How to Spend a Day in Södermalm
By Billie Miro Breskin
School: Brown University, Class of ’25
Major or concentration: English, History of Art and Architecture
Semester abroad: Spring ’24
Once an island populated by factories, Södermalm now boasts a plethora of verdant parks, artsy shops, and fascinating museums.
With its first urban areas dating back to the mid-17th century, Södermalm, often shortened to “Söder,” is an island replete with history. Originally a working-class area dotted with workshops and manufacturers, an influx of bohemian artist types after the turn of the 20th century has transformed the island into the vibrant, hip place it is today.
Start your day with brunch at Café Pom & Flora, a sweet cafe tucked into the Katarina-Sofia neighborhood. Choose between pastries, porridge, or satisfying open faced sandwiches, and enjoy the calm ambience of the cafe. The 100% Eggs on Toast is sure to please, with scrambled eggs and avocado.
After you’ve eaten your fill, stroll through the neighborhood, exploring the wide variety of charming shops. Pop Stockholm offers colorful 60s-80s style at a mid-range price point. If you’ve been searching for bell bottom jeans, a quirky sweater, or a biker jacket, Pop Stockholm is the place. For a wider range of styles, check out Humana and Stadsmission, two shops that offer curated thrifting at a lower price. These shops source their wares from local donations, so if you want to emulate the artsy outfits of Södermalm’s residents, this is your chance!
Also worth a stop is Nord Books, a small shop packed with English-language texts. With good music always playing and helpful employees ready to give you great suggestions, the shop is perfect for finding new favorites alongside classic literature, poetry, essays, and more.
Once you’ve had your fill of shopping (or window shopping) around the east side of the island, head north to Fotografiska, the famed photography museum that faces the harbor near Slussen. Though the museum has locations around the world, it began in Stockholm in 2010, when two brothers took over an old customs house to create a center for contemporary photography. The museum displays a broad collection of internationally based artists, with exhibitions rotating throughout the year. They also hold guided tours, performances, and workshops, so be sure to check their website to see what’s on.
After you’ve had your fill of photography, it’s time to fill up with some dinner. Head along the busy street, Hornsgatan, until you reach Falafel Bar, a fantastic place to get your fix of hummus, sallad and, of course, falafel. If the weather is nice, get your pita and labneh to go, and head to the final stop of the day: Skinnarviksparken.
This rocky outcropping on the northwest edge of Söder provides incredible views of the City Hall, downtown area, and Gamla Stan. Catching golden hour on the russet-walled buildings of the old town and sunset over the lake is the perfect way to finish a day in Södermalm, the ever-changing hotspot of Stockholm.
