How to Prepare for a Winter Trip to Stockholm
Check out winter events
Advent, Christmas markets, Lucia celebrations (December 13th – with early morning candlelit choirs) New Year’s fireworks over the water … winter in Stockholm has its own special traditions worth experiencing. December is the best winter month to visit, with lots of activities and lights. During January and February, there will be ice skating rinks and beautiful nature around the city. But museums may be the best way to keep warm. Don’t miss the special winter-only food specialties like semlor, saffron-flavored treats and warm candied almonds served from booths around the city.
Dress in layers
During winter, it’s all about the layers. For a city trip, you will most likely be going in and out between very cold and toasty warm. Many Stockholmers dress in layers. Good ideas are a light shirt with a sweater on top under your winter coat. If you have a bag with you and get warm while eating or shopping indoors, just remove the sweater and cool off. Be sure to wear thick pants, jeans are usually fine, and wool socks will keep your feet warm.
All outerwear should be waterproof
Many people not used to a cold climate don’t always think about how snow eventually melts into everything you’re wearing. Forget fashion and dress smart. Waterproof material on your coat and boots is a must. Snow turns to slush and you don’t want wet feet. Here’s a quick list of what to bring:
Some Extra Tips for Stockholm During the Winter
Embrace the fika culture
You may have heard the word “fika” or you may be invited by a Swede to “fika.” Basically, it just means to get a coffee and chat. And no, it doesn’t have to be coffee. It can be tea, water, or nothing. The main point is to take a break and chat with people, usually accompanied by some Swedish pastries, like a cinnamon bun, small piece of cake or some other small sugary treat. To fully embrace the culture, pop into a cozy cafe sometime after lunch and take your time to relax with some great winter specialties.
Catch any winter light you can
A lot of people mistakenly focus on surviving the cold weather when visiting Sweden, but the weather is not the problem (see below). It’s the darkness. Sure, it’s cozy when it starts to come in. December arrives with it’s beautiful lights in all the windows, Christmas and Lucia treats and everyone is in a festive spirit, right up through New Years. Then, more darkness. By January and February, Swedes are getting very tired of the winter and longing for spring.
The days are short, sometimes only getting “light” from around 10am to 2pm. And when I say light, I mean a hazy, grey, cloud cover. Sure, there are rare days the sun actually shines through. If you are lucky enough to experience that, make sure you get outside and enjoy some outdoor activities.
Take advantage of Winter Sales
If you happen to be in Stockholm after the holidays, take advantage of the great winter sales! When planning for a full day of shopping, most people start at the main shopping street of Drottninggatan. It goes from the north of town, through Central and toward Gamla Stan where it becomes Västerlånggatan. Your clothing and home items will be more north around T-Centralen and your tourist items will be more south toward, and into, Gamla Stan.