Stockholm/Vasastan and Hagastaden

The population of Vasastan is around 60,000, and the area is around 3 km². It is less busy than Norrmalm, with the classical city plan mostly preserved. Vasastan was built from the 1880s until the following decade, and exposes the development of art deco and early modernist architecture. Odenplan has become an important transportation hub as the Odenplan commuter train station opened in 2017. A main draw of Vasastan is alternative and second-hand shopping in small stores (with most of Stockholm's remaining shops for vinyl records), as well as art galleries.
Hagastaden is a neighbourhood under construction, scheduled to be finished around 2025. The dominant institution is the Karolinska University Hospital, with the Karolinska Institute. As of 2018, some buildings are opened, but most of the area is fenced off. The tallest building is Innovationen at 104 metres above ground level. The Helix planned to reach 120 metres.
Karlberg is a park in southern Solna, dominated by Karlberg Palace, which hosts the Swedish Military Academy. Most of the area is open to the public, and the waterfront is crowded in summer.

The area is well served by public transport. Beside the metro stations, there is a commuter rail (pendeltåg) station at Odenplan below ground, opened in 2017 and endowed with contemporary art.
Most places are within walking distance. Car parking lots are available but costly.
Cars must pay congestion tax when they pass the city border between Stockholm and Solna.
Traffic around Hagastaden is re-routed around the construction sites.

• Stockholm Public Library

  address: Sveavägen 73
  A 1928 building in art nouveau style with a flair of early functionalism, designed by the famous Swedish architect Erik Gunnar Asplund, the interior of the cylinder-shaped main hall is spectacular, with three floors of bookshelves covering 360 degrees of circular wall. Books (both fiction and non-fiction) are available in many languages, including English and German. This museum does actually lend books, while the equally beautiful National Library of Sweden on Östermalm does not.

• Bonniers konsthall

  phone: +46 8 736 42 48
  address: Torsgatan 19
  This exhibition hall, opened in 2005 by the Bonnier family, owners of Sweden's largest media empire, showcases Swedish and international contemporary art.

• Jewish Museum

  address: Hälsingegatan 2
  Displays the history of the Jews in Sweden.

• Sven-Harrys konstmuseum

  address: Eastmansvägen 10
  An art museum opened in 2011, in a bold brass building.

• Bellevue Park and Carl Eldh Studio MuseumThe park gives an astounding view of Brunnsviken, a brackish bay. The Carl Eldh Studio Museum contains early 20th-century sculptures.

• Gustaf Vasa kyrkaA neo-Baroque church built in 1906. While far from Stockholm's oldest church, it is one of the largest, with frequent concerts.

• Astrid Lindgren's home

  address: Dalagatan 46
  World famous writer of children's books Astrid Lindgren lived in this Stockholm apartment from 1941 until her death in 2002. Open for visitors since November 2015. Reservations only. See Astrid Lindgren tourism for related venues.

• Karlberg PalaceThe Karlberg Palace was built in 1632. Since 1792 it hosts the Military Academy, and the interior is usually not open to the public. The palace park is a pleasant place for picnics.

Galleries around Hudiksvallsgatan

Several trendsetting galleries for contemporary art have opened around Hudiksvallsgatan in Vasastan (T St Eriksplan). Among them are:

• brandstrom stockholm

  phone: +46 8 660 41 53
  address: Hudiksvallsgatan 6

• Andréhn-Schiptjenko

  phone: +46 8 612 00 75
  address: Hudiksvallsgatan 8

• Natalia Goldin Gallery

  phone: +46 8 411 94 13
  address: Hudiksvallsgatan 8

• Nordenhake

  phone: +46 8 21 18 92
  address: Hudiksvallsgatan 8

• ALP

  address: Torsgatan 41

• Vanadisbadet

  address: Sveavägen 142
  An outdoor bath with a swimming pool, an exercise pool, and a toddlers' pool.

