Stockholm is the most stunning metropolis in the world. The Swedish capital is located on an archipelago of 14 islands in the Baltic Sea. Its charming old town and network of 50 bridges have earned it a reputation for old-world charm.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Stockholm
Around a third of the land area inside the city limits is water, and another third is made up of parks and forests. Hence, Stockholm is a terrific destination to visit and one of the healthiest cities in Europe.
Known as Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town is home to a beautiful array of ochre-colored, picture-perfect buildings. The Kungliga Slottet Royal Castle, the Storkyrkan Church, and the Nobel Museum are just a few of the city’s many famous landmarks. The ferries and sightseeing boats that connect Stockholm’s islands make it simple to see the city’s many attractions.
1. Gamla Stan
The Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s historic district, and you should spend some time there to really appreciate the city. Located on the island of Stadsholmen, the settlement is formally known as Staden mellan broama, which translates to “the town between the bridges.”
Cobblestone streets and colourful buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries make this busy little island stand out. The Royal Palace and the Storkyrkan cathedral are just two of the many amazing sights to see in this area of Stockholm. There are also many great places to eat out that feature authentic and delicious Nordic food.
After a long day of sightseeing, this is a fantastic area to unwind in, as it is home to some of the city’s finest bars, traditional pubs, and clubs. Regardless of the time of day, it’s a great spot to relax and observe the residents.
2. Vasa Museum
Like the Titanic, the warship Vasa of the early 17th century perished on its maiden voyage. After being submerged for 300 years, the ship was recovered, making it the only almost complete sailing vessel from the 17th century to survive to the present day. It is now the centrepiece of the Vasa Museum, the most popular museum in all of Scandinavia.
The museum building is also one-of-a-kind, with a copper top and stylised masts that reach the same height as Vasa’s. The Vasa is accessible on six different levels. There are also four other ships on display, all of which relate to the naval history of Sweden.
3. Stockholm Boat Tour
Stockholm is made up of 14 islands, so taking a boat tour is the greatest way to view the city. Red Sightseeing and Strömma are two reputable tour companies that offer brunch and evening cruises throughout Stockholm.
Seeing most of the major sights in Stockholm this way is a great way to get your bearings. You can even travel to the surrounding islands in the archipelago with their assistance. Because it is a hop-on, hop-off trip, travellers can use Red Sightseeing whenever they like.
Blidösundsbolaget and Waxholmsbolaget are your best bets for getting to the Stockholm archipelago quickly, whether you’re looking for regular boat service or a guided trip.
4. Millesgarden
Park Güell in Barcelona is the inspiration for Millesgrden in Stockholm, which is not an exact replica. The island of Lidingö is home to a sculpture park and art museum that is well worth a visit. It occupies the site of a house that belonged to Carl Milles, a famous sculptor, and his artist wife, Olga.
Millesgrden, which was completed in 1908, is conveniently located about 20 minutes from the heart of Stockholm. The artist’s residence and antique collection are on display in the museum.
There is also an amazing art gallery and sculptures by the artist can be found throughout the grounds. In addition to the exhibits, the museum also features a pleasant café and gift shop.
5. Drottningholm Palace
Drottningholm Palace is the official residence of the Swedish royal family. Its palace dates back to the late 16th century, and its name, Lovon, means “queen’s islet” in the local language. After a fire in 1661, the palace was completely reconstructed.
After serving as a vacation home for two centuries, it eventually fell into disrepair and was abandoned in the nineteenth century. It was renovated and updated not too long ago.
The palace grounds have a variety of gardens dating back to the 17th century and a church built in 1736 that is used by residents on the last Sunday of every month. The gardens are the primary draw for visitors.
6. Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Sweden (Kungliga Slottet) in Stockholm is a popular destination for visitors. The Royal Palace of Stockholm is an obligatory tourist attraction. In 1754, work on the opulent palace came to an end. It is located on Stadsholmen in the Gamla Stan neighbourhood and was built in the baroque style using sandstone, brick, and dimension stone.
The official residence of the Swedish royal family, and one of the largest, most beautiful, and most colourful palaces in Europe. The palace has a total of 600 rooms. Visitors can take a guided tour of a selection of the facility, while most areas are off-limits. Three fantastic museums and a magnificent library are just a few of the highlights.
7. ABBA The Museum
There is no need to introduce ABBA. But if you like their music, the museum built in their honour is a must-see. It opened in 2013 on Djurgrden, a park in Stockholm, Sweden, not far from the Gröna Lund. It showcases the supergroup’s collective works, memorabilia, and other unique features in a cutting-edge and engaging environment.
Benny’s Piano is one of them. A piano that can play itself, wired to Benny’s existing instrument. The cool thing is that when he plays the piano in his house, the one in the gallery instantly follows suit.
There is also a collection of timepieces from their 1974 performance of Waterloo at the Eurovision Song Contest and a reproduction of The Polar Studio, where they recorded much of their songs.
8. Stadshuset
Despite its name, Stadshuset (City Hall) houses more than just municipal agencies. It’s a popular destination for visitors to Stockholm. It is the site of the annual Nobel Prize banquet and the upmarket Stadshuskällaren restaurant.
It wasn’t built until the latter part of the twentieth century, so it can’t be considered a historic structure. The Blue Hall features the largest organ in Scandinavia with 10,270 pipes, while the Golden Hall’s 18 million mosaic tiles portray scenes from Swedish history. Only those on a guided tour will be able to enter the hall.
9. Grona Lund
The Gröna Lund is a great place to take the kids in Stockholm. Known as Grönan by the locals, this amazing amusement park boasts the highest laughter density of any in the city. Djurgrden Island has one on its waterfront.
Despite its diminutive size compared to other city amusement parks, it has enough high-octane rides to satisfy the entertainment needs of thrill-seekers. It features eight roller coasters, a fun house, and even a Tunnel of Love from yesteryear, which is sure to bring back fond memories for some.
They also feature lots of food stands and fields for 5-a-side football. Grönan is well-known as a venue for pop and rock concerts in addition to being an amusement park. In 1980, Bob Marley played here to a record-breaking crowd of over 32,000.
10. Monteliusvagen
One of the greatest routes to take in the sights of the city is along the Monteliusvägen. This beautiful 500-meter-long road on the island of Södermalm offers spectacular views of Lake Mälaren, Riddarholmen, and Stockholm City Hall, especially in the early morning or late afternoon.
Cute, brightly coloured cottages along the path. There are also a number of benches at where you may sit and take it all in. The walk sets out from Bastugatan 16, which is in the city’s eastern quadrant, and heads in the direction of Kattgränd.
Winter visitors should bring sturdy footwear, since the path can become icy and hazardous to walk on. Here is the place to be if you find yourself in Stockholm on New Year’s Eve to take in the celebrations and fireworks.
