Getting around and finding things to do and eat
Stockholm is a city on water, built on several islands of various sizes, so you are bound to cross a few bridges as you stroll through town. The nickname ‘Venice of the north’ might be slightly pretentious when you compare to the real thing, but you will surely see lots of water in downtown Stockholm and should get onto a boat of some kind at least once during your stay.
Generally Stockholm is a very safe city, although you should beware of pickpockets in the more touristy and/or crowded areas (such as the old town, pedestrian street Drottninggatan and the underground system). Ordinary common sense is sufficient to get around and most Swedes speak decent English, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.
When navigating maps, the swedish word for ’street’ is the suffix ‘-gatan’. English maps adressing ”22 Vasa street” will in swedish maps become ”Vasagatan 22″.
Public transport
When it comes to public transport there are both an underground train system and an extensive city bus network.
Symbol for underground train system
The operator is called Stockholms lokaltrafik or just SL. The underground train system is symbolized with a big T.
Tickets are valid and transferrable between both trains and buses. However, you cannot buy tickets onboard buses, only in advance from machines at the bus stop, in certain service shops or at underground stations. Daily and weekly passes are also sold and they are good deals if you plan to travel a lot by public transport. You can buy travelcards or weekpasses for prices found here.
For an extra fee, you can get around on the local inner harbour ferries. The same applies to a museum tramway to the park and museum district Djurgården.
Renting a car
To get around town, it is probably not worth the effort to rent a car in Stockholm. You will be much better off walking or using public transport than navigating around the city in a car, trying to find parking at exuberant prices. If you decide to go outside central Stockholm it might be a good idea, however. You can rent cars across the street from Stockholm Central Station.
Renting a bike
Biking around town is a nice way to see Stockholm. The city supports a scheme to make renting bikes simple. At special Stockholm City Bikes bicycle stands you can pick up a bike for up to three hours and then drop it off at the same place, or at any other such stand in the city. You can read more about the scheme here.
Where to eat
Restaurants around the city
Show IETF75, Food in Stockholm on a larger map
At IETF 75 food map we’ve indicated restaurant area in blue. There are also a few restaurants, cafés and bars indicated individually. When navigating maps, the swedish word for street is the suffix ”-gatan”. English maps adressing ”22 Vasa street” will in swedish maps become ”Vasagatan 22″.
Vegetarian or vegan food
Vegan Stockholm has a comprehensive list for vegetarian/Vegan food;
Below, a few other restaurants, some indicated on the IETF 75 food map
- Green n Lean Vegetarian, Vegan- ?, Adress: Scheelegatan 17, Stockholm
- Govindas Vegetariska Restaurang Vegan – Yes, Adress: Fridhemsgatan 22, Stockholm
- Seyhmus Vegetariska delicafé Vegetarian, Vegan-?, Adress:Varvsgatan 29, Stockholm
- Hermitage Vegetarian, Vegan – ?, Adress: Stora Nygatan 11, Stockholm
- Chutney Bar & Matsal Vegetarian, Vegan – Yes, Adress: Katarina Bangata 19, Stockholm
- Babajan Vegan – Yes, Adress: Djurgårdsbrunnsvägen 340, Stockholm
- Hermans Vegetarian, Vegan – Yes Adress: Fjällgatan 23A, Stockholm
- Malaysia Vegan – Yes, Adress: Luntmakargatan 98, Stockholm
- Lao Wai Vegan-Yes, Adress: Luntmakargatan 74, Stockholm
- Örtagården Vegetarian, Vegan-?: Adress: Nybrogatan 31, Stockholm
- Södervegg Vegan-Yes, Adress: Katarina Bangata 27, Stockholm
Things to do
When you are not in IETF meetings, the beautiful city of Stockholm has lots to offer. You can stroll through the picturesque medieval old town, take a boat tour or rent a canoe and paddle your way around the city nicknamed ‘Venice of the North’.
You can also visit one of the capital’s many interesting museums. On a sunny day, the open-air museum Skansen, with historical houses from all over Sweden, will let you get acquainted to the traditional way of life in Scandinavia, as well as the local fauna. For some peace and quiet, take a ferry out to one the thousands of islands in the Stockholm archipelago. Or why not take a trip by steamboat to the palace of Drottningholm? This is a UNESCO World Heritage site, residence of the Swedish royal family and the home of a unique 18th century theatre still in use. And if you want to go native, go swimming at a beach in the city centre!
Show IETF 2009 in Stockholm larger map
What to do in Stockholm during a day off
See Stockholm from the water
Stockholm is a city on water. You can spend a day in our beautiful archipelago using one of the city’s many sightseeing companies that offer boatrides
A day in The Park of Stockholm - Djurgården
The wasa Muséeum is situated in the largest park in Stockholm, the Djurgården. There you can find the outdoor-museeum of ”Skansen”, The Nordic Museum (Nordiska museet), or just stroll along the waterfront. You can find an IKEA exihibition at the Liljevalchs, or take walk in the Garden of Rosendal. You can have lunch at the Hasselbacken Restuarant.
More about Stockholm and Sweden
Mingle with class
Courtesy of the Mayor of Stockholm, a welcome reception will be held at the emblematic Stockholm City Hall, where the Nobel Prize laureates celebrate. Another social event will take place at Stockholm’s biggest tourist attraction, the Vasa museum, where you will dine next to the world’s only remaining, intact 17th century ship.
Things to do
When you are not in IETF meetings, Stockholm has lots to offer. Why not bring your family or relatives along? Stroll through the picturesque old town, take a boat tour or rent a canoe and paddle your way around ‘Venice of the North’, visit one of the thousands of islands in the archipelago or go swimming at a beach in the city centre.