Stockholm, capital of Sweden, is on a series of islands on the edge of the Baltic Sea. The charming old town, Gamla Stan, is where the Royal Palace stands today. Today Sweden still has a royal family but one without any political power. Besides the several royal palaces, including the UNESCO World Heritage listed Drottningholm Palace, Stockholm is famous for Vasa Museum which houses the world’s only preserved 17th century ship.
Arriving in Stockholm:
The easiest way will be to fly to Stockholm. Stockholm-Arlanda Airport is located 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Stockholm City. Alternatively, train services connect Stockholm to cities like Copenhagen and Oslo. Overnight cruise also operates between Stockholm-Helsinki. Local currency is Swedish Krona. Currently, 1 SEK = 0.11 USD.
Getting in:
Arlanda Express is the easiest way to get to the city center from the Stockholm Arlanda Airport. The train departs every 15 minutes and tickets can be bought from a ticket machine. If you buy a return ticket (540 SEK), it’ll be cheaper than a one-way ticket (280 SEK) per adult. Train ride only takes 20 minutes to the city.
Alternatively, you take a bus (35-45 minutes) or commuter train (43 minutes) to the city.
Getting around:
Stockholm metro system is a convenient way to get around the city. Its stations are definitely worth an extra trip for their interesting design. Recommended to buy a Stockholm 24 hours travel card: 125 SEK + 20SEK for card. It is cheaper to buy at SL Center located in several locations (T-Centralen, Gullmarsplan, Fridhemsplan and Tekniska hogskolan).
For more details, see my posting here: [SWEDEN] Stockholm Metro
Tram/bus is another way to get around the city. To get to Vasa Museum, it is recommended to take tram No.7.
Attractions in Stockholm:
Gamla Stan (old town)
How to get there: Take metro to Gamla Stan station or walk from T-Centralen station
What to see: Stortorget, the famous square as pictured above. The colourful houses painted in their original colours and its medieval streets. Many 17th century buildings are red and 18th century buildings are yellow.
For more details, see my posting here: [SWEDEN] Stockholm Old Town (Gamla Stan).
While you are in Gamla Stan, don’t forget to visit Storkyrkan.
Entrance fee: 40 SEK per adult
Opening Hours: Jan-Mar (daily 9-16), April-May (Mon-Fri 9-17, Sat-Sun 9-16), June (daily 9-17), Jul-Aug (daily 9-18), Sept-Oct (Mon-Fri 9-17, Sat-Sun 9-16), Nov-Dec (daily 9-16).
What to see: St. George and the Dragon wooden sculpture (as pictured below)
St. George and the Dragon wooden sculpture in Storkyrkan.
The Royal Palace is also located in Gamla Stan, beside Storkyrkan.
Entrance fee: 160 SEK (adult) combined ticket including Riddarholm Church is 180 SEK (adult)
Opening Hours: varies but open all year round. Visit the website for more infor: www.kungligaslotten.se
What to see: Hall of State, State Apartments, King Karl XI’s Gallery where the Nobel laureates are invited for dinner each year, Tre Kronor Museum, Royal Armoury, The Treasury, Royal Chapel
Good to know: No baby strollers permitted in the palace. Changing of guard and parade usually starts at 12.15pm on weekdays and 1.15pm on Sunday and public holidays. It last about 40 minutes.
For more details, see my posting here: [SWEDEN] Stockholm – Royal Palace.
Riddarholmen Church also located in Gamla Stan. It is the memorial and burial church of the Swedish monarchs.
Entrance fee: 50 SEK (adult) combined ticket including Royal Palace is 180 SEK (adult)
What to see: Coat of arms of the knights of the Order of the Seraphim, sarcophagus of the royal Swedish family
City Hall is known for being the annual host of the Nobel Prize Banquet. It also offers beautiful panoramic view of Stockholm from its tower.
How to get there: walk from Rådhuset/T-centralen metro station, bus 3 & 50 Stadshuset stop
Guided tour: Sept-May (hourly from 9am till 3pm), 100 SEK, last for 45 minutes
City Hall Tower: May & Sept (every 40 minutes from 9.15-15.55), Jun-Aug (every 40 minutes from 9.15-17.15), 40 SEK, last for 35 minutes
Fjallgatan view point, another famous place for panoramic view of the city. Alternatively, you can go to Katarina Elevator which is nearby.
