Dating tips: the guide to fun date ideas

Being able to laugh together is considered one of the most important aspects of a relationship. So why not test your date's sense of humour at a stand-up night at Norra Brunn comedy club? Sweden's top stand-up comedians such as Johan Glans, Johan Rheborg, Henrik Schyffert and Magnus Betnér all perform here. Enjoy a good dinner before the show or hang out in the bar. (Nb if your or your date's Swedish isn't quite up to scratch, contact the club to find out when their next English-speaking performance will be).

If you fancy trying your hand at the French national sport, boules, while enjoying southern French food and drink, head to one of Boulebar's locations. The Tantolunden Boulebar is open during the summer months; soak up the sun and round off the evening down by the waterfront (a particularly smooch-friendly spot). Visiting Boulebar is an ideal date activity - all year round.

If both of you are culturally inclined and want to visit one of Stockholm's best museums with fantastic views, Fotografiska - the Museum of Photography - is the place to go. As well as exploring the museum's excellent exhibitions, don't miss the award-winning on-site restaurant with its beautiful panoramic views over the entrance to Stockholm harbour. Or why not round off your date with a drink at the bar?

Boules, board games, shuffleboard, air hockey and much more, all in relaxed surroundings. What could be better? If both of you like laid-back, unpretentious spots, with light food and a great selection of drinks, a visit to Ugglan could be a the perfect choice for your date. You're guaranteed to have a great time here just the two of you, or you could choose to invite a few other friends along and make an evening of it.

A 'normal' cinema date isn't always the best idea if you're just starting to get to know each other. But if you want to see a really good film, and at the same time eat dinner and spend some time together, Capitol is the perfect movie date. With two cinema screens and an intimate bistro under the same roof, this Art Deco movie house provides a slightly more grown-up and stylish cinema experience. You can even take a glass of wine and something to eat in to the film with you.

This vast entertainment complex takes up some 12 000 square metres on the ground floor of Tele2Arena by Globen. You'll find masses of different activities to keep you busy for a the whole evening. As well as bowling, mini-golf, billiards, shuffleboard and arcade games, you'll also find one of Europe's largest sports bars here, as well as a selection of other restaurants and bars.

Practice your swing and grab your beloved for a round of adventure golf, preferably with a refreshing drink. If you want to play indoors, Swing by Golfbaren or Golfbaren Sundbyberg are the places to go, while Golfbaren Aspudden and Kristineberg offer mini golf in the open air.

Bring out your best dance moves, shooting skills and hone your reaction speed, because all three can be put to the test at Roq. There's also pinball, billiards, shuffleboard and ping-pong, all for a fast-paced evening accompanied by rock music from the speakers.

Paradox is a fun activity if you want to question everything you know – this place is full of optical illusions and paradoxes that leave most people scratching their heads. They also offer date packages with great prices on food and drinks at the neighbouring restaurants Italienskan and Hötorget Kvarterskrog.

Escape Room is really a group activity, so why not invite along one or two other couples and spend an evening together? Various clues help you figure your way out of a locked, themed room - but you've only got an hour to do it. You'll need to work together and use various clues and objects in the room to figure out a way to escape.

Candy floss, popcorn, oversized chocolate bars, crazy mirrors and G-forces - Gröna Lund makes anyone feel like a child again. If you don't want to ride the roller coasters, you can play the tivoli games, go to a concert or just soak up the atmosphere at this classic waterfront amusement park.

Explore the history and present day of Stockholm and the world at one of the city's fun, fascinating museums. Go on a city tour, enjoy contemporary art and photography or meet one of the historical figures who lived here - Stockholm's museums are guaranteed to offer something for everyone.

Want to get that floating in the clouds feeling with your date? Then perhaps it's time to try Bodyflight together - a thrilling activity in which you "fly" in Sweden's first and the world's highest wind tunnel. It's not cheap, but for a couple celebrating a special occasion, or who just want to treat themselves to an exclusive and unusual experience, it's well worth it.

