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Stockholm is a city that reflects Sweden's past and present. Visitors to Stockholm are usually pleased both with both traditional and modern Sweden. The past is well preserved in Stockholm, and modern Stockholm intends to please. This combination makes Stockholm a pleasant city different from other European cities. Visitors simply like Stockholm's personality.
Stockholm has been shaped over the centuries by the city's geography. The city is built on a beautiful archipelago of islands. Much of Stockholm's remarkable urban scenery has the deep blue color of water in the foreground. In Stockholm, one can even travel within the city using a ferry instead of a bus. Wherever one goes in Stockholm, water is not far away. Buildings are enough different in Stockholm to remind of the city's northern geographical location.
Swedish people are another reason for liking to visit Stockholm. Swedes are not all the same. Although they may at first seem distant, Swedes are reasonably friendly. As one becomes familiar with Stockholm, Swedish people become an important reason for liking this city.
Despite Sweden's liberal democracy, this country has a rather large nobility. Royal Stockholm is accordingly a significant influence. Various palaces and museums display the treasures of Sweden's monarchy. Attractions featuring royal Stockholm succeed in improving an appreciation of this city.
Shopping in Stockholm is a virtual must. Big department stores offer everything one could ever want to buy. Swedish goods of all kinds are to be found effortlessly here. Buying in Stockholm is advantageous for foreign visitors because of exemptions from Swedish taxes. Sweden provides a voucher for a purchaser's duties that can be redeemed for cash upon leaving the country.
Expect to find some unusual cuisine in Stockholm. Reindeer steaks and other extraordinary Swedish dishes are popular favorites. Diner in Stockholm is a pleasant experience even if one chooses mundane entrees.
An Appealing City to Discover
Stockholm's pedestrian streets facilitate discovering the city by foot. The city's size, however, usually necessitates some use of public transportation. Even first time visitors do not find Stockholm confusing. If enough time is allowed, even the first day Those who speak only English, should like Stockholm. English is, virtually, Sweden's second language. Swedes learn English from television. English is so commonly spoken that finding anyone who does not speak English is unlikely.
Appealing restaurants and shops are found throughout Stockholm. Browsing and shopping in Stockholm is enlivening. The city has nice large department stores and various places to buy Swedish crafts. Be sure and find different places to sample superb Swedish food. Stockholm is a nice place to be if one likes to look at merchandise of various types.
An Enthralling Day in Stockholm
Begin Stockholm's urban hike in Old Town. The Old Town area has many enthralling places to visit. Wander for awhile among Old Town's unusual streets to begin. The narrowest street in this area of Stockholm is no more than three feet wide. Old Town's important streets are lined with little shops and restaurants.
Before leaving Old Town, look at the Kungliga Slottet or the Royal Palace. Located at the north of Old Town, the Royal Palace is a massive structure with over 500 rooms. On Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday there is a changing of the guard ceremony here at noon, except on Sunday when the guard changes at 1:00 PM.
Some of the palace itself is open to the public. The Hall of State, where the king's silver throne is, and the Chapel Royal, containing art treasures, can be visited. Some of the royal suites and Gustaf III's art collection are open to the public.
Adjacent to the palace is the Cathedral, Storkyrkan. This cathedral has been in use for over 700 years. A famous statute of St. George slaying the dragon from 1489 is found in the cathedral.
The Swedish stock exchange is located next to the Cathedral. The Swedish Academy that awards the Nobel Prize for literature has offices on the second floor. Stortorget, the square in front of the stock exchange, is the oldest square in Stockholm.
Walk west from the Cathedral and in two blocks, find the Riddarhuset. The coats of arms of hundreds of noble Swedish families are found in the Riddarhuset. Completed in 1674, the Riddarhuset is one of the most elegant Swedish palaces.
Next, cross the bridge to another small island, Riddarholmen. The Riddarholmskyrkan, where Swedish kings from the early 1600's to present are buried, is here. The Riddarholmskyrkan is distinct because of a cast iron tower dating from the 1830's. There is an attractive tower, Birger Jans Tower, located at the corner of this island.
The Swedish parliament, the Riksdag, is found on Helgeandsholmen Island. The parliament is situated between Stockholm's Old Town and the contemporary city. The Riksdagshuset, or parliament building, is surrounded on three sides by water.
