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Sweden - A great day out: Stockholm's Camden

by Andrew Young

What better way to catch a glimpse of local life than to visit a bustling marketplace, sample local cuisine, chat to traders and visitors, and soak up the real feel of a place.

And what better place to do that, than Östermalmshallen – Stockholm’s version of Camden Market in London.

Östermalmshallen Market, founded in the 19th century, is situated near to Östermalmstorg Square, right in the centre of Sweden’s capital city, and within walking distance of almost all hotels and accommodation.

Amongst the speciality delights in the market is arguably the best salmon in the country (if not the world!), as well as a vast range of other fresh fish, pickled herrings, and of course, reindeer meat in abundance.

This rich, dark venison is extremely popular in Sweden, and although it’s not to everyone’s taste (mainly because we see images of Bambi flashing before us just before we poke our forks in!) it is beautifully tasty, especially if served with potatoes and lingonberry jam.

Swedish food is full of ancient and newer traditions, most notably of course, the smörgåsbord – a dazzling array of cold meats, breads and cheeses – all of which can be sampled throughout the Östermalmshallen.

Another traditional meal is soup on Thursdays…odd, but it’s to do with maids having half days off, and thus cooking something quick and easy so as to aid their early escape.

For this, the traditional Swedish soup, still served in many restaurants and households every Thursday together with pancakes, is the yellow pea soup, or ärtsoppa.

This is a simple meal, a very thick soup, basically consisting of boiled yellow peas, a little onion, salt and small pieces of pork.

The Swedes also like their festivals, and at midsummer, the traditional food to chomp is new potatoes, served with pickled herrings, chives, sour cream, and the first strawberries of the year which are traditionally served as desert.

All these culinary delights can be sampled as you wander through Östermalmshallen, and don’t forget to try out your Swedish when you ask for things!

Things to do in Stockholm

Where the Action Is Tour is a 2-day music festival held in Djurgården in June.

Stockholm Jazz Festival is one of Sweden's oldest festivals. The festival takes place at Skeppsholmen in July.

Stockholm Pride is the largest Pride event in the Nordic countries and takes place in the last week of July every year. The Stockholm Pride festival always ends with a parade and in 2007, 50 000 people marched with the parade and about 500 000 watched.

The Stockholm Marathon takes place on a Saturday in early June each year

The Nobel Banquet takes place at Stockholm City Hall every year on December 10