Hanna Ardéhn: My 5 Stockholm favorites

Hanna Ardéhn hails from the northern Stockholm suburb of Åkersberga. She joined a theatre company for children at the age of 6 and continued acting throughout her school years and beyond. Besides her acting, Hanna has also studied psychology and got her Master's degree in 2020 at The University of Linköping.

Hanna's first film role was in 2010's 7X – Lika barn leka bäst, and in recent years she's starred in several acclaimed and talked about productions; Netflix's crime series Quicksand (2019), survival thriller Ridning in Darkness (2022) on CMore, and drama series Leva Life (2023) on Viaplay. In 2024 she's set to return as cancer-diagnosed journalist Nora in season two of Leva Life.

Hanna is one of the nominees for the SkyShowtime Rising Star Award at the 2023 Stockholm International Film Festival. We had a quick chat with her about her favorite places in town.

Bio Capitol: "I've loved film, and going to the movies, ever since I was a kid. If I had to pick a favorite cinema in Stockholm, it would be Bio Capitol in Vasastan. Great atmosphere, in a great auditorium, with a repertoire mixing new films with old, mainstream with indie. The experience as a whole is great as well. You can have a meal at the cinema's restaurant before the film, or bring something to eat and a glass of wine into the theatre."

Djurgården: "I've taken countless walks on Djurgården with my friends. Whether it's warm or cold, it's always a lovely experience. If I have to choose a favorite season for a walk, I'd say a nice fall day. Even though you can dress lighter during a warm summer day. Don't forget to grab a hot cup of coffee or tea during your walk."

The Royal Opera House: "I have a soft spot for everything that's classically grandiose. Design and clothing from the 1700s, grand architecture, Marie Antoinette's fashion sense, and so on. That's why the Royal Opera House is easily one of my favorite places in Stockholm. It's a fantastic setting, in a magnificent building. The atmosphere before a performance starts, when you hear the humming of the orchestra tuning their instruments in the pit, is hard to beat. I was 11 when I was here for the first time, seeing Swan Lake with my dad, and it was like being transported into a magic fairytale with princesses and princes. I also love the fact that the Opera regularly sells off old costumes. I still have a wonderful outfit from a production of The Nutcracker, for example. Bought it when I was 14, so unfortunately it doesn't fit me anymore, though."

Fotografiska: "I've always liked Fotografiska, even when I was younger. But I began going to the museum more frequently when I started my university studies in Linköping [around 122 miles south of Stockholm]. Basically, I popped in for a visit every time I was back in town. Their exhibitions really draw you in. I especially remember "In Bloom", about nature photography, and "News Flash" about news photography. The museum restaurant is great as well, with a fantastic view. And Fotografiska also has a nice outdoor bar during summertime, with clubs and pub quizzes."

Nationalmuseum: "And we're back to my love for everything old and grand. What I like most is that you'll get a lot from every visit, from classical Rembrandt paintings to contemporary design and furniture. You could spend a whole afternoon discovering just one floor of the museum. They also have lots of events, like workshops and interesting guided tours. My favorite painting in the collection is Bringing Home the Body of King Charles XII by Gustaf Cederström. It's incredibly imposing. Sometimes it's hard to envision just how large a painting is. The first time I saw it I was really struck by how huge it actually is."