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11

Stockholm Travel & Sightseeing Guide

Filed Under Sweden

A trip to Stockholm
Sweden’s capital city has an enticing, relaxed atmosphere due in part to its interesting setting on part of an archipelago. This cultured destination has much to offer visitors, with an impressive number of architectural and natural attractions.

Flights to Stockholm
Arlanda International Airport, located 26 miles (42kms) outside of the city, manages mainly regional routes, offering several daily flights to Copenhagen, Helsinki and Oslo. Flights leave regularly for all major European destinations, and although there are some trans-Atlantic flights offered as well, they are relatively limited in number. Frequent buses and shuttles bring passengers straight to the city centre, with the convenient Arlanda Express train taking only 20 minutes to make the trip. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Stockholm try Ebookers.

Stockholm has a comprehensive public transportation system, with buses, trains, a subway and ferries. Ticketing is integrated, making it easy for tourists to try the different modes of transport.

Stockholm

Sightseeing in Stockholm
Stockholm’s 16th-century Royal Palace is the largest castle in the world still in use by a royal family, with several areas open for public viewing. The Museum Tre Kronor has the 13th-century remnants of the original castle on display. The Skansen open-air museum in Djurgården comprises a unique zoological garden, over a hundred historical buildings and a working village with demonstrations of different crafts.

The archipelago is an obvious attraction, with numerous ferry lines and package tours available to plan your visit. The impressive Stadshuset (city hall) and enchanting medieval Gamla Stan (old city) are very worthwhile sites as well.

For museum buffs, Stockholm has a huge offering. Those looking for some history should visit the Vasa Museum and the Museum of History, while art lovers should check out the National Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

Stockholm’s pedestrian-friendly streets make strolling around the city a genuine pleasure. The numerous parks and islands are easy to find, with Haga Park being an especially popular park offering activities galore.

Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Stockholm’s restaurants serve up an impressive menu of international cuisine, although Swedish cuisine may not be as easy to find. All sorts of coffee bars, pubs and nightclubs are to be found, with the trendiest area centred around Stureplan. Starting your night before midnight is a reliable way to get into the nightclub of your choice.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
Ferries to the different islands introduce visitors to an astounding diversity of natural settings. The islands vary greatly in many respects, as some are completely deserted and others offer food and accommodation. Vaxholm is the main access point of the archipelago, attracting many tourists with its modest charm. Between the numerous summer houses, Vaxholm Castle and the many historical building, Vaxholm is well worth visiting.

Shopping options in Stockholm are plenty, with world-famous Swedish designers being the most popular choice. Choose from small local shops in the many different neighbourhoods, standard international stores and numerous souvenir shops. The local beaches and swimming pools are a great way to cool off in summer, with a significant number to choose from.

Daytrips
Stockholm is conveniently located close to many stunning towns and nature reserves which make for good daytrips. There is much to see in the surrounding areas, which can be easily reached by boat, car or taxi. Some of the most popular daytrips are those which are reached by boat.

Throughout the summer season, there are daily steamboats offering services to Mariefred, a tiny town just 65kms west of the city. While in Mariefred you will be able to explore the historic Gripsholm Castle and the fascinating Railway Museum. If the weather is good, the parks which dot the city are a great place for a picnic and the quaint streets are perfect for exploring.

A few miles north of Mariefred, you will find the town of Strängnäs. There are a number of sights to enjoy here including the beautiful harbour, Sweden’s prettiest street (Gyllenhjelmsgatan) and an enormous church. The banks of the lake are a great place to relax while the windy alleys give people a sense of Sweden in days gone by.

Must-see attractions
Stockholm boasts some fascinating sights which include its historical Old Town (Gamla Stan). This is the cultural heart of the city and is home to a network of cobbled medieval alleys, historical buildings, a number of museums, trendy cafés and chic boutiques.

Located very close to the Old Town, you will find the Royal Palace (Drottningholm). This stunning building dates back to the 18th century and sits on the site of a 13th century castle. The remains of this castle can be found in the palace’s cellars. The palace is the largest in the world which is still in use by the monarchy and the changing of the guard is as impressive as it is in London, taking place three times a week.

While there are a number of museums to choose from throughout the city, you should not miss out on the Skansen open-air museum. This is Stockholm’s leading attraction and is the oldest outdoor museum in the world. There are over 150 prime examples of 18th and 19th century homes, farms and other buildings. There is also a zoo located here with the focus being on animals native to Scandinavia.

Best time to go
The best time to visit Stockholm is during the summer months of June, July and August. The weather is at its best and everything is open due to it being peak season. However, the shoulder months of September/October and April/May are also good times as there are not so many people and hotel rooms will be cheaper. If you are travelling during the winter months, be sure to wrap up warm as winters are cold and long in Sweden.

Rainy day suggestions
Sweden experiences its fair share of rain and as a result, you may need to find alternatives to keep youself dry and warm. Fortunately the city is home to a large number of museums and theatres which will keep you busy and teach you about Swedish culture.

The Stockholm City Museum details the history of the city while the Museum of National Antiquities gives a run-down on the long and detailed history of Sweden. Both are a fascinating insight. For those who like the arts, the Swedish National Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Dance are musts.

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