Travel Guide to Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is a city of a rare beauty. Everyone, who has ever been there, will surely agree with this statement. For many tourists it will be a real discovery to see how different quarters of Stockholm managed to retain their own unique character and charm. A huge difference in height and various places in Söder quarter that offer beautiful views of the city are fundamentally different from narrow streets of the medieval old town or big parks of Djurgarden quarter laid out on the site of former pastures. Cozy shopping streets around Stureplan and the covered market in Ostermalm quarter also have their unique atmosphere.

Skansen Museum.
Since 1891 Skansen, the oldest ethnographic museum in the open air in the world, has been the favorite place for unhurried walks among Stockholm residents of all ages. In Skansen (show on map ) (view photos ) the past comes alive. This is the place where visitors will be able to see beautiful old farms, manor houses and shops from different parts of Sweden. Probably, this is the only place where one can see a blacksmith or a glassblower at work or can buy custom-made candies in a small pastry shop. The museum, the territory of which is 300,000 square meters, even has a zoo. The zoo has become home to typical northern animals - wolves, bears, wolverines, reindeers, and, of course, moose. All the animals live in spacious enclosures.

The Royal Palace.
The Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet) is one of the most popular attractions in Stockholm. However, the change of the guard has become a real performance for tourists who gather there every day just to see it. The change of the guard takes place at noon in front of the palace. However, the Royal Palace has much to offer its visitors. The impressive façade of the building already requires much attention. The design of 608 rooms of the palace (the palace has three more rooms comparing to Buckingham Palace, so the Royal Palace in Stockholm can safely be called the largest in the world) is the result of work of best artists and craftsmen in Europe. In addition to luxurious royal apartments, a banquet hall and the palace church, visitors are recommended to visit the Knight Order’s hall, the treasury, the Palace Museum “Three Crowns” (Tre Kronor), the arsenal and the Antique Museum of Gustav III. One more interesting thing - almost every year the King opens a new room that becomes available to public.

The Stockholm City Hall.
The Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset) with its sparkling golden roof features beautiful views of the city. The tower is decorated with three crowns from the emblem of Stockholm. The City Hall is one of the most interesting and important buildings in Sweden, both in architectural and artistic meaning. The Blue Hall of the City Hall, which is open to visitors, hosts the annual banquet in honor of the Nobel Prize winners. The Golden Hall will also be of a great interest for visitors. The walls of this hall are decorated with mosaics made of 19 million pieces of gold foil.

St. Nicholas Cathedral.
Storkyrkan S. Nikolay is the oldest cathedral in Stockholm. Some details of the church have the age of more than 700 years. The church was founded in the XIII century by Jarl Birger, the founder of Stockholm. During its centuries long history the look of the church was changed several times, so today the building combines different architectural styles, such as Baroque and Gothic. Starting from the XIV century and up to 1873 all Swedish kings were crowned here. Storkyrkan S. Nikolay even hosted the wedding ceremony of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Silvia. Inside the cathedral you will find many precious works of art, for example, the silver altar, the sculpture "St. George and the Dragon", and the Royal chairs - the bench on which members of the royal family sit during ceremonies held in the cathedral.

If you travel with children, you are definitely recommended to include a visit to Junibacken to your holiday program. This is a place, where visitors are welcome to enter a wonderful world of Astrid Lindgren - Pippi Longstocking, Emil of Lönneberga, Karlsson and other famous characters wait for visitors. The miraculous train will take visitors of the museum directly to the Chicken Villa and other pavilions. Besides characters from Lindgren’s fairy tales, in this museum visitors can get acquainted with other characters of the Swedish children's literature.

The Royal Opera.
Since 1935 the Royal Opera has been added to the list of buildings under protection because this building is a rare example of the late Italian Renaissance style. The Golden foyer is the most famous premise of the opera. Constructed during the reign of King Oscar II, the foyer is 28 meters long and 11 meters tall, and is decorated with gilt and paintings on the ceiling. Crystal chandeliers and mirrors only increase the dazzling splendor of this hall. The plafond painting on the grand staircase also deserves a special attention. Here are depicted poetry, singing, dancing, instrumental music and harmony that united all of them. The Royal Opera Restaurant offers its visitors not only delicious food, but also a special atmosphere. The walls of the restaurant are decorated with oak panels and the ceiling is supported with gilded columns decorated with hunting motifs. There is also a large fireplace made of Swedish marble.

If you look at Stockholm from high above, it seems that the city is swimming in water. The broadest panoramic view of the city can be seen from a 155-meter-high Kaknastorn television tower. The view from the Town Hall tower is no less beautiful. From here visitors will be able to see Riddarholmen and Gamla stan Islands that make up the oldest part of the city. The best way to admire night views of Stockholm is to visit the observation deck of Katharinahissen elevator. Also, you will be able to see the city in its full splendor if you look at it from the deck of the ferry that goes to Djurgarden.

Read more about Stockholm:
Restaurants and cuisine in Stockholm
Local traditions and lifestyle
'Must visit' places in Stockholm
Nightlife and attractions in Stockholm
Preparing for Stockholm: Advices
Stockholm photogallery