Written by Joshua
24 Apr 2025
I came to Sweden, an innocent student just trying to make his way through the semester. This list of stores definitely had a field day with me. Boy did my credit card hate to see me coming 😭. They took all my money, and the crazy part is I willingly gave it to them. The deals were just toooo good to pass up 🙇🏾♂️. In today’s blog post, I’m giving you guys a comprehensive list of all the stores/businesses you need to know about when you come to Stockholm.
Convenience
- 7-Eleven/Pressbyrån – Feeling like having a sweet treat 🍰 after 10 PM in your dorm? 7-Eleven or Pressbyrån always have the remedy. From pastries to ice cream to drinks, and just about anything in between, these stores have you covered for all your late-night cravings.
Transportation
- SL 🚌🚇 – They take you just about anywhere in Stockholm. For a single student ticket that costs only 26 Krona, you can be on a whole other island in Stockholm, and trust me, they’ll never be late ☺️.
- Lime/Bolt/Voi 🛴– If you feel like biking around the city, these companies have just the solution for you. You can go just about anywhere. As long as you park the e-scooter in the right place, Stockholm is your oyster.
Entertainment
- Debaser – I’ve lost count of the number of drunk nights I’ve spent at Debaser. They have just about everyone performing all throughout the year. Going to Debaser may leave you inebriated, but never disappointed.
- Underbron – Another club in Stockholm, that’s free before 11 PM on a lot of nights. They have rooms for all genres of music, including reggae and dancehall 🥰. This club has made me feel at home on more than one occasion.
Supermarkets and Groceries
- Willy’s – This one definitely got the most from me. When I first came, Lidl was my go-to, but honestly, the day I found out about Willy’s, everything changed. In my opinion, the prices are just as good, but the selection is 10 times wider.
- Lidl – Refer to the above 😂.
- ICA/Coop/Hemköp – These supermarkets are always nearby, but you pay the price for the convenience. If you’re big on specialty meats or fish, premade meals or other niche items, they’re definitely going to be the place for you. Though they’re expensive, don’t be fooled, there’re always special deals in their weekly catalogues, especially on storebrand items.
- Franéns Livs – I wish I knew about this store earlier. They’re a small supermarket nearby KTH’s campus. They have a wide variety of items, sometimes at better prices than even the big chains! Be sure to check them out if you go to KTH or SU!
- Systembolaget – As an international student, alcohol has to be a top priority (I’m joking 😥… maybe 🫠). If you haven’t heard by now, Systembolaget is the only store in Sweden that’s legally permitted to sell alcohol, and boy did they love me as a customer 😅.
Home
- IKEA – The Swedish icon. They literally have everything you could hope to need in a housewares/home furnishings store, at great prices too. Take it from me, go with a list or you’ll definitely come out with more than you intended.
- Clas Ohlson – Similar to IKEA, but more expensive in my opinion. They have a lot of brand name housewares. If that’s what you’re looking for, they’re the place for you.
- Rusta – This one surprised me. Rusta is like a mix between IKEA and Clas Ohlson. They have a HUGE variety of housewares at extremely good prices.
Clothing/Accessories
- The second-hand stores – This is a category by itself. Myrorna and Stockholm Stadsmission are some of the biggest names in the second-hand game in Sweden. They have chains across the country. From clothing to shoes to small appliances, they have just about everything you could ever want. If you’re anything like me, you’ll begin to wonder why you ever bought anything new 😅.
- Stadium/XXL/DinSko – These stores have all the sportswear or shoes you could need on a budget. Be sure to check them out for your everyday sporting or footwear needs.
Don’t underestimate the power of this list. These stores/services made up the majority of my purchases, and I encourage anyone coming to live in Stockholm to have a look at all of them. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed. I hope you guys loved this post. Until next time, stay safe!
