamuseet Stockholm (Vasa Museum)

The Vasamuseet is the most visited museum in Stockholm and what you will find inside is quite spectacular.

Vasa is the name of a grand warship built in 1628 by King Gustavus Adolphus of house Vasa. When King Gustavus Adolphus inherited the throne he also inherited wars. His intention was to end these wars by creating a large fleet of warships with the Vasa being the largest and most ornamental.

It took 400 people 2.5 years to construct, and cost the equivalent of a modern-day war submarine. However, in an incredibly unfortunate incident, it only took 20 minutes after being launched for the Vasa to sink.

Here in the Vasa museum you can learn the story of why the warship sank along with how it was salvaged from the ocean many years later. Most amazingly, you can see the entire Vasa warship for yourselves whilst learning how it remained so preserved.

This is not something we would usually choose to visit, however we were both blown away by our visit to the Vasa Museum, and cannot recommend it highly enough!

Address: Galärvarvsvägen 14, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden

Royal Palace of Stockholm

The Royal Palace in Stockholm is one of the largest palaces in Europe, with over 600 rooms. To date, this is still known as The King and Queens official residence, despite their actual residence being elsewhere out of the city. The Palace is located on Stadsholmen, in the Gamla Stan neighbourhood of Stockholm.

Even though the Palace dates back to the 18 th Century, the interior decoration and so much of the furniture is original, and has been extremely well-preserved.

Visits to the Palace include a guided tour of “The Royal Apartments”, which are still used today for hosting royal events and receptions, such as State Visits, or for the wedding of the Crown Prince and Princess which took place in 2015.

The Swedish Crown Jewels are also kept here, in the Royal Treasury, and again these can be visited on a guided tour.

A highlight of a visit to the Palace is the parade of soldiers, and the daily changing of the guard.

Entrance to the Royal Palace starts from 130SEK, with the option of a guided tour costing extra.

Address: The Royal Palace, 107 70 Stockholm, Sweden

Go on a Stockholm Walking Tour

You are going to have wrap up in winter for this one but it is completely worth it. No matter what the temperature, the city is too beautiful to not be explored on foot.

We had a walking tour with StandOut Travel and the tour was excellent. We explored the Gamla Stan area with our tour guide Lars. He was extremely knowledgeable, personable and made history fun.

The company works all year round but also specifically advertises winter tours and will likely stop in a cosy cafe halfway through to get you warmed back up. They work with businesses and individuals to bring the city to life and are the first LGBT owned travel agency in Sweden. Read more about gay Stockholm in our gay guide to the city here .

Best Hotels in Stockholm

Stockholm offers a wide variety of accommodation options to suit all budgets and styles of travel. The city has plenty of budget guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, and even a wide selection of Airbnbs.

Prices range from 470SEK – 700SEK for a centrally located guesthouse including breakfast, whereas for the more budget conscious traveller, hostel dorm beds start from as little as 180SEK.

If you prefer to have your own space and facilities, Airbnb is always a popular choice. Entire apartments range from 590SEK – 820SEK depending on location, whereas if you are happy to have just a private room in a shared place, you can expect to pay a little less, with prices ranging from 410SEK – 700SEK.

However, if you are only spending 48 hours in Stockholm, you may wish to treat yourself to a luxury hotel. The below are our top choices.

Hotel Rival

We stayed at the Hotel Rival and we loved it! Owned by Benny from ABBA, this is a beautiful boutique hotel. The hotel has an on-site café, bistro, several bars, and serves both a delicious buffet and a-la-carte breakfast. We particularly loved the location, in the trendy Södermalm district, walking distance from most of the tourist attractions. The rooms have clever little touches like a music button next to the bath to play ABBA and practical touches like USB ports either side of the bed!

Price: From 2,095SEK for a standard double per night (depending on season).

Address: Hotel Rival, Mariatorget 3, 118 91 Stockholm, Sweden

Our hotel room at the Rival with ABBA proudly displayed on the wall.

Hotel Pophouse

Just a few minutes outside of the city centre, Pop House is situated in the beautiful green area of Djurgården. All 49 hotel rooms are individually and stylishly decorated, with a few even ABBA inspired and themed! As you can see in the restaurant section further down, we also thoroughly recommend checking out the onsite bistro!

