Swede escape: Fredrika Ornbrant, Consul General of Sweden gives an insider’s guide to Stockholm

Stockholm is my favourite city in Sweden. It’s by the water and teams with restored old buildings. I prefer to walk or bike around the city as I get to experience it better that way. My advice to visitors is not to rush, but enjoy the cafés and restaurants at leisure.

Fika

Swedes love to have ‘fika’ — a cup of tea or coffee with a cookie or a bun at one of the many cafes. My favourite is Tössebageriet (www.tosse.se). It is a classic café with wonderful cookies, buns and cakes. Order a coffee with a cardamom bun and sit outside and enjoy the world go by. Two other great cafés are Sturekatten (www.sturekatten.se), located in an old building and a bit difficult to find, and Vetekatten (www.vetekatten. se).

Vasaparken

If you’re visiting Stockholm with family, then head to this park, in the center of which you will find a playground that is great fun for children. Let them jump and swing around. When they are exhausted, explore the antique shops opposite the park at Odengatan. During winter, head to the park’s ice-skating rink. If you want your children to get adventurous, then drop by “Junibacken” (www.junibacken.se), close to the Vasa museum.

Rörstrandsgatan

This is a street filled with small restaurants, cafés and shops. This is where locals stop over for a “fika” or dinner. In one of the neighbouring streets, you will find the city’s best ice cream shop “Stockholms Glasshus” (www.glasshus.se). I would recommend rhubarb or elderflower sherbet. For a more indulgent treat, try the champagne sherbet.

Norrmälarstrand or Karlbergskanalen

Stockholm is a city by the sea, so the best way to experience it is by walking along the water front. One of the best trails is to start out at Karlsbergs castle and walk along the water all the way to the City Hall. It is a wonderful walk or a jogging tour.

Icebar

Those who don’t have time to experience the real ice hotel in Jukasjärvi, the ice bar at the Nordic Sea Hotel is a good alternative (www.icebarstockholm.se). Everything in the bar is made out of ice, including the glasses. It’s a must-experience, it’s where I normally take visitors from abroad.

Old city walking tour

As a tourist you rush through the old town looking at a few buildings. I would recommend a guided walkingtour where you get an insight into the city’s history. For those who have read the Millennium Trilogy (by Stieg Larsson), there is a walking tour where you can follow Lisbeth Salander’s footsteps.

Djurgården

This is an island in central Stockholm and it provides some of the best fine dining options. Oaxen, located in an old shipyard from the 1700s, with many of the ancient industrial buildings intact is one such

As told to Glynda Alves