Travelling to Scandinavia, and more specifically to Sweden, was one of my biggest travel dreams. It may be my addiction to the series “Vikings”, or the fact that in my mind, there everything works completely different than in Greece, from the organization to... the weather! As soon as I found cheap tickets, the want became must and so my trip to the capital of Sweden, Stockholm became a reality!
A few words about the city
Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and at the same time the largest city in the country. It is located on the east coast of Sweden and at the entrance of Lake Melaren, with the population in the municipality of Stockholm reaching 921.504 inhabitants, while in the wider urban area 1.372.565 inhabitants. Its name means "City between bridges", since it is built on 14 islands which are joined by more than 50 bridges! Because of this "peculiarity" , many call it “Venice of the North”, and not unfairly. If you love the cold, then Stockholm is the ideal city for you and I will try to help you get to know it better below.
Gamla Stan
Stockholm's Old Town (Gamla Stan) is the most beautiful and of course the most touristic district of the city. Start your wanderings from Stortorget square, with its colorful-feature houses, where the town is said to have been founded seven centuries ago. The Square is a meeting point, but also a protest point for the locals, while during the Christmas season it is famous for its Christmas market. There you will also find the Nobel Museum (Nobel Museet), where the history of the prizes and all those who have won them is presented through screenings and archives.
Continue walking through the narrow cobbled streets to reach the Town's Castle (Kungliga Slotted), which is the official residence of the Swedish royal family. This huge palace has 600 rooms, museums and exhibition spaces, but you will not be able to visit all of them, as it houses the official offices of the Swedish monarchy and so from there the king exercises his duties as head of state every day.
A few meters further you will find the impressive Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan), which is dedicated to St. Nicholas. It is built in the 13th century, in a Gothic style and is obviously lacking in pomp and extravagance compared to its catholic counterparts, but it exudes through its simple decoration a sense of peace and jubilation.
Another temple located in the Old Town is the Old German Church (Tyska Kyrkan). It is a Lutheran Church built in the 15th century and took its name from the neighborhood in which it is located (Tyska Brinken), which in the middle ages was dominated by the Germans. Finally, in Gamla stan there is also the Ridarholm temple (Riddarholmskyrkan), which is a funerary Church of the Swedish monarchs. There are buried most of the monarchs of Sweden by Gustavus Adolphus (1632 AD) to Gustaf II (1950) (with only one exception, Queen Christina who is buried in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome). The operation of the church stopped in 1807, due to the creation of the royal cemetery and today it is considered a memorial site.
Djurgården
Djurgården is one of Stockholm's several islands and is called, not unfairly, Museum Island, as it is home to some of the city's most interesting museums, historic buildings and art galleries. The island is part of the Stockholm National Park, and this is perfectly noticeable at first glance, since everywhere you look you will see green. Your trip to this island can be either on foot or with a ferryboat, or in the summer months, with a tram that only makes the specific route.
The Vaasa Museum (Vaasa Museet) is one of the most interesting museums I have ever visited, although it is dedicated to a single exhibit. It is a Swedish huge warship (Vasa type) of 1628 found in excellent condition at the bottom of the Port of Stockholm after about 400 years. It was in such good condition, that inside were found clothes, tools and various accessories that are also on display in the museum and turn it into a window into the past. Admission costs 170 krona for adults (that is about 16e), and for those under 18 it is free.
A few meters further is one of Stockholm's most popular attractions, the first open museum, Skansen. It is essentially a vast area, where crossing it you can see the whole Swedish tradition. Zoos, parks and all the buildings of the Swedish province in miniature (churches, houses, bakeries, hen houses, etc.) in combination, during the summer months, with actors, they will introduce you to the Scandinavian everyday life. Admission costs 220 krona for adults (ie about 21e) and 70 for children up to 15 years (ie about 6.5e).
Right across the street is the Nordic Museum (Nordiska Museet), which I would describe as a folklore museum, as it has a variety of thematic exhibits around the history of Sweden and its people. Of particular interest are the collections that present the clothing of Swedes, with clothes and jewelry, as well as the interior decoration of houses, in the last 4-5 centuries in the Scandinavian capital. Admission costs 140 kroner for adults (ie about 13e), while children enter for free.
