What was once the home of criminals now houses a joint hostel and hotel, a theatre, a gallery, a restaurant that does an elaborate afternoon tea and a museum with guided tours. That makes it all sound rather busy; but once you get the key to your own cell, you have your own piece of this historic building. Rooms are tastefully renovated with modern Scandinavian design, whether you are taking a budget bunk in the hostel or have splashed out on your own elite cell in the hotel block.
Neighbourhood
These must have been the best-placed prisoners in Scandinavia. Långholmen island sits by a quieter corner of trendy Södermalm. No public transport goes onto the island itself, but you can hop off a bus at Västerbron (the western bridge, with its own magnificent view of the city) and walk onto Långholmen in just a few minutes.
Nearby
1. Il Caffe: For ‘fika’ (coffee and cake) at this Stockholm staple.
2. Carlshälls Gård: For lunch in regal surroundings.
3. Långholmens Klippbad (bathing rocks): For doing summer like a local.
Time Out tip
For a full and cultural evening-in at Långholmen, you can buy a single ticket which gets you a two-course dinner, a guided tour and a museum visit, as well as entry to their latest theatre performance.