A Mini-Travel Guide to Stockholm: What to Do and See (Updated 2019)

Updated: 1/5/2019 | January 5th, 2019

Updated: 1/5/2019 | January 5th, 2019

Most of the people who know me know that I love Sweden. It’s filled with beautiful landscapes, lakes, mountains, fjords, buildings, and of course people. If the country didn’t have such a harsh winter, I’d move to the capital city of Stockholm. It’s one of the most beautiful Old World cities I’ve ever been to. The people are nice, the city is easily walkable, it’s clean, it’s hip, and it has a great nightlife.

I think what makes Stockholm so charming is the setting. It’s a small city set among a bay full of little islands and inlets. Stockholm’s Old Town (Gamla Stan) was built on the central island in the 13th century. The city was the capital of the Swedish empire and rose to prominence as a major trading center. Now it’s known for its architecture, expensive drinks, beautiful people, and green initiatives.

Most of the city’s historical charm is preserved in Gamla Stan, where the Royal Palace is located. But even outside of Gamla Stan, the buildings look historic and beautiful. The red, green, and yellow painted houses are especially so juxtaposed with fall foliage.

Moreover, the city is filled with nature. Trees line most of the streets, there are a lot of squares and parks, and you are never too far from the water.

There are a lot of things to do in Stockholm. I’m never bored when I go there, and many of the activities cost little money, which is great because Stockholm isn’t a cheap city.

Here are my top picks for what to see while in Stockholm:

Walk through Gamla Stan
This is the “Old Town” of the city, with gorgeous architecture and cobblestone streets. This was the original part of the city, and here you’ll see centuries-old buildings, the Nobel Museum, the Royal Palace, and the ancient homes of the aristocracy. The winding roads and alleys make for some great exploring and photography. In the summer it can get quite busy, so get there early if you want to explore without a crowd.

Tour the archipelago
It’s worth spending a day island-hopping. Take a bus or car to one of the main islands, and from there you can travel by boat to explore some of the other islands in the vicinity. You can find tours from many points within the city. The good tours are the full-day ones that take you out to more secluded islands.

Spend the day at Djurgården Island
This gorgeous island is located right in the middle of Stockholm. It’s a very popular place to go in the summer, with locals and tourists alike coming to visit. It’s a great place to take a stroll or have a picnic, visit the amusement park (Gröna Lund) or visit the historic Swedish village Skansen (which I’ll talk about below!)

The Vasa Museum
This museum houses the world’s only preserved 17th-century ship. This massive ship was supposed to highlight the power of the Swedish empire. Instead, the ship actually sank as soon as it left the dock and set sail. The cold waters of the bay preserved it the ship and now you can view it all in its unsailable glory.

Galärvarvsvägen 14, +46 8-519-548-80, vasamuseet.se. Open daily from 8:30am-6pm (June-August) and 10am-5pm for the rest of the year. Admission is 130 SEK for adults with discounts available. Free for anyone under 8.

The Royal Palace
Sweden still has a monarchy, and the King is the official head of state (though it’s mostly just ceremonial). The palace was built between 1697-1754 in Gamla Stan and is where all the official duties are performed. It’s also where representatives from other countries can be met for official events. When there are no state events going on it’s open to the public.

Slottsbacken 1, +46 8-402-61-30, kungligaslotten.se/english.html. Open daily from 10am-4pm (5pm in the summer). Admission is 160 SEK for adults with discounts available for students and children.

Skansen
This was actually the first open-air museum in the world. It’s is also a zoological garden specializing in Nordic fauna (featuring moose, reindeer, bears, lynx, and wolverines). The museum and historic village are located on Djurgården (an island in Stockholm). There are over 150 historic buildings from previous centuries that give a glimpse at life in pre-industrial Sweden. The hosts and hostesses of the park dress in historic clothing to give you a more realistic sense that you’ve traveled back in time. The hosts also illustrate traditional skills and jobs such as spinning, weaving, and glass blowing.

Djurgårdsslätten 49-51, +46-8-442-82-00, skansen.se. The park opens daily at 10am, but some attractions open later. Avoid going in the winter. Admission is 125 SEK for adults, with discounts available for children, seniors, and students.

