Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is one of the ports that we could visit or depart from.  One possibility is a cruise that allows you to check in on Day 1, and the ship is used as a hotel on Night 1, before departing late on Day 2.  Depending on when your flight arrives, you could have almost 2 days in Stockholm.  However, I usually recommend coming in at least 1 day earlier just to make sure you have adequate time to explore "Venice of the North." 

Stockholm is considered Europe's Cultural Capital and the continent's first Green Capital. Stockholm is the largest city in Scandinavia, and 1/5 of Sweden's population lives there. with about 1.8 million residents in the metropolitan area -- about one-fifth of Sweden's total population.  Who knew that the city was made up of 14 islands?  Not me! 

As with most European cities, Stockholm's Old Town (aka Gamla Stan) is the big tourist attraction.  The buildings are painted in bright colors, which reminds me of the Cinque Terre (although the architecture is different).  And what would an "Old Town" be without cobblestone streets!  Gamla Stan can be very busy in the summer, and to see the charm of Stockholm, just go down one of the alleyways between the apartment buildings.  It's not as busy and most of the paths will lead to the 600-room Royal Palace.

Similar to a fiesta in Barcelona, Swedes take a fika - or coffee break.  Swedes drink a lot of coffee!  A fika can happen any time of the day, and usually includes a pastry - most of the time a cinnamon bun. Although I'm not a big coffee drinker, I wouldn't want to offed the Swedes, and will be happy to eat a cinnamon bun or two during my fika! 

The Green Capital has an Ekoparken, or eco-park.  If you have the time, check it out.  The park winds through a few of the busiest islands and one side of downtown. 

You won't find a bargain in Stockholm - it's an expensive city.  $27 for a small plate of Swedish meatballs.  That translates into "eat your meals on the ship" and not in town!  If you must have a souvenir from your travels to Sweden, look for crystal and glass pieces.  Kosta Boda and Orrefors are the best-known names.  As mentioned in my post on Tallinn, sweaters are more expensive in Sweden. 

Depending on the number of days you'll spend in Stockholm, think about getting a Stockholm Card, which will get you admission to about 80 museums and attractions, as well as transportation on buses, trams, subways and a few ferries.  See what there is to see and do at www.stockholmtown.com. 

Stockholm is easy to walk around, and you can get from place to place by trolleys (tram), buses, ferries, and subway. Taxis accept credit cards and a word to the wise - they are costly.  Remember you can use the Stockholm Card on public transportation.

Don't forget my cheesy suggestion - the hop-on/hop-off bus.  $41 and 14 stops.  Ouch!  That's expensive.  For another $10, you can get a ferry pass, too.   If you want to do something different, rent a bike.  

One place you want to visit is the Nobel Museum.  Yep, that's Alfred Nobel of the Nobel Prize.  (All except the peace prize are handed out in Stockholm.)  Just a few blocks away is the Royal Palace, where Sweden's royals live.  You can stroll through the grand reception rooms and see the crown jewels, armor and art.  The changing of the guard occurs at noon each day.  You'll see the troops,  preceded by a band, and sometimes the soldiers on horseback.

If you want to get the best of Stockholm head to the residential island of Sodermalm by cab or you can take a few buses.  Walk to Fjallgatan Street and its terrass (terrace), and you'll see Stockholm's sights and waterways from a great viewpoint.  Or, buy a ticket to Skyview, two 16-passenger, glass-walled gondolas that travel up the side of the world's largest spherical building, the Ericsson Globe arena. The ride lasts about 10 minutes in each direction.  Right up my alley! 

Dale always says the best views are from the top!  If you want a real challenge and you want to see Stockholm from the best view, take the Historic Rooftop Tour.  You'll be walking 130 feet above the city, on top of former Parliament building.  Only 10 participants at a time can go.  You have to wear a helmet and safety harness and you are attached to a steel cable.  Then you go along a 980-foot-long metal catwalk, which is about a foot wide and there are no handrails.  And of course, there are stairs!  The tour lasts about an hour.  

A must is a cruise through the archipelago, cruising around an estimated 30,000 islands. The cruises last from two to eight hours.  You can get off and explore some of the islands, and then take a boat back to Stockholm. Catch the boat at the downtown harbor. 

City Hall (Stadshuset) is one of Stockholm's top tourist attractions. Be sure to see the Blue and Golden Halls. The Blue Hall resembles the piazza of a villa and even has a fake balcony with fountain beneath it.  This is the banquet hall used to celebrate the Nobel Prize honorees. (The awards are presented about a mile away.)  After the banquet, dancing takes place in the Golden Hall.  The walls are covered by 18-million (yes, 18 million, no typo) tiny tiles of gold leaf pressed between sheets of clear glass.  And you'll see heroic-size images of figures from history, mythology and religion.

They even have a "City Hall Shop" with specially-designed souvenirs and gifts.  Many of the souvenirs are made of materials represented in the building's interior.

More great views!  You'll need a ticket to see the views from City Hall's 322-foot-tall tower. An elevator takes you only part way and there are no windows on that level.  Obviously more stairs! 

Check out these videos of Stockholm, and you'll want to visit Stockholm like I do. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgeDieAdSZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws-ixufK4P8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FfWdsoFO9w