Bottom (L-R): Wind through the cobblestoned streets of Gamla Stan, The Royal Dramatic Theater is a beautiful Art Nouveau building located on the waterfront and The enormous Vasa warship is the pearl of the Vasa Museum. Selma Roth Saudi Gazette Take a deep breath of fresh, clean air: Sweden has more to offer than four-letter furniture companies and idem pop groups. Take, for instance, the extensive coffee culture, the summer feasts, and the trendy designers, which all can be found in the capital, but in the rest of the country quite as well. Not convinced yet? A trip to the Scandinavian land will also involve more than knäckebröd for breakfast and meatballs for lunch and supper. Swedish cuisine is surprisingly versatile, and those missing the spice can always opt for Indian, Thai, Middle Eastern or Mexican cuisine — the influx of immigrants has led to an array of eateries from all over the world even in the smallest of towns. Here's how to enjoy the country like the Swedes do. Space to breathe The Swedish capital is one of the cleanest in the world. Together with Copenhagen, the capital of southern neighbor Denmark, Stockholm ranks second in Europe in terms of air quality of the continent's big cities. This comes as no surprise, as the capital's surface is one-third water, one-third greenery, and — you guessed it — only one-third urban space. Stockholm is built on 14 islands connected by nearly 60 bridges and borders an archipelago consisting of some 24,000 islands and islets. The water and greenery are favorite places to pass the weekends and holidays among its citizens, so why not do the same? Hop on a boat to marvel at the spectacular archipelago or take a walk in one of the numerous green spaces, such as the royal Rosendal or Millesgården. Dive into Swedish history Stockholm hasn't always been the country's capital. It became so during the 15th century, when its straits became the only place of access to the Baltic Sea from Lake Mälaren. Subsequently, the city grew out to the country's most important center of commerce and the base of the Swedish Empire, which encircled most of the Baltic Sea and comprised a land area twice the country's current size. The city's old town, Gamla Stan, is among the world's oldest and best preserved medieval city centers. Winding through its cobblestoned streets is an experience in itself, but it is also home to the Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral, and Nobel Museum, which are all worth a visit. For stunning views, climbing Stockholm's City Hall is also highly recommended. Visit a museum or two Museums are not everyone's cup of tea, but Stockholm has some that are interesting even for young children and Philistines. The Vasamuseet on the island of Djurgården shows the intriguing story of the “Vasa” warship, which was built in 1628 and sank on its maiden voyage right off the Stockholm harbor, instantly ripping Sweden from its mightiest warship while at war with Poland. The giant wreck lay under water for centuries but was finally salvaged in 1961. It is the pearl of the museum, but a tour and the film also offer a fascinating look into Swedish life nearly 400 years ago. Another highly recommended place to visit — that is, if the weather permits — is Skansen, the world's first open-air museum founded in 1891 and located on the same green island. The extensive park shows its visitors how Swedes lived throughout five centuries of history, with around 150 dwellings and buildings, occupied by people wearing traditional clothes. The founder's aim was to create a miniature historical Sweden by exhibiting furnished houses and farmsteads, cultivated plots and gardens, as well as domestic and wild animals, which can be found in the zoo. The park makes for an entire day out for tourists and locals alike and includes coffee places, restaurants, and shops. Go for a ‘fika' Talking about coffee, Sweden is perhaps not known for its exquisite blends, but nevertheless boasts of an extensive coffee culture. And taking a coffee break or ‘fika' — pronounced fee-ka, an inverted syllable slang term derived from ‘kaffi', the 19-century Swedish word for coffee — is not just about the coffee. Both used as a verb and a noun, ‘fika' entails meeting up for a coffee and a piece of cake or pastry. The sweet and social part is at least as important as the drink! Swedes fika at least once a day and love to accompany their coffee with a kanelbulle (cinnamon roll), kardemombullar (cardamom rolls), or chockladbullar (cocoa balls). And what about a piece of appelkaka (apple cake) or some biscuits? Hip designer boutiques The Swedish designer industry does not only entail simplicity and functionality packed in flat boxes, although the worldwide furniture chain certainly does illustrate the Swedish culture rather accurately. Whether it is fashion, interior décor or vintage, Stockholm is chock full of it. Particularly its neighborhood Södermalm is a haven for young and trendy bohemians. The island in southern Stockholm was a working-class district until well in the 20th century but has since then undergone a true transformation. For a more glamorous retail experience head to Östermalm, where you will find all international upscale brands. Or do as the posh Swedes, who shop at Nordiska Kompaniet, or simply NK, a department store offering everything under one roof. Fun at/in/on the lakes With some 100,000 small and big lakes across the country, it is impossible to visit Sweden and not have some fun on or in the water. Dive into the very clean and safe Lake Mälaren, fish for herring or salmon, or take a canoe and head to Långholmskanalen for a family-friendly ride. More of a sporty type? Head to the archipelago for the 32-mile long Långviksskär tour. In winter, ice skating on the lakes is a favorite pastime. A unique experience is to skate on the waters of the archipelago, but do so only with a guide. When to visit Stockholm? Like the rest of the Nordic country, Stockholm's life is determined by the passing of the seasons. While winter, with only 6 hours of daylight, can be cold and somber, the Swedes come alive when temperatures rise and sunlight fills the town, up to 18 hours a day! Though Stockholm does not get as cold as the northern part of the country and looks like a fairytale when covered with snow, keep the weather in mind when booking a trip. Late spring and summer may be the most enjoyable times of the year to visit Scandinavia. Another thing to be aware of are its prices. While the Swedes have embraced a simple and no-nonsense lifestyle, prices of accommodation, foods, and transport may give a different impression!
