Longing for a little adventure in a new city? Stockholm could be your next landing. Discover the beautiful capital of Sweden.
“Stockholmers call their city ‘beauty on water’. But despite the well-preserved historic core, Stockholm is no museum piece: it’s modern, dynamic and ever-evolving.” (Lonely Planet)
14 islands and 57 bridges. But what should I visit?
Before describing my 48-hour experience, let me introduce you to the history of this marvellous city by the hand of localhistories.org:
“Early Stockholm
The great city of Stockholm began in the 13th century. At that time trade and commerce were increasing across Europe and many new towns were founded. In 1252 the regent of Sweden, Birger Jarl founded Stockholm. The new town grew rapidly. In 1289 it was described as the largest place in Sweden, although it would seem very small to us. By 1500 Stockholm was a flourishing town of about 6,000 people.
Then in 1520 came the Stockholm Bloodbath. The king of Denmark invaded Sweden in 1519. In 1520 he captured Stockholm and he had more than 80 Swedish nobles executed for heresy. However the Swede Gustav Vasa recaptured Stockholm in 1523.
During the 17th century Sweden was a great power in Europe. Stockholm grew rapidly and by the end of the century it had a population of around 50,000. Riddarhuset, The House of Nobility was built between 1641 and 1674.
However in 1710–1711 there was an outbreak of plague in Stockholm which killed many people. Yet Stockholm recovered and it flourished during the 18th century. Tullgarn Palace was built about 1720. The Royal Palace opened in 1754. The Obelisk was erected in 1799. Also in 1799 the statue of King Gustav III was sculpted.
Modern Stockholm
In the late 19th century Sweden was transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial one. In 1850 Stockholm had a population of 93,000 and it continued to rise rapidly. By the beginning of the 20th century it had reached 300,000.
However in the mid 19th century Stockholm was an unhealthy place. There were no sewers or piped water supply. But all that changed. Stockholm gained gas light in 1853. In the 1860s a piped water supply was created. The National Museum was built in 1866. Stockholm Central Railway Station was built in 1871. Horse drawn trams began running in Stockholm in 1877. The first electric trams ran in 1901. Meanwhile Stockholm University was founded in 1877. The Swedish Army Museum opened in 1879. Skansen open air museum opened in 1891. The Biological Museum opened in 1893. Stockholm Music Museum was founded in 1899.
During the 20th century Stockholm continued to flourish. The Postal Museum opened in 1906 and the Nordic Museum was built in 1907. The Museum of National Antiquities opened in 1943. Meanwhile Parliament House was built in 1905 and City Hall was built in 1923. Stockholm escaped damage by bombing in the Second World War but in the mid 20th century a program began to modernise the city. Many old homes in Stockholm were demolished and replaced by new ones.
Today tourism is an important industry in Stockholm. The Museum of Dance opened in 1953. The Medieval Museum opened in 1986. A ship called The Vasa sank in 1628 but it was recovered in 1961 and is now on display in a museum. Today the population of Stockholm is 942,000.”
Dopamine hit of cultural experiences in Stockholm
* Friday *
0. Change currency (1 SEK = 0,0982118 EUR)
- Travel from Arlanda Airport to the Central Station by bus 119 SEK
2. Checked-in at the budget Hotel Comfort Hotel Xpress Stockholm Central
3. Walked around Gamla Stan and had Swedish meatballs for dinner at Drottninggatan Street´s Pickwick Restaurang & Pub.
* Saturday * Stockholm Pass
We did the Maths and booked the Stockholm Pass which included the main attractions we wanted to visit (1 Day Adult Pass: SEK 580.50)
Hop on Hop off Bus
There’s no better way to see the sights of Stockholm than with a free Hop On Hop Off bus, which we used to get us to the following places we chose to visit on Saturday taking advantage of the Stockholm Pass.
A way to quickly explore the three islands that compose the city center.
Vasa Museum
One of the biggest cultural treasures in Sweden — the warship Vasa that sank in 1628 on its maiden voyage from Stockholm.
Skansen Open Air Museum and Aquarium
Founded in 1891, Skansen is the world’s first open-air museum. Located on the island of Djurgården and close to the Vasa museum, Skansen offers a fascinating look into historical Swedish life. Recreates the life of the 19th century.
The Royal Palace
The palace dates back to the 18th century and is one of the most interesting historic buildings in Stockholm. The biggest royal palace in the world with 600 rooms. Changing of the guards take place daily at noon.
Arquipelago Tour
Get familiarised with the stunning scenery of Stockholm’s archipelago on a guided 3 hour boat tour. Experience the city from the water, learn about the history and be inspired by the beauty of Stockholm’s natural landscape.
Gamla stan
Lovely cafes, restaurants, souvenir and antique shops.
We said yes to the Viking dining experience at this underground traditional live music restaurant. Candle-light warm atmosphere, big shared tables and exquisite Swedish specialities: mussels in a creamy sauce, baked salmon and venison steaks with veggies and potatoes.
* Sunday *
Having traditional “Fika”, a Swedish coffee-break with fresh baked cakes and pastries at Vetekatten.
Sunday morning Market at Hötorget (Haymarket Square): fresh fruits and vegetables, new and second hand crafts and clothes.
Hop on Hop off Bus
Yes, again to see the rest of the city and learn some more of its history.
“Alfred Bernhard Nobel
21 October 1833
Died 10 December 1896 (aged was a Swedish chemist, engineer, inventor, businessman, and philanthropist.
“Known for inventing dynamite, Nobel also owned Bofors, which he had redirected from its previous role as primarily an iron and steel producer to a major manufacturer of cannon and other armaments. Nobel held 355 different patents, dynamite being the most famous. After reading a premature obituary which condemned him for profiting from the sales of arms, he bequeathed his fortune to institute the Nobel Prizes.”
Estimates of ABBA’s total record sales are at least 400 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Time to take off back home…
Goodbye video:
And now, some of my favourite Swedish quotes:
The longest journey is the journey inward.
–Dag Hammarsköld
To write well and to speak well is mere vanity if one does not live well.
–Bridget of Sweden (1303–1373)
The present moment is significant, not as the bridge between past and future, but by reason of its contents, which can fill our emptiness and become ours, if we are capable of receiving them.
–Dag Hammarsköld
Be yourself. The world worships the original.
–Ingrid Bergman
Life only demands from you the strength that you possess. Only one feat is possible; not to run away.
–Dag Hammarsköld
You have to find it. No one else can find it for you.
–Bjorn Borg
Friendship needs no words — it is solitude delivered from the anguish of loneliness.
–Dag Hammarsköld