After crossing the bridge from this island to the center of Stockholm, turn left and walk a few blocks. Next discover the Stadshuset, or the town hall. This distinctive building, usually associated with Stockholm's skyline,was completed in 1923. The Town Hall's interior has a Nordic decor that compliments the building's unusual exterior.
After looking at the town hall, return to the Riksdag. The street that goes through the Riksdagshuset is Drottninggatan. This street becomes a pedestrian street that extends through much of the center of Stockholm.
Walk along Drottninggatan for about eight blocks and find Stockholm's city center. Many appealing stores are located here. Ahlens, one of Stockholm's big department stores is found in this area. Pub, another famous Stockholm department store is a few blocks further on Drottninggatan. Ahlens, Pub, and other stores found in these several blocks are premium places to buy Swedish goods.
From Pub turn right on Kungsgatan and continue for another two blocks. DBX, the Swedish television network, is housed in a modern complex of offices located here. Turn right and walk along here looking at buildings and businesses adjacent to the DBX complex. In the summertime, there is an open air market situated here selling fruits and flowers.
Continuing in the direction of Old Town, reach an ultra modern shopping area next to a large, new exhibition hall. Follow Malmtorgsgatan until reaching the water separating Stockholm from the islands. Turn right and continue following the street along the water's edge.
The Opera House is in the next block. The National Museum is located immediately before reaching the bridge to Skeppsholmen Island. From the National Museum cross over to Skeppsholmen Island. On the island, find the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities.
After Skeppsholmen Island, continue walking around the edge of the water to Strandvagen Street. Catch a bus east on Strandvagen Street along the water to Narvavagen Street. From here walk two blocks north on Narvavagen Street and find Sweden's Historical Museum. This museum provides a useful look at Sweden's past.
Next, return to Strandvagen and catch a bus a short distance to Djurgarden Island. Skansen, Stockholm's famous outdoor museum and zoo is found here. Skansen is the world's first open air museum. Over 150 different buildings from Sweden's past are displayed here in a natural setting. The buildings displayed are predominantly from Sweden's rural past and date from the 1700's. Buildings with grass growing on their roofs are found everywhere at Skansen.
From Skansen, return to the bus stop on Djurgardsvagen, turn right and walk about a block to the Wasa Museum. The Swedish ship Wasa that over turned in Stockholm harbor and sunk in 1628 is displayed here. The Wasa was raised in 1961 and is on permanent display. Exhibits include a film about Wasa and a museum featuring artifacts found with the ship.
Grona Lund, the only amusement park in Stockholm, is a few blocks the other direction down Djurgarden. The amusement park, open in the summer, is named for a tavern from the 1700's that is still there. Grona Lund includes rides, discotheques, and restaurants. In the summer, a ferry connects the Wasa Museum and Grona Lund with Stockholm's Old Town. Since Grona Lund concludes the urban hike, take the ferry or bus back to where the day's activities began.
Enhancing the Stockholm Experience
There are several ways a visit to Stockholm can be enhanced. Learn more about Sweden's past. Since Stockholm is a pleasing mixture of past and present, knowing more about Sweden's past can significantly improve a visit. Stockholm's history before this century is especially useful in better appreciating this city.
Stockholm's has a surprising number of attractions to be visited. Look over a Stockholm city map ahead of time, and decide what appeals the most. Look forward to a leisurely day experiencing location after location throughout this town.
Stockholm is a city where a camera is a virtual must. There are numerous places to be photographed while completing this urban hike. Stockholm is an exciting place, and catching the mood of the city on film is remarkable entertainment. Photographs of Stockholm are also unusual because the blue Swedish sky neatly compliments the blue water found in the foreground of many pictures.
Look into using Swedish Hotel Cheques for a stay in Stockholm. Valid during summer months, Swedish Hotel Cheques allow prepaying accommodations and receiving discounts of 50% or more. Since hotel rates in Sweden are notoriously high, big savings can be realized with hotel cheques. Swedish Hotel Cheques must be purchased from the Swedish National Tourist Office in New York or Los Angeles before visiting.
While Stockholm is not perplexing for the first time visitor, remember Sweden is still Scandinavia. Noticeable differences exist between the U.S. and Sweden. With a little patience, however, Stockholm is a most personable city to visit.
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