Time Out Stockholm

I used this book for a trip to Stockholm & the archipelago. I read it before my trip, and it prepared me well to find my way around, and narrow down what I wanted to see. Once there, the descriptions of historical facts and stories behind the sights were very good. Prices- as with so many guidebooks, prices were slightly outdated. I was using a December 2007 edition for a trip in August 2008, so I suppose that's to be expected. Most prices were about 20 SEK (about $3) higher, including the Vasa Museum and the Absolute Icebar. Maps- The maps were good, but not great. I was able to find my way around very well, although some smaller streets have been omitted from the maps. Restaurants and attractions are very well marked, though. The maps are all grouped in the back of the book on consecutive pages, which makes it difficult to get a scope of the layout of the city's islands in relation to each other. A foldout map would have been much better. I do like that the book is lightweight and not at all thick, so it's easy to transport & carry all day. It also has a few color photos, giving you an idea of what some sights look like. Overall, this book certainly helped me enjoy my time in Stockholm. I would probably recommend taking a supplemental street map, and then you'll be fully prepared.

No wonder it is the shining star of the north, and Stockholm does not cease to amaze me. This guide is more towards the visitor and not the tourist as it covers off the beaten track areas that are worth experiencing. So far, Stockholm is my favorite capital of Europe.

If you can only buy one guide to Stockholm, this is the one. I bought a couple and found this one to be the most helpful by far. However, if you can spring for 2 or 3 books, you will probably be glad for it. Biggest disappointment with Stockholm, by the way: The food is really not very good. I was willing to pay pretty much anything for a meal, I tried so many promising looking restaurants, but in 10 days' visit the only truly good meals I had were at a Texas Burger place that had a chef from San Antonio, Texas. The food was significantly better at the Helsinki airport! Yikes! I don't really want to visit Stockholm again for this reason.