Price: From 1,690SEK for a standard room (depending on season)

Address: Hotel Pophouse, Djurgårdsvägen 68, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden

Hotel Skeppsholmen

This hotel is situated away from the busy centre, on the peaceful island of Skeppsholmen. Dating back to 1699, the building has previously been a barracks and a hospital. What we loved learning about this hotel was that there is a particular focus on sustainable tourism, with a lot of renovations been done using recycled material. We highly recommend staying at Hotel Skeppsholmen !

Fun fact: the studio where ABBA recorded their new music (due for release early next year) is located just outside!

Price: From 1790SEK for a standard room (depending on season).

Address: Hotel Skeppsholmen, Gröna gången 1, 111 49 Stockholm, Sweden

Hellstens Glasshus

Hellstens Glasshus is another luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Södermalm. The unique hotel façade is 7 metres of glass, hence the name “Glasshus”. There is also a beautiful onsite restaurant, serving the owners favourite dishes from all around the world.

Price:   From 1,490SEK for a standard room (depending on season).

Address: Hellstens Glasshus, Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 13, 118 50 Stockholm, Sweden

Best Restaurants in Stockholm

One of the things we certainly didn’t expect to find in Stockholm was such a wide selection of fine dining restaurants, serving some of the most delicious food we have ever eaten.

Being a capital city, there are countless restaurants catering to all tastes and budgets. If you prefer to grab on the go whilst exploring, that is also easy enough to do. However, being the foodies that we are, these are our top choices for that high end luxury meal to treat yourself to whilst on holiday.

Riche is a very swanky, trendy and stylish restaurant in the heart of the city centre. The restaurant offers an extensive menu, with a heavy focus on meat and fish dishes, including one of the most beautiful steak entrecote dishes we have ever had.

A particular highlight here was the staff – very knowledgeable and attentive, but also in a very light-hearted and fun way!

Address: Riche, Birger Jarlsgatan 4, 114 34 Stockholm, Sweden

Mosebacke Etablissement, Sodra Teatern

This is a restaurant that we wouldn’t usually choose, being exclusively vegetarian. However, we both agree that this was our favourite meal whilst in Stockholm, hands down.

The actual venue itself is stunning, with seven stages, bars, terraces and one of the best rooftop views of Stockholm. However the restaurant Mosebacke Establissement was our highlight.

The concept here is fine dining “vegetarian comfort food” and this was the perfect description. We enjoyed truffle risotto, mac and cheese, mango ceviche on sweet potato and pan-fried broccoli with cashews and coconut cream.

The restaurant also has an extensive wine and cocktail list too.

Address: Sodra Teatern, Mosebacke Torg 1, 116 46 Stockholm, Sweden

Hotel Skeppsholmen Restaurant

This place has a reputation for offering some of the best Swedish meatballs, and we have to agree! They were absolutely delicious, more so for being served in such a stunning location.

The Hotel Skeppsholmen is situated on Skeppsholmen itself, a beautiful tranquil island located away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is reached either by bridge and public transport, or you can opt to take the Djurgården ferry, providing some incredible views as you sail alongside the city.

Lykke at the Nordic Light Hotel

Lykke is a new restaurant that opened this year. Whilst meat dishes are available on the menu, fish and seafood is what this restaurant does best. We enjoyed a beautifully prepared crab dish served in the shell, the best fresh octopus we have ever tried, and a typical Swedish dish, crispy sweet potato served with caviar.

Address: Nordic Light Hotel, Vasaplan 7, 111 20 Stockholm, Sweden

TAK, Raw Bar

Restaurant TAK is a rooftop bar and a “raw” restaurant rolled into one. Located 55 metres high, this is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail whilst admiring the views – although you may want to wait to do this during the summer months! The food is a mix of modern Scandinavian cuisine with heavy Japanese influences. Whilst the menu is predominantly “raw”, the staff are happy to cater for anyone who doesn’t feel quite so adventurous!

Address: TAK, Brunkebergstorg 2-4, 111 51 Stockholm, Sweden

Pophouse Hotel

Pophouse Hotel is right in the city centre, and is adjacent to the ABBA museum.

