Vikings. The music of ABBA. The Land of the Midnight Sun. IKEA furniture and Volvo automobiles. These are what come to mind when we think of Sweden. My interest in the Nordic country revolved around the aforementioned topics, as well. An early July visit would be the perfect time to experience the late setting sun, while I explored the history, culture, and music of the region.

Norwegian Air provided a vegan dinner during my flight from Logan Airport in Boston to Stockholm. Steamed veggies, a stewed tomato, rice, and a salad was a decent meal. For a dessert, mixed fruit was provided. Guets must pre-order the vegan meal option prior to their flight for each direction(departure and arrival).

Breakfast onboard was a steamed veggie sandwich and applesauce.

When our flight arrived in Stockholm, it was time for lunch. After checking into my hostel, I headed over to Delivore(Delivore) , a new vegan restaurant in town. A casual space offering many wonderful sandwiches, desserts, and beverages on the menu, this “new kid on the block” is sure to be a hit on the local vegan dining scene.

A Swedish Cronut was calling my name, so I purchased it as a snack to savor over the following days. The flaky doughnut was topped with a white glaze and chocolate drizzle. Two or three bites of the delectable treat were very satisfying. Swedes partake in fika, which means taking an afternoon break for dessert. Whether its a cronut or a cinnamon bun, it will satisfy your fika cravings.

My mid-day beverage was a uniquely creative licorice shake. Wow! This drink was bursting with tasty flavors!

For my lunch meal, I selected the chica boom sandwich made of soya protein ‘chikun’ with homemade bbq sauce and mayo, vegan cheddar cheese, on a sour dough bread. The sandwich was really good.

A sweet potato and chocolate cake with maple syrup, in a rice flour and buckwheat base, made for a great dessert.

Prior to starting the day’s sightseeing activities, I made a stop at ( Sattva Natur Begeri), a vegan-friendly bakery in Gamla Stan(Old Town), near my hostel. This bakery is known for its vegan cinnamon rolls(among other vegan baked goods), so I purchased one for breakfast later in the week.

Gamla Stan’s cobblestone streets and historic old buildings provided colorful views during my stroll to the first attraction on my itinerary. Storkyrkan, a 14th century gothic church, first comes into view, with its majestic clock tower. Royal ceremonies take place in the chapel to this day.

Stockholm’s Royal Palace is the official residence of the Swedish monarch. Built in Baroque style, the palace offers 600 rooms on seven levels including a library, a treasury, and a chapel. Royal regalia, including several king and queens jeweled crowns, are housed in the Treasury’s cellars. Photography is not allowed within the space, however, I can assure you that the crown jewels are stunning.

Outside of the palace, visitors may watch the changing of the royal guards. They march proudly and synchronously one by one until the change occurs between the existing guard and the one to take his place.

I make my way inside the palace, first going downstairs into the cellar to view the Royal Jewels, then heading upstairs to the exquisite living quarters. The staircase and hallways are themselves, ornate and distinguished. From massive dining rooms to elegant sleeping chambers, and ornate sitting rooms, this palace is as opulent and as breath-taking as one may imagine. Royal insignias, medals of honor, and royal gifts are proudly shown within glass display cases.

The next stop on my schedule was the Nobel Museum. It is dedicated to sharing information on the history of the Nobel prize, the founder’s life Alfred Nobel, and the Nobel Laureates. Quotations from the Laureates are on display. The chronological events of Alfred Nobel’s life are displayed in another room. Timelines of notable accomplishments in areas such as science, math, and politics are displayed on separate boards for each decade. Prize winning inventions are shown behind display cases of glass. Text commemorating each of the Nobel Prize categories(peace, literature, physics, chemistry, medicine, and economics, display within colorful panels on the lobby floor.

Stortorget is the oldest square in Stockholm. The historic center has been a central meeting place and market since the Middle Ages. Brightly colored orange, yellow, red, and green 17th and 18th century buildings, line the square. Tourists gather here to enjoy the museums, shops, and restaurant, or simply to stroll about and enjoy the architecture.

It came to my attention after a google search, that Stockholm is home to a couple of vegan-friendly ice cream and gelato shops. On this summer evening, I just had to pay a visit to 18Smaker (18 Smaker) for a taste. I was impressed with the vegan options. My choice was a scoop of the strawberry and the oat. Those two vegan gelato flavors were superb. I really enjoyed my ice cream!

The Plant Restaurant (The Plant Restaurant) is a casual vegan restaurant in the food court of Ringen’s shopping plaza in Stockholm. I opted to eat dinner there during my first evening in Sweden. My evening meal selection was the Piston Peas consisting of sliced potatoes and yellow peas with spices, stir fried, with a side of veggies and a dressing. Reasonably priced, my dinner was delicious.

From the Royal Palace to the Nobel Museum, my first day in Sweden was fantastic. I enjoyed the renowned sights and the amazing vegan food options. Several hours of sleep would refresh me for the next morning’s train ride heading southwest, to explore the city of Gothenburg.