Avid Cruiser Articles

Article Published: Saturday, January 31, 2009

Stockholm, Good Value: Getting What You Pay For

You’d be hard-pressed to find a visitor to Stockholm who would tell you that it is an inexpensive destination to visit, but savvy travelers will tell you that the Swedish capital provides relatively good value.Stockholm is no more expensive than, say, New York or Los Angeles, but with high taxation some goods do come at a premium. Tourists, however, are exempt from so-called “value added taxes” on many goods, and obtaining a refund on taxes paid is easy and efficient. Simply look for shops that offer “tax free” shopping.

You’ll find many quality products in Stockholm, including the world-renowned Swedish crystal at Nordiska Kristall, Wasa Kristall or Orrefors retailers. All have shops in the Old Town.

You’ll also find one-of-a-kind design in furniture, fabrics and other household goods at Svenskt Tenn, on Strandvagen. Look for leading brands such as FACE for cosmetics, and for fashion, scout out Filippa K and Marco Polo.

You can even get a free tour of the city - well, sort of. You can see Stockholm on the free IKEA bus that takes you to the world’s largest IKEA, south of Stockholm.

When it comes to dining, you can count on fresh food, whether you’re up for traditional or trendy cuisine. Stockholm boasts some of Europe’s most innovative restaurants. And remember, tipping is neither required nor expected.

If you’re overnighting in Stockholm, you’ll appreciate that your hotel typically includes a sumptuous breakfast buffet, so factor the savings of a quality breakfast into the cost of overnight lodging in Stockholm.

For lunch, you can get an inexpensive meal with a view at Gondolen, high above Slussen. There are many other options for dining on a budget.

So, no, Stockholm isn’t cheap, but remember that there?s truth in the old saying, “You get what you pay for.”