We thoroughly enjoyed the bistro style menu here, along with our first sampling of Swedish meatballs, served with mash and traditional lingonberries.

Nightlife in Stockholm

Stockholm definitely comes alive at night. There are bars where you can sit and enjoy casual drinks with friends, to clubs where you can dance the night away. Most of the nightlife in the city is located within 2 disctricts, Södermalm and Östermalm.

Stockholm and Sweden are home to some world famous DJs and singers– Avicii, Aban, Steve Angello, Robyn, Zara Larsson, and of course, ABBA, to name just a few. Many of these DJs still perform at some of the larger clubs in the city.

Nightlife tends to start early, with friends gathering at one of the trendy bars in Södermalm, before ending up in one of the larger clubs.

An important point to note is that bouncers in Stockholm are notoriously fussy about who they let in. Despite the legal age for drinking in bars being 18, it’s not unheard of for bouncers to apply their own rules and expect you to be over 20, or even 22 in one place as we saw! Luckily, we had our ID!

Read more about the gay bars in Stockholm in our mini guide ‘ Best Gay Bars in Stockholm ‘.

Practical tips for visiting Stockholm

How to get from stockholm airport to city.

As most flights arrive into Arlanda, this is what our information is based on.*

Train from Arlanda to Stockholm City

The easiest and quickest way to reach the city from the airport is by train, the Arlanda Express. Trains depart in both directions pretty much every 15 minutes during the day, and take just over 20 minutes to reach the city.

The cheapest option is to purchase your ticket online at least 7 days in advance, with prices starting one way at 195SEK.

Coach from Arlanda to Stockholm City

An alternative option is to take the Flygbussarna airport coach. These depart every 10 – 15 minutes but take between 30 – 45 minutes to reach the city. Whilst the journey takes twice as long, it is half the price of the train with tickets starting one way from 99SEK from the airport to the city bus terminal.

Taxi from Arlanda to Stockholm City

And for those who are not so budget conscious, there is always the option of a taxi. However, taxi services in Stockholm are not regulated, which means the price can vary drastically and be very expensive. Our recommendation is to use Taxi Stockholm, whose phone number is 15 00 00. Alternatively, Uber is widely available in Stockholm, and you will know the price upfront.

*Note: If your flight arrives into any of the other 3 airports, as these are located closer to the city centre, you will most likely be able to take either a Flygbussarna Coach (this is definitely the case from Bromma), a commuter bus, or a taxi.

How to get around Stockholm

Walking around stockholm.

Stockholm is a beautiful city. The architecture of the city is stunning, and being built around islands there is often water everywhere you turn reflecting the sunlight making for some great images. Therefore, to see all of this and to make the most of photo opportunities, we strongly recommend walking where you can.

We came across this street art by chance just walking around the city.

Despite being built on islands, the majority of the sights are well connected, and are situated relatively close together, and so the city is very walkable. However, if you are pushed for time, and want to fit as much in as possible, there are also plenty of public transport options as below.

Stockholm Travel Card

If you would prefer to take public transport whilst in Stockholm, the most cost effective and convenient option is to purchase an SL Travelcard upon arrival.

You have the option of purchasing a card for either 24 hours costing 125SEK, 72 hours costing 250SEK, or 7 days costing 325SEK, plus 20SEK for the card itself.

The cards can be purchased in advance of travel, and will then provide you with unlimited travel for the chosen duration of the card from the time of first use.

The SL card is valid on all buses, trains, Metro and trams on the SL network (pretty much anywhere you would need to go whilst in Stockholm!) as well as the Djurgården ferry.

Stockholm Ferry

As Stockholm is built on islands, an alternative transport option between a few of these is to take the ferry. This is widely used by local commuters and tourists, and is a fantastic way to explore the city whilst enjoying some stunning views.

The most popular ferry departures are from Nybroviken and Slussen out to the leafy island of Djurgården, or you can also disembark at the island of Skeppsholmen.

An SL Card includes the ferries from Slussen and you can also buy single tickets on the quay.

Stockholm Taxi Services

Taxi drivers set their owns prices as they are not regulated. The most common company used is Taxi Stockholm who you can recognise by their 15 00 00 phone number.

