Stockholm: a Bare Minimum Plan

Nordiska Kompaniet Shopping Center, this Stockholm mecca, is a synonym of luxury, status and stability. The shops remain the same for years. The only newcomers are Whyred and V Ave shoe repair. You should come here in late November to see the Christmas shop window, which transforms into a real puppet theater with sound, scenery, figures of incredible animals, gnomes, fairies and other fantastic creatures. Easter and Midsommer show-windows are also worth seeing.
You'll find cosmetics on the 1st floor, clothes on the 2nd and 3rd, and furniture on the 4th. By the way, furniture is made in a traditional Swedish style and is worth seeing and even buying.
All the stores are disposed in a circle which is pretty convenient if you're in a hurry.

Restaurant, bar and a small grocery store in a perfect package. Everything is simple, self-restrained and unconditionally delicious. The restaurant is a nice place to dine with one's parents, the bar – great choice for a romantic dinner. The store offers dozens of cheeses, fresh pastries and chocolate candies. You should see how cutely they pack porridge. Funny thing: many locals come here to buy presents. For instance, it would be a good courtesy to bring a jar of Urban Deli jam to a dinner party.

Museum of Fairytales named after the most famous children's writer Astrid Lindgren. Swedes bring their entire families here. You’ll see Moomin’s House and Storybook Train. Friendly museum supervisor will offer an audio guide in Russian. You will also hear extracts from Astrid Lindgren’s stories ("Emil of Lönneberga", "Karlsson on the Roof", etc.). The final point is Pippi Longstocking’s Villa Villekulla.

Working class once inhabited Södermalm Island. Later on artists and musicians came to live there. Various cafés, clubs and second-hand stores opened on the island. GrandPa Shop was among the pioneers back in 2003.
I like this part of the city – rather bohemian, though not so posh, as in Ostermalm, and definitely not boring (as downtown area). Totally independent but solid Söder has its own lifestyle. It is often called Swedish Brookline; and its southern part, SoFo, can be compared to London's Soho. Anyway, things are humming in this place.
If you've never been there before, check out www.sofo-stockholm.se for sales, discounts, special offers and concerts in advance.

The main market of the country is situated near Nybroplan berth. It is among top ten markets in the world. You won't find a better place for 'fika' (a coffee & bun break). Its red brick building was constructed in 1888, which was a real breakthrough back then. Everyone from Swedish housewives to Royal Court chefs came here for fresh fish, vegetables and rare herbs.
Walk through the rows of shopping stalls, try skagenrora (Swedish shrimp cocktail) at Lisa Elmqvist Restaurant, taste an excellent smoothie at Planet Food and some Betsy Sandberg chocolate cooked to a hundred-year-old recipe.
Traders work here for decades, and some of them even hand their businesses down from generation to generation. Prices might be even higher than at the restaurants, but you just can't leave Östermalms Saluhall without buying anything.