A Slow, Frosty Start

There was absolutely no rush to get out of bed this morning. With temperatures sitting at minus 5, we stayed tucked up a little longer, enjoying the warmth of the room at Hotel Reisen.

We’d been sensible the day before and brought some treats back from afternoon tea, so breakfast was a cosy affair: sweet bites, a proper cuppa, and zero urgency to face the cold.

Wrapping Up for the Cold

Eventually, we showered, layered up, and prepared ourselves for another day of icy pavements and crisp winter air. There was no real plan today – the goal was simply to explore gently and, most importantly, stay upright.

From Skeppsbron to Strömbron

We left Hotel Reisen and headed north along Skeppsbron towards Strömbron. Some of the paths had been cleared completely, while others were well gritted, making walking easier than expected.

It was noticeably brighter today, which made a huge difference – not just for mood, but for photos too.

Stockholm’s Landmarks in Winter Light

We passed Storkyrkan, Stockholm’s Cathedral – somewhere we still haven’t visited but always admire from the outside. Crossing Strömbron, we finally managed to capture a clear photo of The Grand Hotel, free from the heavy snowfall that had masked it on previous days.

Parliament, Palaces and Public Squares

Next up was Riksdaghuset, Sweden’s Parliament House. Established in 1905, it’s a magnificent building, and as we crossed Norrbro, we saw the Swedish and UN flags whipping dramatically in the cold wind.

Back in Gamla Stan, we carefully made our way to Mynttorget, the public square where the Royal Palace, Parliament, and Ledamotshuset (a Swedish government office) meet. It’s one of those places where politics, royalty, and everyday life collide.

City Hall Views and Shopping Streets

We walked through the arches at the back of the Parliament building and crossed Riksbron, managing to capture a much clearer view of Stadshuset (Stockholm City Hall) than before – no swirling snow this time.

From there, we found ourselves on Drottninggatan, one of Stockholm’s main streets for shopping and eating.

Drottninggatan’s Recent History

Drottninggatan carries a more sombre piece of history. On April 7th, 2017, the street was struck by a vehicle-ramming terrorist attack. In response, the city introduced large concrete lion sculptures as protective barriers. Over time, these lions have become a distinctive and well-known feature of the street.

Lunch at Diwine

Passing a few of the lion sculptures, we stopped for lunch at Diwine, an Italian restaurant offering pizzas, pastas, and even Swedish dishes.

I opted for an open shrimp sandwich, a classic Swedish choice – fresh, generous, and absolutely delicious. The staff were genuinely lovely and attentive, making it a great stop to warm up and refuel.

A Grand Banking Past

Our next stop was the former Skånes Enskilda Bank building at Drottninggatan 5, near Rosenbad, the seat of the Swedish government. Completed in 1900 and designed by Gustaf Wickman, the building is a striking example of turn-of-the-century architecture.

Built from red sandstone with rich sculptural and baroque-inspired details, it reflected the wealth and confidence of Stockholm’s banking world at the time. Over the years it has housed several banks, including Mälarbanken and Handelsbanken. Today, it forms part of the Swedish Government Offices, its impressive façade still telling the story of the city’s financial past.

Souvenirs and Whisky

Reaching Västerlånggatan, we found icy but well-gritted cobbled street. We popped into The Dala Shop and bought a small handmade Dala horse as a souvenir – simple, traditional, and very Swedish.

Our next stop was Ardbeg Embassy, a bar and restaurant boasting an exceptional collection of over 500 whiskies. We only stayed for one drink, choosing to try a Swedish whisky – a relatively new concept in whisky terms.

Small-scale whisky production existed in Sweden as far back as the late 1800s, though it wasn’t long-lasting. A short-lived commercial whisky appeared in the 1950s, but the real turning point came in 1999, when a new wave of distillers began crafting distinctly Swedish whisky. Since the early 2000s, Sweden has firmly established itself as a recognised whisky-producing country.

Back to the Hotel… Briefly

After returning to the hotel, we chilled for a bit before packing and getting ready for our final outing: dinner at the fabulous Bestick restaurant. It’s only a two-minute walk away, but with temperatures dropping to minus 6, wrapping up was essential.

A Final Feast at Bestick

The waitress recognised us, and welcomed us back from our visit two nights earlier. We were attended to almost immediately – even being asked if we wanted still or sparkling water before we’d sat down.

JC and I pretty much knew exactly what we wanted:

To start:

Bistro’s mushroom toast with prosciutto, parmesan, pickled onions, and spruce vinaigrette

Main:

Sirloin steak with parsley root, pickled red endive, spiced marrow crust, and watercress

Everything was beautifully cooked and paired with a lovely bottle of wine.

Dessert caused a bit of debate. We shared a crème brûlée, opting for the version with Parmesan and black truffle. Interesting… but not something we’d choose again. It didn’t spoil the evening though, especially with an espresso martini and an Irish coffee to finish.

A Mixed End to the Night

Back at the hotel, the bar staff were clearly overwhelmed by a late booking for a large party. We even had to check with reception to see if the bar was still open as service was non-existent. Eventually we experienced a less-than-great attitude from a bartender who shouldn’t have been put in that position to begin with.

I mentioned this to the same receptionist, who kindly offered us complimentary breakfast, which was a thoughtful and much-appreciated gesture.

Ready for an Early Start

We headed back to our room, finished our packing and got ready for an early morning start – another cold day ahead, but one filled with memories of wintry Stockholm.