However, the easiest option if you really don’t want to take the 24 hour pubic transport is to get an Uber. You know the price when you book, its all tracked and much more straightforward. The above mentioned public transport options will be the cheapest option, however taxis would be recommended on an evening, especially after a night in the bars and clubs!

Is Stockholm Expensive to Visit? Cash and Currency

This is a very common question when it comes to Stockholm and Scandinavia in general.

Yes, it is typically more expensive than most other countries in Europe but that’s not to say you can’t be savvy with your spending. Also, people typically go for the weekend and if you are only spending 48 hours in Stockholm there is only so much you can spend! If you do want some tips on saving money, we enjoyed this article by Nomadic Matt.

What is very important to know is that Stockholm is predominantly a cashless city. This is the first time we have ever encountered this concept and most places will not take cash. The intention is that eventually the city will become 100% cashless. We recommend getting yourself a travel card set up with Swedish Krona (SEK) before you go to avoid potential poor bank exchange rates.

There are a few places that will take cash or change money but to keep your trip simple, just use card.

Do they speak English in Stockholm?

Sweden as a whole is a very diverse country with many spoken languages. Swedish is of course their first language however English is widely and very well spoken. We had no problems communicating in English at all during our time.

Make sure you make an effort to learn some Swedish, start with hej (sounds like hey) for hello and tak for thank you. This will go down well with the locals. If you want to be extra friendly you can double up and say hej hej or tak tak (or super tak as we named it!)

Stockholm took any expectations we had and blew them out the water. It’s one of the most picturesque, welcoming and inclusive cities we have visited, it certainly earns its title as the ‘Open City’. We hope that you are inspired to visit Stockholm and hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Make sure to visit  www.stockholmlgbt.com to find out more about this beautiful place.

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We were lucky enough to visit Stockholm by partnering with Stockholm LGBT and Visit Stockholm. They hosted us, showed us the city and allowed us to experience everything the city has to offer. As always, our opinions remain our own.

Some of the links in this post are connected to affiliate programs we have joined. If you make a purchase using one of the links, we get a small commission, at no extra charge to you. All opinions are of course our own!

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Sunday 30th of December 2018

I have been there a few times and seen most of the things you posted, but really, couldn't come up with a post in my blog. Not sure why I think, because I didn't really get any exciting emotions. Things are really nice, but nothing out of ordinary. I hope I can find something for myself there.

The Globetrotter Guys

Ah how strange! Isn't it funny how different people view different destinations! I'm sure that's happened to us, other people have strongly recommended somewhere and it's fallen short of our expectations.

Saturday 29th of December 2018

mFika sounds like a wonderful coffee experience--especially with seven tea cakes to choose from. (Something tells me the housewives traditionally preparing all those baked goods weren't slowing down for a leisurely break, though!) I love the idea of gender-neutral and sized clothing. And those Swedish meatballs with mash and lingonberries at the Pophouse Hotel? I'm in! Great guide. I will surely bookmark this for future reference.

Thanks so much for the feedback! Really glad you enjoyed the guide and found it useful! Those meatballs were super delish - as were all the cakes! Hope you get a chance to check them out for yourself :)

Adrenaline Romance

That's a very pretty city! The food is amazing as well! Hope we will have a chance to go to Europe and visit Stockholm.

It is very beautiful. I really hope you get a chance to go!

Never been to Stockholm. It looks like a lovely city to visit. The two things that entice me the most about Stockholm are the concept of Fika (coffee, cakes and friends - what a lovely combo) and the chance to see some lovely street art.

I totally agree! Give me coffee and cakes at any time of the day and I'm happy!!

Friday 28th of December 2018

I went to Stockholm a couple years ago in the summer and really enjoyed my time there. I love the concept of Fika! I agree that the ABBA museum is a lot of fun. I didn't have enough time to make it to the Vasa Museum though, so I will have to go back :)

Yes, the ABBA museum was one of our highlights :) We are already looking forward to going back again but this time in Summer!

Travel Man: SerieS 9

Episode one .

