If you want to vacation in Stockholm, it’s important to understand where the sights are and how to get around the city. This blog introduces an interactive map that shows the different tourist spots in Stockholm.
Map of Stockholm
The capital of Sweden, Stockholm, has a lot to offer tourists who are looking for a lively and exciting city to visit. It is the largest city in Sweden and has a population of over 1 million people. The city is located on the eastern coast of Sweden and has many scenic areas that make it a great destination for tourists. Here are some tips on how to explore Stockholm:
1. Start your visit by visiting Drottningholm Palace. This was the summer palace of Queen Christina of Sweden and is now a museum. It is worth going just to see the beautiful gardens and palaces. Admission is free.
2. If you want to experience some of the city’s history, head to Gamla Stan (Old Town). This district was once the heart of Stockholm and is home to many interesting historical buildings, such as the Royal Palace and Storkyrkan (Stockholm Cathedral). There are also plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops here to keep you busy.
3. If you’re in the mood for some shopping, take a stroll down Brommaplan or Hötorget malls. Both have plenty of high-end stores that are sure to satisfy any shopper’s desires.
4. Take a ride on the City Sightseeing Tour Bus, which showcases Stockholm’s top attractions. You can either make your own way around the city for one or two hours, or you can take a three-hour tour of the city that includes stops at many major attractions along with an easy scenic ride.
5. If you feel like having some fun with your children, head to Gröna Lund amusement park at night. It has roller coasters and fun rides for kids of all ages.
Stockholm’s Geography
Stockholm occupies a small peninsula on the southern shore of lake Mälaren. The city is located at the mouth of the river Hvite Å, and is connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. The total land area is just over 400 square kilometers.
Stockholm’s geography is relatively flat, with no significant elevation changes except for some low hills in the inner city. The city is built on a series of islands and peninsulas, linked by a network of canals. The largest island is Gamla Stan (Old Town), followed by Södermalm and Norra Djurgården. The archipelago was formed as an result of the last ice age, when the ice sheet scraped away large chunks of land from both sides of the strait connecting Lake Mälaren to the Baltic Sea. Stockholm was first settled around 1020 AD, and was originally known as Stadby.
The city has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters. Due to its near-circular shape and protected location by water on three sides, Stockholm has relatively mild weather compared to other major cities in Europe.
Attractions
If you are visiting Stockholm for the first time, you won’t want to miss out on some of the city’s most popular attractions. Here is a quick map of the top places to visit in Stockholm:
-The Royal Palace: This majestic palace is home to several impressive art collections, including the world’s largest collection of Swedish paintings. If you have time, take a walk through the lush gardens adjacent to the palace.
-The Topkapi Museum: This museum is packed with centuries-old Islamic art and artifacts. Highlights include a collection of royal carriages and an elaborate gold mosque.
-Stockholm City Hall: This iconic building is worth a visit just for its amazing architecture. The interior is decorated with intricate woodwork and marble details.
-Christina Church: This beautiful church was built in the early 16th century and features some stunningly ornate carvings. It’s also home to one of Sweden’s most famous musical instruments, the organ.
-The Vasa Museum: This museum houses one of Sweden’s most famous historical artifacts, the Vasa Ship. The ship was used by King Gustavus Adolphus in his successful war against Russia. The museum also offers a unique opportunity to view a replica of the ship alongside the original.
-The Riddarholm Church: This church, located in Stockholm’s Old Town, is over 300 years old and has been beautifully restored. Built in honor of the city’s patron saint, it’s one of the most beautiful churches in all of Scandinavia.
-Skansen: This open-air museum is a must for any history buff! There are so many different buildings and sculptures from around northern Europe that you’ll be amazed at how much you can learn about European history visiting here.
Where to Stay
Hotel Embassies
Stockholm is a city of many hotels and in addition to the usual chains, there are plenty of small independent hotels which can be hard to find. The Youth Hostel Association has two central locations, one on Sveavägen and the other on Linnégatan, both near the Central Station. Prices start at 179 SEK for a single room with shared bathrooms.
The following is a list of five recommended hostels:
1) Scandic Europa on Djurgården offers good value for money, with a wide range of facilities including an outdoor pool and a sauna. Rooms start at 169 SEK for a twin room.
2) The Grand Hotel Union on Kungsholmen has been rated as one of the best places to stay in Stockholm by TripAdvisor reviewers. Rooms from 499 SEK per night include breakfast.
3) Hotel Royal Viking on Skeppsholmen is close to the metro and has an excellent reputation for service and comfort. Prices start at 295 SEK for a double room with shared bathroom.
4) Scandic Globe on Götgatan is close to many of the sights worth seeing in Stockholm such as
Where to Eat
Stockholm is a city of foodies and there’s no shortage of places to get your grub on. Here are some of our favourites:
1. Hornstullköket – This classic Södermalm restaurant is known for its meatballs and traditional Swedish dishes like boiled potatoes and lingonberry jam.
2. Bottega Veneta – This upscale Italian restaurant in the heart of Södermalm serves up pizzas, pastas, salads and desserts.
3. Frukt & Gräs – This organic cafe in the heart of Södermalm offers Vegans, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike unique and delicious food options like banana split with peanut butter ice cream or sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo.
4. Café Engelbert – This cozy café in the city centre offers an extensive menu of Swedish favourites like salmon filet with roasted potatoes or perogies made from mashed potatoes and onions.
5. Voltorbets – If you’re looking for something a little more energetic, Voltorbets is the place to go for burgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes – perfect after a long walk, run or bike ride.
6. Coffee Bean – The best coffee in town is served at the Coffee Bean and you can even order a vegan cake or brownies.
7. Den fördolda baren – For those who prefer their veggie food with a bit more spice, this secret place in Södermalm has Indian-inspired starters like cranberry chilli chicken wings and spicy chickpeas with avocado on toast.
Shopping
Stockholm is a city of many shops and Gallerian, one of the world’s largest shopping malls. There are hundreds of fashion and design stores as well as expensive jewelers and high-end shoe stores. The variety of shopping possibilities can be bewildering for the first time visitor, but it’s worth exploring – especially if you have some time to kill. Stockholm also has a large number of department stores such as H&M, IKEA, Lidl and Sixt. There are also a number of small independent shops that offer unique products not found elsewhere in Stockholm.
The most popular shopping streets are Norrmalmstorg (north), Södermalmstorg (south), Kungsholmen (east) and Vasastan (west). It is worthwhile to wander around and take in the atmosphere of different shopping streets – there’s something for everyone in Stockholm!
If you’re looking for something specific to buy, don’t be afraid to ask a shop assistant where they would recommend going. Most Swedish people are very friendly and will help you find what you’re looking for.
