Stockholm tips by locals | Spotted by Locals city guide » Relaxing

Ålö – Hang with the locals at “Batshaket” on Utö

Lena Andersson — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:10:00 +0000

Image by Lena Andersson

Have you ever thought about what Stockholmers might do on weekends when having a couple of days off? I´ll tell you…

We hang out along with our family and friends in the archipelago. Either we stay overnights or we head of on a daytrip.

If you’re interested in spending some time along with us locals I warmly recommend you to go visiting an island named Utö. Rent a bicycle, grab a map and head south to a tiny island named Ålö that´s connected to Utö with a small wooden bridge. On Ålö you will find a genuine restaurant in an old boathouse namned “Båtshaket”.

Båtshaket is genuine and authentic. All the locals sit together, eating classic Swedish seafood, having a snaps and a beer and simply just enjoying life. They do their own fishing and preparing. Try some Swedish Lax or their “Silltallrik” if your up for having traditional Swedish food!

To visit Carina at Ålö , take the train from Stockholm central station towards Västerhaninge, at “Handen” change to bus towards “Årsta havsbad” and take the boat from there to “Gruvbryggan” at a island named Utö.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Ålö | Relaxing, Restaurants (Swedish seafood) | Main meal from SEK 60
Ålö (start trip from central station) | Outside South/East | +4685057463
Opens 23 of june!

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Klattercentret – Best spot for indoor climbing

Natalia Urbanska — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:32:50 +0000

Image by Natalia Urbanska

This is a perfect spot if you want to do something different for a change. Their generous opening hours turn this place to a great spot to visit even on a Friday evening.

Klättercentret in Telefonplan is a centre for indoor climbing. It’s a big place with 14 meter walls and a really cool place for bouldering which reminds you of caves.

My friend and I are totally hooked on bouldering, which is climbing but not as high and without a rope. Ask climbers around you how to start and off you go! All you really need for bouldering is climbing shoes, you can borrow shoes here for Kr 40.00. Come on a weekday before 16:00, it’s cheaper and there are less people.

If you want to climb in the traditional way you have to bring along a friend that has a “green card”. Best thing is if you take a course in climbing and get a green card yourself so you both can climb.

They have a small but nice cafe where you can sit and watch people climbing above you, a very cool feeling but also, in my opinion, scary as hell. I prefer bouldering which is closer to ground…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Klattercentret | Relaxing, Snacks | Entrance adult SEK 130
Tellusgången 24 | Outside South/East | +4687300093
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 22:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 20:00

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Finnhamn – I took a sauna all by myself

Lena Andersson — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:49:30 +0000

Image by Lena Andersson

One of the things that force me to be in the present is taking a sauna. Honestly, I don’t really enjoy the heat and I actually hate bathing in cold waters. But what I do love, is the moment just after the bath.

Yet is when the prize is to be collected. The colder the air is, the greater the reward becomes. You now stand all alone, watching how the heat steam of your body.

Last weekend I went out to an island called Finnhamn, the weather was magic. The sun had started to melt down the ice and the sea was like a massive mirror reflecting the sky.

On Finnhamn they have a simple sauna which is placed right at the sea, there I booked it so I had it all on my own, peaceful and mindful.

To visit Finnhamn, take a boat from Strömkajen or Strandvägen, step of at Finnhamn, book the sauna at the Hostel.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Finnhamn | Relaxing | 1 person/ hour SEK 50
Box 84 Ingmarsö (boat from Strandvägen) | Outside South/East | +46854246212
Call ahead for reservation

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Sandhamn – Sandhamn, more then partying!

Lena Andersson — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:49:26 +0000

Image by Lena Andersson

One of the islands that you can visit all year round is Sandhamn. It’s an island that people have been using for recreation for generations and still do. During summer it’s a crowded party island where to Stockholmers go. The center is a charming and crowded street along the harbor where you´ll find restaurants, shopping and even nightclubs.

Once on Sandhamn you have to take a walk to the narrow streets behind the old “Wärdshus”. This is where you find the picturesque history and essence of the island, old houses side by side with sandy streets in between. Another contrast that I love about the island is the rough nature.

Sandhamn is the most eastern society in our archipelago. The rough conditions have lefts their impression on the nature. When leaving the harbor heading south on the island, you´ll soon get into a barren pine forest with the ground covered by blueberries. Walk there, along the sandy paths and you´ll all of a sudden arrive to a picture perfect beach!

To visit Sandhamn, take a bus from Slussen to Stavsnäs or boat from Strandvägen, step of at Sandhamn and you´ll find yourself right at the harbour with restaurants and shopping, at your right, you’ll find the old houses behind the “Wärdshus”.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Sandhamn | Art & culture, Bars, Relaxing
Sandhamn (take bus from Slussen) | Outside South/East
All year round

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Kayak – Kayak in sunset

Lena Andersson — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:49:18 +0000

Image by Lotten Andersson

A few years ago my sister bought a kayak. “Good for you” was my sarcastic reply on her enthusiasm and nothing more to that for a while. It was summer and we spent it in the archipelago, on evenings she came home, grabbed something to eat and then she head of and stayed out until the sun had set. For as long that I could recall, we have always been doing stuff together, always. All of a sudden she had something that I was not a part of. After a few weeks it started to get to me…

Mentioning it, she laughed at me and said ” Have you ever wondered how it feels to be part of an occasion without anyone knowing your there?”. Total silence from me, and she continues, “that is the feeling I get when I´m kayaking, I get to places where I never could go with a regular boat, it´s all silent and I´m just at waters´ edge, breathing with it. At evening I head out, finding a spot where the wind is calm, there I have my dinner and contemplates over the day that´s passed. On a calm day it´s like meditation to me, on a rough and windy day, it´s mindfulness as you have to be present in order to stay in control.”

I recommend you to kayak in the north of the archipelago due to the facilities provided. Get there by taking the bus from “Tekniska högskolan”. Plan your trip at www.sl.se

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Kayak | Relaxing
Gräddö (bus from Tekniska högskolan) | Outside South/East | +4617640315
May – Sep