Swede here. Swedes think it's suspicious if you start talking to them without a ''purpose'', saying hi or just chatting. But if you open with a specific question or topic and the conversation has a purpose and direction 90% of Swedes will engage in a friendly way with you. And the ''bubble'' is so interesting. I was in a shop once and a woman was standing SO CLOSE to me, I felt like she was following me around, but when I heared her talking in Dutch to her friend I realised that that social bubble is different depending on the country. And somehow it didn't feel threatening or weird because I could see that she was ''normal''. I assume the Dutch have smaller bubbles as their country is so densely populated, whereas Sweden definitely isn't. And with the service, be friendly and nice and they will be nice back. They won't bend over backwards but you will get what you payed for, so to speak.
As a general rule an outstretched arm show the range of that social bubble. Avoid entering that uneccesarily. Also do not sit down next to a stranger on a buss if there are places avalible. As such we fill up one at each double seat until we have to start filling up sitting g next to each other. But do not be extreme, we do not expect you to go through the entire bus to reach the seats in the back. Actually we tend to apologise if we "have" to sit down next to a stranger such at on that bench on a buss station.
Having a purpose for talking is so true. I was once so disturbed by a stranger talking to me like we were friends, that I outright asked him "why are you talking to me?" and he was very offended. It was only later that I wondered why I had that reaction.
Swedes are very different. You can hardly compare people from the very northern part to those in Southsweden. Or in Stockholm. Or in small villages. I live in Stockholm and I find it quite easy to start a smaller conversation wuth strangers. But at first, you must feel that you have a nice eye contact. Isn't it the same in the whole world?
Has nothing to do with "stranger danger". Scandinavians just value being able to move around freely without being bothered with smalltalk etc. It's a bit how americans value their physical personal space, in Scandinavia that extends to smalltalk as well. Also they do feel it as more intrusive to approach a stranger for conversation than to be approached by one. That's why they suddenly open up and become friendly when you speak to them and they realise you don't do it for the smalltalk.
@@tropicalhousem The concept of negative vs positive politeness is instructive here. In Scandinavia, you show people politeness by letting them to their own devices. When you go in to a clothing store for instance, the clerk will be a bit standoffish and wait for a minute before gently asking if they can be any help. Swedes are very allergic to in-your-face salespeople.
Definitely agree. I think the distance between a stranger and a friend is further in sweden but the distance between a friend and a close friend is actually closer here.
I'm gonna be a bit of an oddball here and say that I love sweden during october and november. I went to college in sweden and I would love how night time would start at around 2 pm during the winter and going out for walks at night in the cold was such a nice experience and it's what I miss the most about that country. It was only depressing during the day since the sky was so cloudy but at night it was a completely different vibe. In fact I'm planning to revisit this winter just to feel that again 😂😂
As an introvert and someone who dislikes being among large crowds of people, I also enjoy the darker Swedish months where I can go out more freely, since there are less people out on the streets.
As a native Swede living in Sweden. Yeah even tho the long months of darkness in the winter is depressing. There are still some positive things with it as you say. Winter can be very cozy and magical in some sense, very cold and fresh air. You can do some activities that you cant do any other time. I like the different seasons we have here. I just wish winter were a little shorter ;) I hope you have a great visit!
Great video (as always)! But a small comment, as a native Swede, about service. In general service is pretty good in Sweden, but it is different from other countries. As you've mentioned, we like our personal space in Sweden so having to ask for help is not a problem. Not being left alone by staff is much worse…
I feel like that could be a video in its own right, familiarizing (North) American travelers with European customer service. As you say and our host has said, it’s not rude, it’s polite by a different standard. People like to point to our 🇺🇸 wage structure where servers’ income is highly dependent on tips, but I think that’s only part of the story. If you came to stay in my home, no money changing hands, my culture tells me that I should anticipate your needs and _offer_ you anything that might make you comfortable. In other places like Germany and the Nordics, the expectation is that you can advocate for yourself. If you need water, you’ll ask. When you’re ready to leave, you’ll say so. Until then, the host won’t bug you.
@@Magic_beans_ I agree, the fact that servers are getting paid has at most very little to do with it. It's more of a cultural difference and people value different things. I've experienced "American" service in a restaurant and found it extremely annoying to be interrupted by the waiter every now and then.
Skansen is open all year and is lovely in winter snow. There’s a lot of Christmassy traditional things going on. It has a very, very popular Christmas market as well
I went recently, here are my tips: - Don’t think the coffee culture is like here in the U.S. Coffee is not generally seen as a grab and go. It’s the opposite. Also don’t be surprised to find out that the coffee shops are spacier and not shoebox sized - Don’t stay in the touristy areas. There are cities outside Stockholm you can go and reconnect with nature and are not as crowded outside the city and no car is needed to get there as long as you don’t mind walking - Don’t expect to see a lot of public restrooms - Don’t buy merchandise of classic Swedish literature from the gift shops when you can buy the same ones cheaper at an Akademibokhandeln, a second hand shop, or a loppis (flea market)
@@benjaminjane93 And, for language learners, better places to try your hand at speaking Swedish. Unlike touristy areas in Stockholm such as Gamla Stan, people will start off a conversation or small talk in Swedish.
Grab and go coffee is everywhere in Stockholm. All of the supermarkets have self-serve robust dark roast coffee for about 10 kroner ($1.00). Convenience stores like Pressbyrån and 7/11 (fantastic store in Sweden) also have wonderful, inexpensive coffee.
Buying rounds is not really a thing here, so there's no need to. People won't necessarily see it as a kind gesture, they'll feel that you've stepped on their toes now that they're expected to reciprocate by buying rounds in turn for a drink that they didn't necessarily want (I hate beer and most rounds in my experience means somebody buying you a pint). You'll be much better off just letting people buying their own drinks. Buy some snacks instead and share it with your table, it'll be more appreciated.
So I went to Stockholm for the first time in 2022. But I was there only for a day before I went to Vilnius. I loved Stockholm so much that I went back this year in April. Everything you said in this video is dead on! Anyone visiting Stockholm must try their Cinnamon buns and Cardamom buns too. Also I stayed at the "Hotel Hasslebaken on Djurgarden." It's literally a stones throw away from Skansen and the other museums. Was worth the stay. I can't wait to go back to beautiful Stockholm! Oh and Thanks Wolter for all of your informative videos. Your videos helped me out when I was in Lithuania too.
We swedes understand that there isn't that many of us. As such we learn English as a general backup language for international communication. This has turned out to be very useful on the the Internet.
The bus shuttle (Flixbus) from the airport is only 79 SEK, compared 340 SEK for the Arlanda Express train. The bus takes 40 min to the central station.
You can also take the SL buss and switch to a train for around 50 SEK. It will take quite a bit longer though. There are also the SL commuter trains straight from Arlanda but those are also not very cheap, just way cheaper than Arlanda Express.
Both beautiful and also if you are in Gothenburg - the city of light as well as Liseberg in the winter, also Gothenburg old town has one if the biggest kanel bulle ( cinnamon roll ( it huge and practically a meal) also if you are in Stockholm you have vetekatten which is a fika place near konserthuset worth it as well as chokladkoppen Gamla Stan .
Stockholm is one of my favorite cities in the world. Swedish people are super friendly and chatty after a few drinks at night in the bars and clubs. And yes, the Vasa Museum is awesome!
Honestly the most overrated museum in Stockholm. I don´t know how many times I have been there but very rarely do you leave and think to your self, wow what a great exibition. Might have happened ones or twice but more often you just feel a bit of dissapointment. Feels more like fotografiska is one of those places you should like cause it hip, I certinly wouldn´t recommend it to anyone.
