Monteliusvägen

Monteliusvägen is a short footpath along the northern edge of Södermalm that gives one of the classic views of central Stockholm. Around 500 metres long, it runs along the top of the cliffs above the water, with old houses and gardens on one side and a wide panorama on the other. From the path you look across Riddarfjärden, the bay at the eastern end of Lake Mälaren, to Stockholm City Hall on Kungsholmen and the spire of Riddarholmskyrkan on Riddarholmen, with Gamla Stan to the right.

There is nothing to buy and no ticket to show: the appeal is simply the view and the quiet, residential setting, which feels a world away from the traffic at Slussen below. Visit Stockholm, the city's official tourism site, recommends going at sunrise or sunset, when the light catches the water and the copper roofs. In summer the sun sets late in the evening, so this is a popular place for an after-dinner walk, while on a clear winter afternoon the low sun gives the city a golden glow.

A safety rail runs along the path on the cliff side. Photographers will want a camera with a zoom lens to pick out details on City Hall and the old town. The path is narrow in places, so be patient with others stopping for photos, and note that parts of it can be slippery in winter, so take care on icy days. Bring a warm layer outside summer, as the path is exposed to the wind off the water, and remember that it runs past private homes, so keep noise down early and late.

Monteliusvägen suits couples, photographers and anyone who wants a free and easy outing. It takes only ten to fifteen minutes to walk, but most people linger longer. It is a good first stop on a walk around Södermalm, which continues west along the heights towards Skinnarviksberget, another popular viewpoint, or south into the shops and cafés of the neighbourhood.

To get there, take the metro to Slussen or Mariatorget and walk uphill through the streets of Mariaberget. The climb is steep, so the path is not ideal for those with limited mobility. Fotografiska and the restaurants around Mariatorget are within easy walking distance.