Stockholm’s winter wonderland

Sunday afternoon on Gamla Stan's Västerlånggatan. Photos by Robert Corkery.

Stockholm is blanketed in snow and as we looked from Södermalm across the frozen Lake Malaren toward Gamla Stan, I was struck yet again by what a gorgeous city this is. There’s no denying its extraraordinary beauty in the summer when you can be on the water, but even with the short days of sunlight, this place is still pretty. In fact, this period just before Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.

Maria Magdalena kyrkan or church on Södermalm.

Maria kyrkan’s cemetery looked magical and peaceful all at once from the hump of Hornsgatan thanks to the holiday lights and candles in the snow. Västerlånggatan – the western long street – on Gamla Stan was packed as we made our way to Stortorget – the big square – and the Christmas market there. Christmas carols were playing and the scene  at the julmarknad was picture postcard perfect. Ornaments, smoked salmon, reindeer sausage, peppermint candy, roasted almonds and knäckebröd were all for sale in the market booths. We stopped and had glögg and pepparkakor or mulled wine and ginger cookies. It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Tagged as: An American living in Stockholm, Gamla Stan, Gamla Stan Christmas markets, Södermalm, Södermalm views