As a swede that tries to avoid the capital, I'd say you are 100% on everything. I actually started laughing at how accurate you are. Also, no photo flashes at the Vasa Museum, but if you avoid the peak season, there is never a problem to bring a tripod. Actually, I misread the channel name, and since we have had and have several famous Swedish people named Wollter (with 2 l), I got corious. After I realized my mistake after a few seconds, I understood that this is a very entertaining channel. Good luck in the future on TH-cam. Oh, and for those planning to visit Stockholm, everything Wolter said is absolutely correct, if you ask me. 😎
Skansen is great all year round. In low season it is great because you have the place almost all by yourself and all the animals are out. :) Then of course the Christmas season at Skansen is really big. Stockholm in winter can be beautiful if it is covered in snow (but it is no guarantee). Only thing to think of in the cold season is to have good clothes, "det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder" (there are no bad weather only bad clothes).
I don’t think October is so bad, it’s still relatively warm. It can definitely be around 15 degrees C° or more and the brown leaves 🍁 are so pretty, November is when it starts getting really bad.
@@edvins8863 November can be mild too, and october can sometimes be winter like, especially the last half of it. There are no guarantees regarding temperatures whatsoever, but that's also pretty cozy. Swedish (or Svealand) climate in a nutshell.
@@herrbonk3635 yeah there is no way to accurately predict the weather here. Hell it was over 30 C° the other day and it’s September. But in general I’m quite content with October and I don’t like cold weather.
The "not speaking" is basicly we are protective of our own privacy and asume that everbody else is aswell. But Most will answer questions and help IF you ask for it and as you pointed out most speak pretty good english (especially for a non english speaking country) as most music and TV/Movies is in english and we generaly (except for kids movies) dubbed them into swedish we simply use subtitles
I am one of the rare group of people that prefers to travel when it's colder (I live where it's hot 8 months out of the year and no seasons) and the sun is not out at 9pm. We went to Iceland in November and everyone was telling us "oH tHAT's a MiStAKe, it will be dark and cold and depressing." Well guess what? We had a blast. Christmas decorations everywhere, a light snow, no sun at 6pm... it was magical! Also... NO CROWDS. I'll take fall/winter travel over summer any day!
Regarding the meh of the Nobel Prize Museum. Firstly it’s quite small, but also when I was there I got the feeling the point is to kind of get people thinking. Thinking about research and innovation, and how that is important. How the prize is not just for some shallow reasons. But important to humanity as a whole. Been a while since I went but I distinctly remember it was a different kind of idea than “showing off something cool”.
Agree and the looking at the seats in the café underneath and checking out the actual signatures of real nobelprize winners is so cool as it's their actual autographs .... science nerd in me goes swoon!
Skansen was my absolute favorite. But you need a whole day there. And if you happen to have a day here with very bad weather, the technical museum out in Djurgården is great if you are in to that. Great for kids also.
If I meet people that are into anything nerdy, or like books or even are maybe artsy I always recommend them to go to sci-fi bookstore when they are visiting old town. Even if you don't like 90% of the things in the shop you might find your nerdy niche in a corner of the store and be happy about it. Otherwise it's you just leave the shop and have lost nothing but a few minutes of your time. I myself have often had the chance to start a conversation with people there. Why because as you said, people don't like small talk but if you have a common interest to talk about they will be happy to talk a lot. ☺️
I actually disagree on not visiting in the winter. When I think of Sweden I think of the cold and the snow! I’ve been twice in the winter and if you wrap up warm it’s absolutely fine. Get yourself inside a cosy bar, cafe or restaurant to warm up! And go see some ice hockey, it’s just ten minutes from the old town on the train
Great video! Another helpful tip for travellers: I'd say it's not a problem if you're staying a little further out of the city center, so long as you are close to a subway station you will have a reliable mode of transport. It's approximately 4.10 USD one way.
Great overview. My mother and I visited Stockholm in June 2023 and loved it. It’s only dark from about 11 PM - 3 AM (be prepared to darken your hotel room to sleep) and the weather was cool, dry, and bright, with barely a wisp of cloud. Mr. W is right, it’s a very safe city, and not super-expensive. Don’t miss out on traveling the waterways, whether by ferry or tourist boat. The views are beautiful, and it’s characteristically Swedish to be on the water; Stockholm and other Scandinavian cities got started as sea-trading (or raiding) posts, and modern Swedes adore sailing, hiking, and other outdoor pursuits. (If you have time, I recommend a cruise upriver to the royal palaces. It’s a very scenic ride - generally on jolly little 1920s steamers, all white paint and polished brass - and the vast palace complex offers plenty of room to indulge your Marie Antoinette fantasies.)
December can be nice if you like christmas and christmas dinners, but do expect snow and ice. Also Allsång på Skansen is a nice experience during summer Tuesdays. Also we tend to have some great musicals here during theatre seasons but theyre often run in Swedish.
Stockholmer here! Suggestions: In summer, rent a kayak at Långholmen kajak, see the city from the water. Skansen and Gröna Lund have christmas markets. Gröna Lund also has "julbord" with traditional Swedish christmas food the entire december, book early! The artmuseum Nationalmuseum is going to feature a moody gothic artexhibition this autumn and winter 2024, called the Romanticism, inspired byvthe 1800s gothic era. And the museum Nordiska has a new exhibition called Nordbor about the northern way of life. Yeah and dont miss a walk in the parks at Djurgården, behind Skansen. Theres a lovely cafe and greenhouse called Rosendahl. And dont miss the small cute artmuseum called Waldemarsudde. You can go to Ropsten with a ferry, jump off there and take the subway from Ropsten to central town, checking out the subway art on your way.
I think alot of Swedes are very open to talking to strangers actually. Especially in a modern urban setting. However in Sweden the norm is to NOT talk to strangers, so if somebody approaches you, we often suspect that you're drunk or a needy person that we won't be able to shake off or even some kind of scammer. Because according to our experiences, these are the kind of people that will break this norm! So if you want to socialize with Swedes I think you have to work against this, the best way is to play it cool. Don't seem too needy or chatty. Have a specific topic or question in mind, an easily understandable joke! Slowly Swedes will open up to you if you keep chatting nicely. Not everybody but some will! Don't take it personal if some people just stay silent when you talk to them. This is just the culutre. Many haven't practiced speaking to strangers so they don't really know how to do it even. Also this thing is very regional in Sweden. In some rural areas people will be extremely chatty, in some others they will be almost silent. ^ People in Malmö and Gothenburg are way easier to speak to than people from in and around Stockholm, which have more of a shyness and "social prestige".
Great video! Stockholm is the next place I want to visit and travel to where my ancestors lived! I love my personal bubble and don't like for people to talk to me on public transit either. Must be from my Swedish genes! lol
As the Director General of the Vasa Museum it's great to hear that your'e a fan of the museum, Wolter. Let me know when you will be visiting next and maybe we can have lunch together. And I'll show you some special things behind the scene.
The medieval museum is beneath the parliament building, not the palace. But a verey nice recommendation! The Nobel museum is underwhelmin, but you can catch great lectures or talks from time to time.
I was ready to dunk on this video, because most of these type of videos are so wrong. But you kind of nailed it, dude. Good video! Especially the escalator thing. Lol
I’ll be flying into Düsseldorf soon, on the way to my next duty station. I hope to see you around some time to thank you in person for all the tips and advice you’ve given both myself and others on foreign travel. Stay safe!
The personal bubble is true, but if you are a tourist we understand you and are happy if we can help you, you can ask or talk to us, but no small talk when we are on our way to or back from work! And Sweden is so much more than Stockholm, but if it's your first visit Stockholm is a good choice!
Thank you for the realistic price comparison! As a Londoner visiting with a friend from Munich we had heard all the warnings and were surprised how little the prices differed from home! Except in certain coffee chains and if we had wanted alcohol…
Alcohol can be cheap in Stockholm to as long as you go to the right place. A plain old beer goes all the way from 3 euros 10 depending on where you get it. There are plenty of nicer places where you can get a 5-6 euro beer so it is not like you have to go to a dive bar either to get a decently priced beer but if you like dive bars there is plenty of cheap places as long as you know the city.
