Things to See in Stockholm

Stockholm’s old town Gamla Stan is one of the most iconic areas, and it is considered as one of the best preserved medieval heritage sites in all of Europe. Gamla Stan is lined with cobblestone streets surrounded by beautiful colourful houses. The city’s oldest square, Stortorget, is a spot you do not want to miss, with its long history and quaint houses. And on the east side of the island most boat tours depart, so hop on board!

Stockholm’s Royal Palace, also found on the Gamla Stan island, is one of the largest in Europe, with more than 600 rooms. The Palace is the official residence of the King of Sweden, but big parts are open for visitors. It was mainly built in the 18th century, on the spot where the Tre Kronor castle had burned down in 1697. The combination of royal residence, workplace and historical monument makes this place unique amongst Europe's royal residences, especially since it's open year round.

The Royal Palace is styled like a Roman palace and decorated in baroque style. Its 600 rooms are divided over 11 floors, and most of these are open to visitors. Because it is the residence of the King, not all rooms can be entered, but you'll be able to visit areas like the reception rooms, the Rikssalen (Hall of State) with Queen Kristina's silver throne, and Ordenssalarna (Halls of the Orders of Chivalry).

The boulevard of Östermalm is one of the most exclusive addresses in the city, with magnificent buildings right by the waterside. From here you have beautiful views of Gamla Stan and Skeppsholmen, and the Strandvägen area connects Djurgården to the rest of the city. The magnificent buildings on this street were completed just in time for the Stockholm World’s Fair in 1897. The many majestic apartment buildings are designed in the Revivalist style, with as prime example the Bünsow building, designed by Gustaf Clason, which looks like a French chateau.

Östermalm is both the most densely populated and the most expensive part of Stockholm, with the most expensive houses in all of Sweden. Its grid pattern streets are lined with tall apartment blocks in bright colours. A lot of the land is owned by the royal government, so a lot of cultural institutions, embassies and some government buildings can be found here. It's a beautiful area to wander around, and also the departure point of a lot of river cruises and water taxis. 

The island of Djurgården is a huge mostly green area, full of museums, historical buildings, the theme park Gröna Lund and the open air museum Skansen. Formerly a forest where the royal family kept game for sport hunting. it's still green and lush. With attractions, museums and a huge amount of green space, it has become a popular area for both locals and visitors. 

Aside from being a lovely place to walk, Djurgården is home to some of Stockholm's best known museums and attractions. Museums include the Vasa Museum, Skansen-Museum and the Spritmuseum, but also the ABBA museum and the Viking museum, which are exciting tourist attractions. Many historical buildings are also open for visitors, and the many gardens on the grounds are beautiful areas for a stroll.

While Stockholm itself only contains 14 islands, the archipelago extends way beyond the city limits, including many green and uninhabited islands. While not part of the city itself, the (inhabited) islands are easy to travel to, and our boat tours take you through the area and guide you past its landmarks. The contrast between the bustling city and the quiet waters is fascinating, and a trip through the archipelago is the perfect way to unwind.

Besides Stockholm and its suburbs, the archipelago also offers other unique spots. The island group of Fjäderholmarna is just outside the city, but brings you back into the past, with artisan shops, galleries, bars and restaurants that offer local produce. Further from the city is Vaxholm, a lively waterside town with many hotspots. Across from the town harbour is the Vaxholm fortress, built to protect the city of Stockholm from outsiders. Now open to visitors, it shows the history of city defense, including many historical relics. And of course, like in all of Sweden, "allemansrätten" applies to the empty islands and forests, the right to camp anywhere, as long as you do it peacefully. But if you prefer some comfort, there are plenty of campgrounds, hotels and bed&breakfasts on the islands as well.