New Zealand was already planned and semi-confirmed, we just needed flights, visas and money. You know, the small things…
I left Scott in charge of finding us some cheap flight and only a week or so later I get a call from him. He found us a flight at a steal of a price, £180. Only condition was, we had a 26 hour stopover in Stockholm. Being part of the EU, we didn’t have to worry about visas, so leaving the airport would be super simple. Sign us up! A more direct flight with only a 2 hour stop over in Russia would cost an extra 80 pounds. So Scott had the great idea of setting ourselves a challenge of spending only £80 each in Stockholm, which means we have seen an extra city for nothing! I’m always up for a challenge!
We had a few options for accommodation, but as soon as Scott said we could stay on a boat, I screamed with excitement and it was settled. We would stay on board the Log Inn Hotel, a large boat banked just across from the old town.
The moment we arrived in Stockholm we had to fork over what we considered a considerable amount for return bus tickets to and from the airport. The bus took 45 minutes and set us back 215 SEK each for a round trip! You can grab these tickets just next to where you collect your luggage. You will see lots of ticket machines for either the train (which takes half the time but double the cost) and also the coach.
From the moment the coach pulled away from the terminal I felt a rush I hadn’t felt in some time. Watching the world zoom past us at every turn, high billboards advertising products in a completely foreign language. Oh, Europe. How I have missed you.
Don’t get me wrong, Australia is a place very close to my heart and is unique in it’s own way. But there is something about Europe which draws me back to this side of the world. Maybe the long and lavish history. The glorious architecture, maybe. Or just because it’s a continent I have come to know so well during my childhood.
As we wandered though the old town with our backpacks in tow, I already knew I wanted to stay longer than a measly 24 hours. I wanted to sip on beautiful coffee and wander the cobbled stone steers for days, weeks… months?
After eventually finding our boat, we headed back towards the old town with meatballs on the brain!We couldn’t come to Sweden for one day and not divulge in one of the country’s most popular dishes. It set us back 125 SEK each which I can guarantee were tourist prices, but damn they were tasty!
The rest of the day we spend wandering the old town and the city centre. Enjoying street performers and also an unexpected piece by the Swedish Royal Navy Band. Both free, however, we did give a few krona to the street performers. Don’t get me wrong; there were plenty of attractions we wanted to see such as the Vasa, however, with such a tight time scale we didn’t want to rush anything. We shall return one day that is for certain and I don’t think Sweden or the Vasa have any plans to up and relocate anytime soon.
We were happy to fill our day with perusing the streets with eager eyes and cleanse the pallet periodically with oversized beers. It is pretty much how I spend every first/last day in a new place. People watching, photography and beer. I feel it is the best way to absorb a new culture, you don’t always have to go 100mph.
Later that night we hunted out a restaurant in the old town which wouldn’t cost us an arm and a leg. As we set our eyes on looking down each tiny alleyway we spot a little hideout called Cafe Sten Sture with rather attractive prices. Turns out, the space was a 700 year old prison with a great history. Our waiter was more than pleasant and engaged cheerfully in conversation throughout the evening.
Unfortunately, the following day, we had not set our phones to the correct time and after a quick stop at the Royal Palace (which I would highly recommend) we had to rush back to the boat for our bags and get to the airport asap!
So, after 24 hours with very little money, here is a full break down of our costs (prices per person unless otherwise stated):
Food and drink
Gasgrand 4:
Meatballs, potatoes and salad 125 SEK
Cafe Sten Sture:
Goulash Soup with bread 85 SEK
Salmon and prawns with potatoes and creamy sauce 160-180 SEK
Pizza with ham and mushrooms; claimed to be better than Italy. 85 SEK
Hot dog from a food stall 17 SEK
Free continental breakfast
Free Nature Valley Oat & Chocolate Bar X 4
Drinks: Beer ranged from 29 – 63 SEK
Coffee: 41 SEK
Evian Water: 25 SEK
Transportation
Airport transfer 215 SEK RETURN (EACH)
Metro from boat to Central station 36 SEK
Accommodation
Log Inn Hotel 600 SEK (Based on two sharing, 300 SEK each)
Attractions
There are many options available when you think about filling your days with museums, galleries and long walks. Unfortunately, we had no time to see any of the paid attractions but saw some amazing sights by simply wandering the city and also sneaked in a free attraction.
Grand total: 1,830 SEK = 915 SEK each! (£71.80 each)
What would you recommend doing for 24 hours in Stockholm? Let me know in the comments!
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