Skansen is open every day of the year, and it can be fantastic on a cold and snowy winter day. Especially if the sun is shining. Don't miss the bakery and Café Petissan, an old café moved from Vasastan in the middle of old Stockholm. Both are located in Skansen's old city quarter. The glass-blowing workshop is also worth a visit, as are all the ancient houses and cottages. And during the summer do not miss the archipelago and go as far out as you can!!!
I recommend the Viking Museum. Also be prepared because Arlanda airport is an absolute CITY. It's the biggest airport I've ever been in. It has like five terminals. I had to fly back to Finland after I got stranded in Stockholm and it took me almost an hour to walk to my gate from the main entrance.
@@Fakewokeagenda there's a Viking Museum in the same place as the ABBA museum. It's right around the corner, next to this fun fair place (that part was closed because it was February).
The Viking Museum is great! Very thoughtfully researched. YMMV with the (optional) dramatic ride - it’s a Disney-type ride in little carts past a series of dioramas showing hammy, melodramatic scenes from an imaginary Viking raider’s life. I enjoyed it, but more mature types may think it’s corny. The gift shop offers a range of interesting books, crafts, knick-knacks, and things to eat; I bought a bag of dried nettle-leaf powder as a vitamin supplement.
Thanks for sharing. I would like to get to Sweden as Ingmar Bergman is one of my favourite filmmakers, & I'd like to see the Bergman Museum & other stuff (like filming locations), but I've had reservations. I tend to get nervous about places I've not been to before, especially foreign language countries. I might try to get there eventually.
You're telling le you've been to Stockholm 6 times and not once visited Uppsala? This cannot stand! On your next visit: "Välkommen hit, välkommen hem" 😊
Haha! Säger inte att Stockholm är världens bästa stad på något sätt MEN att säga att Uppsala skulle vara ett bättre alternativ är humor för mig, tack för skrattet.
The cold isn' too bad in Stockholm even in winter, and going to Skansen at winter is an experience in itself... and if it snows, it's really like a postcard... It's not the cold, it's the darkness that gets to you...
I agree that STOCKHOLM might not offer much in wintertime. But SWEDEN offers a lot. Winter is why you should go to Sweden. It’s the best time of the year. Just bring the right wear
Hi! I'm planning on going to sweden in november! Do you have any recommendations of places to visit or things to do? The plan was to stay in or around stockholm, but any suggestion is appreciated!
To ease the pain in your wallet, have your main meal at mid-day! You can get "Today's special", often including something non-alcoholic to drink and coffee, for maybe $15 or even less. Going to the same restaurant in the evening will be a very different story.
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Yeah, have breakfast at the hotel and then go for a late lunch when it is less crowded (1-3 PM). Most restaurants have lunch deals.
There are also cruise ships going between Stockholm and the capitals of Finland and Estonia, Helsinki and Tallinn, for example and these trips don't cost much at all! The biggest companies that offer this are Silja Line (my favorite) and Viking Line. There will be shows onboard and often heavy partying going on. The best time of the year to go on one of these are of course in the summer, because, as Mark pointed out, it gets dark very early during the winter and that could make you miss out on seeing the archipelago.
A lot of people forget that you can get an Uber from all the airports here. Especially Atlanta and Bromma airports. That is a much better deal than ANY other method if you’re between one and 4 people especially when traveling with friends and share the fare. Regular taxi cost around 800sek while an uber will cost closer to 500sek for the same ride. The advantage to the airport bus is that you don’t need to change over to public transport or walk when you arrive at the city terminal or central stations which are the same place. Single public transport ticket which can be paid with any credit or debit card by just tapping in, super convenient for tourists, cost 42sek per person over 7 but weekends over 12. So taking the Atlanta express plus public transport or a taxi is way more expensive than just taking an uber straight to where you’re going. Plus you probably already have the app and know how to use it.
If you have luggage and are 3 or more people take a taxi, it's the same price as Arlanda express and much more convenient than trying to carry around 60 kilos of luggage through town and maybe needing an additional ticket for the subway, buss or commuter train.
In Northern Ireland its quite the same as Sweden with the weather ,and also its quite the same with the people slightly,but they're slightly louder if being honest,but over all im excited to possibly move to Sweden
If you visit Sweden in like December and then again in March-April when it's getting a little warmer, you see a huge difference in us Swedes. In December we just hurry to where we're going, clad in thick clothing, not really wanting to engage in activity. Then, the sun starts feeling a little warmer and the days become a little longer, we flock outside, our faces turned toward the sun, a look of relief and happiness on our faces. 😂 Every year it's the same. Even if it's still a little cold outside, if the skies are clear, we're out and loving it!
The look of relief and happiniess on our faces is so true. People will just stand still in the middle of a sidewalk or square, turned directly to the sun. A little bit funny actually.
As a swede, may I explain the reserveness from my point of view; Swedish ppl are afraid of awkwardness, uncomfortable silence and screwing up. Nothing makes us more scared as screwing up socially. If we're reserved, it might just be that we are afraid of making a mistake when talking to you. But, when that first hurdle has past, we are a very hospitable and friendly people. We are a strange people. We are both a VERY individualistic people, and also very collectivist. It's a strange combo that is difficult to explain in a short youtube comment.
In which ways are Swedes very/super individualistic? Is it just regarding "personal space" etc. or is there also some other personal or "political" individualism, apart from the "responsibility collectivism"?
@@tumarfa the individualism is prob mostly due to introversion, the sense of collective responsibility prob due to '30s to '70s Social Democratic rule and the law of Jante. Swedes generally hate to be told what to do and think, hence that unique approach to Co video for example. I myself for example, was not vacced, mostly for spite I reckon. Not an easy decision though because of the risk of maybe not being solidaric. So that was a bit of a clash between two mindsets within one person.
@tumarfa One way that the individualism may show is the family structure. A typical swede will have less of a problem (socially/culturally) with breaking from a families norms and cultures. (This is all relative btw, and by no means a constant, but in relative terms compared to say southern europe). The individualism might also show in the workplace where a typical swedish company might have a more "flat" order structure. There is a boss (and other bosses), but there's more freedom in between all those layers of decision making. One way we are NOT individualistic however is regarding our sense of culture, and also politics and general views on society. Swedes typically run "by the norm". For better or worse, we are like a school of fish turning (generally speaking) at the same time. This is of course hugely simplified.
Looking good man you look happy healthy lovely video and spot on❤❤(WestCoast in Sweden many ppl from Sthlm go to bcs the archapelago is Best so yah I do prefer WestCoast of Sweden during summer esp sailing it)
Don't get the Arlanda Express to/from the airport unless you are a single traveller. If there's more than one of you, it's cheaper to get an Uber. It's one of the dumbest prices for an airport train I've ever seen.
Many tourist see Stockholm as a historic destination, but most Stockholmers and Swedes live quite a modern life, most basically never visit the Old Town area, maybe they stroll through on a quick promenade. I think many visitors miss out on the experience of modern Stockholm, which itself contains lots of vibrancy and life, as well as a more modern history. The biggest DON'T I'd say, is to only stay in Old Town and "Stockholm city" (Norrmalm). And please avoid the Central Station and the dreadful area around it. Alot of the truly great things to do in Stockholm is actually on Södermalm, the southern part of Central Stockholm, but alot of the good stuff in this area is not mentioned alot in guidebooks or online. Tourist mostly goes to Södermalm to see the great views over the rest of the city which is a great thing to do. However there are also great restaurants, pubs, clubs (where you'll get in), fashion, shopping, beautiful coastline and parks and and alot of interesting and historic architecture (such as churches and small cutesy cottages) in most of the area. Also alot of the restaurants and cafés recommendeded for visitors online are considered "touristy" and bad by locals. Ask the locals for the good places or the real Stockholm classics. Swedes of course never visit overprized cinnamon bun-cafés or Viking restaurants. They are more like a Disneyland version of the culture than anything authentic.
It's nice to give a tip after a dinner. This "lack" of service at restaurants is connected to the culture. Swedes in general wants to be left alone. But at the same time Swedes are very helpful. But I really understand that tourists coming from ex. USA think that the service is poor.
