Source: 123rf
Stockholm is one of the most expensive cities in the world. It occupies 5th place in the 2017 ranking drawn up by Deutsche Bank.
Yet, the capital of Sweden is one of the most fascinating cities in Europe. There are many low cost airlines that get there and it is the perfect destination for those who have a limited budget. Don't you believe it?
The cheapest and most sustainable way (Stockholm is one of the greenest cities in the world) to discover the Swedish capital is by cycling: with City Bikes you spend just over 15 euros for three days and there are many rental stations.
Art, architecture, history and traditions with free entry: for a couple of years, access to more than ten museums in the city has been free, as in The modern Museum (Museum of Contemporary Art), Historiska (Historical Museum) and ArkDes, center for architecture and design.
Free guided walking tours of the beautiful old town (gamla stan), but also in the city, on the island of Sodermalm and along the longest art gallery in the world: the Stockholm Metro. The guides are highly trained and ready to reveal the secrets of the city: the tip, freely offered, is the right compensation.
Every day of the year, since 1500, the traditional changing of the guard at the Royal Palace takes place in the old city: one of the most loved attractions by tourists who, sometimes, attend the ceremony to the rhythm of ABBA music.
And then you can admire Stockholm from above: many panoramic points over the city are breathtaking and free, such as Mount Skinnarviksberget and the small via Fjällgatan.
Stockholm's gastronomic offer is very wide, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily expensive. To have a good and affordable lunch, just look for the signs in front of the restaurants with the words "dagens rätt" or "dagens lunch" which, in Swedish, means "The dish of the day": for less than 15 euros you can enjoy a main course with vegetables and coffee.
To sleep, in the heart of the city, 150 meters from the Rådmansgatan metro station and just two stops from the central station, there are the Rex Hotel (three stars) and the Rex Petit (two stars) which offer excellent value for money. The two hotels, overlooking a private courtyard, are located at number 73 Luntmakargatan, right in front of the Hellsten boutique hotel (four stars), the first hotel opened by the photographer and ethnologist Per Hellsten who, in Stockholm, owns three other hotels, all obtained from ancient buildings. At the Rex Petit the single room, in B&B formula, costs starting from 57 euros (even less without private bathroom), while the double room starts from 67 euros. At the Rex Hotel, however, the price of a single room starts from around 67 euros and a double room from around 105 euros.
