One of the most wonderful things about Stockholm is the fact that it manages to both have the feeling and clout of a big city, with the charm and the ease of travel of a smaller one. It is the biggest city in Scandinavia, however, it is still far smaller than places like Paris or London. You can feel this mixture of small and big when you go shopping. Stockholm has some excellent small boutiques and independent shops, which are well curated and very charming. Yet it also has all of the large chain shops you could ever want or need – in its easy to navigate and beautifully designed shopping centres. Here are eight of those best shopping centres to visit in Stockholm.
If you are looking for the biggest range of shops, the best restaurant options and the newest and freshest designs, then the Mall of Scandinavia is the place to go. It is the second biggest mall in the Nordic Countries, with over 224 different shops ranging from homeware to clothing, to electricals and more. If you are looking for a place to spend a whole afternoon and to while away the hours window-shopping, then it is ideal. It is in Solna, a northern suburb of Stockholm, but it is only 10 minutes by train from Stockholm central station. Be aware that it is right by the national stadium Friends Arena so it can be busy on match days.
It can be great to go to a huge shopping centre with hundreds of shops. However, it can also be a little overwhelming. If you are looking for somewhere a little more manageable, then Farsta Centrum is ideal. Spread across three buildings, it still has everything you need, just fewer variants when compared with bigger shopping centres. It also has a great deal of history as it was first opened back in 1960 and has delighted people in Southern Stockholm ever since. It also has small market stalls outside the main entrance where you can bag some great bargains.
Mood is arguably Stockholm’s most hip and contemporary shopping centre. It has fewer of the main chain shops, and more independent ones as well as a truly superb selection of restaurants. Boqueria has excellent tapas, including a brunch tapas menu, 1889 Fast Fine Pizza are doing exciting things with pizza and Bonor & Blad have some of the city’s best coffee and sweet treats. Mood is a treat for the senses with a very modern and clean design and is a great place to go for a great meal and then to pick up some shopping.
Sturegallerian is in Ostermalm, the most upmarket and exclusive area of Stockholm and thus Sturegallerian is one of Stockholm’s most luxurious shopping centres. It has a number of beautiful shops as well as good bars and restaurants and an elegantly designed interior. It features Zetterberg Couture, L’Occitane, Bang Olufsen and Chamonelle, alongside many other luxury brands. If you only want the best, then Sturegallerian is the place to be.
Nacka is a very underrated part of Stockholm. The island, which is on the east side of Stockholm, is full of interesting places and great things to see. Nacka Forum is a great example of that. It is a shopping centre that can match up to, or even surpass, many of the city centre ones, yet its location means it is often less busy and far more tranquil than those in the city centre. It can be hard to find peace and quiet when you shop, but Nacka is as close as you are ever going to get – it is almost like a shopping centre oasis.
Skrapan is more than just a shopping centre, it is a 26-storey tower on the island of Sodermalm, Stockholm’s contemporary centre. Alongside housing a shopping centre with 25 shops and restaurants, it also has apartments, offices and a skybar if you want to take a drink with a view. With only 25 shops, it can be a little small for some, however it might just suit people perfectly, as you can get in and get your shopping done quickly and efficiently.
Bromma is mostly known for its airport and its football team: IF Brommapojkarna. This means that people tend not to travel to this leafy Stockholm suburb, unless they are going to the airport – leading to people missing out on Bromma Blocks and its huge range of 150 shops. It has been open since 1970 but has undergone several re-developments, which have made it into one of Stockholm’s premier shopping destinations. The buildings that house the shops used to be airport hangars, adding a cool feeling of history to the centre.
Opened all the way back in 1976, Gallerian was the first central shopping centre in Stockholm and is right in the heart of the city centre. It is just around the corner from the central station, making it incredibly easy to get to and it has over 80 shops, so you are sure to find whatever you are looking for. It has over 60,000 visitors a day, so can get a little busy, but it only has so many visitors because of its excellent amenities and fantastic location.
