September 2, 2024, 4:08 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
On May 14, all of Europe will be looking to Stockholm, when the final of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2016 takes place in the Swedish capital. This is reason enough to take a trip there. Stockholm offers something for all tastes. Here are six tips for a quick visit.
1. Be sure to visit Gamla stan on your first visit to Stockholm!
Gamla stan, the old town, is a good starting point for exploring Stockholm and an absolute must-see destination during a visit. If you don’t mind the obligatory hordes of tourists and souvenir stores, you’ll enjoy the pretty architecture and many nice cafés. For many tourists, Stockholm Castle, which, like Gamla stan, is located on the island of Stadsholmen, is also a must-see.
2. Shopping and hanging out in Södermalm
Every metropolis has its trendy district, in Stockholm, it’s Södermalm. Cafés, fashion stores, and design stores, with sometimes bleak architecture, but with the aura of hip and creative people: For several years now, the district has met all the criteria for a trendy neighborhood. The main artery of Södermalm is Götgatan. Close to the major north-south axis, relatively to the north, is the fictional “Millennium” editorial office from Stieg Larsson’s crime novels. If you are looking for a lifestyle in Stockholm during your visit, Södermalm is the place to be.
3. Experience the jet-setting lifestyle in Östermalm
The contrast to Södermalm: The Östermalm district is where the rich and famous meet to go out and show off. It is often reported that Princess Madeleine of Sweden, for example, can be spotted in the nightlife. The heart of the district is the central Stureplan. If you go out there, you will have to pay a little extra on top of the already high prices in Stockholm. If that’s too out of the ordinary for you, take a stroll through Östermalm during the day. The walk along the waterfront along the Strandvägen boulevard to Djurgården is particularly worthwhile.
4. A visit to Scandinavia’s most popular museum
The warship “Vasa” sank on its maiden voyage in 1628, when it had only just left the harbor. More than 300 years later, the ship was salvaged – and it can now be admired restored and in full size in the Vasa Museum on the island of Djurgården. It looks like an old pirate ship, you might think – but the Vasa was part of the royal fleet. Visitors to the museum learn a lot about seafaring and Sweden in the 17th century. This is not only interesting for nautical fans and historians. The figures speak for themselves: the Vasamuseet is the most visited museum in Scandinavia.
5. A visit to Gröna Lund with the family
If you are traveling to Stockholm with children, you can break up the sightseeing program with a visit to Gröna Lund amusement park. There are roller coasters, wild rides, and relaxed carousels. The Free Fall Tower offers a beautiful view over the city. Just opposite Gröna Lund is the Skansen open-air museum with farms, mills, and craft stores. Alternatively, there is the Junibacken theme park, where children can immerse themselves in the world of the characters from Astrid Lindgren’s children’s books.
6. Enjoy nature in the archipelago
If you live in Stockholm, the answer to the question of where to find beautiful nature close to the city is in the archipelago. Stockholm is lucky enough to be located on the water. To the east of the city center, there are around 30,000 islands, skerries, and rocks – a natural paradise just outside the city. Ferry trips are relaxed. Those who like it more active can hire a boat or kayak. The archipelago is the place where Stockholm tourists can experience the rural ease of Swedish summer life for a day.
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Travel information for a visit to Stockholm
How to get there: There are direct flights to Stockholm from several German airports with various airlines.
Accommodation: Hotels and other accommodations in Stockholm are not exactly cheap. For a double room in a three-star hotel, prices of between 120 and 200 euros per night are not uncommon.
Money: Sweden is part of the EU, but not the Eurozone. Payment is made in Swedish krona. One euro is equivalent to around 9.20 kronor. Payment by credit card is possible almost everywhere.
The German original of this article was published in 2016.