A mix of photos, taken on different days, for my third in the series of postcards from Stockholm. It is such a beautiful city, so it is quite easy to find interesting things to look at and take pictures.
In the city
We start with some classic views, taken looking out from near the National Museum. Just enjoy the blue skies, the water, and in the final picture, the royal palace. Pictures taken on 10 May 2026 (though think the first one was earlier that week).
Lions everywhere
As you walk around the city centre, you will spot these lions all over the place. While nice to look at, they do in fact serve a purpose. Originally, 38 lions, were commissioned from the sculpture Per Anders Årfelt to be placed along Drottinggatan, in the city centre. In 2017, a truck driven by a terrorist struck several of the lion sculptures, finally stopping beside one that had been overturned. As a result, further (larger) lions were commissioned, designed to stop large vehicles, and put around the central city. Here are two spotted on Sunday. They are very attractive and you wouldn’t know why there are so many about.
Local buildings
Staying close to where we live, walking up to Odenplan, some stunning buildings, made even better with the bright blue sky behind them. Nowhere near the tourist bits of the city, these are the hidden gems to look at and enjoy.
The featured image at the top of the post is a restaurant famous for hosting journalists in Vasastan.
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer and good food. Thistles and Kiwis can be found on Facebook and Instagram @thistlesandkiwis









I just love walking ‘with you’ along the Stockholm streets trying to figure out where I may once have walked also. We used to stay at the Grand with the water and a ferry station right across the road – for some odd reason I would oft sit for a whole hour or two on the window seat in dark privacy watching the late evenings evolve across the road . . . I like the apartment buildings which, tho’ quite different in style one from the other, somehow present a very serious almost ‘regal’ mien . . .
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Stockholm looks so lovely!
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Beautiful!
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Oh so lovely! Those lions are mighty attractive, but so sad that their larger size is for actual protection. I noticed bikes in a couple of your pictures. I’m guessing Stockholm is a bike-riding city.
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There are a few cyclists here but not as many as Copenhagen.
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Very enjoyable photos of our capital city. I agree that is it a beautiful city, the archipelago, especially Vaxholm is my favourite place in Stockholm.
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It is a beautiful city…not sure what our weekend plans are yet…but hope to see a bit more.
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Munich had a lot of lions in the streets but that was 30 years ago so not sure for the same purpose. But art that works as a safety measure is still art although the lion you posted is quite stark. Looks like a pretty clean city and of course the blue skies help with those vibes.
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Using the lions is a great idea I think as if you didn’t know you would just see the lions (and the original ones are smaller). It is a very clean city and of course everything looks good in the sunshine.
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Sunshine always makes things better!
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Marvellous skies and love the yellow buildings. The protective lions are much better than ugly blocks, good idea.
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I agree – if you didn’t know about the lions you would just think they were fun things around the city. I love the colours of the buildings here.
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Your photos around Stockholm harbour brought back memories. I love the buildings too. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
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It is a very pretty city. Thanks for stopping by!
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We would very much like to return to Stockholm and stay a few days. It’s such a pretty city.
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I love the open feel of the city – you can always breathe by the water.
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Lovely! It looks very Nordic. The bright, blue skies are gorgeous.
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Yes it really does!
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Glorious blue skies! I love the lions. Whatever the reason for their existence.
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Yes the lions are lovely. We have been so lucky with the weather.
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Those lions are so much more pleasing than the ugly concrete bollards in Melbourne city. Lovely place.
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Yes and if you didn’t know you wouldn’t guess.
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I really enjoyed seeing some of the architecture in Stockholm. It all feels very grounded and solid and it so very different than what we find here in New Mexico, USA 🙂 I like the yellow hues of the buildings and how they play against the bright blue skies! The lions are lovely, too. I love a good barricade that doesn’t feel like a barricade 😉 Such sweet faces they have!
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The colours of the buildings against the sky is something I love. I keep stopping and staring up at buildings! The lions are such a good idea – look good and serve a purpose.
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The Swedish architecture never fails to amaze me!
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Such a beautiful city. Still on my list to visit!
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