Stunning Stockholm

If you ask someone who has visited Stockholm the first word they would probably use to describe it is “beautiful”, and that it is. Sweden's capital is one of the most beautiful major cities in the world, a mirage of saffron and terracotta coloured buildings shimmering between blue water and bluer skies all summer, or covered with snow and dotted with lights in winter. Perhaps more than any other city of its size. What is so special about Stockholm is its natural location, its waterways and its parks. To the north, south, east and west are lakes, sea and forest. Even the city centre is crisscrossed by vast open water and wonderful parks, forests and walking areas, filled with historical sights and attractions. It's also a vibrant, modern city, famous for producing sleek designs, edgy fashion and world-class nightclubs. Stockholm offers great shopping, quality eateries in abundance, fabulous standard hotels, an internationally renowned club and music scene and a vibrant cultural life. Where Stockholm comes into its own, however, is its sheer natural beauty. Stockholm, as a city, is over 700 years old and spreads across 14 islands as it faces proudly out to the Baltic Sea. You can get to just about all of Stockholm’s many wondrous sites on foot, which is the perfect way to see the city. You can also take a boat trip that will give you a different facet of Scandinavia’s largest and probably most beautiful city. Around 16% of greater Stockholm's 1.2 million people are immigrants, which creates a much more multicultural and diverse cityscape than many travellers might expect. Stockholmers themselves are almost uniformly polite and friendly, making travel both easy and rewarding. Swedes are helpful and speak adequate English in general. Most swedes won't approach a tourist if they think that they are lost, in respect that they might not need help. But if you ask for directions or recommendations you will most likely get it. A popular destination in the summer months, the Stockholm Archipelago begins just a few miles east of the capital, covering about 140 kilometres (90 miles) from north to south. Only 150 of the islands are inhabited but many Stockholmers have summerhouses there. The landscape varies tremendously, from the more populated, thickly wooded inner archipelago to the bare, flat rocks of the central and other islands.

 

Some General Information

Country : Sweden

Official Language : Swedish

Religion : Evangelical Lutheran ( a form of Christianity )

Currency : Swedish Krona ( SEK )

Time Zone : + 1 Hour GMT

Temperature : The climate for Stockholm, Sweden is one of the best kept secrets of the travel industry. Most people think that it's cold, dark and wet. Reality is different. Visit the Swedish capital in July or August and most of the time you'll enjoy sunny, warm and dry weather. Depending on source, average temperatures are: 18° C in June, 21° C in July and 20° C in August. In January and February temperature is usually below 0° C, and there is a good chance of snow between November and March. An interesting phenomenon in Sweden (and some other parts of Scandinavia) is the seasonal change in the length of day and night. In midwinter, darkness prevails. Those dark days and nights are a Scandinavian phenomenon called The Polar Nights. In midsummer, daylight takes over and there is barely any night darkness during June and July. The name for this is the Midnight Sun.

Sightseeing : Strolling through Sweden’s major city is always a joy. No Stockholm tourist should leave the opportunity of making just a walk without clear destination. It is inevitable you will find great views, beautiful buildings, nice parks or an interesting museum. The Swedish capital has many points of interests. Most Stockholm sights are easily accessible for everyone and located in beautiful areas that are landmarks in itself. Some sights not to be missed are Gamla Stan (old centre), Skansen (open air museum), Archipelago, Stadshuset (city hall), Sergels Torg (plaza), Vasa museum, Kungliga Slottet (royal palace), Kungsträdgården (garden), Södermalm (neighborhood), Drottningholm (royal palace).

