Travel_Photography

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, spreads out over 14 islands in Lake Malaren. The city proudly holds the 700 year-old history with grand public buildings, palaces, rich cultural history and museums. Lake Malaren is Sweden’s third largest lake and its shores hold many gems such as charming towns, castles, manor houses, and sprawling estates. More than 1,000 islands dot the lake.

What to see in Stockholm?

1. Old Town (Gamla Stan above & right) – founded in 1252, the Old Town is one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centers in Europe. It is located on Stadsholmen Island.

2. Royal Palace – is the combination of royal residence, workplace and culture-historical monument open year round to visitors. It is located on Stadsholmen Island.

3. City Hall (below) – is open to public through guided tours only. It is home to the Nobel Prize award ceremony. (The Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony is in Oslo every year on December 10^th). The banquet is held in the magnificent Golden Hall composed of 18 million gold mosaic tiles (below). The tower offers a fantastic view of the city. It stands on the eastern tip of Kungsholmen Island (close proximity to Stadsholmen Island).

Djurgarden – is an island in the center of the city. It is home to historical buildings, monuments, museums, galleries and more. Below listed attractions are located on this island.

4. Vasa Museum – the Vasa ship capsized and sank in Stockholm in 1628. After 333 years on the sea bed, the warship was salvaged. Vasa is the world’s only preserved 17^th century ship and the most visited museum in Scandinavia.

5. Skansen – is the world’s first open-air museum, founded in 1891. Here you can stroll through five centuries of Swedish history, from north to south, with a real sense of the past all around in the historical buildings and dwellings, peopled by characters in period dress.
6. Rosendal Palace – was built for King Karl XIV Johan and is an outstanding example of Swedish Empire style. Its furniture, textiles and fixtures create an impressive overall effect, designed and manufactured by Swedish artists and artisans.

7. Nordic Museum – is Sweden’s largest museum of cultural history. It is home to variety of exhibitions on fashion and textiles, furniture and interiors, china and table settings, folk art, jewelry, photography, trends and traditions.

8. Waldemarsudde – is Prince Eugene’s former home. A flower and sculpture garden surrounds the museum.

9. Thiel Gallery – houses a unique collection of works of art from the late 19^th century and early 20^th century by leading artist of the period.

10. Drottningholm Palace – is Sweden’s best preserved royal palace constructed in the 17^th century, the permanent residence of the royal family and one of Stockholm’s three World Heritage Sites. The palace features magnificent salons, a beautiful park, a unique palace theater and a Chinese Pavilion. The Drottningholm Palace Theater is the best preserved 18^th century theater in Europe, and the only one in the world that still uses the original stage machinery on a regular basis. Theater’s guided tours and performances are during the summer only. The palace is opened year round. It is located in Drottningholm on the Lovon Island, about 45 minutes by boat.

Where to stay in Stockholm?

Best Western is a good option and has a few locations.

Hostels are another good and cheaper option. There are a few located on the island of Kungsholmen and Stadsholmen. So you are close to all the attractions.

Where to go from Stockholm?

1. Mariefred – is an idyllic little town with a majestic Gripsholm Castle set at the shore of Lake Malaren. The castle hosts collections of furniture, handicrafts and interiors from four centuries, including Gustav III’s theater and the Swedish Portrait collection. Built by Gustav Vasa in 1537. It is about a three hour boat trip across Lake Malaren.

2. Sigtuna – is Sweden’s first town. It was founded in AD 980, in the final century of Viking times. It is also located at the shore of Lake Malaren. This pedestrian friendly charming town offers medieval churches, wooden buildings, and rune stones. It is located 45 minutes north of Stockholm. It can be reached by train, bus, or boat from the center of Stockholm. Below three castle/palaces are close to Sigtuna.

3. Skokloster Castle – is one of the world’s greatest baroque castles set in a beautiful natural setting by Lake Malaren near Arlanda. The castle’s interior from the mid 17^th century has been kept completely intact.

4. Steninge Palace – the baroque style palace was inspired by a French Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, and has a reputation in Sweden as one of the most elegant examples of Baroque mansions. The palace was completed in 1705.

5. Rosersberg Palace – is a royal residence with furnishings intact from the reigns of Karl XIII and Karl XIV Johan. It has a wealth of well-preserved, unique textiles from the late Gustavian 1700s to the Empire style of the 1800s.

6. Uppsala – is a famous medieval university city, boasting amazing history. Even though it is the fourth largest city in Sweden, it still has a laid-back feel. The Old Town offers winding streets with the magnificent 13^th century cathedral and the University Museum (Gustavianum). It is an easy 70-km drive or train trip northwest of Stockholm.

7. Birka – on Bjorko Island is another of Sweden’s oldest towns. It was a Viking settlement established in the 8^th century. It offers wealth of ancient remains. During summer, boat tours depart from the dock at City Hall.

8. Copenhagen, Denmark – by SJ High-Speed train http://www.eurail.com/europe-by-train/high-speed-trains/sj

9. Oslo, Norway – by train 5,5 hrs www.raileurope.com

10. Helsinki, Finland – 1 hr flight or by ferry about 16 hrs http://www.directferries.com/stockholm_helsinki_ferry.htm

11. Tallinn, Estonia – 1 hr flight or by ferry about 16 hrs

12. Riga, Latvia - 1 hr flight or by ferry about 16 hrs