Records

For some odd reason, most of Stockholm’s second hand record shops are clustered in the area between Odenplan and St Eriksplan. Most are open M-F 11:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-15:00. Some examples (starting from the Odenplan end) are:

• Cosmos Factory

  address: Upplandsgatan 47

• Stockholms Skivbörs

  address: Upplandsgatan 47

• Marquee Records

  address: Odengatan 86

• Runtrunt

  address: Odengatan 90

• The Beat Goes On Records

  address: St Eriksgatan 67

• Record Hunter

  address: St Eriksgatan 70

• Skivbörsen

  address: St Eriksgatan 71

• Atlas CD-Börs

  address: St Eriksgatan 78

• Nostalgipalatset

  address: St Eriksgatan 101
  Vinyl records, posters, franchise toys, and other 20th century memorabilia.

Second-hand stores

• Sko dig

  address: Hagagatan 4
  Second-hand store.

• Nu och då

  address: Norrtullsgatan 31
  Second-hand store.

Vasastan has plenty of restaurants, most in the mid-range bracket, many in ethnic style. They are usually crowded by office workers during lunch break (from noon to 13:00).

Budget

• Cafe Ritorno

  address: Odengatan 78
  Nice café with personal service. Small outdoor service in the summer.

• Mellqvist Bar

  address: Rörstrandsgatan 4
  Thought by some to serve the best coffee in Stockholm. Expect to drink while standing in this very small coffee bar.

• Non Solo Bar

  address: Odengatan 34
  An Italian café whose baristas have won the Swedish barista championships multiple times. Amazing espressos and cappuccinos and a quite nice assortment of sandwiches.

• Espresso Sosta

  address: Sveavägen 84
  An Italian-style café.

• Konditori Valand

  phone: +46 8 30 04 76
  address: Surbrunnsgatan 48
  This is an old-style Swedish "konditori" with its 1954 interior almost completely intact. Still owned and operated by the wife of the original designer, this place is a piece of living Swedish history.

• Orontes Kebab

  address: Odengatan 60
  A fast-service kebab diner, mostly rather busy.

• Green Rabbit

  address: Tegnérgatan 17
  Bakery and café specializing in rye bread and organic products.

• Max

  address: Hagaesplanaden 46
  Swedish hamburger bar.

• Kimchistan

  address: Tegnérgatan 13
  Korean restaurant with a taste of Central Asia.

Mid-range

• Tennstopet

  phone: +46 8 32 25 18
  address: Dalagatan 50
  More traditional Swedish cooking. On one evening in August each year they will serve the Swedish culinary delicacy Surströmming (fermented herring). Mains 130-265 kr, slightly lower prices at the bar.

• Peppar

  phone: +46 8 34 20 52
  address: Torsgatan 34
  Awesome Cajun and Creole food at decent prices. Some have argued that they make the best burger in the city. The place is especially known for having excessive decorations at all major holidays like Christmas and Halloween. They also make really good jalapeño bread.

• Byn Creperie & Ciderie

  address: Rödabergsgatan 11A
  Galettes, crêpes, moules and cider in an authentic atmosphere with chansons on the stereo. Mains 89-169 kr.

• Döden i grytan

  address: Norrtullsgatan 61
  Like a neighbourhood Italian restaurant, but with great chefs that really know what they are doing. The winner of Dagens Nyheter's Gulddraken award 2006 in the medium-priced restaurant category.

• Lao Wai

  phone: +46 8 673 78 00
  address: Luntmakargatan 74
  A vegan restaurant with spicy, tasty Chinese dishes, mainly from the genuine Sichuanese and Taiwanese cuisines. Authentic high quality ingredients, and excellent cooking that will appeal to non-vegetarians as well.

• Sushi by Kyoto

  address: Sankt Eriksgatan 108
  A small sushi bar.

• Ki-Mama

  address: Observatoriegatan 13
  Sushi bar.

• Phi Phi Island

  phone: +46 8 612 03 01
  address: Birger Jarlsgatan 121
  Authentic Thai restaurant with great food. The location is a little strange, but that's an opportunity to get off the beaten path and see the real Stockholm. Mains 110-195 kr.

• Haga Bottega

  address: Eugeniavägen 6
  An Italian restaurant in Hagastaden.

• Khachapuri Bar

  address: Sankt Eriksgatan 108
  A small Georgian restaurant.

• Blique by Nobis

  address: Gävlegatan 18
  The design hotel has a lobby restaurant, as well as a rooftop bar with a full-circle view of Stockholm and Solna.