 

Getting There

Arlanda Airport ( ARN )

There are no less than four Stockholm airports. Arlanda is the most modern of all Stockholm airports and the one where most international passengers arrive and all traditional airlines fly to. It’s Sweden’s major gateway, located 40 km north of the city, and the only of these four with connections to destinations outside Europe. The most comfortable and affordable way to reach the city center is taking the airport coach. Arlanda Airport was used by 17 million passengers in 2010, with 13 million international passengers and 4 million domestic. Since its opening Stockholm Arlanda has always managed to continue its operations during heavy snowfall and difficult weather. The airport administration claims to be world-leading at clearing snow from the runways. Arlanda has a policy to never close due to snowfall. Heavy snowfall can however cause delays. During heavy snowfall at least one runway stays open but in bad weather condition there may be delays even if flight operations continue at all times. Not just runways need to be cleared, aprons and aircraft parking areas need snow clearing as well. In the terminal areas and the shopping area "Sky City" there are restaurants, shopping facilities, bars etc. to cater to the needs for passengers and visitors to the airport. There are hotels both at the airport in connection with the terminals and in its surroundings. The hotel capacity at the airport is being increased by the new Clarion Hotel Arlanda with 400 rooms set to open in November 2012. There are also conference facilities at the airport having 49 conference rooms, 35 stores, 33 restaurants, 3 hotels, 2 banks, 1 pharmacy, 1 chapel, Exhibition hall for up to 1,000 delegates.

The other 3 airports in Stockholm are Bromma, Skavsta and Västerås. Bromma was opened in 1936 and used to be Stockholm’s main airfield. Great location in the suburbs: the bus ride to the centre is only 15 minutes long. Quick service too: you’ll get your bags shortly after landing. But there are only two international destinations, Brussels (Belgium) and Århus (Denmark). All other flights from Bromma are domestic. Skavsta is found near the town of Nyköping, 100 km south of the capital. Airport buses need 80 minutes to reach the Stockholm city terminal. The bus waits for delayed flights. The main airlines who operate to and from Skavsta are low cost companies Ryanair and Wizz Air. Västerås is a city west of Stockholm, also 75 bus minutes away from the Beauty on Water. It’s another quiet airfield used by Ryanair, with connections to the UK and Ireland.

Address: Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Swedavia, 190 45 Stockholm-Arlanda, Sweden.

Website: arlanda@swedavia.se

Phone: +46 8 797 60 00

 

Tourist Information

Stockholm Tourist Center, Vasagatan 14 (T T-Centralen) : Open Mon to Fri 9am to 7pm, Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 4pm. The official tourist centre has a lot of information in English and helpful staff. They also sell tickets to museums and sightseeing tours.

Stockholm Information Service is the official name of the tourist information office. You’ll find the Stockholm Information Service in Sweden House at Hamngatan, opposite of NK department store. Sweden House opens at 9 am in summer.

 

Travel Tips

1. Smoking is prohibited in public buildings, public transport and even at bus stops. Restaurants are obliged to have a non-smoking zone.

2. From the frozen lands up north to the islands in Stockholm, Sweden is full of history and culture. The best time to go is in the summer when it’s actually warm or in the fall as the leaves from the trees change colour and the air is a little crisp.

3. Drink Beer. Alcohol isn’t cheap in Sweden as it is heavily taxed. However, beer is quite cheap. If you stick to beer, you can save yourself a lot of money when you go to the bars. Skip the Restaurants. Eating out in Sweden is very expensive, especially if you are going to a sit down restaurant. If you want to eat out, stick to the outside food vendors you see on the street. Avoid Clubs. Most clubs have a cover. Don’t waste your money.

4. Tap water is safe to drink. Buying water is expensive. Just buy once, then refill and use.

5. Stockholm's taxi service is efficient but overpriced. If you call a cab, ask the dispatcher to quote you a fast pris (fixed price), which is usually lower than the metered fare. Reputable cab companies are Taxi 020, Taxi Stockholm, and Taxi Kurir. Taxi Stockholm has an immediate charge of SKr 36 whether you hail a cab or order one by telephone. A trip of 10 km (6 mi) should cost about SKr 110 between 6 am and 7 pm, SKr 115 at night, and SKr 123 on weekends.