For years now, Stockholm has not only become a favorite destination of the tourist in search of the latest trends, culture, fashion, design, music, entertainment, good food and relaxing atmospheres, it has also become a favorite spot for gays and lesbians who want more than just a neighborhood with gay-friendly bars. Some people say that if there was ever a capital city designed by gay people for gay people to enjoy, Stockholm would be it!
Attractions
Fotografiska
Fotografiska is one of the world’s largest meeting places for contemporary photography. The museum presents four unique major exhibitions and about 20 smaller exhibitions annually.
- We offer both an art and a taste sensation, says the museums founder Per Broman, referring to the museums restaurant and award winning bakery. In addition, Fotografiska also houses a book and souvenir shop and a photo gallery – and in the bar on the top floor you will find a perfect view of the inlet to Stockholm.
The Hallwyl Museum
What do you get if you combine a Countess, a marvelous palace and a lot of spare time? The lifestyle of the rich and famous of course – and a fantastic museum frozen in time.
The Hallwyl Palace in the middle of Stockholm was completed 1898, when the Count and Countess von Hallwyl moved in. In this at the time modern private residence the eccentric Countess indulged in her favorite pastime: collecting and cataloguing everything from toothbrushes to Steinway pianos. Today her unique collection of 50,000 everyday articles and priceless works of arts is on show here. www.lsh.se
Millesgården
If you are interested in fine arts then you really should visit Millesgården. This atmospheric sculpture park, overlooking the inlet of Stockholm, is the former home and sculpture garden of Carl Milles, Sweden’s foremost sculptor, and his most breathtaking works are on display here.
Or as a magazine writes: “check out Millesgarden, a sculpture garden named for Carl Milles that boasts a number of homoerotic (and some downright gay) pieces”. www.millesgarden.se
The Stockholm City Museum
The Vasa Museum is a one of a kind “must see” that leaves no one indifferent, from it’s extremely short maiden voyage in Stockholm harbor 1628 to the wacky, but successful salvage attempt in 1961. This warship is a piece of Swedish history, and the world’s only perfectly preserved 17th century ship. www.stadsmuseum.stockholm.se
The UNESCO World Heritage Woodland Cemetery
The late legendary Hollywood movie star Greta Garbo’s niece spent several years searching for the proper burial place for her aunt. She found it at the Woodland Cemetery (Skogskyrkogården) in Stockholm.
This strangely romantic and oddly mesmerizing cemetery a short ride south of the city is a perfect pilgrimage for any drama queen.
The UNESCO World Heritage cemetery covers hundreds of hectares of heavily-planted pine forest, green hills and grassy slopes. www.skogskyrkogarden.se
The Royal Armoury
For almost five hundred years, items once in the possession of Swedish monarchs have been kept in the Royal Armoury. From generation to generation, they have built up a collection of memories from the country’s different dynasties, evoking well-known events in Swedish history. www.lsh.se
The Vasa Museum
The Vasa Museum is a one of a kind “must see” that leaves no one indifferent, from it’s extremely short maiden voyage in Stockholm harbor 1628 to the wacky, but successful salvage attempt in 1961. This warship is a piece of Swedish history, and the world’s only perfectly preserved 17th century ship. www.vasamuseet.se
Archipelago tours
With its fourteen islands and fresh waters, it is not surprising that sightseeing by boat is the classic way to see Stockholm. Go out to the closest archipelago, or further on – the Stockholm archipelago consist of approximately 30.000 islands and islets, with a beauty that is jaw-dropping. Tours are available all year round. www.stromma.se
Sightseeing tours
The city offers a variety of different tours, traditional tours in the city area with headphone commentary or more specific bus tours. From concrete suburbia to medieval Gamla Stan. www.stromma.se
Beauty with a thought
Swedish fashion and design is much more than skinny jeans and strangely named bookshelves from Ikea. Some say that the success is due to the focus on clean, cool, elaborated and innovative forms that appeal to people all over the world.
One of Sweden’s strongest brand names in jewelry is not only represented in the Meatpacking District in New York; most recently designer Efva Attling opened a new flagship jewelry store at fashionable Biblioteksgatan in Stockholm. Efva’s specialty is playing around with words and expressions. She calls her design “Beauty with a Thought”.
