Be careful where you light up – all public, indoor places in Stockholm are smoke free.
Leave the phrasebook at home – Swedes speak exceptional English. Key Swedish words are simple though: “hej” for “hello” is pronounced “hey,” while “ja” (yah) is “yes” and “nej” (nay) is “no.” Locals will appreciate your using the easy “tack” for “thank you.”
Sale items in Sweden include a hefty 25% VAT (Value Added Tax), which non-Swedes not obliged to pay. All items exceeding 200 SEK ($33) are eligible for a VAT refund when bought at shops displaying “Tax Free Shopping” signs. See website for details. www.skatteverket.se/download/18.6e795b103e5e0454180001953/55903.pdf
Sweden is not a Euro-zone country and still uses its kronor, abbreviated SEK and at press time worth about 15% of a dollar (meaning $1 = about 6.5 SEK). ATMs are often the cheapest way to exchange money, but check with your back before traveling (some banks charge fees to use foreign ATMs).
Blogger Anncha, a Stockholm-based tourism worker, maintains an English blog filled with excellent suggestions on things to see and do in the city. stockholmtown.blogg.se
Swedish-language site Allt om Stockholm (Everything about Stockholm) is a bit tricky to navigate for non-Swedish speakers, but if you let the pictures guide you, you can find up-to-the-minute recommendations on things to do city-wide. www.aos.se (Swedish only)
For a map of any address in Sweden and photos of most in Stockholm, Hitta is an invaluable Swedish travel resource. The site’s in Swedish, but all you really need to know is that “Var?” means “Where?” www. hitta.se (Swedish only)
It’s all in Swedish, but with much of the terminology (“rock,” “dance party,” etc.) being universal, Stockholm’s nightlife guide Kalendarium is a comprehensive resource for what’s going on around town. www.kalendarium.se (Swedish only)