I am half Swedish (but I never learned Finnish from my mother) and half Finnish and know that they are even more reserved in Finland.Well, you should come in December because if we have snow, it's really beautiful in Sweden. In addition, we also have a Christmas market, so you are not doing a particularly good job of advertising for Sweden.
Have lived there for two years and loved it. Not easy to make friends or get in some close circle though. Also the bigger cities kind "suffer" from the same problem like London. Beware of Malmö.
DO talk to people on public transport in Gothenburg. It's the difference between Stockholm and Gothenburg. I'm from Stockholm and then moved to Gothenburg for seven years. We talk to each other in Gothenburg. 😄
We put a huge emphasis on respect of other people's privace, and private space. This manifests as both an (apparent) unwillingness to start random small-talk with people, and also about not standing too close to each other etc. Basically, don't get in anyone else's space.
We have a rather sad “pub” in our small town where a beer is 50 Swedish dollars, but you have to join the A-team … But if beer is important and you can live without company, check out beer in the liquor store - Systembolaget - and pick some Swedish craft beer and try them at your hotel or in a park (this isn’t USA 😊).
I actually didn't like the Wasa Museum. But I loved the Postal Museum, one of the lesser known museums that costs a little less than the rest of the museums but three floors of really great display of how Post was, is and perhaps should be transmitted betweeen people is so cool. You even can see the most rare and expensive stamp in the world there!
FIKA, that’s a word that is spreading outside our boundaries and it has an interesting story. Many groups of workers or hobos adopted a jargon with made-up words and signs and such group were the chimney sweepers. When they had their coffee break, the drank their coffee or KAFFE in Swedish. They may have pronounced it KAFFI [kaffee], anyhow, the swapped the syllables KA and FI, thus making the famous FI-KA. Fika is shortly coffee the way chimney sweepers put it back then.
I visted Stockholm and would love to go back, but I visited in late November and it will snow, like it did when I visited so be prepared. Also look out for overhanging ice on the buildings that may fall down and crash on the sidewalks, there will be signs out warning you of that. Arlanda arrival passport control may be the quietest building space on earth, amazing acoustics! I was underwhelmed with a Christmas Market in Gamla Stan/Old Town. It was small but maybe it was because I visited in the middle of a weekday. I said "Tack" a few times, but gave up and used "thanks" because I just got that "no need to speak Swedish" vibe. Unlike France, it felt a little unnecessary. About the darkness, my hotel was dark with miminal lighting in the hallways and even the hotel room. Took some getting used to but it was a very nice place to stay. I did my booze buying at bars and restaurants. I've read the Swedish state store system (Systembolaget) doesn't have the best hours (they are closed on Sunday, when I arrived) and is expensive.
If you ever visit sweden. Dont also forget to visit Visby, on the isle of Gotland. Very great place, atleast in the summer. In winter it is.... dead x)
@@MMM18092 That is strange, it does not say so on the websites of STF nor Jumbostay. On both sites I can make reservations, up until the moment of paying. Are you sure ot the closure?
In case you actually do wanna come here to feel the cold rather than avoiding it, make sure to do so between mid-late December and early February; as Mark said, fall is depressing af and as for early spring/late winter, y'aint want no slask.
I'm British but live in South Korea. I dislike strangers talking to me. If it's for directions or information then it's ok but if strangers randomly stop you to sell you stuff or because they're bored, it's annoying.
About Swedes, privacy and small talk... It can be claimed that we are farmers who were urbanized late, and that one doesn't unnecessarily bother other people. As a visitor, don't be afraid to strike up a conversation, but do it in a natural way. No "Hi, I'm Bob from Houston, Texas! What a great country you have here!". Try something more subtle, like "Nice weather today" or "Excuse me, but do you know what that building [or other feature] is?" Don't expect a reply - despite all talk about Swedes being fluent in English, many are still uncomfortable to speak the language as they aren't confident enough - but you might run into someone like me, who doesn't shy away from small talk (unless your come across like a crazy Texan from Houston).
Adding to that, some or many Swedes are a bit like clams, but if you pry us open, you will not able to close the shell. Years of solitude and silence must be compensated once in a while. Maybe, if you meet people that seem to be un-occupied, ask them if they can show you around a little and buy them a coffee …. Or maybe check if you could go to a café buy some buns and cakes and be invited to their homes to have coffee and have a look how we live.
Swede here. Swedes think it's suspicious if you start talking to them without a ''purpose'', saying hi or just chatting. But if you open with a specific question or topic and the conversation has a purpose and direction 90% of Swedes will engage in a friendly way with you. And the ''bubble'' is so interesting. I was in a shop once and a woman was standing SO CLOSE to me, I felt like she was following me around, but when I heared her talking in Dutch to her friend I realised that that social bubble is different depending on the country. And somehow it didn't feel threatening or weird because I could see that she was ''normal''. I assume the Dutch have smaller bubbles as their country is so densely populated, whereas Sweden definitely isn't. And with the service, be friendly and nice and they will be nice back. They won't bend over backwards but you will get what you payed for, so to speak.
As a general rule an outstretched arm show the range of that social bubble. Avoid entering that uneccesarily. Also do not sit down next to a stranger on a buss if there are places avalible. As such we fill up one at each double seat until we have to start filling up sitting g next to each other. But do not be extreme, we do not expect you to go through the entire bus to reach the seats in the back.
Actually we tend to apologise if we "have" to sit down next to a stranger such at on that bench on a buss station.
Having a purpose for talking is so true. I was once so disturbed by a stranger talking to me like we were friends, that I outright asked him "why are you talking to me?" and he was very offended. It was only later that I wondered why I had that reaction.
Nörd
@@LovisaSvensson-iw7wcyou were right, people dont have right to disturb you
Swedes are very different. You can hardly compare people from the very northern part to those in Southsweden. Or in Stockholm. Or in small villages. I live in Stockholm and I find it quite easy to start a smaller conversation wuth strangers. But at first, you must feel that you have a nice eye contact. Isn't it the same in the whole world?
Has nothing to do with "stranger danger". Scandinavians just value being able to move around freely without being bothered with smalltalk etc. It's a bit how americans value their physical personal space, in Scandinavia that extends to smalltalk as well.
Also they do feel it as more intrusive to approach a stranger for conversation than to be approached by one. That's why they suddenly open up and become friendly when you speak to them and they realise you don't do it for the smalltalk.
Very well put.
@@tropicalhousem The concept of negative vs positive politeness is instructive here. In Scandinavia, you show people politeness by letting them to their own devices. When you go in to a clothing store for instance, the clerk will be a bit standoffish and wait for a minute before gently asking if they can be any help. Swedes are very allergic to in-your-face salespeople.
Definitely agree. I think the distance between a stranger and a friend is further in sweden but the distance between a friend and a close friend is actually closer here.
Myself I m just a grumpy bastard, but your explanation sounds better
I'm gonna be a bit of an oddball here and say that I love sweden during october and november. I went to college in sweden and I would love how night time would start at around 2 pm during the winter and going out for walks at night in the cold was such a nice experience and it's what I miss the most about that country. It was only depressing during the day since the sky was so cloudy but at night it was a completely different vibe.
In fact I'm planning to revisit this winter just to feel that again 😂😂
As an introvert and someone who dislikes being among large crowds of people, I also enjoy the darker Swedish months where I can go out more freely, since there are less people out on the streets.
As a native Swede living in Sweden. Yeah even tho the long months of darkness in the winter is depressing. There are still some positive things with it as you say. Winter can be very cozy and magical in some sense, very cold and fresh air. You can do some activities that you cant do any other time. I like the different seasons we have here. I just wish winter were a little shorter ;) I hope you have a great visit!
Great video (as always)! But a small comment, as a native Swede, about service. In general service is pretty good in Sweden, but it is different from other countries. As you've mentioned, we like our personal space in Sweden so having to ask for help is not a problem. Not being left alone by staff is much worse…
I feel like that could be a video in its own right, familiarizing (North) American travelers with European customer service. As you say and our host has said, it’s not rude, it’s polite by a different standard.
