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Stockholm’s ‘secret formula’: what makes the city unique?

Every city has its own distinct DNA, a unique combination of traits that attract visitors and permanent residents alike. The Swedish capital, Stockholm, has developed an unmistakable atmosphere, where creativity, innovation and openness thrive.

Stockholm's 'secret formula': what makes the city unique?
Photo credits: Ulf Leide

Here,The Local explores the stories of three international people – a robotics researcher, a manager at Spotify, and a DJ and rapper – who have settled in Stockholm. They all feature in a new film from Visit Stockholm and Invest Stockholm that highlights the ‘secret formula’ that makes the city the perfect place for each of them to call home. 

Find out what hidden treasures Stockholm has to offer, from those who came to love it.

‘A unique place to teach, work and do research’

As our world rapidly changes, new skills and technologies arrive to fundamentally reshape our lives. Successfully navigating this changing environment requires a curious outlook, and world-class facilities to educate and upskill.

It is those intrinsic qualities of Stockholm that attracted Iolanda Leite, originally from Lisbon, to the city. Iolanda is now an Assistant Professor at the Department of Robotics, Perception and Learning, part of the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), where she focuses on research and development in the burgeoning field of social robotics. 

Photo credit: Ulf Leid

Speaking of Stockholm, she says: “The fact that everyone can have access to higher education makes it a very unique place, to teach, to work and to do research.

“There’s also a lot of international students coming in and that enables all these creative companies and ideas to emerge from those groups.”

Indeed, Stockholm boasts more ‘unicorn’ companies – startups valued initially at over a billion dollars – per capita than anywhere except Silicon Valley. 

‘I like living in a big city but also being able to escape’

Few major cities make it as easy to connect with nature as Stockholm. The city, spread across 14 islands at the mouth of Lake Mälaren, offers a wide choice of unspoilt spaces and nature trails, as well as majestic views.

Get personal tips for finding your way off the city’s beaten path, from Stockholm locals.

For Rorey Jones, who traded Atlanta in the US for Stockholm, it’s the balance the city offers, as well as the egalitarian working frameworks that drew him in. Jones, a service manager at Spotify, particularly highlights the contrast between the city’s urban and natural environments as something that appeals to him.

“I like the feeling of living in a big city, but I also like that feeling of getting a bit of a break and being able to escape it,” he says. Trailrunning and hiking on the city outskirts with his dog, Knut, is something Jones can easily combine with his working day to provide some much needed calm. 

Photo: Supplied

“I think there’s a lot of balance in Swedish companies and here when you have the so-called ‘flat organisation’, I think it makes for a better place of innovation,” he continues. “If I felt there was a problem, or if I felt there was something that needed to be innovated, I have this feeling I could go to people high up in the company and I could try to make the company better.”

‘I can be myself. The people make me feel at home.’

A city is nothing without heart, and it’s Stockholm’s air of empathy and acceptance that made it a haven for Kamohelo Khoaripe, a South African musician who DJs and raps as part of the quartet ‘Off The Meds’. 

He is unequivocally enthusiastic about his new home, saying: “I’m in a place where I can be myself, where I can express myself, where it’s okay to cry, and nobody is going to say ‘Oh, you’re weak’.” 

Photo credit: Ulf Leide

Khoaripe feels that an open and accepting attitude among Stockholm’s people allowed him to develop as an artist. 

“I went through real-life feelings, I’m doing things I never thought I’d do”, he says. “People don’t really care who is doing what, they just want to go and support. That’s how a community should be. The people make me feel at home.”

His comments seem to touch on something central to how all three of these people perceive their new home. “Doing things to satisfy yourself, and not doing it to make other people feel belittled, that’s the secret formula of Stockholm,” he adds. “To be humble.”

Discover more of the ‘secret formula’ that makes Stockholm so unique, as well as the vibrant sights and sounds of the city, by watching the video below from Visit Stockholm and Invest Stockholm.  

Then find out more by following these links to get personal tips from the locals on their favourite spots and places to eat and your full guide on living and working in the city.

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FOOD AND DRINK

Stockholm nightlife: Seven cheap pubs and dive bars that are worth a visit

The Stockholm bar scene isn't just made up of expensive wine and fancy cocktails. There are also numerous pubs that may not make a 'best pubs in the capital' list, but are as budget friendly as they are laidback, and perfect for grabbing a beer without breaking the bank.