Swedish History Museum
If you’re interested in Scandinavian history, this museum covers the Stone Age to the Vikings. Here you’ll find ancient treasures that date back to the Bronze Age all the way to the 16th century. The museum was founded in 1866 and the first collections were all of the items gathered by the Swedish monarchy over the centuries.

Narvavägen 13-17, +46 8-519-556-00, historiska.se/home. Open daily from 10am-5pm from June-August with reduced hours of operation during the rest of the year. Admission is free.

National Museum
This art museum has works by famous painters and artists, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, Renoir, Degas, and Gauguin, as well as famous Swedish artists like Carl Larsson, Ernst Josephson, C F Hill, and Anders Zorn. If you’re a not a huge art buff you’ll still enjoy the museum, and if you are a big fan then this collection will keep you busy for a while. It’s been under renovation recently but it reopened in October 2018.

Södra Blasieholmshamnen, +46 8-519-543-00, nationalmuseum.se/en. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 11am-7pm (9pm on Thursdays).

Medieval Museum
The Medieval Museum is actually located underneath the Royal Palace. It’s one of the better history museums in the city (most are not that great, to be honest). It covers life in medieval Sweden and life in Stockholm during the middle ages. The exhibits are detailed and informative, and the museum does a great job of illustrating how the city grew into what it is today.

Strömparterren 3, +46 8-508-316-20, medeltidsmuseet.stockholm.se. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 12pm-5pm (8pm on Wednesdays). Admission is free.

Fotografiska
Fotografiska is a photography gallery in the city that is home to numerous exhibits that showcase some awesome works of contemporary photography. The collections are quite expansive and there is also a bar on the top floor that also offers a great view of the city.

Stadsgårdshamnen 22, +46 8-509-005-00, fotografiska.com/sto. Open Sunday-Wednesday from 9am-11pm and Thursday-Saturday 9am-1am. Admission is 145 SEK for aduls and 115 SEK for students and seniors.

ABBA: The Museum
A trip to Stockholm wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the quirkiest museum in town: the ABBA museum. While admission isn’t cheap, this is a fun and interesting museum that’s worth checking out if you’re a fan of the pop sensation (or if you just want to see how silly the museum is!)

Djurgårdsvägen 68, +46 8-121-328-60, abbathemuseum.com/en. Open daily from 10am-6pm (7pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays). Tickets are 250 SEK for adults with discounts available for students, children, and families.

City Hall
Stockholm’s City Hall is a historic brick building with daily guided tours. On the tour, you’ll visit the official government areas and learn about the history of the building and local government> You can also go up the tower (for an additional 50 SEK) for amazing views of Gamla Stan and the city.

Hantverkargatan 1, Kungsholmen, +46 8-5082-9058, international.stockholm.se/the-city-hall. Tours are available several times a day, depending on the time of year. Tickets are 110 SEK per person, with discounts for students and seniors. No pre-booking.

***Stockholm is an expensive city to live in, but after having lived in many parts of the world, I found the city to be no more expensive than a bad day in New York. You can find cheap meals, relatively inexpensive cider and beer, and hostels that cost as much as a cheap motel. It’s more expensive than Paris, but it’s not as expensive as people expect it to be. (For that, go to Oslo!)

Stockholm is an expensive city to live in, but after having lived in many parts of the world, I found the city to be no more expensive than a bad day in New York. You can find cheap meals, relatively inexpensive cider and beer, and hostels that cost as much as a cheap motel. It’s more expensive than Paris, but it’s not as expensive as people expect it to be. (For that, go to Oslo!)

I spent most of my money in Stockholm on food. While there are “cheap eats,” most restaurants turn out to be quite expensive when the price is converted back into dollars. A Vietnamese dinner in Stockholm, for example, cost me around $30 USD, and all I had was a beer and soup. Going out to dinner will ruin your budget.

But despite its costs, Stockholm is a magical city, and I’m happily willing to pay the price if it means I get to visit. There’s just so much beauty there, and in the summertime, the city is one of the most alive places on earth. Swedes value the small amount of nice weather they get, so expect lots of late nights (after all, the sun sets at 11pm and rises at 3am), festivals, and people looking to sociable time.

Be sure to visit Stockholm.

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Stockholm!

For more in-depth coverage of Stockholm, my 80-page guidebook is perfect for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, nontouristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more! Click here to learn more and get started.

Book Your Trip to Stockholm: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight to Stockholm by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel in Stockholm with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.

