---

When I think of Stockholm 🇸🇪, two things immediately come to mind: elves and soft water.

Let’s start with the elves, because I’ve never seen so many tall, athletic, golden-haired, glowing-skinned people in one place! It felt like walking into a land of beautiful, real-life elves. Everyone looked like a copy-paste version of some Nordic fairytale. That nation is simply gorgeous!

Then there’s the water. Oh, the water! Words honestly can’t do it justice. Swedish water feels unbelievably soft and silky – I couldn’t believe water could feel that good. I spent way too long in the shower just enjoying it. I don’t know what kind of magic happens in Sweden’s pipes, but I truly hope everyone in the world gets to experience that level of pure, soft water at least once.

As a country, Sweden is everything you’d expect and more: highly developed, well-known globally thanks to ABBA, Spotify, IKEA, Volvo, Scandinavian design, the Ice Hotel, Swedish meatballs, and excellent public services. It’s also one of the safest countries in the world – a huge plus for travelers.

The people? A little reserved, sure but that’s just the Scandinavian way. They’re not the type to smile at strangers in the street like in southern countries, but they’re polite, helpful, and respectful if you need assistance. Don’t take their calm distance as coldness, it’s just cultural.

The overall vibe in Stockholm is peaceful and refined. The city is stunning – a perfect mix of beautiful architecture and natural beauty. For anyone who loves both urban charm and outdoor serenity, Stockholm is a must-see. ✨

If you’d like to read more about my Scandinavian adventures, check out my post about Norway 🇳🇴

---