How to get there: Slussen metro station
Entrance fee: free
Vasa Museum
How to get there: The easiest way will be take metro to Kungstradgarden station, then take tram No.7 towards Waldermarsudde and get down at Nordiska Museet / Vasamuseet station.
Entrance fee: 130 SEK (adult) and 100 SEK (student)
Opening Hours: 1 June – 31 August: Daily 8.30-18.00, 1 September – 31 May: Daily 10-17 (Wednesday 10-20)
What to see: 69m long 17th century warship, Vasa, and the ten different exhibitions around the ship
Highly recommended. For more details, see my posting here: [SWEDEN] Stockholm – Vasa Museum.
Drottningholm Palace
How to get there: Take metro to Brommaplan station, then take bus (176, 177, 301-323) to Drottningholm Palace.
Entrance fee: Palace 130 SEK (adult), Chinese Pavilion 100 SEK, combined ticket 190 SEK
Opening Hours: The palace opens daily from April – September, Friday – Sunday in October and weekends only at all other times. The Palace Park is opened all year round.
What to see:
Palace - Hedvig Eleonora’s State Bedchamber, Ehrenstrahl Drawing Room, the extravagant staircase, etc.
Other Buildings in palace compound: Guard’s Tent, Chinese Pavilion
For more details, see my posting here: [SWEDEN] Stockholm – Drottningholm Palace.
Chinese Pavilion
Opening Hours: closed from October – April, opens in May – August daily from 11-16.30 and in September daily from 12-15.30
Make sure to allocate your time accordingly as the distance between the palace and Chinese Pavilion is at least 15-minutes-walk away and it closes earlier than the palace
Where to stay:
It is recommended to stay around city center near Central Station or the old town, Gamla Stan. Most attraction is within walking distance. I chose to stay at Comfort Hotel Xpress Stockholm. It is conveniently located just above Stockholm Central Station. After getting down from Arlanda Express, I just need to take a lift to go one floor up to reach Comfort Hotel. It has a lobby bar where you collect your room key.
It is considered budget accommodation although it cost SEK 2,270 for two nights (about 125 USD per night) including complimentary breakfast. I opt for the cheapest room, economy double room with no windows. The room is really small, the double bed is sandwiched between walls, there’s no extra legroom. Check latest room rate at Agoda, Booking.com, and Expedia.
This is how the toilet look like with a shower head at the side.
The room is as small as it can get. No wardrobe whatsoever.
The only redeeming quality is the location and its complimentary breakfast.
The restaurant of the hotel has a really cool drink dispenser. You just need to place your glass at the counter top and select your drink (apple juice, orange juice or cold water) from the flat screen. The tap will automatically fill the glass with the selected drink.
Where to eat:
Swedish meatballs is a must try dish. Meatballs For The People is a restaurant and bar serving at least 5 different Swedish meat balls every day.
Opening hours: 11.00-22.00 (Sun-Thu) and 11.00-24.00 (Fri-Sat).
Website: www.meatball.se/en-se
For main dish, you can either choose meatballs with potato or with spaghetti.
Icebar at Nordic C Hotel is famous for being the world’s first permanent ice bar.
Entrance fee: 210 SEK per adult including an alcoholic drink / 170 SEK with alcohol-free drink, Hotel guest 170 SEK, child (3-17 years) 99 SEK
Opening hours during peak season:
Sun-Thu: 11.15am-midnight
Fri-Sat: 11.15am – 1am
Opening hours during non-peak season:
Sun-Thu: 4.30pm-midnight
Fri-Sat: 3.45pm – 1am
What to buy:
Many souvenirs to choose from, ranging from fridge magnets to mini Viking figurines. Would recommend to buy a Dala Horse which is a traditionally carved, painted wooden horse.
For food to bring home, you can consider buying Saltlakrits, a salty liquorice that Swedish people like. It’s an acquired taste though, so buy at your own risk.
Goodbye, Stockholm. It’s been an enjoyable trip.
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