"Stockholm is my hometown and so of course I love it," says Sofia Hedstrom, one of Sweden's leading fashion bloggers who lives part-time in New York. "It is one of the world's most beautiful cities, small and it is easy to get around. You can walk around to most places." A TV reporter and author of Fashion Manifesto: The Guide for the Style Savvy, Hedstrom is also a marathon runner who frequently crosses the finish line wearing a dress, bright lipstick and her long, blond hair in bunches.
She gives Stockholm top points as a city with its own inimitable style, and offers her best tips for what to see, and where to be seen.
The restaurant
“Nytorget 6 is the perfect restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or a work meeting. I like sitting at the bar, eating a tuna steak and drinking a nice margarita.” nytorget6.com
The must try
“Tranan is a traditional Swedish restaurant that serves dill-creamed potatoes with salt-cured salmon as well as herring with potato purée and browned butter. They also have a great wine.” tranan.se
The sleepover
“Ett Hem [a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World] is an amazing hotel that looks like a home and makes you feel at home. It has only 12 rooms. It used to be a private residence – a townhouse. It was built in 1910.” etthem.se
The bars
“Tradgarden. In summer, Stockholm’s best bar is a big outdoor party best explained as a playground for adults. You can play ping pong, listen to bands and enjoy the midsummer sun. In winter, the action shifts to KB, the short form of konstnarsbaren, which translates as art bar. This is the place for artists and creative people. It’s been around since 1931 and is a classic place that is a bit dark and rustic. You can also have dinner here: traditional Swedish food.” Tradgarden: tradgarden.com; KB: konstnarsbaren.se
The neighbourhood
“A run around Djurgarden – starting at Strandvagen – is a perfect way to see the city. It is an island, but also a borough. The nature is beautiful – lots of old oaks – and perfect also for just strolling about. Grona Lund is a legendary amusement park and is also situated on this island in addition to several museums.” djurgarden.net
The souvenir
“Swedish homes contains a lot of Ikea, but a piece from Svenskt Tenn is also mandatory. Josef Frank’s beautiful prints can be seen in pillows, furniture and plates.” svenskttenn.se
This interview has been edited and condensed.