10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Stockholm

Ever since its doors first swung open, the exclusive Café Opera has been attracting everything from nightlife aristocracy through to genuine royals. The 'café', as it's often called, is a part of the Opera by King's Garden (Kungsträdgården) in the heart of the city. It is located in a historical building where you will also find a restaurant and a bar. The nightclub's decor is just a little bit extra with its extravagant ceiling murals by Swedish artist Vicke Andrén and a unique design that simply exudes glamour.

The discerning clientele is one of the reasons why Café Opera is frequently closed for renovations or private events – so be sure to check the website before showing up. You can also request to have your name on the guest list or request a table while you're at it.

The gigantic and ultra-modern Friends Arena was designed for a wide range of different sporting and entertainment events of varying magnitude, all under a single roof. With its maximum capacity of 75,000 spectators, the stadium was too big for the centre, so you'll need to head out to Arenastaden in Solna, either by bus, tram, car or train.

Friends Arena is the national arena for the Swedish football team and the home ground of the AIK football club. As well as football and other sporting events, the arena also regularly plays host to popular musicians such as Swedish House Mafia, Ed Sheeran and Depeche Mode. Even if you haven't managed to snap up a ticket for the night's big event, you can always admire the building from outside or on a guided tour.

Pharmarium serves elevated drinks and snacks in a unique pharmacy-inspired setting with vibes from the 16th century. Its location in Stortorget square in the heart of Gamla stan is no accident. The original pharmacy that once lay here was connected to the Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet), which is just a stone's throw away.

It's said that visitors could buy everything from moon essence to mummy powder, but the truth of what was on offer may now be lost to the sands of time. In any case, the mixologists here have done a smashing job at ensuring all the drink names, ingredients, decor and everything else are all utterly unique and steeped in history. So if you're looking for a curated and inspiring experience that's out of the ordinary, then this is the place for you.

You can see it all at Cirkus – concerts, theatre, musicals, TV programmes and special events. Everything but the actual circus! This historic venue is located on the island of Djurgården, close to the Skansen open-air museum and Gröna Lund amusement park. The area is connected by tram and bus, though the most exciting way to arrive is on the Djurgården Ferry. Once here, you'll find a stylish and historic building with space to accommodate just over 1,600 guests in the main arena and 800 in the modern Lilla Cirkus (Little Circus). The reception room and mixer spaces also draw in a great many visitors.

Some of the legends to grace its stage in recent years include Nick Cave, Iggy Pop, Death Cab for Cutie and Paramore. And it's not just the building that's colourful – as a venue, Cirkus has a tendency to prioritise the odd and unexpected.

Southside Pub draws in the punters for its complete slate of events and offerings: a wide beer selection, reliable grub, quiz nights, live music and match broadcasts. Southside enjoys a strategic location on the popular artery of Hornsgatan, by the Zinkensdamm Station on Södermalm. The local district is an island full of laid-back, affordable and open-minded pubs and bars, but few with the same size and breadth of Southside.

Quiz nights are held on Thursdays and are very popular so you'll need to book and arrive by no later than 8 pm. Big matches and live performances also tend to draw in the crowds. Or if you'd prefer a quieter experience, drop by during the day for a delicious schnitzel or a mouth-watering burger.

Gröna Lund is Stockholm's most iconic and modern amusement park, where the attractions, stands and food trucks are plentiful and where the adrenaline runs high. Despite the park's city centre location on the beautiful island of Djurgården, Gröna Lund has everything you'd expect from a fully fledged amusements park. Many of the attractions will shoot you up rather than swing you from side to side. Rides with names like Twister, Insane and Jetline promise high-octane thrills to satisfy even the most ardent adrenaline junkies, though there is plenty on offer for all ages and nerves.

Gröna Lund is also a great place to simply stroll around, play some games and enjoy some snacks. Many come down for the music – either to the dance floor or the big stage where global superstars such as Lady Gaga and Kiss have been known to stop by.

The non-profit Swedish Swing Society holds dance evenings and courses for anyone interested in trying their hand at classic swing styles. The SSS is located in the district of Vasastaden and often holds different social dance events each with their own unique focus and twist. Choose between lindy hop, balboa and blues at "Dans och Galej", classic blues at "Friday Night Blues" or swinging balboa at "Friday Night Shuffle".

The lindy hop in particular is a firm favourite at the Swedish Swing Society. In fact, the society has produced multiple champions in this wild and fast-paced couple's dance. The dance is known for its swinging and some times airborne style, but don't worry, as a rookie your feet will remain firmly on the ground.

Colour by Numbers is a permanent light installation unlike any other where anybody who wants to can change the colours by using their smart phone. Take the metro to Telefonplan Station after nightfall and you will soon spot the tall tower which was once part of the former Ericsson phone factory. You can download a free app or call a free-phone number for 5 minutes to control the lights on the tower.

Choose which floor you want to change the colours on and pick between red, green and blue in the order you like. The tower is visible from far and wide, so you don't need to go all the way there in order to observe your handiwork.

Hell’s Kitchen is one of Sweden's trendiest and most lively night clubs, with decor, attitude, service and discerning bouncers to match its reputation. The extravagant club enjoys an optimal location in the Sturecompagniet Complex at the heart of the city's exclusive nightlife district, Stureplan. Stylish guests can be seen arriving on foot or by limousine, and some high-flyers have even been known to jet in just to join the party, such as Lady Gaga and Timbaland.

Hell’s Kitchen is well known for continuing the party late into the small hours of the morning, long after other venues have closed. Come early if you want to get in – and early here means before 2 am.

An evening cruise with the S/S Stockholm is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience featuring freshly prepared food in an art-deco ship dating back to 1931. The S/S Stockholm departs from the lively quay at Strandvägen, which is within walking distance from many popular sights, and glides out towards the archipelago gem of Vaxholm. In other words, the experience is no ordinary sight-seeing tour through central Stockholm, but a pleasant, three-hour cruise into the archipelago with plenty to see along the way – from central islands like Södermalm and Djurgården to remoter gems like Fjäderholmarna and Lidingö.

Savour classic Swedish dishes based on the freshest raw ingredients at a window-side table or head up onto the sun deck to appreciate the view in all its glory.