Need Some Gear?
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on Stockholm?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Stockholm for even more planning tips!

Best Neighborhoods in Stockholm: Where to Stay During Your Visit in 2019

Posted: 6/2/2019 | June 2nd, 2019

Stockholm is one of my favorite cities in the world. I’ve been there more times than I can count, and I even tried to move there many years ago (spoiler alert: it didn’t work out the way I planned).

Made up of over 14 islands, Stockholm is home to incredible architecture, boasts a vibrant history, and has a nightlife that’s hard to beat.

To help you make the most out of your next trip there, here’s a breakdown of its best neighborhoods as well as some suggested places to stay — no matter your budget!
 

The 7 Best Neighborhoods in Stockholm

Best Neighborhood #1: Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s Old Town. It dates back to the 13th century and is the heart of the city. It’s where you’ll find many of the best tourist activities, such as the Nobel Museum and the Royal Palace, as well as all sorts of little shops tucked away down narrow alleys between medieval buildings. It’s touristy, but you can’t visit Stockholm without exploring this part of town. Staying here is a great option for anyone looking to be right in the center of the action.

The Best Places to Stay in Gamla Stan

• BUDGET: Archipelago Hostel Old Town – This hostel is centrally located in a 17th-century building. Though it’s very small, with only a few rooms and a small common area, this place is perfect if you’re looking for some peace and quiet.
• MID-RANGE: Castle House Inn – Many of the rooms here have hardwood floors and large and classic wooden furniture, giving the inn a cozy and rustic feel. It’s in a wonderful central location for anyone planning to visit the popular sites nearby.
• LUXURY: Collectors Victory Hotel – This four-star hotel has a classic ambience inspired by its own antique maritime collection. Think antique shop meets bed-and-breakfast and you’ll get a sense of its atmosphere and design. Its restaurant sources local and organic ingredients, and it has a bar on-site, as well as a sauna and pool.

Best Neighborhood #2: Norrmalm

Norrmalm is the modern heart of Stockholm, home to its central station as well as the massive shopping street, Drottninggatan. You’ll find everything here, from restaurants and shops to the Royal Opera to several lovely city parks. It’s a great place to stay if you want to be in the heart of town, and it has more affordable options than Gamla Stan.

The Best Places to Stay in Norrmalm

• BUDGET: City Backpackers – This is my favorite hostel in Stockholm. Its mattresses and pillows are super cozy, and it has a huge kitchen, tons of common space, a free sauna, free pasta, and laundry facilities. It’s a very popular hostel, so book in advance!
• MID-RANGE: Hotel Terminus – This is located right across from the central station, from which you can make it to the airport in as little as 20 minutes. You’re also just a short walk from Drottninggatan. The rooms here are soundproofed, so you don’t need to worry about all that city noise either.
• LUXURY: Scandic Grand Central – This charming hotel is located in a building from the 1880s but boasts a fitness center, sauna, and also bike rentals.

Best Neighborhood #3: Vasastan

You’ll find plenty of green space in this part of town, and it’s much quieter and less touristy than neighboring Norrmalm. While there isn’t a whole lot to see or do nearby, it’s easy to get around from here, and accommodations are still quite affordable.

The Best Places to Stay in Vasastan

• BUDGET: 2Kronor Hostel Vasastan – This hostel is located in a historic brick house built in 1865. It’s a good option if you want something more upscale, as the rooms are quite spacious (many also have regular beds as well as bunk beds). The interior design has that classic Nordic minimalist feel, balancing rustic touches (like exposed stone and brick) with modern amenities. It’s a bit quieter too, making it a great place for anyone not looking to party late into the night.
• MID-RANGE: August Strindberg Hotell – With a cozy dining hall complete with a fireplace, as well as an outdoor garden area, this hotel is a great option for anyone looking to shop or explore the downtown area. Located in a charming building from the 1880s, it’s is located right near the major shopping street of Drottninggatan. It also serves a great buffet breakfast.
• LUXURY: Best Western Plus Time Hotel – This is the perfect option for anyone looking for unparalleled luxury in the heart of the city. Located on a quiet residential street, almost every room boasts a sauna, a relaxation room, a heated bathroom floor, and a balcony.

Best Neighborhood #4: Östermalm

This is one of the more posh areas of town, known for its high-class shopping district and affluent residents. It’s also the place to party as well, with tons of great bars and nightclubs calling the neighborhood home. If you plan on indulging during your stay, this is probably the neighborhood for you!

