What a cheesy headline and yet so accurate. Our second trip and first flight since Tilda’s birth lead us to Stockholm. Tilda is a very lively baby and quickly bored. We were nervous thinking about flying with her. Can she stay calm for a while or will she be constantly screaming throughout the flight? And because we know nervous parents have nervous kids, we tried a short trip to Stockholm. A one-hour flight is always possible.
For this reason and because summer 2019 was a hot nightmare for us (as mentioned in our Denmark post before) and because Stockholm is great, we made our way to Sweden’s capital in August 2019. Yes, I know, it’s been a while, but I just couldn’t make it sooner.
No one’s interested in the details, so I keep it short: Apart from landing and take-off, when she wasn’t sleeping, we had a good first flight. Other than that, we were those on the flight, idiots think ‘Oh my God, why can’t they stay at home with a baby?’ Those who feel concerned now can now admire my virtual middle finger. Keep being pissed off. We really don’t want to annoy anyone, but you. Bless you!
How to city trip with a baby
Tilda was five months old and slept most of the trip (the younger they are the better; they sleep most of the trip and you can explore everything in peace). Carrying her cute diaper bum all day long in her baby carrier was a huge task for our backs (and it doesn’t get better over time).
Facts: You need a travel buggy, an infant car seat and a baby carrier. We have an Ergobaby carrier and we and Tilda get along very well with it. A so-called half-buckle sling or a baby sling is something we would have had to practice before, and it takes forever compared to the full-buckle carriers. The baby needs to like the baby carrier. Anyway, you’re way more flexible with them.
A buggy is good, especially for putting your baby down whenever you want or must. And of course, to put stuff in it. We don’t have to tell parents how much stuff babies need. With good organization (it’s fundamental, to not forget something and more to keep your sanity) everything worked out well for us.
We started early. Tilda is an early bird; means we left our Airbnb early and came back around midday. We started again in the early afternoon. Our plan always worked out like this.
Tilda is very curious, and all those new impressions made her very tired very quickly. We had seen a lot and had amazing family time. The weather was so, so good and we were in some kind of bubble the whole time.
It was her second trip and as her parents were relaxed during the trip, she was too. Ergo Tilda loves traveling. And now, for the non-baby part.
Gamla Stan
What is there to say in detail. Gamla Stan is the Old Town of Stockholm and a huge joy for the eye.
We felt like every other tourist in this city was here with us at the same time despite being here in the morning. Especially the Stor Torget (the main square with the famous colourful buildings) was partly unbearable. Maybe you have to come even earlier because nevertheless, it’s super pretty.
What we didn’t plan because it’s not predictable with Tilda was seeing the guard change at the palace. It was pompous and glamourous, my dear ladies and gentlemen. The horse droppings on the street were not so much.
Café in the Kungsträdgården
A beautiful café in the middle of the park near the palace. We could rest here for a while and take Tilda out of the baby carrier.
Södermalm
Södermalm is a big, very popular part of Stockholm and therefore, you’ll find many sights and eating possibilities here.
For example, the market in Hornstull during the weekends. It’s beautifully located at the water (not a surprise in Stockholm) and we could get something delicious right away after our arrival. There is a variety of all kinds of food and people just love food trucks. The crowd was mixed. More young people and families. But actually, everyone enjoying a good atmosphere.
Hornstull
The whole Hornstull area is a dream. We could move here right away: with the metro or the bus, the city is within easy reach.
At the same time, our Airbnb was directly at the water and despite the apartment is really old, we felt really well. It was a small, Swedish idyll in the middle of the city.
View from Monteliusvägen
On the same evening of our arrival (as it wasn’t exhausting enough), we made the decision to walk to the Monteliusvägen viewpoint. Especially during sunset many people gather here and enjoy what’s called a perfect Stockholm view. We haven’t made it to all sunset views of the city, but at least to this one. All kinds of people are here, and the atmosphere is amazing. It’s also great for family vacation pics.
Lasse i Parken
Please, make it to this beautiful Café/Restaurant/beer garden/whatever.
The rustic atmosphere in the middle of the beautiful garden and the delicious food is so convincing, even Tilda loved this place without feeling bored. The atmosphere here made her really calm.
Fjällgatan viewpoint
To be honest, this place was okay. If you’re short in time, you can skip this one.
There is a busy street that kills the vibes in my opinion.
But the old half-timbered houses in this part of Södermalm are really pretty.
Eating in Södermalm, Stockholm
Of course, we know about the duration of many restaurants, etc. We just recommend you, what was good and affordable in not-so-cheap Stockholm.
Meatballs for the people
This great place is no secret for quite some time now. Actually, it’s more of an institution. It doesn’t have to be the fancy secret spot all the time.
It was delicious and if you have the time and feel like hanging out, be part of the crowd enjoying their evening at the Nytorget with wine and beer. Pre-Tilda we would surely have been part of this crowd.
Sthlm raw
We’re not vegan, but we love vegan food. Sthlm raw has a small, but delicious menu and was just the right thing for us. To say it with Tilda’s ‘words’: Mam!
Cinnamon Bakery and Café
Delicious pastries and coffee for a good price. Many locals come here in the morning. For us early birds, this café in our neighbourhood was very welcome.
Afghan Restaurant (Lil Kabul)
Perfect for those who need to take care of their pennies. The food was astonishingly good for the price. For around 10€ each, you can ‘All-you-can-eat’, which is very unusual for Stockholm.
Stockholm’s tunnelbana – metro stations Kungsträdgarden, T-Centralen, Rådhuset, Stadion
By now, it must be well known, Stockholm is the queen city of artsy-fartsy metro stations. The tunnelbana is the only underground railway in Sweden and some of them are staged in style.
It’s best to buy a day ticket and combine it with other sights, you can’t reach by walking from your hotel/Airbnb etc. Set some time in it. For some stations, the drive takes longer than expected.
Djurgården
As mentioned, we had fabulous weather and amazing light when we took the tram to Djurgården passing Strandvägen. The kind of light, we only know from the Atlantic Ocean.
In Waldemarsudde, we found peace on earth and made a walk in the area enjoying the perfect light. Tilda really loved this place.
Heading back, we passed Gröna Lund and took the ferry to Gamla Stan.
Stadsbibliotek
The most hipsterish thing to do now is to visit a fancy library. The Stadsbibliotek in Stockholm comes quite in handy.
Tilda was sleeping, so we gave it a try. It’s actually only allowed for whisperers.
Stadshuset
The town hall of Stockholm is in Kungsholmen. If you want, you can go up to the town hall tower. I mean, if you’re in a time or rather order the tickets online in advance. Which we both didn’t do. We’re true heroes.
Nevertheless, it’s a nice place to visit and again the light here made it even more perfect to enjoy the view of Stockholm along the water.
I always mention the light. No idea, if the pictures can transport the feelings. But for the future, this kind of light and the vibes of a city will be the only reason for upcoming city trips. We will definitely come back to Stockholm and we really want to travel around Sweden. We’ll see what we’ll do. It will be good.
If you have any questions, contact us. Maybe we can help you!
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