Lola on the island of Skeppsholmen with Gamla stan (another island and Stockholms old town) in the background

My name is Lola Akinmade kerstrm. I was born in Nigeria, studied and worked in the United States, and moved to Stockholm for love many moons ago after giving up my life as a system architect working with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). That was in 2009. Coming from two boisterous cultures Nigerian and American Sweden as a whole was an initial shock to the system. Life slowed down tremendously and the words work-life balance slowly crept into my psyche.

Today, Im a freelance travel writer and photographer who contributes to many major publications. My photography is represented by National Geographic Creative and Im also the editor-in-chief of Slow Travel Stockholm a site that encourages travellers to my city to slow down, re-examine their motives for visiting, and get to know the city on a much deeper level. Yes, Stockholm truly is that superhot person who is also a modest rocket scientist. Getting beneath its surface is challenging but rewarding.

Spread out across 14 islands with tons of nooks and crannies (read: hole-in-the-wall cafs) for hiding out - from historic Gamla stan and lush Djurgrden to vibrant Sdermalm Stockholm today feels more like the Silicon Valley of Scandinavia pushing out tonnes of wildly successful startups (Spotify and Skype anyone?) and popular video games (Minecraft).

Beyond panoramic good looks, Stockholm is arguably the greenest city amidst a sea of eco-friendly Nordic cities. In 2010, it beat out 34 European cities to win the inaugural European Green Capital award because of various sustainability initiatives - from purifying rain water to converting waste into biogas for its public transportation system.

Recycling is in our DNA. You will pay for that plastic grocery bag and yes, that low-flush energy-conserving toilet is still powerful enough to get rid of it so no need to watch.

Ive always associated human characteristics with cities I explore. Edinburgh feels like a moody yet brilliant gentleman. Belfast is a brawny rugby player you try to force into a business suit, and my city, Stockholm, feels androgynous. Very jean jacket, flipped collar and white pants. Stockholm wants you to find your own secret space and own it selfishly.

It is the most open society run by the most private people.

Buildings in Stockholm are all shades of ochre yellow and brown ochre buildings, pale lemon, dull pumpkin orange, mustard yellow, and blush red with the occasional grey futuristic-style buildings and 1960s block-style buildings with weird colour choices and white trims thrown in.

In my opinion, the best building in town is a toss-up between the gargantuan National Museum building which was built in 1866 and which is currently closed for renovations until 2017; and Stadshuset (City Hall) with its impressive series of archways and tower. The City Hall building was opened in 1923 and it hosts the Nobel Prize dinner and gala every year.

More:

An urbanist's guide to Stockholm: Find your own secret space and own it'