People like to point to our 🇺🇸 wage structure where servers’ income is highly dependent on tips, but I think that’s only part of the story. If you came to stay in my home, no money changing hands, my culture tells me that I should anticipate your needs and _offer_ you anything that might make you comfortable.
In other places like Germany and the Nordics, the expectation is that you can advocate for yourself. If you need water, you’ll ask. When you’re ready to leave, you’ll say so. Until then, the host won’t bug you.
@@Magic_beans_ I agree, the fact that servers are getting paid has at most very little to do with it. It's more of a cultural difference and people value different things. I've experienced "American" service in a restaurant and found it extremely annoying to be interrupted by the waiter every now and then.
Skansen is open all year and is lovely in winter snow. There’s a lot of Christmassy traditional things going on. It has a very, very popular Christmas market as well
Swede here, good representation of my city very well done 👍
I went recently, here are my tips:
- Don’t think the coffee culture is like here in the U.S. Coffee is not generally seen as a grab and go. It’s the opposite. Also don’t be surprised to find out that the coffee shops are spacier and not shoebox sized
- Don’t stay in the touristy areas. There are cities outside Stockholm you can go and reconnect with nature and are not as crowded outside the city and no car is needed to get there as long as you don’t mind walking
- Don’t expect to see a lot of public restrooms
- Don’t buy merchandise of classic Swedish literature from the gift shops when you can buy the same ones cheaper at an Akademibokhandeln, a second hand shop, or a loppis (flea market)
Getting out of Stockholm and into the country side is probably one of the most recommended things you can do visiting Sweden.
@@benjaminjane93 And, for language learners, better places to try your hand at speaking Swedish. Unlike touristy areas in Stockholm such as Gamla Stan, people will start off a conversation or small talk in Swedish.
Grab and go coffee is everywhere in Stockholm. All of the supermarkets have self-serve robust dark roast coffee for about 10 kroner ($1.00). Convenience stores like Pressbyrån and 7/11 (fantastic store in Sweden) also have wonderful, inexpensive coffee.
Don't buy everyone a round when you're in a cafe in Stockholm. You'll go bankrupt. Same goes for Oslo.
If you are from the states its not that bad. The exchange rate is favorable.
@@raymondwestland2512 ok brokie
It even goes double for Oslo, amirite?
Buying rounds is not really a thing here, so there's no need to. People won't necessarily see it as a kind gesture, they'll feel that you've stepped on their toes now that they're expected to reciprocate by buying rounds in turn for a drink that they didn't necessarily want (I hate beer and most rounds in my experience means somebody buying you a pint). You'll be much better off just letting people buying their own drinks. Buy some snacks instead and share it with your table, it'll be more appreciated.
@@FailedPoet444 what? Id take a free round and buy my friends rounds when I have money for it
The Swedes are generally VERY friendly, this was my experience when I was in Stockholm at least
funny how you say that because here in Sweden everyone outside of Stockholm think they are very egocentric and rude.
I can understand that compared to the US which is very bad socially.
Talking to people at the bus stop is like talking to people in the urinal of a bar.
So I went to Stockholm for the first time in 2022. But I was there only for a day before I went to Vilnius. I loved Stockholm so much that I went back this year in April. Everything you said in this video is dead on! Anyone visiting Stockholm must try their Cinnamon buns and Cardamom buns too. Also I stayed at the "Hotel Hasslebaken on Djurgarden." It's literally a stones throw away from Skansen and the other museums. Was worth the stay. I can't wait to go back to beautiful Stockholm! Oh and Thanks Wolter for all of your informative videos. Your videos helped me out when I was in Lithuania too.
I live in California and have been going to Stockholm just about every summer for many years,. I cannot ever get enough of it. I LOVE this city !!!
We swedes understand that there isn't that many of us. As such we learn English as a general backup language for international communication. This has turned out to be very useful on the the Internet.
As a Finn though, when in Stockholm people have talked to me more than in Helsinki 😄
That's funny. I met a random Finn in Stockholm this summer at a concert. He was drunk though... but a good drunk! 🤔
@@bugsygoo Being drunk changes the situation with talking to strangers 😄
@@Aurinkohelmi Yeah, drunk Finns are often very social.
The bus shuttle (Flixbus) from the airport is only 79 SEK, compared 340 SEK for the Arlanda Express train. The bus takes 40 min to the central station.
Flygbussarna has a more regular service than flux us and run at night too for just a little more 119:- per person.
The one gripe I have about Stockholm is the Arlanda Wxpress. The pricing is so stupid. If there are two of you, it is way cheaper to get an Uber.
You can also take the SL buss and switch to a train for around 50 SEK. It will take quite a bit longer though.
There are also the SL commuter trains straight from Arlanda but those are also not very cheap, just way cheaper than Arlanda Express.
In December you have the Christmas market at Skansen. Wow!
and Gamla Stan
Both beautiful and also if you are in Gothenburg - the city of light as well as Liseberg in the winter, also Gothenburg old town has one if the biggest kanel bulle ( cinnamon roll ( it huge and practically a meal) also if you are in Stockholm you have vetekatten which is a fika place near konserthuset worth it as well as chokladkoppen Gamla Stan .
Hope to visit Sweden one day. I have our Swedish family Bible, which was brought to the US when my family came here in the 1800's.
Wow. As a swede, I would love to see a picture of that Bible.
The two last weeks of July and the first week of August have the best weather usually.
Stockholm is one of my favorite cities in the world. Swedish people are super friendly and chatty after a few drinks at night in the bars and clubs. And yes, the Vasa Museum is awesome!
The Fotografiska museum is brilliant, well worth a visit (the food isn't bad either)
Fotografiskas köttbullar är legendariska
Honestly the most overrated museum in Stockholm. I don´t know how many times I have been there but very rarely do you leave and think to your self, wow what a great exibition. Might have happened ones or twice but more often you just feel a bit of dissapointment. Feels more like fotografiska is one of those places you should like cause it hip, I certinly wouldn´t recommend it to anyone.
@@mattiasbjorklund5398 I got lucky :D
As a swede that tries to avoid the capital, I'd say you are 100% on everything. I actually started laughing at how accurate you are. Also, no photo flashes at the Vasa Museum, but if you avoid the peak season, there is never a problem to bring a tripod.
Actually, I misread the channel name, and since we have had and have several famous Swedish people named Wollter (with 2 l), I got corious. After I realized my mistake after a few seconds, I understood that this is a very entertaining channel. Good luck in the future on TH-cam.
Oh, and for those planning to visit Stockholm, everything Wolter said is absolutely correct, if you ask me. 😎
Skansen is great all year round. In low season it is great because you have the place almost all by yourself and all the animals are out. :) Then of course the Christmas season at Skansen is really big. Stockholm in winter can be beautiful if it is covered in snow (but it is no guarantee). Only thing to think of in the cold season is to have good clothes, "det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder" (there are no bad weather only bad clothes).
The winter, at least a cold winter, is acceptable since the snow makes everything a bit brighter. October-December is just pure depression though.
The opposite for my part. The depression comes with the cold and snow.
I don’t think October is so bad, it’s still relatively warm. It can definitely be around 15 degrees C° or more and the brown leaves 🍁 are so pretty, November is when it starts getting really bad.
@@edvins8863 November can be mild too, and october can sometimes be winter like, especially the last half of it. There are no guarantees regarding temperatures whatsoever, but that's also pretty cozy. Swedish (or Svealand) climate in a nutshell.
@@herrbonk3635 yeah there is no way to accurately predict the weather here. Hell it was over 30 C° the other day and it’s September. But in general I’m quite content with October and I don’t like cold weather.
@@edvins8863 Me neither, especially not when it's also snow and ice on the ground. (Despite saying that is like svearing in church to some Swedes.)