Sjätte Tunnan is a restaurant and bar that works a bit like a time machine. Travel with your date back in time to the middle ages and enjoy an evening of mead and rustic Swedish homecooking. Some evenings also include live entertainment in the form of fire eaters, belly dancers and magicians. Talk about a memorable date.

This activity might not be the first thing you think of when one of you suggests a date but if you're both feeling brave karaoke can be a real icebreaker. Sing your heart out to Mariah Carey or Michael Jackson, choose fun songs for each other and let your hair down. Whether you're a pair of songbirds or not, you're guaranteed to have a great evening with lots of laughs.

Shuffleboard, food and drinks are the name of the game at Tilt, which calls itself Östermalm's first mashup of high-class cocktail bar and activities. The living room-like environment is ideal for socialszing, so settle into a leather sofa and play the evening away while sipping on a cocktail, or playing a game of shuffleboard, pool or darts.

You don't need to be a chess pro to visit Svarta Hästan, a wine and chess bar in the basement of Laroys. In fact, you don't even need to be able to play chess at all, as it's perfectly fine to come here just to socialise over a glass of wine or two. But if you want to make the date a little more memorable, we recommend you settle down at one of the red and white chequered tables and give the game a try – perhaps with guidance from a personal chess coach who can teach you the basics?

Spend an entire evening at this fun activity centre in Stadshagen on Kungsholmen, where you can try everything from disco bowling and racing to golf and hunting simulators. The neon-lit game rooms are filled with shuffleboards, screens, simulators and racing tracks to the point where it's easy to lose track of time here.

Dinner at a restaurant is a classic date, but have you tried the deluxe version, the dinner show? If not, Wallmans could be an option. Various menus are offered here with one thing in common – they're all accompanied by spectacular shows with singing and music, where the artists are also the waiting staff and welcome you at the entrance.

Whether you're die-hard foodies or just curious about what the Stockholm restaurant scene has to offer, a food tour may appeal to you. Join a tour through Stockholm's wide range of food and drink led by a knowledgeable local guide who takes you to some of the best restaurants, bars and cafés in town. Follow our guide to the various companies offering food tours in Stockholm.  

Is your date a culture vulture? Then a visit to the Royal Opera is an almost foolproof idea. In one of Stockholm's most magnificent buildings, you can enjoy both new and classic productions of ballet and opera. A glass of bubbly under the chandeliers in the enchanting Gold Foyer is the icing on the cake.

Svartklubben ("the black club") is possibly not the best choice for couples heading out on their first date - when you want to be able to see each other properly. But if you feel comfortable enough with each other dinner at Svartklubben, where you eat your meal in complete darkness, could be a really fun and unusual date. Book tickets in advance and head into the darkness for a date you'll never forget.

Pack your picnic basket and hop on the boat to Fjäderholmarna. You can sunbathe on the rocks, take a refreshing dip, wander around, or have a beer at one of the restaurants on the islands. You can also visit one of the places that make and sell traditional crafts, visit Fjäderholmarna Choklad that makes handmade chocolate pralines, play boules and just enjoy the archipelago, all only 30 minutes from the city. 

If you're comfortable enough with each other to wander around in your bathing suits, a spa experience is a relaxing and intimate date activity. Have a swim in the main swimming pool, dip into the various spa pools or just hang out in one of the many sun loungers. There's even a restaurant where you can enjoy a good dinner or cold drink.

Step into Stockholm's own little igloo, made entirely of crystal clear ice from Lappland. Even the drink glasses are made of ice and the temperature inside is a constant minus five degrees. You book your visit in advance and warm clothes, gloves and a cocktail are included in the price. A perfect first stop on your date night - the cold, intimate atmosphere makes you want to cosy up and get close.

If you and your date fancy doing something physical, climbing could be the perfect option. Perhaps not most people's first choice for a first date, but great fun once you've got to know each other a little better. You'll find Klättercentret, Sweden's national arena for climbing, on Telefonplan. The centre has climbing for all different ability levels.