Splurge

• American Bar & Steakhouse

  phone: +46 8-244402
  address: Drottningsgatan 79
  As is evident from the name, the restaurant focuses on steaks and hamburgers. Precious little vegetarian options available, but the grilled salmon is worth trying. The Texas style chili contains a whole pot of spicy beef.

• Claes på hörnet

  phone: +46 816 51 36
  address: Surbrunnsgatan 20
  Tracing its history back to 1731, the inn Claes på Hörnet (in literal translation "Claes on the Corner") serves traditional Swedish food in more or less modern forms. The 18th century-inspired dining environment adds to the enjoyment. The inn also has 10 hotel rooms in 18th century style. Mains 145-265 kr.

• Stallmästaregården

  address: Norrtull
  Stockholm's oldest surviving inn.

• Pub Anchor

  address: Sveavägen 90
  A hard rock club open till 03:00, with a broad selection of beers. Happy hour before 22:00. Live acts or karaoke most nights.

• Musslan

  address: Dalagatan 46
  The "back pocket" of seafood restaurant Wasahof next door, cosy and relaxed Musslan offers the same menu, a nice bar and DJs every night.

• Olssons Skor

  address: Odengatan 41
  No cover charge. Clean and relaxed. Room for spontaneous dancing.

• Tranan

  address: Karlbergsvägen 14
  A good brasserie-style restaurant opened in 1929, with a dark downstairs bar that is popular Vasastan hangout, with a mixed crowd. Occasional live music.

• Storstad

  address: Odengatan 41
  A rather large bar with a modern, minimalist interior, Storstad is a popular meeting point in the Vasastan district.

• Bishop's ArmsYou know what you get.

Budget

• Vanadis Hotel

  phone: +46 8 30 12 11
  address: Sveavägen 142
  A budget hotel at a closed-down water park.

• Hostel Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +46 8 152838
  address: Rehnsgatan 21

• 2 Kronor

  phone: +46 8 229 230
  address: Surbrunnsgatan 44

• Hotel Micro

  phone: +46 8 545 455 69
  address: Tegnérlunden 8
  Small rooms in the basement of Tegner Hotel. They do not have windows and the bathrooms are shared, but they are very clean and new.

Mid-range

• Rex Hotel

  phone: +46 8 16 00 40
  address: Luntmakargatan 73
  North of the city center, the Rex Hotel has a trendy designer feel to it, rooms have vintage photographs and gilt mirrors against concrete walls and the bathrooms are tiled in slate. Free internet is available and staff are extremely helpful, even posting out letters and offering advice if needed.

• Ibis Styles Stockholm Odenplan

  phone: +46 8 120 903 00
  address: Västmannagatan 61
  This ibis Styles is in a converted historic building with a sloping roof, which resulted in quite small rooms with sometimes bewildering (and challenging) layouts.

• Hotel Tegnerlunden

  phone: +46 8 545 455 50
  address: Tegnérlunden 8
  This comfortable hotel is located in a quiet neighbourhood near a metro station and about 15 minutes walk from the centre of Stockholm

• Lilla Rådmannen

  phone: +46 8 506 215 00
  address: Rådmansgatan 67
  A nice, quaint hotel in the residential district of Vasastan, located right next to the Tegnérluden park. The hotel is actually located in an apartment building, where the middle two floors consist of private apartments, and the hotel rooms are on the top two floors. The hotel greets guests with a teddy bear, which you can play with for free, or take home with you for a modest price (around 300 kr).

• Blique by Nobis

  address: Gävlegatan 18
  A design hotel next door to the art galleries. The rooftop bar provides a full-circle view of Stockholm and Solna.

Splurge

• Best Western Plus Time Hotel

  phone: +46 8 545 473 00
  address: Vanadisvägen 12

• Elite Hotel Carolina TowerA 16-floor hotel opened in 2017.

• Karolinska University Hospital

  address: Karolinska vägen
  The Karolinska is one of the most prominent medical institutions in northern Europe. The hospital was relocated to new buildings during the 2010s.

• Karolinska InstituteA medical university founded in 1810, famous for electing the Nobel laureates in medicine.

As Vasastan is among Stockholm's safest districts, traffic around Odenplan can be chaotic.