It took me an embarrassing amount of time, but I finally clawed my way through the post-processing vortex of the photos I took during our June trip to Stockholm, Sweden. Victory tastes like coffee and mild eye strain.
Now that my Lightroom-induced tunnel vision is subsiding, I figured I’d jot down a few thoughts about this undeniably charming city – from two equally confused perspectives: the wide-eyed tourist and the slightly anxious street photographer.
Impressions as a Tourist
At this point, I’m not even sure how much of a tourist I am anymore – and how much of me is just a camera-wielding goblin looking for reflections in puddles. Photography is one of those hobbies that blends seamlessly with travel, so maybe I’m 90% tourist and… 90% photographer? Yes, the math is off. No, I’m not fixing it.
Anyway, Stockholm pleasantly surprised me. The city has a quiet elegance, a kind of stylish modesty, like someone who always looks amazing without ever seeming to try (and claims they “just threw something on,” which is obviously a lie). Best of all? It’s not insanely crowded – a refreshing break from the tourist-sardine situations you get in most major European capitals.
People often compare it to Oslo, which feels obvious on the surface, but honestly? Apples and minimalist-designed oranges. They’re both Nordic, sure, but the atmosphere is completely different. Stockholm has its own soul – refined, relaxed, and just a little bit mysterious.
Getting Around
Stockholm isn’t a massive city by any means, but since it’s elegantly scattered across a bunch of islands, navigating it can take a bit longer than you’d expect – like trying to get across a really beautiful jigsaw puzzle that someone forgot to glue together.
That said, it’s incredibly pedestrian-friendly and impressively well-organized – the kind of place where public transport actually shows up when it says it will. Combine that with a decent pair of shoes and a tolerance for cobblestones, and you’re golden.
My wife and I are both fans of walking so, unless we’re completely wiped out or the distance is bordering on a marathon, we’ll skip the metro and hoof it. On our first day in Stockholm, we somehow managed to walk 22 kilometers – which, for a city break, is basically an Olympic achievement. Someone should have given us a medal. Or at least a cinnamon bun.
Attractions and Museums
(Quirky reviews you didn’t ask for, but here they are anyway.)
Vasa Museum
Very impressive. Smells like history. Literally.
Naval Museum
You can board ships that absolutely won’t sail away.
Fotografiska
Come for the art. Stay because the lights go out. Repeatedly.
Gröna Lund (Amusement Park)
Too pricey to reclaim your youth. Or your dignity.
Skansen (Open-Air Museum)
Ideal for families with children. Or people pretending they like bear fights.
The Royal Palace
It is, in fact, a palace. Quite royal. Verified.
Archipelago Boat Tour
The wind was strong. Our hair has never recovered.
Skogskyrkogården (Woodland Cemetery)
Saw a fox hunting. And a couple picnicking. Yes, in the cemetery.
Food
(Yes, we’re Italian. Yes, we have opinions.)
As Italians, food isn’t just a part of the trip – it is the trip. We don’t travel to eat, but somehow we always end up judging entire countries based on their bread.
When we go abroad, we usually find less variety than we’re spoiled with at home – but what Northern Europe lacks in pasta shapes, it makes up for in care, precision, and a surprising number of pickled things. Fewer dishes, yes, but often really well done. Quality over quantity.
The secret, we’ve learned, is to stay curious and embrace the local culinary identity – even if that means pausing all sightseeing activities twice a day for fika. Which is basically coffee, cake, and a national obligation to chill.
One afternoon, we had lunch at Östermalms Saluhall, at a Danish-style spot (yes, we know we were in Sweden; we’ve made peace with it). The food was absolutely delicious. Not Swedish, but delicious.
Impressions as a Photographer
(AKA: wandering around with a camera pretending to be invisible.)
I absolutely loved photographing Stockholm. It’s one of those cities that manages to be varied, classic, elegant, and vibrant – often all in the same frame. The light plays nice (most of the time), the architecture has personality, and the colors don’t shout, they whisper tastefully.
As for the attitude toward photographers? Pretty much the same as any big European city: nobody cares unless you’re being wildly intrusive or blocking traffic in the name of “the shot.” There are plenty of tourists around, so blending in with a camera is easy – just another person taking 47 photos of a bicycle leaning against a pastel wall.
Street Photography Spots
(Four days was barely enough to scratch the surface.)
Gamla Stan / Old Town
A photographer’s candyland – medieval buildings with warm colors, narrow alleys, playful light and shadow, and a constant flow of city-center bustle. Including the tiny island of Riddarholmen, it’s a visual treat.
It’s busy at all hours thanks to restaurants and bars, so there’s never a shortage of subjects – though it’s definitely the most touristy part of Stockholm, and it shows. Reminded me a bit of Lyon, France, where I also enjoyed getting lost behind my camera.
Norrmalm / Northern Area
The modern heart of the city: malls, office buildings, wide streets, and contemporary architecture. It buzzes in the late afternoon and quiets down after sunset, which makes for some interesting lighting conditions – if, like me, you enjoy pretending the city belongs to you for a few fleeting moments.
Östermalm / Eastern Area
Mostly residential, quiet, elegant streets – not my usual cup of photographic tea. The area around Östermalm Saluhall is livelier, with cafes, shops, and restaurants that actually make you feel less like a suspicious private detective and more like an innocent tourist with a camera.
Skeppsholmen
A tiny, serene island full of green spaces and surrounded by water – obvious, but worth saying. It offers gorgeous viewpoints over the city, especially in the right light. Did I get the perfect shot? Of course not. But you can’t win them all.
Going Back?
As I mentioned, four days barely scratched the surface. We visited in mid-June, right at the peak of daylight hours, when the city seems to have endless light and a calm, golden glow. It was a wonderful experience – walking for hours without ever feeling like the sun might set before we got back to our hotel was, frankly, a luxury.
I’d really love to visit Stockholm again – maybe in winter, when the city transforms into a snowy, cozy wonderland. Imagine the same elegant streets under frost, the canals partially frozen, lights reflecting off the snow, and the cafes serving steaming cups of coffee as if to personally console you for the darkness outside. Experiencing the stark contrast between the endless June sun and the short, quiet winter days would be fascinating – both as a tourist and as a photographer.
Plus, I have a sneaky suspicion the street photography opportunities in winter might be… interesting. Less tourists, more locals bundled up like marshmallows, dramatic skies, and maybe even a fox or two wandering around. It’s Stockholm calling our names again, and we’re tempted to answer.