Handy Information for Summer 2016!

Old Town. Photo by Jeppe Wikström/mediabank.visitstockholm.com

It has been a busy few weeks here at the Rival Hotel and I haven't really had much time to explore. I have family visiting in the beginning of August and I will be sure to be out exploring then (and subsequently reporting here), but in the meantime I thought I would repost a summer guide from last year with updated information which could be helpful in planning your upcoming visit.

Arrival/Departure

• Getting to Stockholm from the Arlanda airport.
• Ports & docks in Stockholm for cruise ships.
• Tax Free Shopping, how to get your refund.
• Airport websites: Arlanda (main airport), Bromma and Skavsta (how to get to and from Skavsta).
• Main train company is called SJ. Information about Central Train Station.

Getting Around the City

• Taxis in Sweden.
• Public transportation (SL- subways, busses, commuter trains, trams and ferries). The Rival sells 24/72 hour cards to hotel guests.
• Ferries to Djurgården.
• Street cars to Djurgården.
• Subways.
• Stockholm City Bikes.

Sightseeing (multiple blog articles, but here are links to the individual company websites)

• Strömma (boats, busses, hop-on/off, day trips and more).
• Stockholm Our Way
• Guided Food Tours
• Free Tours Stockholm

Activities

• Festivals & Events calendar for this summer. 
• Beaches
• Kayaking
• Shopping Guide & Map and Outlet Shopping.
• Swedish massage?
• The amusement park Gröna Lund.

Restaurants

• Collection of my restaurant reviews.
• Restaurant guides, lists and awards.
• Restaurants closing for a few weeks this summer.
• Michelin star restaurants
• Restaurants on the water (old article, will be updating soon).

Archipelago

• Main website for archipelago.
• Tips on what to keep in mind when visiting the islands: click here and here. An article about a visit I made last year.
• Day trip to Vaxholm.
• Day trip to Drottningholm (not in the archipelago, but still a boat trip)

Museums

• Summer art exhibitions
• History museums
• ABBA the Museum and Mamma Mia the Party!
• Gamla Stan
• Vikings, Vikings and more Vikings.
• Handy museum app.

Handy Tips and Great Websites

• Currency 
• Electricity
• Weather
• Gay & Lesbian Guides and club calendar.
• Visit Stockholm (official tourist information website)
• Visit Djurgården (national city park in the city with many attractions)

This is really just some highlights and top tips. If you are booked at the Rival Hotel... contact me directly if you need assistance or more information.