Visiting Fotografiska – Stockholm’s museum of photography
If you enjoy photography you should visit Fotografiska, Stockholm’s Museum of Photography fotografika.se. It was at the top of my
Have you just booked or want to book a trip to Stockholm? If you want somewhere trendy, doesn’t stretch your budget and is close to the shops, attractions and other islands, then a stay at the cool City Backpackers Hostel in Stockholm, may be in order!
With unlimited free pasta for all guests, City Backpackers Hostel already caters for those that may be on a budget. But the hostel itself is far from budget in its approach, style and décor. Opening in 1994, the hostel has since become a popular place to stay in Stockholm, especially with its locality to the city’s central station.
With travel ornaments and accessories placed throughout – from stacked suitcases, antique cameras, maps and books – the hostel has a old fashioned yet modern vibe to it. Everything’s well placed, clean, neat and tidy.
A lot of thought has gone into the overall look and if you arrive during the day or early evening, you’ll find guests crouched in corners, lazying on sofas or propped up on cushions by the windows. You can tell that people feel at home here.
The hostel has more than 140 beds – it’s biggest dormitory holds up to 12 people which is great for a big group of friends wanting to stay together. Aside from mixed dorm rooms, and some female ones, the hostel also has three apartments available to rent. It also has five private rooms for those that prefer their own space.
Most of the rooms are in the main building where you’ll find the common room, lounge area and kitchen. You won’t get a card key to access your room though. You’ll just get a code instead and for other areas of the building which all have coded entry. You’ll be provided with all the details you need when you check in. It definitely saves you having to keep your room card safe! Each dorm or room also has its own name like Långholmen, Grinda and Kungsholmen.
The dorm I was stayed in was all female and was called Kymmendo. It was surprisingly spacious with two sets of bunk beds down the right-hand side of the room and another set on the left. With a view onto the street, the large window at the far end let in lots of light during the day, with soft blackout blinds you could roll down at night.
The six-bed dorm featured an en-suite shower room. It was a little on the small side, but great to have in the room despite that. There are also lockers for each bed and a long length mirror (handy).
As with most hostel dorms, bed sheets and duvets are neatly folded on your bed when you arrive, ready for you to make up.
If you’re staying at City Backpackers you’ll have access to a bright, well-equipped kitchen. In there you’ll find a fridge for each of the dorms and rooms and all the free pasta you can eat!
If you’re feeling thirsty, there’s tea and coffee making facilities by the reception desk and you can also pick up a cinnamon bun or two if you’re feeling peckish. If you choose to you can get breakfast every morning and for later on in the day, there’s a bar and restaurant next door in the shape of Nomad Swedish Food and Bar.
There are computers in the common room and plenty of social areas to relax in all around the building and reception area. You’ll be connected from the start of your stay with free WiFi throughout and if you have time you can relax in the sauna.
What’s also cool about the City B is that you can grab a free pair of skates to use because (if you didn’t already know) once you have your own ice skates, skating on Stockholm’s rinks are free! City Backpackers also offers tours and haves bikes you can rent too.
If you’re not leaving the Stockholm until later in the day, there’s a luggage storage room you can use. It’s available until 10pm on the day you check out which is handy. If that’s still not long enough, there’s plenty of storage lockers at T-Centralen station.
There’s usually has an activity or trip going on at the hostel, so if you’ve not planned anything. I’m sure you’ll be fine!
These activities were available when I visited in 2018. They are likely to have changed a little.
Lockers – take a decent size padlock with you. I had a medium-sized one and it still didn’t fit all the way through the loop to close. If you forget or it doesn’t fit like mine, you can buy padlocks from reception.
Bedding – you’ll have to remember that all bed linen is an extra charge during your stay. To give you an idea, when I stayed it was 25 SEK (roughly £2) which was a one-time payment. You’ll pay this when you check in.
Late check-in – open from 8 am–10 pm daily (midnight on Friday-Saturday), the reception is not 24-hours. Keep an eye out for an email before you leave. The team will send details of how to access the property if you’re arriving after 10 pm.
Shoes – each time you enter the main building you’ll need to take your shoes off. It’s a Swedish custom that the hostel enforces. With that in mind, you may want to take a pair of flip flops, slippers or thick socks with you to walk around in.
About a 10-minute walk from Stockholm’s central station (T-Centralen), it’s easy to find City Backpackers. It’s in the heart of Norrmalm and not too far from the T-Centralen metro station. You’ll also find a few restaurants and takeaway outlets nearby. Some of the side roads will take you to Drottinggatan – a popular shopping street in Norrmalm.
Address
Upplandsgatan 2a 111 23 Stockholm Sweden
If you’re looking for a hostel with a great vibe, good location and friendly staff, City Backpackers is worth a look in!
Have you stayed at City Backpackers, Stockholm before? What did you think!
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