Another original museum is the one dedicated to the legendary ABBA band (Abba Museet). If you are a fan of the band or love disco music, then this place is ideal for you. There you will find some of their costumes, musical instruments, records, you will have the opportunity to create your own videoclip and remember with nostalgia this era through audiovisual presentations. Be careful because in this Museum they do not accept cash but only a card, while the entrance fee is a bit steep, as it costs 310 krona for adults (ie about 29e) and 155 for children (ie about 15e).
However, the trademark of the island is not a museum, but the Gröna Lund. It is a huge amusement park, which is the favorite recreation place of Stockholm residents, but also one of the main tourist destinations, attracting over 10 million visitors every year. If you have children with you, they will love the dozens of impressive games, while if you are lucky you can achieve a concert or an event.
Norrmalm
Norrmalm, the northern city, is the part above the old town and is considered one of the most central parts of Stockholm. There is the Royal Garden, Kungsträdgården, a beautiful place of relaxation and meeting for locals and tourists. Around the impressive fountain of the park, there are dozens of pink cherries, which will make your camera catch fire, since the spectacle is dazzling. In the winter months the park turns into an ice rink, while in the summer it hosts outdoor concerts and events.
This is where the Royal Opera House of Stockholm (Kungliga Operan) is located. It is a beautiful building of 1773, forming the national scene of the country. If a performance is played during your stay in the city, do not miss the opportunity to visit it as every year some of the most important shows in Europe are presented.
Sodermalm
Sodermalm, the southern city, is the bohemian suburb below Gamla Stan and for some inexplicable reason is not a tourist area at all. This island represents the "hipster" culture and is one of the most beautiful places to enjoy the view of the city from above, but also to have fun in one of the dozens bars in the area. Also there you will find small galleries, vintage second hand clothes shops and interesting boutiques.
In this part of the city, you will find the Museum of Photography (Fotografiska), an exhibition space different from the rest, which, of course, fits perfectly in the whole aura of the island. The museum exhibits various famous photographs, divided into thematic genres such as love, hate, passion, etc., while the second floor houses special exhibitions of well-knownphotographers. Definitely worth a visit though, but have in mind they do not accept cash but only card.
Kungsholmen
Kungsholmen, the King's island, certainly does not have the glamour of the other Stockholm Islands, nor will you see it written in large letters in travel guides. But it house on it, perhaps the most beautiful building of the city, the City Hall (Stadshuset). It is located by the sea and is visible almost everywhere, with about eight million red bricks, giving it a very impressive character. To enter you need to make a reservation and an English tour is required by the City Hall guide every approximately 45 minutes. Inside you will admire its remarkable halls, especially the one where the Nobel Prize event takes place and the one where the golden mosaics are hosted. Finally, the same mansion is the outer courtyard of the City Hall, with gardens adorned with statues, fountains and colorful plants. Without a doubt it is a hidden diamond that you should not miss.
T-banh stations
It may be the only city in the world whose underground railway is in itself an attraction. If you think about it, this is an open art museum almost free of charge. Take out a ticket that lasts an hour and a half and costs about 4,5e, and wander around Stockholm's T-bahn stations.
One of the most beautiful stations that you should definitely see up close is the Solna Centrum of the red line. The particular station has been voted as the most beautiful underground station in Europe, and its bright red color will make you feel like you are stepping out of the crater of a volcano.
The Stadion station, also of the red line, is very special, which is decorated with colorful rainbows and symbolizes diversity, as the Stockholm Pride festival is organized every year in this part of the city.
In addition, the main terminal, T-Centralen, is worth a look, as it is the first station decorated in 1975 and is dominated by blue in various patterns such as flowers, which according to the artist help passengers clear their minds and relax.
Further, do not leave without seeing the Kungsträdgården station of the blue line, which as I said above means royal garden. Thus, with white, green and red, a reference is made to the history of the garden, but also to the fauna.