Stockholm nightlife: Seven cheap pubs and dive bars that are worth a visit

Going out to enjoy a meal and drink can be a very enjoyable experience, offering the chance to unwind and socialise. However, eating out or just going out for a beer can be expensive. Here are some of the more affordable bars and restaurants in Stockholm.

Hellströms

Hellströms Bar and Restaurant has a snug and welcoming atmosphere. They offer meals such as sandwiches, salads and burgers. They also have weekly offers, pasta nights on Monday and Tuesday nights, a fajita buffet on Wednesdays, burger and fries offer on Thursdays and a nacho buffet on Fridays.

Along with meal deals during the week they also have club 90, with music from the 90s from 8pm-1am on Wednesday night, a music quiz every Thursday and a pre-party from 10pm on Saturday. Finally, their afterwork promotion takes place every weekday between 3pm and 8pm.

The price of beer starts from 30 kronor ($2.90).

Find out more about their events here.

Location: Fatbursgatan 1, Stockholm

Crazy Horse and Black Elk

With three venues across Stockholm, the Crazy Horse is a lively and bustling bar. They offer a wide range of menu options, from snacks to burgers, fajitas, salads, fish and grilled dishes. It can get busy, so bear that in mind.

The cost of beer starts from 32 kronor, before 6pm.

More information can be found here.

Location: Sveavägen 60 & 61 and Götgatan 44, Stockholm

Lion Bar

This bar has a friendly and laid-back environment. With five locations in Stockholm, Sundbyberg, Vasastan, Sveavägen, Gärdet and Hornstull they feature a curated selection of dishes, which include fish and pork to burgers and steak. The post-work offer is available until 7pm from Monday to Friday.

Beer starts from 32 kronor, before 7pm.

More information can be found here.

Location: Tulegatan 7, Roslagsgatan 20, Sveavägen 74, Furusundsgatan 20 and Hornsgatan 154, Stockholm

The International Bar

Located in Östermalm, Gamla Stan and Birkastan, the International Bar is another favoured venue. The bar can be noisy, but it is a welcoming environment. Like many other bars, it has a broad food menu to choose from, which includes Swedish meatballs, fish and chips, burgers and pizzas.

They also have afterwork reduced rates from Monday to Friday between 3pm and 7pm. The bars also show sporting events, such as the Premier and Champions Leagues.

Cost of beer starts from 39 kronor.

Additional information can be found here.

Location: Norrlandsgatan 23, Mälartorget 13 and Rörstrandsgatan 11 Stockholm

Bara Enkelt & Bara Backe

The Baras group has eight venues across Stockholm and Uppsala, with Bara Enkelt and Bara Backe being popular spots.

The atmosphere in these bars is energetic and vibrant, especially on the weekend. Both bars offer a food menu, which includes snacks such as fries and halloumi sticks along with mains, including burgers and pasta dishes. Afterwork discounted prices are offered every day until 5pm.

Draft beer starts from 42 kronor.

Book a table or find more information here.

Location: Skånegatan 59 and Götgatan 33, Stockholm

Retro Bar

Another popular sports bar with a television screen at every corner, so you won’t miss any of the action. With an American-inspired food menu, they serve a range of burgers, stakes, pasta dishes, fajitas and salads. Their afterwork promotion is on until 6pm from Monday to Friday. When it comes to sports, they show matches from the Premier and Champions League to the NFL and more.

The cost of a beer starts from 54 kronor.

Book a table or find more information here.

Location: Sveavägen 120, Sveavägen 55, Sankt Eriksgatan 22, Hornsgatan 136 and Bondegatan 25, Stockholm

Flying Horse

If you are looking for a bar to watch football, the Flying Horse is a popular sports bar. When a football match is being screened, this bar has an exciting and dynamic atmosphere, offering a wide selection of food, from light bits, like sandwiches to main meals which includes burgers, fish, chicken and salads. The pub offers discounted prices on drinks for their afterwork deal from Monday to Friday until 6pm.

Due to the venue being a popular sports bar and it does fill up quickly, if you are planning on going it is recommended that you book in advance.

The cost of beer starts from 59 kronor.

Get more information on this bar here.

Location: Odengatan 44, Stockholm

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