The Best Places to Stay in Ostermalm

• BUDGET: STF Gärdet Hotel & Hostel – This budget-friendly hotel has more of a hostel feel, with a fully equipped kitchen and common areas. There is free Wi-Fi and breakfast as well. It’s not right in the center of Stockholm, but that just means you’ll be away from the crowds and have more space to explore.
• MID-RANGE: Pärlan Hotel – This family-owned, three-star hotel has a classic feel with a modern twist. With wooden floors, fireplaces, and quaint balconies, it really does emulate the charm of Stockholm. And it’s just a couple metro stops from Gamla Stan too.
• LUXURY: Elite Eden Park Hotel – Boasting a gym, a sauna, free Wi-Fi, and an Asian-inspired restaurant run by Swedish chef Melker Andersson, this hotel is a great option for anyone looking to indulge. The breakfast buffet is incredible, and the staff are helpful and incredibly professional.

Best Neighborhood #5: Kungsholmen

Located across the water from Norrmalm, this is more of a laid-back area. It’s growing in popularity and offers plenty of restaurants and cozy cafés. It has a lot of green space, including some walking trails. It’s a great place to stay if you’re looking for something a bit quieter away from the busy city center (yet still convenient enough to get anywhere with ease).

The Best Places to Stay in Kungsholmen

• BUDGET: Lodge32 Hostel – This is a simple, eco-friendly hostel with a no-frills atmosphere. It’s a short walk to the central station and great for anyone on a tight budget who doesn’t need anything fancy.
• MID-RANGE: Hotell M/S Monika – This is no average hotel, as it’s located on a refurbished ship from 1908. It may be cozy, but it’s absolutely charming and one of the most unique accommodations in town. There’s a huge breakfast each morning too!
• LUXURY: Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm Kungsholmen – Next door to Rålambshovsparken, a spacious park, the Courtyard is a stylish choice for anyone looking for luxury but also some peace and quiet. The rooms are spacious, and there’s free Wi-Fi and a fitness center to help you relax and enjoy your stay.

Best Neighborhood #6: Djurgården

After Gamla Stan, this island is probably the most popular area of the city for visitors. It’s home to the Vasa Museum, the ABBA museum, and Skansen (an open-air historical museum), where there are live concerts throughout the summer. There is even an amusement park on Djurgården too (Gröna Lund).

The Best Places to Stay in Djurgården

• BUDGET: There aren’t too many budget options on Djurgården. Your best bet is to try Airbnb or stay in a nearby neighborhood like Gamla Stan or Östermalm.
• MID-RANGE: Pop House Hotel – This hotel is actually located in the same building as the ABBA Musuem (hence the name). It has a chic modern design and is just a five-minute ride from Stockholm’s center.
• LUXURY: Hotel Hasselbacken – This beautiful hotel is right beside Skansen and Gröna Lund. It has a spa and fitness center, as well as a great restaurant with both traditional Swedish cuisine and international fare. It also has a kids’ playroom with toys and movies if you happen to be traveling with children.

Best Neighborhood #7: Södermalm

Södermalm (usually just referred to as Söder) is the artistic heart of Stockholm. You’ll find all sorts of shops and boutiques here, as well as some great cafés. It’s generally a bit more affordable and is a favorite district of locals. It’s also the area of Stockholm made popular by the Millennium Series (which includes The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).

The Best Places to Stay in Södermalm

• BUDGET: Skanstull Hostel – Skanstull is my second-favorite hostel in Stockholm. It was remodeled a few years back and has a brand-new, larger common area and kitchen (one of the nicest I’ve seen in a hostel in a long, long time).
• MID-RANGE: Hotel Söder – This hotel doesn’t look like much from the outside, but you’ll be surprised once you arrive. It’s modern and cozy, with comfortable beds and tons of great restaurants nearby. The Swedish breakfast here is delicious too.
• LUXURY: Clarion Hotel Stockholm – With a spa, fitness center, and some great views of the islands, you’ll be able to kick back and indulge at the Clarion. It has a top-notch restaurant that boasts an impressive menu of Central and South America cuisine, and there’s a terrace where you can eat and relax in the summer.

***

Whether you’re a budget backpacker or looking to indulge in a little Scandinavian luxury, Stockholm will have something to keep you entertained.

