"Capital on the islands" Stockholm by Maline

Stockholm Travel Guide: 4,010 reviews and 9,750 photos

Välkommen!

Welcome!
Welcome to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. It is by far the largest city in the country.
It has some 1,9 million inhabitants whereas the next city in population size, Gothenburg is only about half in size.
Of these 1,9 million people, about 700 000 live in the central area of Stockholm and the rest in the farther suburbs.

Stockholm is really beautiful. Really, I don't just make this up!!
There is water everywhere, since the city is built on nothing short of 14 islands. There is a lot of greenery as well with, numerous parks and green areas where you can enjoy nature even within the city boundaries. And did you know there are even beaches centrally located.

Yes, the water is so clean you can swim or go fishing, right in the city centre. Just go for a swim. Try bathing at Langholmen for example.

As any other city,Stockholm has its different faces.
There are the shopping places, the historical monuments, the grand buildings, the trees and parks, the waterfront, the museums, the ugly houses, the cute houses, the horribly expensive parking houses.

The beggars, the rich lady taking her lap dog out for a walk, the urban kidz, the tourists, the businessmen, the students, the occasional visitor, the many cultures.

From the narrow Old Town, to the charming south part, called Soder, the green Djurgarden and all the bridges, as well as fancy fancy places.

To all of this,I also have to add, the archipelago, with many islands that are really easy to get to by boat.

And you have also suburbian Stockholm, where the apartment complexes fill your view everywhere you look, until you think this has never been savage land, until you believe that this human sprawl is something natural, the way it should be. As if houses could grow like trees.

And did you know that one third of the Stockholm area consists of water.
No wonder it is called The Venice of the North...

All of this is Stockholm, and in order to see it, try to visit as many places as you can.

The parliament building

Being the capital, Stockholm is where the official buildings and offices of Sweden are situated. The royal castle, the Rosenbad building where the prime minister has his office for example. And the parliament building which is on Helgeandsholmen, and which is open to the public most week-days. Every kid in Sweden (?) has been on an outing to this place, and visited some boring, or so we thought, session here.

The name of Stockholm was first mentioned in the Cronicle of Eric, written sometime in the 1320's. According to the Eric cronicle, the town was founded by Birger Jarl back in 1252. A pretty old town, huh! Of course in those days, Sweden didnt exist as the nation we know it to be today. Actually, Sweden in its present form didn't appear until the 20th century, the Norway left the union between the two countries, to become independent.

Some fun facts:
Stockholm is the city in the world that has the most one-person households. The single most "single" place is the island of Kungsholmen in central Stockholm. 89% of all the households on this island are one-person households.

The city has the highest concentration of museums in the world, with 70 museums readily available in the vicinity.

In the subway of Stockholm there is a constant art project going on, with exibitions in may of the stations.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful, green, many shops, clubs, museums, multicultural...
Cons:The fall and winter months can be gloomy, housing shortages, increasing poverty
In a nutshell:Go there in may!

Last visit to Stockholm: Dec 2004
Intro Updated Jul 5, 2005
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Reviews (56)

it's all indoors! Shopping (13)

Gallerian mall is just after Sergel square on your way to Kungsträdgården park. This is one of several malls in the... more travel advice

Combo pic from the Theatre bar. - Stockholm

Panoramic views and stylish interior Nightlife (2)

At Sodra Teatern theatre in Mosebacke at Sodermalm in Stockholm there is a bar which serves tapas and drinks. The... more travel advice

Inexpensive footwear. Shopping (13)

Din Sko means Your shoe in Swedish. This shop sells quite inexpensive and ofter ok stylish shoes. A pair of womens... more travel advice

Oriental style clothes and furniture. Shopping (13)

From being a clothes store Indiska has evolved to focusing mainly on home stuff like textilesl, hooks, furniture and... more travel advice

Transportation (4)
See All Subway fares in Stockholm.
Things to Do (21)
See All The lowered square
Off The Beaten Path (5)
See All Now this will be really "off the beaten...
Hotels (1)
Two hostels

Local Customs (5)
See All what are those letters?
Favorites (4)
See All Neighbourhoods: Södermalm
Tourist Traps (1)
Gamla Stan, the old town, is...
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Travelogues (3)

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Comments (103)

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Jim_Eliason Sep 2, 2012 at 9:08 PM

Great page
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Pomocub Jul 22, 2012 at 2:22 AM

Have wanted to go to Stockholm for a very long time, it is definitely on my list. Great introduction.
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unassuming Jul 29, 2008 at 9:32 AM

Thanks for the tips. I am here in Stockholm for a few days by myself and will walk around guided by your info.
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mavl Dec 27, 2006 at 12:31 PM

loved your city, the armory is one of my favorite museums in all of europe. too bad i only got to stay a couple of days. hope you have a great birthday!
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ben_england May 11, 2006 at 9:53 AM

Good page- brought back memories! Who works out the 'the most single people' fact though?! Weird!
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El_Sueco Sep 30, 2005 at 2:13 PM

Tack för kommentaren på hemsidan. Du har gjort fina tips och foton själv.
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budapest8 Aug 30, 2005 at 2:46 PM

great pictures...Wow! Have you been to Ekensberg??I still have a flat there.Used to take the boat into Gamla Stan.
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banivani Aug 27, 2005 at 1:58 PM

I second Maline's suggestion to go swimming at Langholmen. It's amazing! Smack in the middle of the city, and still secluded and almost rural in character! Great tip!
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Anjutka Aug 21, 2005 at 1:47 PM

Hei! Jeg var in Stockholm for kort tid siste sommer. Jeg vet, at det er en vakker by. Jeg häper besöke det igjen. Vennlige hilsner fra Österrike.
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Matty444444444 Aug 7, 2005 at 1:40 PM

Maline..Your great...So explanatory...I LOVE your city and country....We should chat about it some time..I go usually for a few weeks in the winter. I think it is so pretty then. Matt