10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Stockholm

The Mall of Scandinavia is a sprawling shopping mall with plenty to fill an entire day of shopping across 175 stores, 43 eateries and 15 movie theater screens. In order to pack everything in under one roof, this huge shopping Mecca was built in the out-of-town district of Arenastaden in the satellite city of Solna. It can be reached by commuter train and streetcar, or you can arrive by automobile and park for free for the first few hours in one of the centre's more than 3,700 parking spaces. If you love luxury brands and creative designs, then be sure not to miss the exciting Designer Gallery.

The Mall of Scandinavia is not just a shopping experience – it is also the setting for many special events, and it boasts a baby lounge and even its very own app. What's more, the Mall of Scandinavia also has a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy a bite to eat or a spot of table tennis.

Gallerian boasts a fantastic location in central Stockholm, making it the perfect destination for a shopping spree while visiting the Swedish capital. Gallerian enjoys an excellent location right in the heart of central Stockholm's major shopping quarter. The center even has its very own metro access at the Kungsträdgården Station. It is also easily reached on foot.

Gallerian is an easy place to spend a couple of hours among the many shops selling everything from fashion to electronics. Renovations and new arrivals are a testament to the fact that Gallerian is in constant development. Moreover, there is ample focus on pit-stops, lunch and dinner with a whole 25 cafés and eateries to choose from. And just how many shopping malls do you know with their own health center, bouldering venue and rooftop terrace on the 14th floor?

NK is a world of scents, sensations, flavors and knowledge – a department store that's simply teeming with inspiration and personality. The grand and baroque-inspired building in the middle of the city centre resembles a castle and is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of something bubbly as you shop. Exclusive launches and celebrity visits have been regular occurrences throughout the store's prestigious history.

Browse exclusive brands or treat yourself to a touch of everyday luxury. At NK, you'll be sure to find all the latest fashion for both men and women, as well as enticing home decor, the latest trends, sports accessories, high-quality dining experiences and plenty more.

Åhléns City is the impressive flagship store of this beloved Swedish department store, featuring its own confectionery counter and florist's department. Åhléns has stores all around Stockholm but it's hard to beat their biggest store when it comes to range and location, situated right in the city centre next to all major transportation links.

At this award-winning shopping hub you can easily shop the day away, exploring everything from fashion to interior design products. And if you fancy a break, simply take your pick between a healthy juice, a Neapolitan pastry, some wholesome health food or a spot of sushi. Or alternately, pick up some prepared meals and fresh ingredients from the store's well-stocked grocery department.

Sturegallerian is a honey pot for true connoisseurs with its leading brand names, renowned eateries, trendy nightclub and its public bathhouse which dates back to the 19th century. It enjoys a fantastic location on the vibrant Stureplan square in the trendy district of Östermalm. The metro and buses stop right outside the shopping centre's doors so it is fairly easy to make your way down.

The gorgeous Sturegallerian is set in an elegant building featuring courtyards and basements, all finished in a refined style where nothing has been left to chance. Stroll around in the company of award-winning and exclusive clothes, shoes and accessories, as well as beauty products and chocolates.

Birger Jarlsgatan is where you'll find all of the capital's most important flagship design stores lined up neatly like a string of pearls, adorning a street that separates the districts of Östermalm and Norrmalm. Exclusive fashion stores are wall to wall in this luxurious shopping area which is known locally as the Library Quarter (Biblioteksstaden). The storefronts of design and home decor shops display the proud creations of skilled Swedish artists and companies, aimed mainly at the many tourists who visit each year.

As a visitor to the country, you will be amazed to find more exclusive and luxurious versions of the classic products you may already know and love from cheap and cheerful IKEA. Draw some inspiration from timeless, nature-inspired or progressive designs and discover all the latest trends within Swedish and Scandinavian design.

Biblioteksgatan and the surrounding area has recently emerged as an exclusive shopping district in Stockholm. All around the streets of Biblioteksgatan, Birger Jarlsgatan and Stureplan square, luxury boutiques have swung open their doors and the district can now compete with many of the world's bustling metropolises.

Previously, Swedish shoppers had to travel to Copenhagen or London to satisfy their cravings for luxury and to stroll among the world's leading fashion houses. Now brands such as Chanel, Prada and their more relaxed Swedish counterparts compete in arenas such as window displays and personal service. The area is also home to many more affordable stores which happily stand shoulder to shoulder with the big shots.

For an alternate shopping experience, stroll around the many unique and independent stores on Södermalm. The hilly district of Södermalm is an expansive neighbourhood and located a good bit away from all the major hotels and the more touristy, crowded shopping streets. You can reach it by foot from Gamla stan, take the train to Stockholm South Station or arrive by metro.

Bohemian Södermalm, or Söder as it's known to locals, boasts a relaxed and self-aware atmosphere where you will find a fantastic range of edgy stores with a focus on vintage, eco-fashion, charm and personality. Don't miss the second-hand Mecca of Myrorna on Götgatan or the vinyl treasure trove that is Pet Sounds on Skånegatan.

Gamla stan is home to winding cobblestone streets and charming shops and is a must-visit location on any trip to Stockholm. The capital's historic, medieval heart beats between the bustling transportation hub of City and the district of Södermalm and is easily reached over one of the bridges or by metro. This picture-perfect 'city between the bridges', as it is known to locals, is by no means huge, but its many listed buildings will catch the eyes of curious visitors.

Switch on your internal quality radar and set your sights on genuine handicraft stores, antique shops and sure-fire winners like the bookstore Science Fiction Bokhandeln and the vinyl record store Sound Pollution. Veer away from the main stretches of Västerlånggatan and Österlånggatan to discover hidden gems and unique finds.

Stockholm Quality Outlet is the place to go if you want to bag a bargain, with 30–70 % discounts on brand-name goods at just a 20-minute drive away from central Stockholm. Stockholm Quality Outlet is located at Barkarby Handelsplats just off the E18 expressway, and offers free parking and a relaxed shopping experience.

Pick up a good deal on more than 50 different popular brands such as Barbour, Acne, Hugo Boss and Levis. The range on offer is enormous with a firm focus on clothing, home and beauty. Or if you'd rather visit design giants on their own turf, you'll find Swedish home stores such as IKEA and Bauhaus just around the corner.