Sights and sounds of Stockholm

Sweden, the land of forests and lakes, also boasts bustling cities where cutting edge design mixes with rich cultural heritage. The capital city Stockholm is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, largely due to the archipelago system it is built around. Captivating landscapes abound in Sweden from scenic coastlines, idyllic islands, arctic wilderness areas, vast lakes and starkly beautiful forests that cover over half the country. Stockholm has to be seen by water as it sparkles with the water that surrounds it. Made up of fourteen islands ‘the water city’, as it has been nicknamed, is the capital of Sweden and the Nordic region’s largest city. Here grand historic buildings and culture dating back to the 13th century intermingle with some of the best contemporary art and design in the world. Stockholm’s extensive public transport system makes it easy to get around and discover hidden corners of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. City Sightseeing has bus tours guided in several different languages. The buses take you from the centre of the city and around the different parts of Stockholm passing all interesting sights. If you prefer to step off at the sights we recommend our Open Top busses and the Hop-on Hop-off tour that can also be combined with the Hop-on Hop-off boat. If you want to go further out in the archipelago the Cinderella boats depart from Strandvägen heading far out to small isles. Also recommended is the purchasing of the Stockholm Card which provides free entrance to 75 sightseeing spots, free use of city sightseeing buses, undergrounds, bus and suburb trains. The Stockholm card is sold in most tourist information centers and hotels. There are many ways to see Stockholm apart from the ones mentioned above. There are biking tours, kayaking tour of the archipelago, sunset wildlife safari tour, royal tour, historical tour, Viking history day trips, royal canal tour and so on and so forth. You can take your pick as per your liking and convenience. You can also do a round of sightseeing in just a day if you are short on time.

 

Gamla Stan

The old town centre and the most popular of all Stockholm sights. On this island Stockholm began – and never changed, at least not here. Medieval streets and buildings create an atmosphere where time stood still. Almost fairy-tale like at night. Most sightseeing trips start here. It is now very touristy. But for centuries this island was the main political, cultural, commercial and working centre of the city. At the north eastern end of the island the king had his residence in Tre Kronor castle which was replaced by Kungliga Slottet. Next to the royal palace you’ll find Storkyrkan, the Great Church where the monarchs were crowned. The building is in use since the 14th Century, but was altered several times since. Around the corner of Storkyrkan lies Stortorget, the main square. Stortorget with its colourful houses attracts tourists like a magnet. But also businessmen used to come here: the building of the Swedish stock exchange, now home to the Nobel Museum, was located here.

 

Kungliga Slottet

Located at the north eastern end of Gamla Stan, this square royal castle was finished in 1754. It has no less than 608 rooms. Magnificent interior with all luxury you’d expect from a king, although he uses the castle only for official meetings. From its slope at the eastern waterside the huge, light brown building almost radiates power and self-confidence. The interior is in Baroque and Rococo style. Artists from all over Europe decorated most of the 608 rooms. One of the most famous objects is Queen Kristina’s silver throne in the Hall of State. In the Treasury you will see jewels, sceptres and crowns. Costumes, carriages and weapons are shown in the Armoury. The Museum of Antiquities displays sculptures and other treasures collected by Gustav III.

 

Skansen

The world’s first open air museum, and still the most beautiful. Houses, farms and cottages from all over Sweden were rebuilt in this park-like area on the Djurgården island. The highest point in Stockholm is found here and marked by the red brick tower Bredablick. From its 30 meters high platform you can overlook the whole park. Includes a zoo with Nordic animals. The zoological garden displays Nordic animals like reindeers, elks, brown bears, wolverines and seals. Most of these animals do not stay in cages, but in an area that resembles their natural environment. It’s a paradise for flora lovers. There are numerous gardens and flower beds. You will find bare rocks and wild vegetation, all in the centre of a capital. This is truly ‘Sweden in miniature’. Throughout the year there are special events like concert, plays, markets and folk dancing, providing extra entertainment for all visitors, including those less interested in history. For example on Walpurgis Night.

 

Archipelago

The biggest of all Stockholm sights: thousands and thousands of small and medium-sized green, rocky or sandy islands. The archipelago stretches out from the city centre to (almost) Finland. You haven’t seen Stockholm without a boat trip through the archipelago. Over 24,000 islands and rocks create a majestic scenery that connects the Swedish capital with the Baltic Sea. You can go there for a day trip, for a weekend, for a whole vacation: the choice is yours. The Stockholm archipelago was created at the end of the Ice Age. It stayed intact ever since. Only few people have their homes there. Most of these live in the gentle fisher town of Vaxholm, one of the pearls of the archipelago. But many Stockholmers spend their holidays on one the numerous islands, staying in cottages of all sizes. From plain wooden sheds to palace-like buildings: there are houses for every one.

 

Stadshuset (city hall)

One of Stockholm’s landmarks, on the eastern point of the Kungsholmen island. The stately bell tower of the Stockholm city hall has become one of the city’s symbols. Bell tower and garden of this architectural masterpiece offer great views on other parts of the capital. The Stockholm city hall is one of the capital’s major landmarks and national symbols of Sweden. The town hall looks a bit like a dark-brown church. But, as you will know, first impressions are sometimes deceptive. Once you see the inside or pictures of it, you will understand why it is one of the most photographed buildings of Stockholm. Elegant, dignified and serious. That’s how the town hall looks. Daily tours last from 10.00 till 12.00, during summer there are also tours at 11.00, 14.00 and 15.00. The tower is open daily from May to September and also Saturdays and Sundays in April, from 10.00-16.30.

 

Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum was built around a warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. It stayed in the mud for over 330 years. Then it was raised, restored and presented in its own home. You cannot only see the ship in all its glory, but also thousands of objects that were found inside. The Vasa has a total length of 69 metres and a width of 11.7 metres. The main mast measures 19 metres from keel to the top. With 64 guns on board it was built for battle. The ship was ordered by the Swedish king Gustav Adolph, who was building a Swedish empire around the Baltic Sea in the early 17th Century. On August 10, 1628 the mighty warship began its maiden trip. Only a few minutes later the ship began to heel over and sank, only 100 metres from the southern tip of Djurgården. There were 150 seamen on board of which 30-50 died. The Vasa Museum in Stockholm is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Just outside you will find two more ships you can visit during the summer: the icebreaker Sankt Erik, built in 1915, and the lightship Finngrundet from 1903.

 

Östermalms Saluhall

The in-door market Östermalms Saluhall is located on Östermalmstorg at 114 39 in central Stockholm, in a fantastic building. This market is definitely worth a visit, especially for lovers of good food. Visit this market for a pleasant lunch. Stockholm’s haven for lovers of good food, anyone who really appreciated good and fresh food and the finest ingredients flocked here. In here, Chefs and restaurateurs who were purveyors to the royal household mingled with ordinary folk, standing in the same queue at their favourite stall to buy from one of the many dedicated traders. These stalls of restaurant or café in Östermalms Saluhall are a much sought after place of honour for food.

 

Kungsträdgården

Translated it means the garden of the king. It now belongs to the people. This intersection between garden, park and event ground is one of the main meeting points of the Swedes. Great place to sit and relax. It also hosts open-air concerts and events in summer, while offering an ice rink during winters. There is also a number of cafés, art galleries and restaurants. The park is divided into four distinct spaces (south to north): (1) Square of Charles XII; (2) Molin's Fountain; (3); Square of Charles XIII and (4) "Fountain of Wolodarski" (without an official name).