Stockholm

Each of Stockholm's many districts has a special character. Bohemian Soder has its charming small boutiques and neighbourhood pubs, while City is known for shopping and bars. Ostermalm with its broard avenues and majestic buildings is on the quiet side.

From the airport
Train: Arlanda Express departs every 10-15 minutes for the city centre. Airport buses depart regularly from the City Terminal for Arlanda, Bromma, Skavsta and Vasteras. The Arlanda express train leaves from this terminal several times an hour.

Svenskt Tenn is an exclusive shop on the swankiest street in Stockholm. Even if you can't afford their furniture, lamps, kitchenware and textiles, you can browse for inspiration.

Pick up the magazine What's on Stockholm available in hotels and at the tourist office and you won't miss a thing.

Gamla Stan (old town). The 13th century remains of Stockholm's first settlement are located on Stadsholmen, Ol Town's largest islet. Kungliga Slottet palace and Stottsbacken, with its imposing historic edifices, showcase Stockholm's role as a capital city. Many restaurants and cafes are located in unique settings like medieval squares and cellar vaults.

Stockholm city. The public transportation system unites the heart of Stockholm, home to big banks, department stores, indoor shopping malls, exclusive boutiques and outdoor cafes. While fast-paced, City also features quiet green spaces and popular town squares as well as glimpses of water and boating life.

The malms and beyond. Much of old Stockholm's charm can be found around Fjallgatan, Mosebacke and Mariaberget on Sodermalm, affectionately known as Soder. Soder has a  character, charm and dialect all its own. Quaintness not whithstanding, many shopping streets and a rich nightlife with bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. Early 20th century dwellings characterize Vasastan, Norrmalm's northernmost district. It is a lively area combining residences, offices and restaurants. Ostermalm.s avenues and grand neighbourhoods house embassies and several of Stockholm's most prominent museums, including Armemuseum, with its impressive displays of Swedish military history and Kaknastornet tower which offers the best views of the city. On Kungholmen, to the west, majestic Radhuset Town Hall and elegant Stadhuset City Hall are among the city's many administrative buildings.

Blasie and Skeppholmen. On Blasieholmen and the islands of Skeppholmen and Kastellholmen, located across from the Royal Palace, imposing 19th century buildings such as Nationalmuseum, intersperser among prestigious hotels, palatial banks and famous entertainment establishments. Auction firms, art galleries, up-scale antique shops and antiquarian book stores also abound. Many of the ferries and sightseeing boats that traffic Stockholm's waterways leave from here.

Kungliga Djurgarden. Djurgarden, a sparsely developed nature park, is part of the Stockholm National City Park, the first of its kind in the world. In the 18th century, it was transformed from a royal hunting ground into a public recreation area. Today, Kungliga Djurgarden with its rich blend of nature, culture and popular entertainment is an ideal excursion destination. The open-air museum Skansen, Nordiska museet, Liljevalchs konsthall, Prins Eugens Waldermarsudde and the Grona Lund amusement park have been here since the turn of the 19th century. Djurgarden is the greenest, least urban part of town. 

Stockholm is home to a wide variety of nightclubs, pubs and bars. Most of the trendy spots are located around the city centre and at Stureplan. Stockholm restaurants have something to please every palate and fit every occasion. Here, a restaurant's interior design or waterside location is often as important as its cuisine. There is also a huge variety of cosy cafes perfect for the foot-weary visitor looking for some peace and quiet. 

To see/do

Vasamuseet: the majestic warship Vasa intact on its 1628 maiden voyage. Visit the museum on your own or take a guided tour. Don't miss the movie on how this one-of-a-kind ship was salvaged.

Skansen: founded in 1891, this open-air museum, a historic Sweden miniature, was the first of its kind. More than 150 buildings from the 18th, 19th and 20th century were transported here from all over Sweden. Visitors can also see Nordic animals such as elk, reindeer and wolves.

Grona Lund: be a child again at Stockholm's amusement park, which turned 120 in 2003. We dare you to ride Fritt Fall Tilt, 80 meters high with a speed of 110km. Classic amusements include the Fun House, Bumper cars and the Haunted House.

