Hemköp — Supermarket in Vasastan, Stockholm

This is one branch of Hemköp, on Birger Jarlsgatan in Vasastan, and its value to a traveler is local: it is the shop you walk to from where you are staying, not one you cross town for. Odenplan station serves the neighbourhood, so it sits naturally on a route in or out of the centre.

What you notice first is how clean and tidy the store is. Shelves are faced and the floor is clear, which makes a quick run through the aisles easy when you only want a few things. The trade-off is a limited product range: you will find the everyday items you came for, but not a deep choice within them.

There are no picks to point you toward here, so go with what the shelves plainly offer and keep the list short. Expect normal Swedish prices for the city.

One thing worth knowing before you fill a basket: prices on the street outside can be cheaper than in the store. If you are buying more than a handful of items, it is worth a look at what is posted nearby first.

The manned checkout is not always staffed, so build a little patience into a busy run. It suits anyone staying in Vasastan who wants a straightforward shop at almost any hour of the day.