Stockholm city

Just when I thought I had all my european-city-ducks in a row, Stockholm came along, upstream, and re-arranged the list. What a completely cool and beautiful place. For at least 10 reasons:

1. There's a big "sit outside, drinks, music" culture quite different from anywhere else in Europe. In Stockholm you get you're ice-cold beer with a great vast view on the side. At no extra cost.

2.The central island of Gamla Stan, the Old Town of Stockholm, is packed with buildings from the 17th century, with steep and narrow alleys amongst them. No cars in sight. Only cobble-stones, curio shops, wandering fellow-explorers and the smell of freshly-made waffel ice-cream cones.

3.Also very central in Stockholm are the many parks and waterways all over the city (60% of the city area). Having nature all around you, along with all the buzz of city-life, is what makes Stockholm very attractive and remarkable. 4.In 2009 it was awarded title of first European Green Capital by the European Commission.

5.Stockholm's Museum of Modern Art (Moderna museet) is in a beautifully modern, open-plan building which houses art from Picasso, Dali, Matisse, Kadinsky and Warhole, to name only a few. The Museum's restaurant is decorated in simple,modern style and boasts a perfect water-side view, that I could never get bored of.

6.The vibrant public square of Kungstragarden (below) is a beautiful space to relax and enjoy the cherry blossoms, local street artists, a cocktail or a delicious plate of Swedish meatballs with soft potato tart.

7. The outside interaction of Stockholm- the pedestrian-friendly streets filled with interesting locals and confident, talented musicians. 8.Most of the city's main attractions can be reached by foot or ferry and if need be, the public metro's and busses are very user-friendly. No stress!

9. The second last, and certainly not second-least important reason to love Stockholm is for the fine young gentlemen that roam the streets, such as Larsson's Blomkvist as well as this handsome bloak below.


10 on the list is the fabulous bar&restaurant, Erik's Gondolen, from which the first phot right at the top was taken. I was so entertained in this great place, that I forgot to take any more pictures. But check out their site for more!