The "not speaking" is basicly we are protective of our own privacy and asume that everbody else is aswell. But Most will answer questions and help IF you ask for it and as you pointed out most speak pretty good english (especially for a non english speaking country) as most music and TV/Movies is in english and we generaly (except for kids movies) dubbed them into swedish we simply use subtitles
I am one of the rare group of people that prefers to travel when it's colder (I live where it's hot 8 months out of the year and no seasons) and the sun is not out at 9pm. We went to Iceland in November and everyone was telling us "oH tHAT's a MiStAKe, it will be dark and cold and depressing." Well guess what? We had a blast. Christmas decorations everywhere, a light snow, no sun at 6pm... it was magical! Also... NO CROWDS. I'll take fall/winter travel over summer any day!
Honestly rain/darkness and such are underrated 😊
I loved the “Hallwylska muséet”. Fantastic tour of a private luxury townhouse, exactly how it looked a 100 years ago.
Regarding the meh of the Nobel Prize Museum. Firstly it’s quite small, but also when I was there I got the feeling the point is to kind of get people thinking. Thinking about research and innovation, and how that is important. How the prize is not just for some shallow reasons. But important to humanity as a whole. Been a while since I went but I distinctly remember it was a different kind of idea than “showing off something cool”.
Agree and the looking at the seats in the café underneath and checking out the actual signatures of real nobelprize winners is so cool as it's their actual autographs .... science nerd in me goes swoon!
Skansen was my absolute favorite. But you need a whole day there.
And if you happen to have a day here with very bad weather, the technical museum out in Djurgården is great if you are in to that. Great for kids also.
Wow, everytime I look up a country to visit I find your videos - and now you're in mine!
Skansen has big christmas celebrations and christmas markets as well, highly recommended :)
If I meet people that are into anything nerdy, or like books or even are maybe artsy I always recommend them to go to sci-fi bookstore when they are visiting old town. Even if you don't like 90% of the things in the shop you might find your nerdy niche in a corner of the store and be happy about it. Otherwise it's you just leave the shop and have lost nothing but a few minutes of your time. I myself have often had the chance to start a conversation with people there. Why because as you said, people don't like small talk but if you have a common interest to talk about they will be happy to talk a lot. ☺️
I actually disagree on not visiting in the winter. When I think of Sweden I think of the cold and the snow! I’ve been twice in the winter and if you wrap up warm it’s absolutely fine. Get yourself inside a cosy bar, cafe or restaurant to warm up! And go see some ice hockey, it’s just ten minutes from the old town on the train
Great video! Another helpful tip for travellers: I'd say it's not a problem if you're staying a little further out of the city center, so long as you are close to a subway station you will have a reliable mode of transport. It's approximately 4.10 USD one way.
Great overview. My mother and I visited Stockholm in June 2023 and loved it. It’s only dark from about 11 PM - 3 AM (be prepared to darken your hotel room to sleep) and the weather was cool, dry, and bright, with barely a wisp of cloud. Mr. W is right, it’s a very safe city, and not super-expensive.
Don’t miss out on traveling the waterways, whether by ferry or tourist boat. The views are beautiful, and it’s characteristically Swedish to be on the water; Stockholm and other Scandinavian cities got started as sea-trading (or raiding) posts, and modern Swedes adore sailing, hiking, and other outdoor pursuits. (If you have time, I recommend a cruise upriver to the royal palaces. It’s a very scenic ride - generally on jolly little 1920s steamers, all white paint and polished brass - and the vast palace complex offers plenty of room to indulge your Marie Antoinette fantasies.)
Mark: 'There are so many museums here!' (Proceeds to name a whole bunch of museums.)
I: 'There is an ABBA museum!'
December can be nice if you like christmas and christmas dinners, but do expect snow and ice.
Also Allsång på Skansen is a nice experience during summer Tuesdays.
Also we tend to have some great musicals here during theatre seasons but theyre often run in Swedish.
Stockholmer here! Suggestions:
In summer, rent a kayak at Långholmen kajak, see the city from the water.
Skansen and Gröna Lund have christmas markets. Gröna Lund also has "julbord" with traditional Swedish christmas food the entire december, book early!
The artmuseum Nationalmuseum is going to feature a moody gothic artexhibition this autumn and winter 2024, called the Romanticism, inspired byvthe 1800s gothic era.
And the museum Nordiska has a new exhibition called Nordbor about the northern way of life.
Yeah and dont miss a walk in the parks at Djurgården, behind Skansen. Theres a lovely cafe and greenhouse called Rosendahl.
And dont miss the small cute artmuseum called Waldemarsudde.
You can go to Ropsten with a ferry, jump off there and take the subway from Ropsten to central town, checking out the subway art on your way.
One can rent a kayak for free if one picks up trash while kayaking. Next to the Maritime Museum (Sjöhistoriska).
I went in February and loved it ❤️
I think alot of Swedes are very open to talking to strangers actually. Especially in a modern urban setting. However in Sweden the norm is to NOT talk to strangers, so if somebody approaches you, we often suspect that you're drunk or a needy person that we won't be able to shake off or even some kind of scammer. Because according to our experiences, these are the kind of people that will break this norm!
So if you want to socialize with Swedes I think you have to work against this, the best way is to play it cool. Don't seem too needy or chatty. Have a specific topic or question in mind, an easily understandable joke! Slowly Swedes will open up to you if you keep chatting nicely. Not everybody but some will!
Don't take it personal if some people just stay silent when you talk to them. This is just the culutre. Many haven't practiced speaking to strangers so they don't really know how to do it even. Also this thing is very regional in Sweden. In some rural areas people will be extremely chatty, in some others they will be almost silent. ^
People in Malmö and Gothenburg are way easier to speak to than people from in and around Stockholm, which have more of a shyness and "social prestige".
Nice presentation of my hometown Stockholm.
Great video! Stockholm is the next place I want to visit and travel to where my ancestors lived! I love my personal bubble and don't like for people to talk to me on public transit either. Must be from my Swedish genes! lol
As the Director General of the Vasa Museum it's great to hear that your'e a fan of the museum, Wolter. Let me know when you will be visiting next and maybe we can have lunch together. And I'll show you some special things behind the scene.
The medieval museum is beneath the parliament building, not the palace. But a verey nice recommendation!
The Nobel museum is underwhelmin, but you can catch great lectures or talks from time to time.
I was ready to dunk on this video, because most of these type of videos are so wrong. But you kind of nailed it, dude. Good video! Especially the escalator thing. Lol
As a local. Don't spend your money in Gamla stan. Everything from restaurants to shops are highly overpriced. It's just a big tourist trap.
I hate those tourist souvenir shops with every fibre of my being. The only gem there is SF-bokhandeln
I’ll be flying into Düsseldorf soon, on the way to my next duty station. I hope to see you around some time to thank you in person for all the tips and advice you’ve given both myself and others on foreign travel. Stay safe!
Düsseldorf airport is actually quite nice, as airports go.
The personal bubble is true, but if you are a tourist we understand you and are happy if we can help you, you can ask or talk to us, but no small talk when we are on our way to or back from work! And Sweden is so much more than Stockholm, but if it's your first visit Stockholm is a good choice!
Thank you for the realistic price comparison! As a Londoner visiting with a friend from Munich we had heard all the warnings and were surprised how little the prices differed from home! Except in certain coffee chains and if we had wanted alcohol…
@@AndyKing1963 Norrmalm is not only a tourist trap, but also the ugliest part of the entire city. On Södermalm a beer is around 35-55kr.
Alcohol can be cheap in Stockholm to as long as you go to the right place. A plain old beer goes all the way from 3 euros 10 depending on where you get it. There are plenty of nicer places where you can get a 5-6 euro beer so it is not like you have to go to a dive bar either to get a decently priced beer but if you like dive bars there is plenty of cheap places as long as you know the city.
