A Rainy 48 Hours in Stockholm

Although it rained the entire 48 hours that I spent in Stockholm, the city still shined. Stockholm has the perfect balance of trendy restaurants and nightlife, modern transportation and architecture as well as a beautiful old town.

The people were very friendly (most speak English) and were eager to help with any questions that we had. One of our taxi drivers was more like a tour guide, pointing out historic buildings and museums. The driver even gave us top notch tips on where to dine.

My only regret in visiting Stockholm is that I wish that we had planned for more time in thye capital of Sweden. Unlike a few places featured on this blog, I would allow at least 3 full days to take in all that Stockholm has to offer!

Stockholm Food

Here are some photographs of my favorite culinary experiences while traveling through Stockholm. Stockholm has a great selection of restaurants including a lot of international cuisine -- be sure to wash it down with some of Stockholm's incredibly hip nightlife.

Stockholm Museums

In Stockholm there is certainly no shortage of museums and beautiful places to see. I found two museums in particular to be worthwhile to visit.

First, even if you only have one full day in Stockholm I highly recommend visiting the Nobel Prize Museum. The Nobel Prize Museum is located in its birthplace of Sweden, where it was created by Alfred Nobel, a chemist best known for inventing highly explosive dynamite. In Alfred Nobel's last will he left 31 million SEK (roughly $4.5 million USD) in order to establish five prizes that would be distributed each year to "those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind".

The Nobel Prize Museum displays each winner and highlights specific winners in exhibits throughout the museum. In the opening foyer of the museum there is an exhibit that honors the most current Nobel Prize winners.

Another museum worth visiting while in Stockholm is Sweden's National Museum. This Museum highlights Swedish artists as well as Swedish furniture, clocks, jewelry, pottery, etc. Allow yourself a few hours to tour the many rooms of the National Museum.

Absolut Ice Bar in Stockholm

While in Stockholm my friends and I made a visit to Absolut Ice Bar. Ice Bar is located in the Nordic Sea Hotel and can be easily accessed with public transportation.

Absolut Ice Bar was the world's first permanent ice bar. Everything, from the walls to the bar -- even the glasses -- are made out of ice.

Entrance to the Absolute ice bar is 180 SEK or roughly 18 Euro ($25 usd). Entrance includes 40 minutes in the -5 degrees (C) bar, a parka rental with attached gloves and one Absolut cocktail.

I found Ice Bar to be more of a "photo op"- touristy, pricey and somewhat silly. Yet, a neat thing to have done and worth a visit if you have some extra cash while traveling through Stockholm.