Stadshuset: Stockholm's city hall is also one of the city's foremost tourist attractions. Erected 1911-1923 by the renowned Swedish architect Ragnar Ostberg, it is an outstanding example of the national romantic style. The Nobel festivities are held here.

Junibacken: it is a house filled with fairy tales, laughter and mischief. The Story Train will take  you on an indescribable journey into Astrid Lindgren's magical world. After a romp in Villa Villekulla, stop in at the well-stocked children's book store, one of the world's largest.

Stockholm is home to three of the twelve places in Sweden that have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and visits are free.

Skogskyrkogarden Cemetery created by architects Asplund and Lewerentz between 1917 and 1920, this cemetery is one of a handful of examples in the 20th century architectural tradition. Its blend of vegetation and architecture creates a unique landscape that is adapted to its function.

Drottninholm. The royal familly has lived at Drottningholm, located on Lovon island in Lake Malaren since 1981. Don't miss the theatre, Chinese pavillion and church. Stroll in the beautiful baroque gardens or enjoy a picnic on the lawn.

Stockholm's archipelago offers endless possibilities the year round. Island hop among 24000 big and small islands and coves, enjoy a fantastic meal or go biking and canoeing. Restaurants, stores, and shipping companies are working to encourage visits during winter's chilly months.

Shopping

The handy thing about Stockholm as a shopping city is that almost everything is within practical walking distance. There are several large department stores and galleries in Stockholm. One of the oldest and in the finest tradition is NK on Hamngatan which has existed almost a century. Ahlens City is the largest department store in size, located in the middle of the mall at Sergels Torg. Debenhams is located on Drottninggatan. Sturegallerian, the exclusive gallery with stores, restaurants and the legendary Sturebadet (Sture Baths), you will find in the middle of Stureplan. In Gallerian on Hamngatan there is everything from tools to clothing and newspapers. Stockholm has an almost endless number of antique shops to brownse in. The foremost shopping areas are in Vasastan along Odengatan and Upplandsgatan, in Gamla stan (the Old Town) around Stortorget as well as along Karlavagan in Ostermalm.

Traditional souvenirs and handicrafs, the choice is a matter of taste. Stockholm has many shops with both traditional Swedish handicrafts and souvenirs. In Gamla stan (the Old Town) along Osterlanggatan there are genuine handicrafts shops, and souvenir shops lie in a row along Vasterlanggatan. Among the city's shops that have a high level of quality are notably Skansen's souvenir shop, Slottsbodarna in the Royal Palace, NK and Sverigeshopen in Sweden House, VISTRA, former Svenskt Hantverk on Kungsgatan 55 and Svensk Hemslojd on Sveavagen 44.

In the market halls you find both fresh produce and prepared dishes. The traditional Ostermalmshallen is well known for traditional Swedish food with foreign influences as well as fresh shell fish. Hogtorgshallen's offerings are more exotic and come from many countries. Soderhallarna is the most modern hall in the city.

Day trip
Vaxholm. Take the one-hour boat trip to beautiful Vaxholm. Walk around the narrow streets and browse the many boutiques housed in little cottages, eat lunch at the Inn or visit the fort. This charming town which lends itself to strolling is filled with art galleries and venerable old hotels. In the summer, experience the activity around the harbour from one of the town's outdoor restaurants, or relax with a warm beverage at a cosy cafe and revel in the peace and quiet that accompanies the arrival of autumn.

Uppsala, city of knowledge and inspiration, offers fantastic opportunities for experiencing culture and history. Visit the places that inspired authors, artists and scientists. Don't miss lengendary Gamla Uppsala, with some of the most remarkable ancient remains in the Nordic countries, and the 16th century Uppsala slott castle, built on orders from Gustav Vasa.

Norrtalje, Roslagen's capital, is another quaint town that offers the visitor everything from boutiques, art, pubs, cafes and museums to game fishing. The town, dating to 1622, is also home to Roslagsmuseet, with exhibitions about the area's waterways, and the Norrtalje konsthall, featuring world-class art.

