Mr. tedibear has to go to Sweden in September. Do you have any recommendations?

Great restaurants by the harbor.

Make sure he goes to the old city (narrow, cobblestone paving) buildings that are centuries old.

Spend time right on the water (in the center of town) – walk over the bridges and see the boats come in and out

Royal Palace. If he doesn’t have time for a tour, at least walk around it and look down at the city.

This is where I stayed when I was there – thousands of books in the lobby and a really good bar. https://mornington.se/Stockholm/

Walking distance from that hotel is Humlegarden Park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humleg%C3%A5rden Big park pretty much near the center of the city. Walking trails.

If he likes opera or musicals etc., Stockholm has some great ornate opera/music halls, and the tickets are very affordable.

One other thing – take the subway (train) from the airport into town. It’s much more visually interesting than the highway. I took the train and it was about a 20 minute trip.

I haven’t been to Stockholm itself, but visited Sweden several times.

Nice things about Sweden:

Basically everyone under, maybe, 60 or so speaks English very well
Nature is impressive – go on a coastal hike if you can
There are “Quiet” compartments on trains. They take these seriously
It’s a pretty clean country, even in the cities
Saunas are amazing. Visit one if you get a chance. Be aware that it’s the norm to be naked in a Swedish sauna, though you can probably get away with wrapping yourself in a towel

Foods to try:

Meat lovers will say meatballs (Köttbullar). I say Quorn “Meatballs”
Pickled herring is a staple
Real, salty licorice
Daim, if that’s not available in your home region
Crispbread

Cakes to try (the quantity of recommendations here is proof that I like cake, but also that Sweden makes good cakes!):

Kladdkaka, a chocolate cake that tastes like a perfect brownie
Mandeltårta, a.k.a. Almond Cake (the chocolate one, skip the white version)
Kanelbullar (the original Cinnamon Rolls. Expect less sugar.)
Princess Cake (Prinsesstårta), a green, cream-filled marzipan cake that’s somehow light and fluffy
All the pastries, but especially the Maple Pecan Plaits. Nomnomnom.

Two things I didn’t love:

There’s cardamom in some pastries. I don’t mind that so much now, but it was unexpected when I first encountered it
Sweden is expensive

Things to know:

Take some good mosquito and tick repellant. Ticks might carry FSME. Ask your doctor about the vaccination.
The average Swedish person will be much more reserved than the average American. Don’t take it personally when people are slow to warm up. It’s not you, it’s just a different culture
Dinner menus are expensive, but many restaurants have a lunch menu that’s more affordable
Fika is Swedish for taking a break from work with a warm beverage while chatting with a friend or just being quiet. It’s a good concept to keep in mind and a reflection of Swedish culture. If someone invites you to their Fika, say yes

He should salmon at a restaurant, it is the best in the world by several opinions.

Huh, I like cardamom in pastries, and Princess Cake, though I’m sure it varies from case to case, and from person to person.

Thank you all so much! I am grateful for your responses and he will be too. He did say that they will be on the north side of the city.

@elbanditoroso – I know he would prefer to take the train, but I can almost guarantee his boss will insist on a taxi if there’s not some kind of airport shuttle. She’s not comfortable with mass transit, even when it’s clean, safe,, and efficient.

@longgone – Fika sounds like something he would love. And he is naturally reserved so will be comfortable with that.