England is so damn expensive compared to sweden, only tourist traps have england prices
Your description of my hometown is true in every respect
I'm glad you like it
I love it myself
Cheers
Hans
Skansen is open every day of the year, and it can be fantastic on a cold and snowy winter day. Especially if the sun is shining. Don't miss the bakery and Café Petissan, an old café moved from Vasastan in the middle of old Stockholm. Both are located in Skansen's old city quarter. The glass-blowing workshop is also worth a visit, as are all the ancient houses and cottages.
And during the summer do not miss the archipelago and go as far out as you can!!!
my falls go blue during the winter and during the summer it's sweaty as hell. Autumn and spring is the sweet spot.
I recommend the Viking Museum. Also be prepared because Arlanda airport is an absolute CITY. It's the biggest airport I've ever been in. It has like five terminals. I had to fly back to Finland after I got stranded in Stockholm and it took me almost an hour to walk to my gate from the main entrance.
What Viking museum
@@Fakewokeagenda there's a Viking Museum in the same place as the ABBA museum. It's right around the corner, next to this fun fair place (that part was closed because it was February).
The Viking Museum is great! Very thoughtfully researched. YMMV with the (optional) dramatic ride - it’s a Disney-type ride in little carts past a series of dioramas showing hammy, melodramatic scenes from an imaginary Viking raider’s life. I enjoyed it, but more mature types may think it’s corny. The gift shop offers a range of interesting books, crafts, knick-knacks, and things to eat; I bought a bag of dried nettle-leaf powder as a vitamin supplement.
@@VampiraVonGhoulscout Arlanda is actually quite small compared to other countries main airports.
@@eriklindqvist9923 in fairness, I have only been around the EU.
Thanks for sharing. I would like to get to Sweden as Ingmar Bergman is one of my favourite filmmakers, & I'd like to see the Bergman Museum & other stuff (like filming locations), but I've had reservations. I tend to get nervous about places I've not been to before, especially foreign language countries. I might try to get there eventually.
You dont have to be worried. English is super common in Sweden.
The personal bubble is part of our culture and it is normal for us and it is weird for other
I am an American and I like my personal space as well😉
Americans have a huge personal bubble.
You're telling le you've been to Stockholm 6 times and not once visited Uppsala? This cannot stand!
On your next visit: "Välkommen hit, välkommen hem" 😊
Haha! Säger inte att Stockholm är världens bästa stad på något sätt MEN att säga att Uppsala skulle vara ett bättre alternativ är humor för mig, tack för skrattet.
@@demharsh läs om, läs rätt...
As a swede, I approve this video
Thank you!
as someone who lives in ekerö (where drottningholm is) it is really worth the time going there
The cold isn' too bad in Stockholm even in winter, and going to Skansen at winter is an experience in itself... and if it snows, it's really like a postcard...
It's not the cold, it's the darkness that gets to you...
The winter lights in the towns are really nice, though. They really do their best to cheer up the darkness.
@@jeffkunce8501 It's the lack of sun, really. No D-vitamin, mood dampener. Artificial lights - no matter how happy - doesn't really help.
@@SteamboatW Yes, I agree, if you live there (as my son does.) But, as a visitor, I have enjoyed the winter.
I agree that STOCKHOLM might not offer much in wintertime. But SWEDEN offers a lot. Winter is why you should go to Sweden. It’s the best time of the year. Just bring the right wear
Hi! I'm planning on going to sweden in november! Do you have any recommendations of places to visit or things to do? The plan was to stay in or around stockholm, but any suggestion is appreciated!
What a happy face you are....great video❤
To ease the pain in your wallet, have your main meal at mid-day! You can get "Today's special", often including something non-alcoholic to drink and coffee, for maybe $15 or even less. Going to the same restaurant in the evening will be a very different story.
Yeah, have breakfast at the hotel and then go for a late lunch when it is less crowded (1-3 PM). Most restaurants have lunch deals.
I would say no later than 2 pm for the lunch deal, in general
There are also cruise ships going between Stockholm and the capitals of Finland and Estonia, Helsinki and Tallinn, for example and these trips don't cost much at all!
The biggest companies that offer this are Silja Line (my favorite) and Viking Line.
There will be shows onboard and often heavy partying going on.
The best time of the year to go on one of these are of course in the summer, because, as Mark pointed out, it gets dark very early during the winter and that could make you miss out on seeing the archipelago.
A lot of people forget that you can get an Uber from all the airports here. Especially Atlanta and Bromma airports. That is a much better deal than ANY other method if you’re between one and 4 people especially when traveling with friends and share the fare. Regular taxi cost around 800sek while an uber will cost closer to 500sek for the same ride. The advantage to the airport bus is that you don’t need to change over to public transport or walk when you arrive at the city terminal or central stations which are the same place. Single public transport ticket which can be paid with any credit or debit card by just tapping in, super convenient for tourists, cost 42sek per person over 7 but weekends over 12. So taking the Atlanta express plus public transport or a taxi is way more expensive than just taking an uber straight to where you’re going. Plus you probably already have the app and know how to use it.
The airport bus is the best deal if you travel alone but as a big group Uber and Bolt are cheaper.
Hello I From Sweden!
If you have luggage and are 3 or more people take a taxi, it's the same price as Arlanda express and much more convenient than trying to carry around 60 kilos of luggage through town and maybe needing an additional ticket for the subway, buss or commuter train.
In Northern Ireland its quite the same as Sweden with the weather ,and also its quite the same with the people slightly,but they're slightly louder if being honest,but over all im excited to possibly move to Sweden
If you visit Sweden in like December and then again in March-April when it's getting a little warmer, you see a huge difference in us Swedes. In December we just hurry to where we're going, clad in thick clothing, not really wanting to engage in activity. Then, the sun starts feeling a little warmer and the days become a little longer, we flock outside, our faces turned toward the sun, a look of relief and happiness on our faces. 😂 Every year it's the same. Even if it's still a little cold outside, if the skies are clear, we're out and loving it!
@@nicbarrax76
Sounds like what we do in Minnesota!
@@Jiffypop from different continents but still very much the same! 😄😄😄
The look of relief and happiniess on our faces is so true. People will just stand still in the middle of a sidewalk or square, turned directly to the sun. A little bit funny actually.
@@llaeeZ what can I say, we're groundhogs.
skansen is not too bad in the winter, they have a christmas market ❤
One gem in Stockholm is Artipelag. It has both indoor and outdoor exibitions
As a swede, may I explain the reserveness from my point of view;
Swedish ppl are afraid of awkwardness, uncomfortable silence and screwing up. Nothing makes us more scared as screwing up socially. If we're reserved, it might just be that we are afraid of making a mistake when talking to you.
But, when that first hurdle has past, we are a very hospitable and friendly people.
We are a strange people. We are both a VERY individualistic people, and also very collectivist. It's a strange combo that is difficult to explain in a short youtube comment.
Super individual with a sense of collective responsibility.
In which ways are Swedes very/super individualistic? Is it just regarding "personal space" etc. or is there also some other personal or "political" individualism, apart from the "responsibility collectivism"?
@@tumarfa the individualism is prob mostly due to introversion, the sense of collective responsibility prob due to '30s to '70s Social Democratic rule and the law of Jante.
Swedes generally hate to be told what to do and think, hence that unique approach to Co video for example. I myself for example, was not vacced, mostly for spite I reckon. Not an easy decision though because of the risk of maybe not being solidaric. So that was a bit of a clash between two mindsets within one person.
@tumarfa
One way that the individualism may show is the family structure. A typical swede will have less of a problem (socially/culturally) with breaking from a families norms and cultures. (This is all relative btw, and by no means a constant, but in relative terms compared to say southern europe).
The individualism might also show in the workplace where a typical swedish company might have a more "flat" order structure. There is a boss (and other bosses), but there's more freedom in between all those layers of decision making.
One way we are NOT individualistic however is regarding our sense of culture, and also politics and general views on society. Swedes typically run "by the norm". For better or worse, we are like a school of fish turning (generally speaking) at the same time. This is of course hugely simplified.
