The Vasa Museum is one of the most visited museums in Scandinavia. It is here that you will find in all its glory, the unique and well preserved warship Vasa from 1628, embellished with hundreds of wooden sculptures.
Sweden: Stockholm – A visitor’s guide
CONTENTS
1. About Stockholm
2. Things to do
– Walk the streets of the Old Town, Gamla stan
– Check out the Vasa Museum
– Visit the Royal Palace of Stockholm
– Go see the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace
– Visit ABBA the Museum
– Visit Skansen Open-Air Museum
– Taking some ‘fika’ time
– Drottningholm Palace
– Skogskyrkogården
3. Getting to and around Stockholm
4. Vegan dining options in Stockholm
5. Best time to visit
6. Where to stay
About Stockholm
Stockholm, capital and largest city of Sweden. Stockholm is located at the junction of Lake Mälar (Mälaren) and Salt Bay (Saltsjön), an arm of the Baltic Sea, opposite the Gulf of Finland. The city is built upon numerous islands as well as the mainland of Uppland and Södermanland. By virtue of its location, Stockholm is regarded as one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world.
In Stockholm, many of the old buildings still exist as palaces, churches, and building in Gamla Stan, the old city centre.
Today Stockholm is a modern metropolis with skyscrapers, a busy commercial heart, and the city centre is consumer’s heaven with stylish shops of all kinds, but not to forget cosy cafes and restaurants. Stockholm is also well known for its very enjoyable nightlife.
Things to do
Walk the streets of the Old Town, Gamla stan
Gamla stan (“The Old Town”), until 1980 officially Staden mellan broarna (“The Town between the Bridges”), is the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. Gamla stan consists primarily of the island Stadsholmen but also includes the surrounding islets Riddarholmen, Helgeandsholmen and Strömsborg.
Check out the Vasa Museum
The Vasa Museum is one of Scandinavia’s most visited museums. It is here that you will find in all its glory, the unique and well preserved warship Vasa from 1628, embellished with hundreds of wooden sculptures.
Visit the Royal Palace of Stockholm
The Royal Palace of Stockholm is the King of Sweden’s official residence and is also the setting for most of the monarchy’s official receptions and is open to the public year-round.
The changing of the guard at the Royal Palace
Outside the Royal Palace of Stockholm, the King of Sweden’s official residence, there is a ceremony every day where the guards change. It is quite the ceremony with marching bands and loads of pomp!
Visit ABBA the Museum
ABBA, the Swedish supertroupers who stormed the pop world between 1972 and 1983. ABBA The Museum showcases the band’s stage clothes, artefacts, concert footage, interviews etc. in a contemporary, interactive setting.
Visit Skansen open-air museum
Skansen – A place that brings experiences of nature and culture in to life, in the present, past and future. Skansen is the world’s oldest open-air museum and was founded in 1891 by the linguist, teacher and public educator Artur Hazelius.
- Skansen and Djurgården are easily accessible by tram, bus or ferry (SL) to Allmänna Gränd stop. It’s also pleasant to walk or take the bike, with bike lanes along the entire road.
Taking some ‘fika’ time
Sweden is one of the world’s top coffee consuming nations, and the twice-daily social coffee break known as fika is a cherished custom. Fika can be had alone or in groups, indoors or outdoors, while traveling or at home. A time to take a rest from work and chat with friends or colleagues over a cup and a sweet treat, fika reflects the Swedish ideal of slowing down to appreciate life’s small joys.
Drottningholm Palace
Constructed in the seventeenth century, Drottningholm Palace is Sweden’s best-preserved royal palace. The palace has been the permanent residence of the present royal family since 1981. The rooms in the southern part of the palace are reserved for members of the royal family. In 1991 Drottningholm was the first Swedish attraction put on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.
The name Drottningholm (literally meaning “Queen’s islet”) came from the original Renaissance building designed by Willem Boy, a stone palace built by John III of Sweden in 1580 for his queen, Catherine Jagiellon. This palace was preceded by a royal mansion called Torvesund.
Skogskyrkogården
Skogskyrkogården is a cemetery in Stockholm which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was created between 1917 and 1920 by two young architects, Asplund and Lewerentz, on the site of former gravel pits overgrown with pine trees.
Getting around Stockholm
Stockholm Public Transport, SL, is responsible for buses, underground trains, commuter trains, trams, and certain ferry lines in Greater Stockholm.
A single ticket is valid for 75 minutes, costs 42 SEK (26 SEK for senior citizens and children/teenagers/students up to the age of 20), and can be purchased at SL’s customer service shops, through their app, or directly at the turnstiles and on buses using a credit card. It’s also possible to buy 24-hour, 72-hour, 7-day and 30-day tickets. A parent with a stroller gets to ride for free on any of Stockholm’s buses.
It’s not possible to pay cash for tickets on buses in Stockholm. Failure to show a valid ticket during a control will result in a 1500 SEK penalty fee.
Eating out for vegans in Stockholm
There was a time when vegetarian restaurants were few and far between in Stockholm, and ordering the vegetarian option meant getting a meat dish – sans meat. Things have changed.