While it’s not the most budget-friendly city in the world, it has a lot to offer. No matter what your interest or travel style, you’ll be able to find a neighborhood that suits your needs — as well as an amazing place to stay to help you make the most of your time in one of Scandinavia’s best cities.

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Stockholm!

For more in-depth coverage of Stockholm, my 80-page guidebook is perfect for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You’ll find suggested itineraries; budgets; ways to save money; on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do; non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars; and much more! Click here to learn more and get started.

Book Your Trip to Stockholm: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone has been left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com, as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use it all the time. It’s my favorite website!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel — and I think they will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Stockholm?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Stockholm with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credit: Solis Invicti, Daša, 5, Manuel Menal, Wikipedia, 8

The 'Travel is Expensive' Myth: $100 for 5 Days in Stockholm

When I came to Stockholm in July, I found myself spending around $100 a day. That’s a lot of money, even for Stockholm. Eating out and going out frequently jacked up my living costs enormously. While I preach about budget travel, I am often not the best budget traveler. After all, this is my everyday life, and when I want sushi, I want to eat sushi! So I tend to splurge more often than not.

But as I reflected on how much money I was spending, I wondered what would happen if I flipped the equation. How long could I make $100 USD last in Stockholm? What if I decided to be ultra-frugal? I wanted an answer, especially since one of the reasons many people don’t come to this city (or travel in general) is because it’s so expensive. So I set out upon a quest to answer a single question:

“How long can I live on $100 USD in Stockholm without sacrificing too much of the comforts that I enjoy while traveling?”

The answer: five days.

Where Did The Money Go?

It took me five days to spend my $100 USD. In order to keep my costs down, I couchsurfed with a friend the whole week (something anyone can do by using hospitality networking sites). I walked everywhere instead of taking the train. I cooked all my own food. I only went out to a bar one night. My money basically went to food: groceries, lemonades, and brownies (my friend didn’t have Internet so I had to visit Internet cafés), and a few drinks.

That was it.

How Does This Relate To You?

I don’t think my results are replicable for the everyday traveler. This experiment wasn’t meant to be an example I think you should follow. Living like a pauper was boring. Incredibly boring. Sure, I did some stuff, but not nearly as much as I would have liked. It was hard to go out with friends because even buying a soda could bust my budget. See that movie? Nope. Eat out? Definitely not. Filling the days was easy: I walked around a lot, took the free walking tours, hung out in parks, did a lot of wandering, or worked. I was never bored during the day. But the nights? The nights were agony. Well, I watched a lot of movies on my computer or sat there nursing a beer because I couldn’t afford to buy more. When you can’t spend any money, there’s not much to do at night besides watch TV, work out, and sleep.

But the purpose of this experiment wasn’t to have you follow me. The purpose of this experiment was to show that when you are committed, it is possible to have some fun while making your money last, even in a city like Stockholm, home of the $10 McDonald’s value meal.

People always say travel is too expensive, but if I can survive on $20 USD per day in Stockholm, then the excuse that travel is too expensive doesn’t really cut it.

Realistically, your average traveler is going to spend that $100 USD quicker than I did, but this experiment proves there are always ways to stretch your budget. No destination need be off limits.

Yes, flights cost a lot of money, but luckily there are many ways to get free and extremely cheap flights. Once you get to your destination, there are plenty of ways to save money too. Cooking your meals, Couchsurfing or house sitting for free accommodation, taking the free walking tours, getting a tourist card — the list goes on. But those ways only matter if you are willing to stay focused and determined.

Even in Stockholm there is a happy medium between $100 a week and $100 a day. Using the above-mentioned tips plus some city-specific tips — like sticking to beer (spirits are expensive), lunch buffets, taking advantage of student/youth discounts, or eating at the street carts — one can travel here for $40-70 USD per day. At that price, suddenly your dream trip looks more like reality.

If you are focused, avoid unnecessary expenses, and think outside the “hotel/eat out/sightsee” box, every destination can be within your budgetary grasp.

And that’s really what this experiment was about. It had nothing to do with Stockholm specifically and everything to do with the fact that I wanted to show you the effect that budgeting and out-of-the-box thinking has on travel costs.

Do I want you to travel like this for a week? No. Is what I did sustainable over a long period of time? No way. The first thing I did when my experiment was over was go out for sushi and crack a bottle of wine.

