YLC has scoured the motorways and traversed the retail parks for the best south of-the-city retail plazas that will ensure you stay warm and cosy while you shop. Retail therapy just got even better – and winter-proofed too!
Freezing temperatures, snow and icy winds are but a breath away and before you know it, thermals are tattooed to your body and it takes a hour to head out the door because of the mammoth task of wrapping countless woolly items around your head and torso. If it wasn’t so life-alteringly important – i.e. you need an LBD for Saturday night and little Rosie really would look cute in a new padded onesie – you probably wouldn’t even bother.
If battling against howling Arctic winds just to get your shopping fix seems beyond unbearable, it may be time to turn to the city’s indoor shopping malls. Where everything is under one roof and toasty indoor car-parking cuts down your shiver-time to a mere few seconds – to nil if you have a garage.
So whether it’s an underpants shortage, you have a hankering for handkerchiefs or you’re just potty about pot plants, Stockholm’s out of city shopping plazas have it all. And, if you thought all shopping malls are the same, think again. We’ve found smaller independent brands, eclectic charity shops and a wealth of wonderful dining experiences for your delectation and delight.
Nacka Forum
Top highlights: Lucky kiddie-winks; Nacka Forum is home to one very famous toy store, Hamley’s. The London-born toy shop is over 250 years old – the flagship in London’s Regent Street opened in 1760 – has a subsidiary branch right here in Stockholm.
Definitely one for fashion-lovers, Nacka Forum has top fashion brands in abundance. Send your hubby to check out the newest techy-stuff at Media Markt or sporting goods at Stadium while you check out Mango, Vero Moda, Thernlunds and Zara.
Eateries: Head to Neko Sushi or Soup Time for fresh, nutritious shopping-fuel or Forums Pizzeria for family-friendly lunch deals.
Opening times:
Monday – Friday 10:00 – 20:00, Saturday 10:00 – 18:00, Sunday 11:00 – 18:00
Parking: You’ll be happy to know the car park is totally gratis for 3 hours. That’s free! And with 1,900 parking spaces, getting in quickly and easily is bound to be worry-free.
Transport: Nacka Forum is located about 5 miles south-east of Stockholm. For those who travel by car: Take Värmdöleden – Route 222, exit toward Nacka C. Buses run from Slussen.
For all you seafarers and marina-types, Nacka Forum is even accessible by boat from Lindingo, Slussen and Nybroplan. Check http://www.nackaforum.se/W/do/centre/hitta-hit for more information.
“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” Bo Derek
Liljeholmen
Liljeholmen offers city shoppers three floors of shiny, modern retail to explore. Even the car park is an exciting discovery. A mix between a cave and a disco, this underground provides 900 parking spaces, hidden away from the nasty winter weather.
Highlights: ICA’s deli is well worth a visit for its well-thought out design and wide range of sumptuous, high-quality preserves, cheeses and meats.
“We try to make it cosy, to have an atmosphere,” ICA’s Deli Manager told YLC. “We’ve also got plans to serve warm foods here.”
With Jul just around the corner – as if you needed reminding. Check out fine cosmetics company Stenders, which sells a plethora of luxurious pampering products such as massage oils, scented candles, essential oils and hair care for “the ultimate at-home spa experience.”
Also check out French chain Oliviers & Co. which sells a fantastic range of Mediterranean products including olive oils, truffle products, authentic pastas and vinegars sourced from family businesses in Italy.
Eateries: Liljeholmen caters for international taste-buds with lesser-known Thai, Asian and Indian outlets alongside popular restaurant chains Zócalo and Forno Romano.
Opening times:
Weekdays 10:00 – 20:00, Weekend 10:00 – 18:00, Food 08:00 – 22:00
Parking:
Two hours free parking every weekend (when shopping in Willes and Kvantum with a minimum spend of 100 kr) and 900 secured parking places. During the week: 10 kr per hour.
Accessible by tram, bus and tunnelbana. Check: www.sl.se for more travel information from where you live right to the front door of the shops.
Skärholmen
A little further afield is this relative oldie (but still a goodie) shopping galleria. This year, Skärholmen or SKHLM celebrated its 45th anniversary and with ample parking and all the obligatory brands in one accessible shopping hub – ICA, Coop, System Bolaget, H&M and Ahlens are all here – there’s plenty more reasons to celebrate.
Highlights:
Eurekakids (www.eurekakids.se ) is a Spanish toy brand that offers play and learning: a carefully selected range of fun, good, secure and stimulating products for young ‘uns.
A big plus for bargain hunters is the Myrona just outside of the main mall. This popular charity store sits on two floors and has a large furniture section for the discerning bargain hunters and collectors.
Check out two-floors of bookworm heaven at En Anna Bokhandel and Skärholmen library (The library has about 60,000 books and other media for children, youth and adults.)
Eateries: Jensen’s Bøfhus, Forno Romano, and Asian Pong as well as cafes, ice-cream and juice bars sit together in one central food court, so there’ll be no arguments as to who wants what; perfect for keeping the whole family happy.
Opening times:
Weekdays 10:00 – 20:00, Saturday 10:00 – 18:00, Sunday 11:00 – 18:00
Transport:
By car it takes about 20 minutes from downtown Stockholm or Södertälje to reach SKHLM. There are 3,000 parking spaces, and here you can park for free for five hours . Take the T-Bana red line towards Norsborg or if you’re travelling by bus, several bus lines stop right outside SKHLM. Check www.sl.se for customised route planning.
Kungens Kurva
Kungens kurva has everything with a capital E: in fact, there are 400 companies in the area including 150 shops, as well as countless restaurants, cafes, hotels and a cinema. Toys ‘R’ Us, Media Markt, Elgiganten and XXL all have stores here.
With many of Kungen’s biggest stores outside, it might be worth a sharp blast of wintery winds from car to store, especially when considering the bargains to be had. If you don’t fancy braving the weather, head to Heron City for indoor shopping.
Top highlights: The MQ Outlet store is definitely worth a visit when considering clothing and accessories here are priced at a budget-saving 30 – 70% discount.
Arken Zoo at Kungens kurva has for hire a dog bath equipped with an ergonomic shower, professional blow dryer and trim tables, where you bathe and blow-dry your dog in peace and quiet.
Eateries: Find chargrilled delights at Greek Kolgrill in Heron City, or watch your lunch being freshly prepared by Thai chefs at Bamboo South.
Fancy making a day of it? Heron City even has a bowling alley, children’s playground and 5D cinema.
The need to know details:
Heron City opening times:
Monday – Thursday 06:30- 00:00, Friday 06:30 – 01:00, Saturday 07:30 – 01:00, Sunday: 07:30 – 00:00
All car parking here is free. Should you be arriving on alternative transport, you’re in luck. The big IKEA here offers free bus rides during the week from Central Station to IKEA every hour starting at 11:00. Or take the T-Bana to Fruängen and then bus 173 to Skärholmen.
So, there you have it. YLC’s guide to warm and toasty indoor shopping for the whole family in Stockholm’s outer metropolitan area. And no need for thermals.
Happy shopping!
Victoria Hussey
A self-confessed country-girl, Victoria swapped English village life for city-living in Stockholm in April 2013. She has spent the last five months swotting up on Swedish fashion and grappling with an increasingly Stockholm-influenced (namely black) wardrobe. Victoria enjoys travelling to far-off lands, alternative music and wishes someone would invent some kind of socially-acceptable breakfast ice-cream.
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