Day 1: Stockholm Old Town
Stockholm is built on 14 islands, and each one with its own style and a different experience to offer. Start your first day by exploring the main island Gamla Stan, Europe's best preserved medieval city center. With its narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings and tiny spooky alleys, Stockholm city center is a great place to discover the country's history, stories and legends, but also you will be amazed by the authentic small Scandinavian shops which offer a unique variety of souvenirs, design, fashion and also Swedish pastries and strong coffee.
On the same island, and using your Stockholm Card, you can visit the following attractions:
Stockholm is built on 14 islands, and each one with its own style and a different experience to offer. Start your first day by exploring the main island Gamla Stan, Europe's best preserved medieval city center. With its narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings and tiny spooky alleys, Stockholm city center is a great place to discover the country's history, stories and legends, but also you will be amazed by the authentic small Scandinavian shops which offer a unique variety of souvenirs, design, fashion and also Swedish pastries and strong coffee.
On the same island, and using your Stockholm Card, you can visit the following attractions:
The Nobel Museum
The Nobel Museum contains all essential information about the most prestigious prize in the world, Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Laureates. Get inspired by their discoveries as well as the history of the Swedish founder of this prestigious award, Alfred Nobel. |
Stortorget square
Just outside the Nobel the Museum, take a moment to contemplate the beautiful architecture and buildings of Stortorget Square, the oldest square in Stockholm. The first thing that will attract your attention is this red house with white stones, which is at the center of one of the most famous legend of Stockholm. |
Stockholm Cathedral
That was the first Lutheran Church I ever visited in my life and the design is definitely very different than the Orthodox or Catholic Churches. The Stockholm Cathedral dates from 13th Century und housed some unique objects such as the St George and the Dragon sculpture |
The Royal Palace
The official residence of the Swedish King and Queen. Try to get there at 12pm to watch the change of the guards. One of the things to keep an eye on during the visit is the story of Queen Kristina, one of the most controversial regnant in the history of Sweden. |
Finish the day with a walk by the sea shore where you will enjoy a wide range of ships and boats in different colors, shapes and sizes. If you would like to savour authentic Swedish cuisine for dinner, try the Aifur a viking restaurant in Gamla Stan where waiters are dressed like vikings, you sit on wooden bench with other guests, you eat with viking style knife and forks, you listen to old scandinavian live music and most of all, there's no electricity, only candles. As for what to order, of course try the typical the reindeer with blackcurrent and creamy mashed potatoes.
Day 2: Djurgården
Djurgården, also called the Museums Island, is one of my favorite. Expect a lot of fun on that day. Museums to be found on that island are not the kind of boring, conventional ones, but very interactive that they will totally drown you into their stories and concepts.
So here is what to visit, all of them using your Stockholm Card (except the Abba Museum):
Djurgården, also called the Museums Island, is one of my favorite. Expect a lot of fun on that day. Museums to be found on that island are not the kind of boring, conventional ones, but very interactive that they will totally drown you into their stories and concepts.
So here is what to visit, all of them using your Stockholm Card (except the Abba Museum):
Skansen Open-Air Museum
Start your day with a very early visit of Skansen as it will take most of the day. It is the world’s oldest open-air museum. Here you will experience the traditional rural cultural life in Sweden, by visiting old houses with real people inside dressed like in old times and explaining to you how they eat, they work, they cook etc. You can also visit shops and farms with the same concept. People from old times explaining how they would trade, what do they sell, etc. It's really a very unique museum experience and you will also get the chance to see animals from Sweden's wildlife: Elks, moose etc. |
The Vasa Museum
You will need to slow down a little bit after the visit to Skansen, so go to the Vasa Museum, the only preserved seventeenth-century ship in the world, and a unique art treasure. More than 95 percent of the ship is original, and it is decorated with hundreds of carved sculptures. |
Abba Museum
Now time for the real fun, be part of the Abba Band. Sing, dance and dress exactly like they used to do, the stage is yours. I will not give much details about this fantastic museum which just opened 2 years ago, will leave it as a surprise. You will be amazed ! (just remember that this museum is not included in the Stockholm Card, but it's definitely worth every Kroner) |
Nordiska Museum
Nordiska Museum is Sweden´s largest museum of cultural history, including exhibitions on fashion, folk art, textiles, furniture, table settings, jewelry and life and work in Sweden. It also has a special section about Sami people and the Sami culture which is fascinating. |
The Museum of Spirits
If you are not really into any of the museums above, an alternative could be the Museum of Spirits including Swedish brewing history, culture and trends. You’ll have the opportunity to get to know various types of beer, malt and hops. The museum offers a range of wine tastings, but you can also choose among exciting new offers such as ”Flavours of Sweden”, ”Swedish whisky” and of course Sweden's Absolut Vodka. Very colorful and well curated museum. |
Gröna Lund's Amusement Park
Your visit to Djurgården will not be complete without reviving the child in you. Experience the joyful and magical world of Gröna Lund, Stockholm´s amusement park. You can enjoy one of the 30 exciting rides, have dinner there or simply sit by the sea and enjoy the view and the amazing sunset. |
Day 3: Day Trips or More Stockholm Attractions
On that last day you either go on a day trip by boat to the Archipelago or the Drottningholm Palace (the private residence of the Swedish Royal Family) or continue with Stockholm's attractions. If you opt for the latter, here's what you can visit
On that last day you either go on a day trip by boat to the Archipelago or the Drottningholm Palace (the private residence of the Swedish Royal Family) or continue with Stockholm's attractions. If you opt for the latter, here's what you can visit
Skyview
SkyView is the world-class attraction that takes you to the top of the world’s largest spherical building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark. From the apex 130 meters above sea level, you get a fantastic view encompassing all of Stockholm. |
The City Hall
Stockholm City Hall, with its spire featuring the golden Three Crowns, is one of the most famous silhouettes in Stockholm. This is also where the Nobel Prize Ceremony is held every year on 10 December. The beautiful Golden Hall has 18 million gold mosaic tiles. |
Fotografiska
If you are into photography, Fotografiska is highly recommended. This is one of the world’s largest meeting places for contemporary photography. The exhibitions change every now and then but whenever I visit Stockholm, I should drop by and it has always been fascinating the quality of photographers they feature. Finally, don't forget to capture this incredible sunset view
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Skeppsholmen
Spend the afternoon enjoying a walk in Skeppsholmen with its amazing park by the Baltic sea. The small pedestrian bridge leading to the island will also give you a fantastic view from the other side of the Royal Palace. If you are into surreal art and want to discover some of the unusual pieces of French artist Niki de Saint Phalle, drop by the Modern Museum located on the Island. Some of her works are exhibited in the museum garden so you don't even have to enter. But I recommend you do and have a drink or snack on the roof to enjoy a lovely, peaceful view over the harbour |