Stockholm
Sweden
Backpacking Stockholm
Information on Stockholm, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, where everything is photogenic and picturesque – the parks, the islands, the harbor, and the historic colored houses dating back hundreds of years. When it comes to cultural assets, Stockholm is incredibly rich. Take Gamla Stan. The city's oldest district is the stuff of storybooks. Complete with prerequisite royal palace, gabled buildings and razor-thin cobblestone streets, it's hands down one of Europe’s most enchanting, impeccably preserved historic centers. Across the city, world-class museums and galleries inform and provoke, harboring everything from glittering Viking treasures and an ill-fated warship, to Abba props and subversive contemporary art. Stockholm is easy in all the right ways. Despite being spread across 14 islands, it's a relatively compact city, and walking is often the best way to get around. Bridges connect most of the islands, while ferries and the metro link the rest. Public transport is safe, smooth and efficient, covering every corner of the city. Nearly all signs are written in Swedish and English, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a local who doesn't speak near-perfect English.
Must See
Old Town - The bustling, compact island of Gamla Stan is the city’s old town, with cobbled streets and colorful 17th- and 18th-century buildings. Here you’ll see the Nobel Museum, the Royal Palace, and the homes of the aristocracy. It is one of the best preserved Old Towns in Europe due to lack of cars & pollution and you will be able to admire the stunning medieval architecture and enjoy the bustling cafes.
Vasa Museum - This museum houses the world’s only preserved 17th-century ship. The Vasa was so poorly built that it sank a mile from the dock. The cold sea preserved the ship and the museum all does a wonderful job of putting the ship into historical context.
Subway Art - At 110km long, the subway system in Stockholm could be considered the world’s longest art exhibition. In total there are 100 subway stations – 90 of which are decorated with paintings, light installations and mosaics from over 150 artists.
Stockholm by Bike - Cycling round the city is one of the best free things to do in Stockholm. Tracing the downtown shoreline while dodging in-line skaters and ice-cream trolleys (rather than cars and buses), you can pedal the watery perimeters of the old town (Gamla Stan) and along the trendy shore of Lake Mälaren, with the sun shining red and orange and gold through the cocktails and beers on the tables of its outdoor lakeside cafés.
Must Do
Hang at Djurgarden Island - Djurgarden is an island right in the middle of Stockholm. You can take a walking tour, eat at a relaxing restaurant, enjoy the amusement park, and visit a historic Swedish village. There are a lot of easy walking paths here too and it’s a popular spot for a picnic. In the summer, it’s a popular place for people watching or lounging out with a book. On Djurgarden you can also visit Skansen, which was the first open-air museum in the world. It’s also a zoological garden specializing in Nordic fauna, such as moose, reindeer, bear, wolf, lynx, and wolverine.
Explore the Archipelago - Stockholm is surrounded by 30,000 beautiful islands and waterways. To see the entire city you need to explored the archipelago. The good tours are take a full day and take you out to more secluded islands. Tours only operate during the summer.
Nightlife
Stockholm is known for its nightclubs and bars. It may be expensive but Swedes love to go out and party. Stockholm has a vibrant club scene with something for every taste and age. You will find everything from casual bars with dance floors to clubs of the highest international standard. In Stockholm, you can dance all night away with a cocktail in hand at the glitzy clubs around Stureplan or check out the latest underground techno and house vibes while letting go to the sounds of the latest house on Södermalm. During summer the city is suddenly flooded with outdoor clubs and patios where you can dance beneath the stars until sunrise. Summer is also a popular time for day parties, with dance floors packed in the afternoon.
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