Stockholm - Sweden's Capitol City Full Of History
Whether you're into art, food, shopping or just soaking in the history, Stockholm is a city that never lets you down. Stockholm exudes classical Scandinavian charm mixing both the old and new in one location. It is the perfect place for:
- Families and Multi-Gen Groups: There is something for everyone in Stockholm. Museums, amusement parks, great coffee shops for fika.
- Group Travel: Stockholm is a perfect group getaway. With quaint neighborhoods and easy access to day tours or Baltic Cruises.
- Honeymooners and Couples: With numerous boutique hotels and so many beautiful venues, couples photo shoots are highly recommended.
Stockholm is perfect for an extended weekend. Four nights gives you time to hit the highlights, do an excursion, and soak up the city’s charm without feeling rushed.
Discover Stockholm’s iconic districts, each with its own personality, charm and standout experiences:
Gamla Stan (The Old Town): This is the heart of Stockholm, and home to it’s medieval roots. It is also home to the Royal Palace and many museums. This is an area which will pose some challenges for those with mobility issues as most of the streets are narrow and have cobblestones.
Stroll through the narrow streets and explore the many shops and cafés in the area.
Walk by the Royal Palace or the Swedish Academy (Svenska Akedemin) with their Nobel Prize Museum and Exhibits.
Treat yourself to a Swedish Fika, a little respite form the day with a coffee and pastry and good conversation with your travel companions and frineds, at any of the wonderful cafés.
Explore Swedish Culture with the many Amber shops in the area, and learn about the amber trade in the Baltic.
Wander the various Squares (Torg) and nearby hidden alleys, where you can find hidden gems such as statues, monuments, and historical plaques detailing famous individuals who resided there.
Östermalm & Södermalm: Two of the main districts of Stockholm, both have wonderful museums, shopping, and parks to explore.
Easy walking to the numerous Squares (Torg) in both Östermalm and Södermalm. Walk the tree-lined paths of the Royal Garden (Kungstradgården), relax with lunch of Fika at one of the many cafes, or enjoy the various entertainment in the open air during the summer. If time allows, organize a tour at The Royal Palace.
Discover the amazing treasures of the National Museum with its awe-inspiring exhibits that take you through the history of Sweden. Also visit Östermalms Saluhall, a foodies delight where you can experience many Nordic foods.
In Södermalm, you can visit the City Museum for Stockholm (Stadmuseet i Stockholm) and learn about the City itself. Additionally, explore the neighborhoods and many amazing restaurants in this part of Stockholm.
Bring your camera and be ready for pictures at the iconic Mariaberget, a perfect spot for looking out over Stockholm, giving you a glimpse of the City from a different vantage point.
Skeppsholmen and Djurgården: These two islands off of Őstermalm are the go to place for many amazing museums and experiences.
Skeppsholmen is home to the Modern Museum (Moderna Museet) which features prominent 20th-century & contemporary art collections on show in museum, plus photographic exhibits. Additionally, you can find the Toy Museum here, with a collection of toys through the ages.
Djurgården is where you can find a variety of fun activities. For museums, you can find the Nordic Museum (Nordiska Museet) which gives you a glimpse at the history of the Nordic countries. The jewel of the Stockholm Museums is also found here, The Vasa Museum (Vasa Museet). This museum houses a ship from 1628 which was raised, almost intact from the nearby Archipelago.
Also in Djugården is Skansen which is a Nature park and events venue. Gröna Lund is an amusement park which dates from 1833, and while small, is a fun place to go for both children and adults.
Djurgården is also the home of the Viking Museum with many wonderful exhibits, and the ABBA Museum which takes you through the history of the pop-group.
The Palace District: No visit to Stockholm is complete without visiting the Royal Palace. It is one of 12 homes for the Royals, and includes the Royal Treasury, where coronation jewelry is kept. Additionally, it houses the Royal Armory (Livrustkammaren) which was founded by Gustav II Adolph during the 1600s. While Liverustkammaren is accessible, thanks to a lift, the Royal Treasury and Royal Apartments are not, and do require traversing stairs.
The Palace District of the Old Town is full of small hidden gems. The Palace itself has The Royal Armory which was started by Gustav II Adolf (Gustavus Adolphus in his latinized version) in the 1620’s as a national heritage. Here you can see arms, armor, and outfits worn by the Royals throughout Sweden’s History.
Next door to this are the Royal Apartments, which are preserved rooms from previous Kings and Queens in the Palace, and the Royal Treasury where you can see the coronation crowns and other crown jewels which have been preserved.
As with many European Monarchies, if you time your day correctly, you can witness the formal Changing of the Guard in the Palace courtyard. 12:15pm on weekdays and 1:15pm on weekends
The Palace is also home to Gustav III’s Museum of Antiquities, which is well worth a visit.
For an accessible visit, the best hotel is the Hilton Stockholm Slussen which is a modern hotel with accessible rooms. Overall, the city is accessible, aside from some of the older areas in the Old Town if you need a wheelchair or mobility scooter to get around.
Stockholm is one of my favorite cities. It is immensely walkable, has many amazing restaurants and cafes, so much history to explore, and incredible things to see. The people are friendly, and welcoming. And above all, the pace of life is very European.
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