Finally, I found the Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan station of the red line particularly impressive. This particular station is located at the Royal Institute of Technology and obviously could not be decorated accordingly. The most impressive exhibits are the five regular polyhedrals, located on the platform, where each of them represents one of the five elements of Plato: fire, water, air, earth and ether.
How to go
In Stockholm there are four airports, Stockholm Arlanda Airport, which is the largest in the city, Bromma Airport, which is the one closest to the centre, and two more Västerås and Skavsta, which are not actually in Stockholm but in two small towns outside, about 100km away and host the so-called low cost companies. The most economical option to travel to Stockholm from Thessaloniki is that of Ryanair (Skavsta Airport), which with proper planning one can find tickets starting from 81€ round trip. If a more comfortable flight is desired, you can choose a flight with Aegean (Arlanda Airport) with a stopover in Athens from 168€ round trip.
Where to stay
Stockholm is a city that, as I mentioned above, is divided into several islands, each having its own character. My suggestion is to avoid Gamla Stan (Old Town), which is the most touristic part of the city and also the most expensive, moving further west to Kungsholmen. This is where the Connect Hotel City is located. This is a 3-star hotel, located close to metro station, in a quiet neighborhood, equipped with the latest technological means (automatic doors, smart tv, laptops) and decorated with the latest fashion. The price in comparison with other hotels in the city is quite good, although the average is especially high. Finally, an economical option and at the same time a special experience is to choose to stay in one of the ferry-hotels located in Sodermalm. There you will find old passenger ships that have been remodeled and offer an original choice of accommodation in a double bunk bed.
How to move
The public transport network in Stockholm is large and highly functional, since it consists of city buses, metro, suburban trains, ferryboats and summer trams. The metro is the easiest way to travel, since there are stops everywhere in the city and you will definitely get where you want. The summer tram runs from central Stockholm to Djurgården and is considered more a means of recreation than of travel. While if the weather is good, use any of the dozens of ships to take a walk in the archipelago. The ticket in public transport is single, that means that you can use it for everything. But it is especially expensive as it costs about 4.5e and takes an hour and a half. Depending on the days you will stay, it would be wiser to take out a travel card to save further expenses. Finally, to be honest I did not see many taxis in the city and the only time I used one, was after phone, something that testifies to their general use in the city. Of course, their price ranges at high levels, like everything, but all cars are thoughtful and luxurious.
What to eat
Initially, if toy want to feel a little Swedes, you need to make a stop for fika. No fika is not some kind of Swedish food, but a piece of Swedish culture. It means meeting with friends for coffee and dessert, where locals make an appointment at one of the hundreds of cafes to catch up and tell their news. An ideal place for coffee and sweet is the traditional and famous Vete-Katten, which is said to have the best sweets in town. Regarding the food, you should try the national dish of Sweden, which is none other than the famous meatballs. The most delicious Swedish meatballs with the traditional Scandinavian recipe can be tasted at funky restaurant Meatballs-for the People. Meatballs from different and strange types of meat such as deer, reindeer, bison etc are served there.
Useful information
In Stockholm we travel with a passport or a new type of Police ID, where the details are indicated in Latin characters.
In Stockholm the language used is, of course, Swedish. But the majority, even older people, speaks English, so ask for clarification in English.
The currency of the country is the Swedish Krona (SEK), and its exchange rate at the moment is 1€ = 10.29 krona.
Stockholm is an hour behind Greece (GMT +2).
The Greek Embassy in Stockholm is located at 16 kommendörsgatan Street and its phone is +468 54566010.
Getting to and from Stockholm's airports is simple, since there are continuous bus services of the company Flygbussarna, which stop at the Central Station of the city.
Despite its northern location, Stockholm has relatively mild weather compared to other cities in a similar geographical location or even further south. However, in winter the cold is very freezing with temperatures well below zero. A typical example is this year, when even the sea froze! But summers are warm and pleasant, with long days where daylight lasts up to 18 hours. So the most ideal time to visit the city is either the cool spring or the relatively warm summer.
Recommended tours → Kiruna (Northern Lights), Uppsala, Gothenburg
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Mouzakidis Pantelis
