I lived in one of Europe’s most expensive cities
WHEN you think of Sweden, you think ABBA, IKEA and Northern Lights – as well as it being an expensive holiday destination.
However, I got to know another side of its capital city Stockholm when I lived there for a few months as a student.
And as a student, it meant I was on a strict budget, so I was on the hunt for the cheapest places to eat and drink as well as finding the best free things to do.
So here’s everything you need to know to avoid emptying your wallet, from cheap transport to bargain hidden gems.
Travel passes
If you’re planning on travelling around the city by public transport, then the SL Smart Card can save you money.
Instead of topping up or paying a fare everyday, you purchase a time-limited travel card and this lets you take all the buses, trams, inner-city commuter ferries, metro and commuter trains your heart desires.
When I found the perks of the SL cards, I was exploring the city like nobody’s business as I didn’t have to think about the logistics of costs if I wanted to go to two different neighbourhoods in one day.
Depending on how long you’re there you can choose from different time periods, starting at 24 hours for £13.83 (SEK 180).
Compare that to a 24-hour pass across Zones 1-6 in London is £23.60?
A much bigger bargain.
Hidden gems
While the centre of Stockholm is great, did you know that the Stockholm Archipelago is home to 30,000 islands?
So one thing I highly recommend is hopping on an inner-city commuter ferry, which you can use with your SL card.
I recommend stopping off at Djurgården, known as Museum Island and is home to ABBA Museum.
But Art-lovers will also love Modern Museet and it is free to visit on Friday evenings between 6pm and 8pm during spring and autumn.
Otherwise ride the metro to Gamla Stan and find Stortoget, the city’s oldest square which is referred to as ‘The Bloodbath,’ having sparked the Swedish War of Liberation.
You may need to squint your eyes for this one; the Iron Boy (Järnpojke) sculpture is the smallest public monument in Stockholm.
You might also miss is the narrowest street in the whole city, found down the steps of Mårten Trotzigs gränd. Touch both walls with your hands and make a wish for some good luck.
The Nobel Prize Museum is touristy but also worth a visit too, as included in the entry ticket is a guided tour around the displays so it’s a great way to get a glimpse into ideas that have transformed the way we live.
Cheap eats and drink
The Swedes love a coffee break, which loosely translates to ‘fika’ – and there are some insanely delicious places to go.
One of my favourites which I went to every week was Stora Bageriet in the district of Östermalm.
Built into a former military bakery that supplied soldiers with bread rations, now you can watch the bakers at work.
Don’t expect to get a table inside as it’s pretty small, but the huge courtyard is where to go instead, especially in the summer months.
As well as the traditional sweet treats up for grabs, I would suggest opting for their other pastries because I can guarantee you that you will not find anything like it elsewhere. I loved the danish buns with rhubarb, which cost just £3.89.
Lots of the city’s bars and restaurants are on floating platforms on the river, and one of my favourites is Mälarpaviljongen.
You might expect the garden-restaurant to be on a single platform but actually there are several platforms that are joined through footpaths and bridges.
Take your time to wander through before picking up a tray and working through the window displays.
Otherwise find beers for under a fiver at the much loved Ölstugan Kungsholmen.
As a student, you’d often find me in the local McDonald’s after a late night out, but Stockholm also has its own take on Maccy D’s called MAX Burgers.
No matter where you are, I guarantee you’ll find a MAX close to you and the best thing is that the quality of food is better with the same cheap prices.
My go-tos were a box of cheese fries (£3.42), crunchy chicken wings (£2.64) or a bacon cheeseburger (£6.76). If you love cheese or want to splurge, try the ‘Original Cheese Can’ (£6.92) which is a burger served with a side of melted cheese dip.
Otherwise when in Sweden – have the IKEA meatballs?
For under a fiver, you can get a plate of 8-piece meatballs with the traditional sides of cream sauce, lingonberry jam, peas and a choice of boiled or mashed potatoes.