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Sweden

I lived in Sweden for 2.5 years for my master's degree, and had the chance to travel around a lot within the country. Here are my favorite experiences/places overall:

  • Öland's harvest festival (late september)
  • Stockholm (ofc)
  • Abisko National Park

Stockholm

My favorite places:

  • Moderna museet

    beautiful contemporary art museum. I went to many exhibits there and never left disapointed. The permanent collection is also definitely worth a visit, if only for the Matisse collages (my favorite Matisse era hands down) hanging over a large comfy bed. If you have time, check out the libary downstairs and ask to see some of the stored artwork. They have this big machine which picks large pieces of drywall from the ceiling and brings them down for you to see. It's super cool!! Also, do not miss the nicky de saint phalle status outside the building. fun fact: i went to nicky de saint phalle elementary school as a kid.

  • Hermans

    the goat!!!! Vegan all you can eat buffet in Södermalm. It is so incredibly delicious and always super fresh, they have a large selection of salads, some dips, and a couple warm dishes option. Good student deals as well. I think I have eaten there more than at my grandma's house at this point. To be fair she's not a great cook...

  • Skansen

    a lil pricey but if you live there they have a great annual deal. Skansen is a big park with a zoo where you can see animals living in Sweden (mooses, brown bears, arctic foxes...). They also have a village where actors show traditionnal crafts like glass blowing or metal bending (whatever it's called in english lol but i think you got it). It's a really nice visit!

Random spots I'd recommend:

  • Lykke
    • Cute café / bar that often hosts lesbian events (see @flatmates on ig). Also good just to grab a coffee and work/read in the afternoon
  • Älskade Traditioner
    • me and my besties' favorite hang out spot!! it's a retro american style diner that serves delicious over the top salty and sweet waffles. The staff is SO sweet and they're all so fine which does count. The surrounding neighborhood is also quite nice.
  • Kollektivet livet
    • Hosts the best parties and great live music

Kalmar & Öland

My favorite places:

  • Öland Harvest festival

    In late september, all of Öland hosts a large harvest festival with art and food markets. Roads can get a little crowded but it's nevertheless definitely worth a visit to stock up on fresh produce and look at the local artisanal fairs. I highly recommend the market at Eriksöre, they even have vegan kroppkakkor! In some farms you can pick your own pumpkin.

  • Stensö

    The most beautiful part of Kalmar is a large foresty park with beautiful beaches where you can grill on the sand and try to spot deers grazing between the trees before dipping in the cold water. I'll never forget the summers spent with my friends there!

  • Norrlidens Bastun

    The single most amazing activity and location in Kalmar is the sauna in Norrliden. For 50kr on sunday mornings and wednesday evenings, you can sit at over 90°C butt naked with a bunch of 80yo swedish grannies who will become your new besties in no time. The sauna is located on a quiet beach with a backdoor leading directly to the pier so that you can go from the heat to the ice cold baltic water in just 40 meters. If the swedish grannies are doing it, so can you!! Behind the beach is a residential area weaved into foresty patches with lucious mosses and plenty of bugs. I love the norrliden sauna with all my heart and it will be the first place I return to if I ever go back to Kalmar.

Random spots I'd recommend

Kalmar:

  • Kullzenska café
    • The most beautiful tea house in Kalmar. Wonderful spot for fika + tons of vegan options. They have student discounts!
  • Johanna's chocklad
    • If you like hot chocolate, you must try their 70% hot cocoa... it's the perfect texture and the taste is the perfect balance of sweet and deep
  • Krusenstiernska garden
    • Only open during the summer. A beautiful fika spot in a peaceful garden, though the fika itself is quite basic. Good tea though!

Öland:

Gothenburg

My favorite places:

  • Konstmuseum

    Surprisingly nice museum with a mix of baroque and modern art. The highest floor is the best one, so if you have limited time, start there. Exhibitions are hit or miss.

  • Haga

    Famous for a reason. Haga is a cute touristy neighborhood with some nice shops and cafés. Worth a stroll in!

Random spots I'd recommend:

  • empanadas
  • persian breakfast
  • tiramisu latte café
  • hotpot