But saying that a place is “too expensive” is never an excuse. A place is only too expensive in your head. Everyone has a different travel style and their own budget, but there are always ways to travel for less than you think.

Even in “expensive” Stockholm.

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Stockholm!

For more in-depth coverage of Stockholm, my 80 page guidebook is perfect for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more!! Click here to learn more and get started.

And Then, I Didn’t Move to Stockholm…

Posted: 08/13/2012 | August 13th, 2012

Remember how I’ve been talking about moving to Sweden since the beginning of the year? Remember when I moved to Stockholm last month? Even though it was only going to be for a few months, I was very excited to relocate to Sweden. I mean, it’s beautiful, it’s clean, the people are nice (and beautiful), the quality of life is great, and did I mention the people here are beautiful? Plus, I was looking forward to learning Swedish, having my own kitchen, and joining a gym.

Well, as you can probably guess from the title of this blog post, I’m not moving to Stockholm anymore.

What happened?

I became the latest victim of Sweden’s crappy housing system. In Sweden, they don’t build apartments to meet demand, so there are always more people who want a place than places exist. This is especially true in Stockholm since most people want to live here. For Swedes, if you want to rent a place, you have to get on a list. There’s also a minimum number of points you need, which determines your place on the list. Or the type of place you can get.

I’m not really sure.

It’s all very confusing. I have no idea how Swedes “get” points. I just know that miracles are usually involved. One of my friends had her sister rent an apartment for her because her sister had “points.” One of the girls who works at my hostel just put herself and her fiancé on this list. They’ll be first in line to get the next available place 15 years from now. It’s so bad, people will put their newborns on the list so they can have an apartment by the time they become adults.

Why is it this way? No idea. Even the Swedes complain about it, and they seem to be at a loss to explain the system to me. “It’s just the way it is,” they say. The right-leaning, more market-based party doesn’t want to change the laws any time soon either. Add the fact that Stockholm doesn’t build new places to meet demand, and you have a recipe for a city with no housing. Sure, this keeps the city old and historic, but it’s a pain the ass. I don’t understand why they don’t throw up some high-rises on the outskirts of town where people might not notice so much.

This housing crunch leads to a huge secondary market, where the owner rents their place out to others at a much higher price. Sometimes the renter then turns around and rents it to someone else for even more money!

So that’s the first problem I’m facing.

The second is that I’m only here until November, and most apartments want a longer commitment than that. (Or they only want a month, and I have no desire to be on the constant hunt for a new apartment every month.) Third, I’m not Swedish, and I think that hurts too, though I can’t prove it.

Over the last month, I’ve found a few places, but they were either too short-term or too expensive, or the owners fell through.

One of the reasons I wanted to move to Stockholm is because I want to settle down, have some roots, build a routine, go to the gym, and do all that other “normal” stuff people do. But after a month here, I find myself in stasis. I’m not moving forward, and without a firm place to live, I don’t want to put money into a gym or Swedish classes.

And with time wasting away, I decided that it’s better to just move on. It’s disappointing, but I can’t sit around forever. Some of my Swedish friends spend months looking for an apartment before they find one. I don’t have that luxury. While it would have been nice to be here, I take comfort in the fact that I tried. I didn’t take the easy road and stay in New York. I took a chance. When you break out of your comfort zone, that’s always a success — no matter what the outcome.

I have no regrets.

On September 2, I’m flying to Portugal for a few weeks before going to Spain. I have two conferences in September: one in Portugal, another in Spain. After that, I’ll head to southern France and then Copenhagen. I have a flight booked to the United States on October 10. I haven’t decided if I’ll be on it or if I’ll change the dates, but for now, I’m going to do a little traveling.

I’m looking forward to putting down some roots, but it looks like that’s just going to have to wait a bit longer. On the flip side, it looks like I’m heading home sooner than expected.

And I’m really OK with that.

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Stockholm!

For more in-depth coverage of Stockholm, my 80 page guidebook is perfect for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more!! Click here to learn more and get started.

Book Your Trip to Sweden: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight to Sweden by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation
My favorite places to stay in Stockholm are City Backpackers and Skanstulls Hostel. To book another hostel in Sweden, use Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.

Need Some Gear?
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on Sweden?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Sweden for even more planning tips!