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Stockholm - torn on Gamla Stan vs Sodermalm

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me, wife and 2 sons (20 and 22). like the "hipster" sounding, local vibe of Sodermalm. love good (and varied) food. bars. people watching. shopping at independent boutiques and vintage. maybe little more modern/stark/utilitarian architecture overall, but that VIEW back across to Old Town. WOWZA

but Gamla Stan looks over-the-moon-cute. obviously WAY busier tourist wise. but it's got the "look." we are suckers for cobblestones squares, colorful building s and medieval layout. maybe tour groups and such clear out at night, some? or not so much?

is there a compromise? that gives the lovely architecture but maybe a little less touristy, more local vibe? better to stay in G/S and head to Sodemalm by day for shopping and food trucks and beer gardens and return to our little temporary neighborhood at night? or stay on Sodermalm and head into G/S by day/evening? or is there an area of Sodermalm that's got a lil bit of that old town feel? prefer flat rental/aparthotel vs straight up hotel. but it's more about nailing down a neighborhood we can plant ourselves in and feel good about

any advice? short September trip (4 nights ahead of Gotland) for what it's worth. feel free to DM if easier.

Posted by
1912 posts

Not a compromise, stay in Södermalm. Gamla Stan gets jammed with tourists by 10AM, I would only go early in the day. I've not stayed in Södermalm area, but walked around the lovely small shops.

For something out of the ordinary, look up Hotel Hasselbacken on Djurgarden, recommended by Swedish friends, on the small island accessible by tram that also houses the Vasa Museum & Skansen. (Look it up on Google.) That would be a lovely area, bay breezes, bikes to rent just as you walk across the tiny bridge. Mardee is staying there next week so I'm sure she will have feedback!

Posted by
2 posts

thanks Sandisco! does Gamla Stan clear out at all, at night (like tour groups leaving)? or jam packed all day?

Posted by
4457 posts

I’m not sure how the crowds will be in September, but I was just in Stockholm this past May and didn’t find Gamla Stan to be very crowded, even during the day. The main shopping streets will always have the most people, but once you get away from them, it’s a completely different experience. Weekends will also be busier.

I stayed at the Radisson Collection Strand Hotel on the Nybroviken waterfront, and I thought it was the perfect location. I could easily walk to Gamla Stan, Djurgården, Skeppsholmen, and Kastellholmen.

Södermalm seems less central if you plan to walk to some of the other islands.

Posted by
516 posts

A couple of years ago we stayed in Sodermalm at Hotel Frantz and absolutely loved it. I was with my then 25 y/o daughter and we walked everywhere except to the meeting point for a kayaking trip when we took a taxi, although the metro was a two minute walk from the hotel entrance (we did take the metro on the way back). Galma Stan was about a 15 minute walk from us, maybe 20 if you are more of a "stroller". Within a 5 - 10 minute walk from out hotel we had a different cuisine every night- traditional swedish, italian and mexican. All of it delicious. Wherever you stay, I'm sure you will love Stockholm!

p.s. while I highly recommend out hotel, especially their breakfast spread, please note while the rooms are small as expected, the bathroom was tiny. To give you an idea, the sink was outside the bathroom and the shower had a folding door. Not a problem for us, just one of the quirks, but may be difficult for someone with mobility issues.

Posted by
1508 posts

You can see both in an easy day. We were staying near the Central Station, walked to Gamla Stan, spent the midday there; then took the metro to Medborgarplatsen in the heart of Sodermalm for dinner and an evening walk there.

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