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Gamla Stan
Stockholm
Built on a string of islands connected by bridges, and surrounded by woods, Sweden's stunning capital is one-third water, one-third parks, one-third city. Stockholm is green, clean, and underrated, bubbling with energy and history. Crawl through Europe's best-preserved old warship and relax on a scenic harbor boat tour. Browse the cobbles and antique shops of the lantern-lit Old Town. Take a trip back in time at Skansen, Europe's first and best open-air folk museum. If you have more time and want to immerse yourself in some simple Swedish nature, consider spending a day or two exploring the incredibly scenic islands of Skärgården, an archipelago stretching 80 miles out into the Baltic Sea.
At a Glance
▲▲▲ Skansen Europe's first and best open-air folk museum, with more than 150 old homes, churches, shops, and schools.
▲▲▲ Vasa Museum Ill-fated 17th-century warship dredged from the sea floor, now the showpiece of an interesting museum.
▲▲▲ Archipelago Mostly half-day cruises to Vaxholm and many other small island destinations.
▲▲ Military Parade and Changing of the Guard Punchy pomp starting near Nybroplan and finishing at Royal Palace outer courtyard.
▲▲ Royal Armory A fine collection of ceremonial medieval royal armor, historic and modern royal garments, and carriages, in the Royal Palace.
▲▲ City Hall Gilt mosaic architectural jewel of Stockholm and site of Nobel Prize banquet, with tower offering the city's best views.
▲▲ Drottningholm Palace Resplendent 17th-century royal residence with a Baroque theater.
▲ Nordic Museum Danish Renaissance palace design and five fascinating centuries of traditional Swedish lifestyles.
▲ Nobel Museum Star-studded tribute to some of the world's most accomplished scientists, artists, economists, and politicians.
▲ Royal Palace Museums Complex of Swedish royal museums, the two best of which are the Royal Apartments and Royal Treasury.
▲ Royal Coin Cabinet Europe's best look at the history of money, with a sweep through the evolution of the Swedish economy to boot.
▲ Kungsträdgården Stockholm's lively central square, with life-size chess games, concerts, and perpetual action.
▲ Sergels Torg Modern square with underground mall.
▲ ABBA: The Museum Super-commercial and wildly-popular-with-ABBA-fans experience.
▲ National Museum of Fine Arts Convenient, crowd-free gallery with work of locals Larsson and Zorn, along with Rembrandt, Rubens, and Impressionists.
▲ Thielska Galleriet Enchanting waterside mansion with works of local artists Larsson, Zorn, and Munch.
▲ Fotografiska Fun photography museum focusing on contemporary and international work, with eye-popping views from its top-floor café.
▲ Millesgården Dramatic cliffside museum and grounds featuring works of Sweden's greatest sculptor, Carl Milles.
▲ Museum of Medieval Stockholm Underground museum showing off parts of the town wall King Gustav Vasa built in the 1530s.
Plan
Photos
Watch
Read
- Cycling Through Stockholm
- Europe’s Best Island Getaways
- Relaxing in Stockholm’s Idyllic Archipelago
- Sightseeing — and Coffee Sipping — in Super, Sleek Stockholm
- Stockholm’s Delightful, Diverse Day Trips
- Stockholm’s Noble Past and Present
- Time Traveling at Europe’s Open-Air Museums
- Wrecks, Rafts, and Replicas: Scandinavia’s Remarkable Maritime Museums