Looking good man you look happy healthy lovely video and spot on❤❤(WestCoast in Sweden many ppl from Sthlm go to bcs the archapelago is Best so yah I do prefer WestCoast of Sweden during summer esp sailing it)
Don't get the Arlanda Express to/from the airport unless you are a single traveller. If there's more than one of you, it's cheaper to get an Uber. It's one of the dumbest prices for an airport train I've ever seen.
Many tourist see Stockholm as a historic destination, but most Stockholmers and Swedes live quite a modern life, most basically never visit the Old Town area, maybe they stroll through on a quick promenade. I think many visitors miss out on the experience of modern Stockholm, which itself contains lots of vibrancy and life, as well as a more modern history.
The biggest DON'T I'd say, is to only stay in Old Town and "Stockholm city" (Norrmalm). And please avoid the Central Station and the dreadful area around it. Alot of the truly great things to do in Stockholm is actually on Södermalm, the southern part of Central Stockholm, but alot of the good stuff in this area is not mentioned alot in guidebooks or online. Tourist mostly goes to Södermalm to see the great views over the rest of the city which is a great thing to do. However there are also great restaurants, pubs, clubs (where you'll get in), fashion, shopping, beautiful coastline and parks and and alot of interesting and historic architecture (such as churches and small cutesy cottages) in most of the area.
Also alot of the restaurants and cafés recommendeded for visitors online are considered "touristy" and bad by locals. Ask the locals for the good places or the real Stockholm classics. Swedes of course never visit overprized cinnamon bun-cafés or Viking restaurants. They are more like a Disneyland version of the culture than anything authentic.
I’m from Norway but I’ve never been to Stockholm 🫣 I know I should go some day. I live just outside Oslo so it’s just a nice train ride away
It's nice to give a tip after a dinner. This "lack" of service at restaurants is connected to the culture. Swedes in general wants to be left alone. But at the same time Swedes are very helpful. But I really understand that tourists coming from ex. USA think that the service is poor.
In other countries they don’t tip I went to Canada and there we tipped though
@@oooh19They tip in Germany too. It's just not as high as the US/Canada.
As an American I actually prefer it this way. I hate being interrupted every other minute while I'm stuffing my face, and feeling rushed
@@masond7573 You are not an American. You are a Swede! 👍 🙃
Cool, then I know the city outside my office building 😀
I am half Swedish (but I never learned Finnish from my mother) and half Finnish and know that they are even more reserved in Finland.Well, you should come in December because if we have snow, it's really beautiful in Sweden. In addition, we also have a Christmas market, so you are not doing a particularly good job of advertising for Sweden.
dont feed the seagulls should be in every video lol
True! Never ever stand on the left side on the subway escalators.
Have lived there for two years and loved it. Not easy to make friends or get in some close circle though. Also the bigger cities kind "suffer" from the same problem like London. Beware of Malmö.
What's the deal with Malmo?
@@courtneyhamilton8276 Criminal gangs with guns.
DO talk to people on public transport in Gothenburg. It's the difference between Stockholm and Gothenburg. I'm from Stockholm and then moved to Gothenburg for seven years. We talk to each other in Gothenburg. 😄
We put a huge emphasis on respect of other people's privace, and private space. This manifests as both an (apparent) unwillingness to start random small-talk with people, and also about not standing too close to each other etc. Basically, don't get in anyone else's space.
That pastry at 44Kr equals about £3.25 in the UK so pretty reasonable. Beers on the other hand...
A beer was 121 when I was there
We have a rather sad “pub” in our small town where a beer is 50 Swedish dollars, but you have to join the A-team …
But if beer is important and you can live without company, check out beer in the liquor store - Systembolaget - and pick some Swedish craft beer and try them at your hotel or in a park (this isn’t USA 😊).
@@AndyKing1963 Look up a lion bar in Stockholm the beer is 35 sek
Every one (not turists but locals) knows you go to Södermalm for beers 😊
I enjoyed this video. 😊❤
Hey Mark, awesome video
I actually didn't like the Wasa Museum. But I loved the Postal Museum, one of the lesser known museums that costs a little less than the rest of the museums but three floors of really great display of how Post was, is and perhaps should be transmitted betweeen people is so cool. You even can see the most rare and expensive stamp in the world there!
FIKA, that’s a word that is spreading outside our boundaries and it has an interesting story. Many groups of workers or hobos adopted a jargon with made-up words and signs and such group were the chimney sweepers. When they had their coffee break, the drank their coffee or KAFFE in Swedish. They may have pronounced it KAFFI [kaffee], anyhow, the swapped the syllables KA and FI, thus making the famous FI-KA. Fika is shortly coffee the way chimney sweepers put it back then.
You have to watch the bikes in Amsterdam too
I visted Stockholm and would love to go back, but I visited in late November and it will snow, like it did when I visited so be prepared. Also look out for overhanging ice on the buildings that may fall down and crash on the sidewalks, there will be signs out warning you of that.
Arlanda arrival passport control may be the quietest building space on earth, amazing acoustics!
I was underwhelmed with a Christmas Market in Gamla Stan/Old Town. It was small but maybe it was because I visited in the middle of a weekday.
I said "Tack" a few times, but gave up and used "thanks" because I just got that "no need to speak Swedish" vibe. Unlike France, it felt a little unnecessary.
About the darkness, my hotel was dark with miminal lighting in the hallways and even the hotel room. Took some getting used to but it was a very nice place to stay.
I did my booze buying at bars and restaurants. I've read the Swedish state store system (Systembolaget) doesn't have the best hours (they are closed on Sunday, when I arrived) and is expensive.
Thanks for your entertaining and informative videos, can you please review other Swedish cities. Thanks again
If you ever visit sweden. Dont also forget to visit Visby, on the isle of Gotland. Very great place, atleast in the summer. In winter it is.... dead x)
At Arlanda, you might be interested in staying overnight in the Jumbostay, for instance if you have a very early flight.
Not open at the moment, no idea if they plan to reopen.
@@MMM18092 That is strange, it does not say so on the websites of STF nor Jumbostay. On both sites I can make reservations, up until the moment of paying. Are you sure ot the closure?
In case you actually do wanna come here to feel the cold rather than avoiding it, make sure to do so between mid-late December and early February; as Mark said, fall is depressing af and as for early spring/late winter, y'aint want no slask.
be sure your hotel or bnb has access to affordable laundry services! there is only ONE laundromat in the entire city!!!
Don't miss to go to places outside Stockholm.
I'm British but live in South Korea. I dislike strangers talking to me. If it's for directions or information then it's ok but if strangers randomly stop you to sell you stuff or because they're bored, it's annoying.
About Swedes, privacy and small talk... It can be claimed that we are farmers who were urbanized late, and that one doesn't unnecessarily bother other people. As a visitor, don't be afraid to strike up a conversation, but do it in a natural way. No "Hi, I'm Bob from Houston, Texas! What a great country you have here!". Try something more subtle, like "Nice weather today" or "Excuse me, but do you know what that building [or other feature] is?" Don't expect a reply - despite all talk about Swedes being fluent in English, many are still uncomfortable to speak the language as they aren't confident enough - but you might run into someone like me, who doesn't shy away from small talk (unless your come across like a crazy Texan from Houston).
🎯
Adding to that, some or many Swedes are a bit like clams, but if you pry us open, you will not able to close the shell. Years of solitude and silence must be compensated once in a while. Maybe, if you meet people that seem to be un-occupied, ask them if they can show you around a little and buy them a coffee …. Or maybe check if you could go to a café buy some buns and cakes and be invited to their homes to have coffee and have a look how we live.
Take the mälartåget commuter train instead of the Arlanda express!! Wayyy cheaper and just as fast
One of the sailboats show looks like it was the same design as a Viking fishing boat.
1:26 I feel like people are more willing to talk in the smaller cities up north
The Vasa museum seems pretty good value at around £16, sadly I was too busy to visit last time.
Fika don't only have to be a bun, it can be a sandwich or cake too.