Today, you’re guaranteed to find exquisite vegetarian and vegan alternatives on any menu. And not only in one of Stockholm’s great plant-based restaurants or cafés.
- Delivore – Vegan café and lunch restaurant, serving plant-based snacks, sandwiches, and sweets. Delivore is part of the vegan grocery and food store Goodstore.
- Fern & Fika – Plant-based café and lunch restaurant in the Hornstull-area. Has bowls, daily soups and stews, and a variety of sweets, cookies, and cakes.
- Växhuset – Växhuset serves a plant-based, seasonal tasting menu. The restaurant is adjacent to the Trädgården/Under Bron nightclub, under the Skanstull bridge on Södermalm.
- Mahalo – Breakfast -and lunch restaurant serving plant-based dishes. Bowls, pancakes, sandwiches, chili, and more. Has several locations in Stockholm.
- The Green Queen – Seasonal sister restaurant to the popular summer bar Mälarpaviljongen on Kungsholmen. Offers a plant-based menu from late spring/early summer to late summer.
The best time to visit Stockholm
Annual temperatures in Stockholm fluctuate from -5.3°C (22.5°F) in the coldest months to 21.9°C (71.4°F) in the warmest. A closer look at the meteorological data reveals that the highest average temperatures register in July at 21.9°C (71.4°F), followed closely by June and August, reaching highs of 20.7°C (69.3°F) and 20.4°C (68.7°F) respectively. In contrast, the cooler months of January and February record average lows of -5°C (23°F) and -5.3°C (22.5°F).
The patterns of yearly rainfall and number of rainy days in Stockholm consist of moderate to precipitous levels. Starting from 27mm (1.06″) in February to a peak of 65mm (2.56″) in July, the city experiences its highest rainfall during the summer months. The number of rainy days also sees an increment from 6 days a month during April and May, to 10 days a month from November through January.
The best time to visit Stockholm
Ideal visiting conditions in Stockholm prevail from June to August. During this period, temperatures ascend, reaching a comfortable range from 15.7°C (60.3°F) to 21.9°C (71.4°F). Combining these pleasant temperatures with the peak daylight hours ranging from 17 to 18.5 hours and abundant sunlight of up to 9.7 hours, summer offers tourists ample time to explore Stockholm’s charming archipelago and vibrant city life.
Additionally, the sea temperature rises significantly from 7.5°C (45.5°F) in May to 18.8°C (65.8°F) in August, encouraging water-based activities and beach visits. Nevertheless, the visitation during the peak of summer should anticipate higher than average rainfall, with July noted for the year’s highest rainfall of 65mm (2.56″) over nine days.
The worst time to visit Stockholm
For those less resistant to cold, the period of December to February could be a challenging time to visit Stockholm. During this period, average temperatures tumble to a range from -5.3°C (22.5°F) to -0.6°C (30.9°F), accompanied by reduced daylight hours, reaching as low as 6.2 hours during December. Limited sunshine, a scant 1.1 hours in December, further contributes to the stark winter days. Additionally, the sea temperatures drop to a cold 1°C (33.8°F) – 1.9°C (35.4°F), hindering any maritime activities.
Where to stay in Stockholm
1. Mid Range: Queen’s Hotel by First Hotels
On Stockholm’s main shopping street, Drottninggatan, this hotel has rooms with flat-screen TVs. Free tea and coffee are available at the front desk. Stockholm Central Train Station is only a 10-minute walk away.
Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms at Queen’s Hotel. Each room has a writing desk and cable TV, and some also include a sofa and views of the peaceful inner courtyard.
With its crystal chandeliers and antique furniture, the hotel lobby creates a charming atmosphere. Guests can relax on the sofas or use the free internet computers here.
2. Luxury – Hotel Diplomat Stockholm
Set in an impressive 1911-era Art Nouveau building on upscale Strandvägen boulevard, Hotel Diplomat offers great views over Nybroviken Bay, spa and fitness room access and a restaurant with summer terrace. WiFi is free.
Diplomat’s modern interior was designed by renowned architect Per Öberg and combines classic elegance with contemporary design. Each room features blackout curtains, a generous workspace and quality Dux beds with premium linen. All include luxury toiletries and a smart TV with Chromecast.
The in-house restaurant uses fresh, local produce to create classic Swedish dishes with a Mediterranean twist. The waterfront terrace is an ideal spot to take in the waterfront views during summer.
3. Budget -Generator Stockholm
Featuring a hip lounge, several social spaces and a bar with Nordic-inspired cocktail drinks, Generator Stockholm is located in the Norrmalm district of Stockholm. At this hostel, you can choose dormitory rooms or private guest rooms.
Each private guest room features a private bathroom with shower, and dormitory rooms share private bathroom facilities. All rooms have a city view. Free WiFi is available at this hostel.
A restaurant, cafe and 24-hour reception are also featured at Generator Stockholm.
Drottninggatan Shopping Street is a 6-minute walk from the hostel, while Sergels Torg Square is 0.7 mi away. Stockholm Central Station is just a 10-minute walk away.
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