Lovely Trosa, a 17th century archiperlago town, is surrounded by open landscape and farm country. Experience the blend of real small-town life and the archipelago, filled with beautiful coves ans islets. Don't miss the market square in Kakstan, Trosa's oldest section, or some of the distinctive historic churches.

A steamboat ride from Stadshuskajen is a wonderful way to reach Mariefred, an idyllic town on the shores of Lake Malar. Gripsholmslott castle, the magnificent 16th century Vasa stronghold, and Grafikens Hus, a well-known graphic arts centre, are both worth a visit, as is the beautiful inn next to the palace, back in the 18th century, it was a stocking factory.

Sweden's oldest city, Sigtuna, from 980 AD is an enticing place to start. Stroll along the same main street as did the 11th century inhabitants and browse in the enchanting shops and cafes. Sigtuna's best-known cafe, Tant Brun's kaffestuga is located in the city's oldest remaining house dating back to the 17th century. The Sigtuna museum display finds from archaeological excavations.

Grinda, a leafy child-friendly island a few hours by boat from Stockholm, offers first-rate swimming among its cliffs and beaches. You can cross it on foot from north to south in about 30 minutes. If you don't bring lunch, treat yourself to a meal at the Grinda Wardshus inn which is open most of the year. Rent a rowboat and see the island from the water.

The boat trip to Finnhamn, located on the border between the middle and outer archipelago, takes a little over 3 hours. Stroll freely around three islands, which have grown together into an exceptionally beautiful archipelago landscape. The scenery varies, from forests and meadows to sun-warmed rocks on the water. Eat lunch at the homey Finnhamns Cafe-Krog which is open in the summer. Opportunities for fishing and rowboat rentals.

Once you have discovered Uto, in  the southern archipelago, you will want to return often. Pack a picnic and discover the island's cliffs, beaches and beautiful natural surroundings. For more activity, rent a bicycle, rowboat or kayak. Visit the 200-year old mill or the mining museum. Or why not take a guided horse and buggy tour. Don't forget to buy a loaf of Utolimpa bread, made on the island from a secret recipe. This island also hosts one of the region's most popular Christmas bazaars. Boats depart from Stockholm and Arsta Havsbad.

The three-hour boat trip to Sandhamn another popular island and one of the archipelago's oldest seaside resorts, will take you through a large portion of the middle archipelago. Sandhamn, with its narrow byways and gingerbread-style houses is a very special place indeed. Many artists, such as Strindberg, Zorn and Evert Taube, drew inspiration from Sandon, its real name. A 15-minute walk through a pine forest will bring you to Trouville, a popular beach, from which you will see nothing but open water. Tennis and minitiature golf are also available. Near the  port, a stone's throw from Sandhamn Vardshus inn, you will find bakeries, handicrats and grocery stores. If time permits, why not stay a while longer and enjoy the nightlife near the port.

At the beginning of the century, Stockholm urgently needed a new City Hall. In 1911, they started the construction, and on Midsummer Eve in 1923 the City Hall of Stockholm was officially inaugurated. The City Hall has been built in a national romantic style. The annual Nobel Banquet on the 10th of December is organised in this beautiful building. The citizens were given the opportunity to sponsor the roof of the hall. For 25 crowns they received their own copper roof tile. The name of the donor and the tile number were written in the copper book. King Gustaf V, who bought the first one, nailed the copper plate on the roof himself.

Take the architecture of Paris, the coolness of NYC, the hipsters of East London, mix together with the Pin-worthy fashion, and you have Stockholm. 

By day, cross the bridge to Djurgarden, a leafy-green island with woodland trails. Next, Fika. It's Swedish for coffee break and is a much of an institution as IKEA. Then shopping. For vintage or independent designers (hit the SoFo part of Sodermalm). Back in the city centre, NK is department store porn, with a whole floor dedicated to Nordic fashion like Acne, Filippa K and By Malene Birger.

By night, stick to Sodermalm and go to Nytorget Urban Deli, a New York-inspired bar and eaterie, or Restaurant AG, the steak place. Afterwards, it depends how messy you want to go. Keep it restrained at Himlen, a skyscraper-high cocktail bar with 360 degree city views. Or go all-out at Morfar Ginko, an industrial-styled den with a disco in a vault.