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Flea markets or loppis in Stockholm

Posted in Stockholm E by

Sweden and flea markets, it’s a special thing. If you see the word ‘loppis’ popping up and do you have a nose for beautiful flea market finds, or if you just want to browse through all the old stuff, then you have to follow the signs. Loppis is Swedish for flea market. If you’re interested in visiting flea markets in Stockholm, just continue reading!

The Swedes are generally very environmentally conscious and are therefore regularly found on loppisar (plural of loppis), both as a seller and as a buyer. Their motto: give things a second life instead of throwing them away. Moreover, the loppisar are always very cozy, with fika stalls, sometimes even music and animation. It is a popular weekend activity.

Some tips for visiting a loppis as a foreigner

Bring some cash. You can pay with ‘swish’ at most flea markets, but since you cannot use this system without a Swedish bank account, cash will be the only means of payment as a foreigner. At some stalls you can pay by card, but these are more likely to be the exceptions.

An overview of all flea markets in your area (also outside of Stockholm) can be found at this Swedish website. At the beginning of spring, a number of large, one-off flea markets take place. In the list below, I have limited myself to the markets that take place several times a year.

Hornstull Marknad

Hornstull Marknad offers a mix of street food, food trucks, vintage, handmade items, … Without a doubt the hippest variant of a loppis.

Where? Hornstulls Strand on Södermalm

When? Every Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm, from during the first weekend of April to the last weekend of September (except for the midsummer weekend). There is also a winter version: Hornstulls Julmarknad.

Karlaloppis

A typical flea market where the objects are spread out on and around tables. Next to the locals who sell their own stuff, I also noticed a lot of stalls from semi-professionals who make a real trade out of it.

Where? As the title suggests, this loppis takes place at Karlaplan, the large round square on Östermalm on Karlavägen. The stalls are arranged in a circle around the square.

When? You can visit the loppis in Karlaplan on Saturdays from April 27 to June 15 and from August 3 to October 5. The stalls are set up from 11 am to 3 pm.

Kungsholmstorg

Where? Kungsholmstorg is a broad green avenue on Kungsholmen. The ‘square’ runs from Norr Mälarstrand all the way to Handverkgatan.

When? Every Sunday between 19 May and 9 June and between 1 and 22 September. The loppis runs from 11 am to 3 pm.

Loppisar or flea markets just outside of Stockholm

Solvalla Loppis

In 2016, this flea market conquered the world record when you could choose from no fewer than 1024 trunk boxes to find unique finds and make bargains.

Where? Bromma is located around 8 km from the center of Stockholm. The address is Travbaneplan 20, Bromma.

When? Different weekends between May and October, each time from 11 am to 3 pm. Here you will find an overview with all data.

Bakluckeloppis in Lissma Park

Backluckeloppis, what a wonderful word for a drive-in flea market.

Where? Huddinge is just south of Stockholm. The address for this loppis is Lissma Skolväg 6, Huddinge.

When? This flea market takes place every Sunday between the first weekend of April and the last weekend of October from 8 am to 4 pm.

Bakluckeloppis i Hågelby

This bakluckeloppis is the largest in the south of Stockholm. It can therefore be quite busy but it is a cozy loppis where there are extra activities for children.

Where? Tumba is located between Södertälje and Stockholm. The drive-in-loppis is to be found in Hågelby gård.

When? Every Saturday from 11 May to 12 October (except for midsummer) from 11 am to 3 pm and every Wednesday between 19 June and 14 August from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Pin for later: loppis in Stockholm

Disclaimer: this overview has been compiled with the greatest care, but local changes may still be made after this overview has been drawn up. If you notice errors or changes, please let me know! Even if you discover another loppis in or around Stockholm that is not yet on the list, just let me know.

Midnight sun in Sweden

Posted in Lapland E by

Heidi

Did you know that the sun in the northern part of Sweden does not set in the summer for a few weeks? From April to August it never gets completely dark at night. In the winter months you have the opposite phenomenon. During the polar night you will not see the sun above the polar circle for several weeks.

Where to see the midnight sun?

The midnight sun or polar day can only be seen above the polar circle. Like in Kiruna and near the ice hotel. The sun stays above the horizon for 24 hours a day. The further south you go, the longer the sun will disappear below the horizon during the summer months. Around the 21st of June, even as south as Stockholm it never really gets completely dark at night, but here you can’t see the midnight sun.

When can you see the midnight sun?

Of course it can’t be cloudy. As you can see from the photo above, I have not yet succeeded in capturing the true midnight sun. That one sunny day when I spent the summer in Swedish Lapland, I got into the tent at half past ten with severe migraines. I thought I would get to see the midnight sun several times in the 2 weeks that followed. I still regret not setting my alarm at midnight at the time. In the days that followed the clouds came every night. So I have to go back 😉

Between April the 20th and mid-August you have the best chance of seeing the midnight sun. The higher you are, the greater the chance that the sun won’t disappear behind the horizon at night. Furthermore, it also depends on how north you are to know in which period the midnight sun can see. This website tells you when the next equinox is.

Sleep masks and biorhythm

How nice are those long days in the summer? The Swedes spend as much time outside as possible and get the maximum out of the summer. Perhaps the only drawback is that you sometimes have to sleep and that, if it doesn’t get dark outside, is more difficult. Although the Swedes are used to the long summer evenings and the dark winters, it can quite confuse your biorhythm as a visitor.

Most bedrooms have blackout curtains and a sleeping mask is not a luxury. Certainly if you go camping or if you are a poor sleeper, it is best to put a sleep mask on your packing list.

Stendörren, a nature reserve in Sörmland

Posted in Sörmland E by

Heidi

Stendörren Nature Reserve is an hour’s drive from Stockholm. Stendörren is located in Sörmland, along the coast between Nyköping and Trosa. Via a suspension bridge you enter the archipelago where you can fully enjoy nature. The Stendörren area is also a popular destination for sailing boats and pleasure yachts.

There are several signposted routes in the nature reserve that you can follow, including Sörmlandsleden. A dip in the fresh water is highly recommended during the summer months. Be careful that you can get out of the water easily. I myself was very excited to jump into the water, but due to the slippery stones, I needed some help getting back out of it.

Stendörren consists of 2 parts. You can visit the first part without a boat via the suspension bridges. The second part, around the fishing port Aspnäset is only accessible by boat. The entire area is just under 1000 hectares, of which more than 70% is water.

Museum

Those who want to learn more about life in the Baltic Sea can visit the museum at Aspnäset. Through various exhibitions you can learn everything about the environment, the fauna & flora and cultural history.

In the nature reserve you will find waste bins, toilets and special fire pits where you can barbecue. You will find a wheelchair-friendly place at Lerviksudden. A grill place is provided here as well.

Staying the night?

You can’t just put up your tent in the nature reserve of Stendörren. But you can go to one of the cottages on the domain. Camping is only allowed on the parts that are not accessible on foot (so possibly with the canoe).

Accessibility

If you come by car yourself, follow the E4 to Vagnhärad or Tystberga and continue on route 219 to Studsvik / Stendörren. If you opt for public transport, take bus 554 from the station of Nyköping or Trosa. The bus has a “Stendörren” stop, but then it is still about 4 km.

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