Insider Guide: Best of Stockholm

by Lola Akinmade Åkerström

Island hopping isn’t just the province of exotic locales like the Caribbean.

Within its greater archipelago, Stockholm and its 1.2 million residents are spread across 14 distinct islands, just a few out of 28,000 -- yes, you read that right. 

Don’t be surprised if stereotypes of tall, happy-go-lucky blondes eating Swedish meatballs while driving Volvos to IKEA are dashed upon your visit. Today, the best of Stockholm is richly diverse with a darker, moodier side, and an eclectic reputation on par with Berlin and New York.

If you can’t leave town without Swarovski crystal, glitzy Östermalm island has more high-end designer stores per block than most anywhere in the world.

If you’re looking for vintage records and secondhand clothing, know that bohemian-chic Södermalm earns constant comparisons with New York’s SoHo.

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