Comedy colossus Stephen Merchant joins Richard for 48 hours of medieval mini-breaking in the Croatian crib of Dubrovnik.  HOTEL:  St Joseph’s https://www.stjosephs.hr/ FOOD AND DRINK:  Prora – Oysters https://www.adriaticluxuryhotels.com/en/hotel-excelsior-dubrovnik/restaurants-and-bars/prora-restaurant   ACTIVITIES: Vuka Tour Guide - Game of Thrones tour www.dubrovnik-tourist-guides.com   Buggy Safari http://www.buggydubrovnik.com/   Maskeron  Address: Stradun, outside the St. Saviour Church Croata  https://www.croata.hr/   Boat to Lokrum https://www.croatiaferries.com/dubrovnikold-lokrum-ferry.htm WITH THANKS: Dubrovnik Tourist Board and the Croatian National Tourist Office   ​  

ExcluSive Deleted SceneS

EpiSode Two 

A 48 hour fjord-fest in the beatific borough of Bergen with comedian Lou Sanders.  Together Richard and Lou try a zip line in dense fog, search for their supper, travel back in time, and make a small contribution to saving the world. HOTEL:  Panorama Hotell & Resort https://www.panoramahotell.no/en/   FOOD AND DRINK:  Bergen Fjord Adventures https://bergenfjordadventures.com/   Hallaisen Ice Cream http://www.hallaisen.com/   Coffee & Skillingsbolle https://www.godtbrod.no/   ACTIVITIES: Bryggen 5003 Bergen   Mt Ulriken Cable Car https://ulriken643.no/   Zipline https://bergenbasecamp.no/privat/en/   Mt. Fløyen Funicular https://www.floyen.no/  

TubaKuba https://www.bergen.kommune.no/hvaskjer/sistenytt/article-147802   Plant a Tree Tour https://bergentouristtours.com/   Old Bergen Musuem https://www.bymuseet.no/en/museums/old-bergen-museum/    

EpiSode Three 

Richard and comedian Joe Wilkinson explore the craic in Krakow, sampling dumplings, syrupy beer, communism and stained glass. HOTEL:  PURO Kraków Kazimierz https://purohotel.pl/pl/krakow-kazimierz   FOOD AND DRINK:  Hevre Bar - Piwo z sokiem (beer with syrup) Address: Beera Meiselsa 18, 31-058 Kraków, Poland   Zielony Kredens (Pierogi)  https://resto-bar-pierogarnia-zielony-kredens.business.site/ ACTIVITIES: Zywe Muzeum Obwarzanka  https://www.muzeumobwarzanka.com/   Wieliczka Salt Mines https://www.kopalnia.pl/   Crazy Guides – communism tour https://www.crazyguides.com/   Workshop & Stained-Glass Museum https://muzeumwitrazu.pl/language/en/    

EpiSode Four

Richard explores some of the Spanish capital's most famous, infamous and not famous at all points of interest in the company of comedian Ellie Taylor on a 48 hour free for all that takes in art, alcohol, ham and church devoted to ducks. HOTEL:  Hotel Puerta America Madrid https://www.hotelpuertamerica.com/ FOOD AND DRINK:  Cinco Jotas Jorge Juan https://www.cincojotas.co.uk/5-jotas-restaurant/jorge-juan/   Vermoutharia - Bodega de la Ardosa http://www.laardosa.es/   Violet Candies https://www.lavioletaonline.es/ ACTIVITIES: Prado Museum https://www.museodelprado.es/en   Reina Sofia Museum https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en   Madrid Museum Tours – Hernan Satt https://madridmuseumtours.com/en/   Duck Church Travesía Primavera, Lavapies, Madrid http://nuevaweb.leobassi.com/la-gran-misa-patolica/   Spanish Inquisition Tour https://www.mysteriumtours.com/madrid/   Rowing at Retiro Park Plaza de la Independencia, 7, 28001 Madrid   Mirador Madrid at Palacio de Cibeles https://www.miradormadrid.com/mirador-del-palacio-de-cibeles/ WITH THANKS:  DACS London 2019   For providing copyright clearance each of these artworks:   © Succession Picasso/DACS, London 2019 © Salvador Dali, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, DACS 2019  

Bibby Stockholm staff 'laughed and joked' over asylum seeker death

• Published 1 day ago

Staff on the government's migrant barge "laughed and joked" over the death of an asylum seeker on board, a former cleaner on the vessel has claimed.