Many labels have their own stores in Stockholm, so take the opportunity to discover Swedish fashion in its native environment. Work your way through famous brands like Acne and Cheap Monday, and flagship brands such as Design House Stockholm and the exceedingly stylish Byredo Parfums, Scandinavia’s answer to Diptyque.
The city has the perfect blend of homemade and international brands.
Restaurants, www.profilrestauranger.se
Stockholm Gay & Lesbian Network also work close with partners such as The Royal Dramatic Theatre, where it is possible to organize dinners and at the same time get a glimpse behind the scenes of the theatre – the very same theater that Ingmar Bergman promised to haunt after his death.
At Stadshuskällaren you can eat from the Nobel menu, and afterwards take the opportunity to climb the town hall tower (Stadshustornet) – Stockholms most famous landmark. The view from the top is probably the best in the city.
To experience something truly Swedish, work your way to the lush island of Djurgården and visit Solliden. Here you can enjoy a traditional Swedish smorgasbord and Swedish cuisine.
Fun in the sun
If modern-day romance is uppermost on your mind, in the summer months gay men should take the tube to Hornstull station, then cross the bridge on to the old prison island of Långholmen or head for Frescati next to Stockholm University. In both these locations you are guaranteed to stumble upon guys who like guys – sunbathing and swimming in all their glory.
Events
Stockholm Rainbow fire, Walpurgis, April 30
Walpurgis Night takes place on the night of April 30 and into May 1st. A large bonfire is lit where people gather to sing out winter and welcome spring. Stockholm Gay Community invites you to celebrate Walpurgis with rainbow bonfires, hat parade and Stockholm Gay Choir. Check out the qx gay map for more information.
Stockholm Pride, August 1 – 7, 2011
The annual festival is celebrated all over the city and is one of the largest and most popular festivals in Sweden. www.stockholmpride.org
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Lucia – Queen of Light
Stockholm Gay Community celebrate Lucia – queen of light – in a special way on the night between December 12-13. The traditional Lucia-celebration takes place in the morning of December 13th before dawn, bringing light in the darkness. Lucia herself is dressed in white with a crown of candles on her head. The gay lucia night will be all – but traditional.
Pink Christmas
Stockholm is a great place to be in December. Lots of parties, shows and gorgeous santas!
Nightlife, cafés and restaurants
Nightlife in a city is ever changing; therefore we work closely with QX – the leading gay magazine and gay community in Sweden. They provide the latest information on what’s going on in the Stockholm nightlife, what events are coming up, the latest news about Stockholm Pride and other things that can be interesting for everyone who decides to visit Stockholm.
The QX Gay Map is available at many places and also at Stockholm Tourist Centre. For updated information on clubs & party scene, please visit: QX
Cafés and Restaurants
Creative menus in often hip, modern locations are on offer in the many gay-friendly restaurants all around the city. Stockholm puts its very best face forward in restaurants where the food, the ambience, and the attractive clientele all compete for your attention.
Why not dine at one of the Royal Dramatic Theatres restaurants, while you at the same time absorb the atmosphere at this cultural stronghold, or visit one of Stockholm’s more famous landmarks, Stadshuset (City Hall), where you can treat yourself to a Nobel dinner at Stadshuskällaren and round off with at trip to the top of the tower. Finally, whatever you do, don’t forget to try the traditional smorgasbord at restaurant Solliden.
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Bars and clubs
The greatest concentration of gay bars and clubs is to be found in two areas: the Södermalm district and in Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town, one of the best-kept medieval cities in the world. Read more>>
Welcome to your Stockholm!
With the Stockholm Card in your hand you can choose from 80 attractions in Stockholm. Browse excellent museums with art, aristocrats, world heritage, Vikings, the Nobel Prize, technology, and design. Ride a sightseeing boat or ferry, the subway, an SL bus, or a streetcar. The city is yours.
The Stockholm Card offers you:
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Free admission to 80 museums and attractions |  |
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Free public transportation | |
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Free bicycle sightseeing (summer) | |
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Free trips on the Hop-On Hop-Off boat and free sightseeing by boat (both summer) | |
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Bonus offers – discounts on sightseeing tours with the bus companies Stockholm Panorama and Open Top Tours, and discounts on boat trips to Drottningholm | |
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Free guide book |
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