Albanian migrant Leonard Farruku, 27, is thought to have taken his own life on the Bibby Stockholm in December.

Alongside the allegation, former residents told an inquiry conditions on the barge were like being "in prison".

The Home Office has said it does not "recognise the claims" made in the inquiry's report.

Workers on the vessel, moored at Portland, Dorset, joked that there was "one less Muslim mouth to feed", former cleaner Levana said.

The ex-employee, who said she worked on the barge from its opening in August 2023 until late December, spoke at a meeting in parliament.

She said the "disgusting" joke, within a week of Mr Farruku's death, was "the overall vibe from a lot of the workers there".

She added: "I was starting to think: why put these people that have these views and prejudice in charge of looking after hundreds of men who have come here for safe haven?"

Levana said she had not felt able to report the incident.

The parliamentary meeting was held to launch a report by groups that campaign against the barge, including Care4Calais, Stand Up To Racism and the Portland Global Friendship Group.

According to the document, Levana was disciplined and then "unfairly dismissed" for talking to residents.

She said: "I was told that I was being given a verbal warning because I should not be friendly with the service users in this way. After this I worked one more booked shift and then was offered no further work."

Several migrants described feeling like they were "in prison", the report added.

One former occupant said: "It felt like we were being watched all the time, searched, but also not treated like adults, with a curfew and not being able to go out when we wanted.

"I sometimes just felt like a zoo animal."

Another former resident reported: "When leaving and entering we have to be scanned, like airport security. Many people don't go outside because of this.

"One day I was standing in the restaurant and I said the food was not good. The security staff said: 'Keep your mouth shut and sit down.'"

Steve Smith, chief executive of Care4Calais, said: "People should not be accommodated in these prison-like conditions."

Up to 500 men are housed on the three-storey vessel while they await the outcome of their asylum applications.

In a response to the written document, the Home Office said: "We do not recognise the claims made in this report.

"The Bibby Stockholm is part of the government's plan to reduce the use of expensive hotels.

"There are rigorous safeguarding processes in place on the barge. Residents have access to health and social care services, including mental health support."

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Related Topics

• UK immigration
• Refugees and asylum seekers

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• Published 16 April

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• Published 2 February

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• Published 7 August 2023

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Tributes paid to woman found dead in Surrey hotel as man charged with murder

Samantha Mickleburgh, 54, was ‘loved by many’ and an ‘incredible mother’, her family said

The family of a businesswoman found dead in a luxury Surrey hotel have paid tribute to an “incredible mother” who was “loved by many”.

Samantha Mickleburgh, 54, was found dead by a housekeeper in a room at Pennyhill Park in Bagshot, Surrey on 14 April. James Cartwright, 60, was charged with murder and controlling and coercive behaviour in relation to the case on Sunday. He is from Axminster, Devon.

On Monday, Cartwright appeared at Guildford magistrates court. He spoke to confirm his name and age and was dressed in a quilted jacket and grey trousers.

Mickleburgh had helped launch several startups and had worked for British Airways, BP and Thomson Reuters. Cartwright runs an estate agency in Axminster.

Mickleburgh’s family paid tribute to her in a statement which was released by Surrey police.

“We are devastated by the loss of Samantha, an incredible mother, beautiful, much cherished daughter, and friend,” they said. “Loved by many, she was a true example of class, integrity, and dedication to those around her. Lighting up any room she entered with her vivacious personality and endearing smile.

“No words can truly capture all her beloved qualities and nothing will ever fill the hole left in the lives of those who loved her.”

Her two children said: “Nothing can prepare you to face the world without your parents at a young age. Our mother had been both parents to us since the loss of our father and she was doing such an amazing job at it. No finer example of a mum could there be, we will feel the loss in every aspect of our lives.

“We are grateful to be such a close family and for the support we continue to receive from those who knew Samantha. We as a family wish for privacy at this impossibly difficult time.”

Cartwright will appear at Guildford magistrates court again on Wednesday.

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