Did you know that Sweden is the home of Spotify, the beloved rock group ABBA, IKEA, Volvo, Saab and Absolut Vodka and many other companies we've come to know and love? It is also where five of the Nobel Prizes originated, thanks to their founder, Alfred Nobel. Sweden’s dynamic, very diverse capital and largest city, Stockholm is a glorious treasure trove of architecture, culture, cuisine, art and nature. Situated at the junction of Lake Mälar and Salt Bay, an arm of the Baltic Sea, opposite the Gulf of Finland, Stockholm is built upon 14 islands as well as the mainland of Uppland and Södermanland.
The city is made up of one-third each of greenery, water and buildings. Just 20 minutes from Stockholm, visitors can travel to the Stockholm Archipelago, with an astonishing 30,000 islands. The Stockholm Pass, which is highly recommended for travel on buses (including two of the Hop on/Hop Off’s) metro, tram and local ferries, takes visitors to the islands as well.
Hej! Quite similar to our “hey,” that is the Swedish greeting and in this friendly culture, we heard it as soon as we entered shops or passed folks in the street. At times, Swedes stopped us to have informal chats, such as the two high school girls who stopped me outside a shop in the Old Town (Gamla Stan) to see if I would agree to be interviewed for their Spanish class. Surprisingly, they somehow chose the right person, since I DO speak Spanish. While visiting the splendid synagogue of Stockholm, near Gamla Stan, we also met Michael, a Stockholm-based record producer who heard us speaking, and wanted to converse about U.S. politics. Swedes
almost always speak excellent English - even the children, but they much appreciate a word or two in Swedish if you try.
Stockholm enjoys one of the highest concentrations of museums in the world. The most unique one is the indoor Vasa Museum, an incredible gem housing the near-intact, enormous 17th century warship Vasa, reassembled to 98 percent original state after it was salvaged from its 1628 sinking into the ocean bed in Stockholm’s harbor. Be sure to watch the superb film in the museum documenting its history and restoration. Other notable and excellent museums include the nearby Nordic Museum (Nordiska museet,) Sweden’s largest museum of cultural history. This magnificent museum building is one of Stockholm’s true landmarks. The Nordic Museum is well worth several hours, as it is home to a variety of exhibitions on fashion and textiles, furniture and interiors, china and table settings, folk art, jewelry, photography, trends, and traditions. There is also a fascinating separate exhibition
about the only indigenous people in Sweden, the Sami.
Two other notable museums include the Nobel Museum, which has displays on the prize and its history, as well as on the recipients. Fotografiska is one of the world’s largest showcases for contemporary photography. Four unique large exhibitions and about 20 smaller exhibitions are presented annually at this renowned facility.
Our personal favorite, however, is the Skansen Open Air Museum, the world’s oldest open air museum. We wished we had days to explore its many Swedish splendors. Skansen is home to an excellent aquarium, an African animal exhibit and numerous cafes, market stalls and a large Swedish folk art shop. Here, tourists can discover Sweden’s history and find out how Swedes once lived through the customs and traditions, work, celebrations and everyday life. Swedish traditions such as Midsummer, Walpurgis Night and Lucia are celebrated at Skansen. Before exiting the grounds, we relished our grilled Wild Man sausages with honey mustard, followed by roasting marshmallows sold in a kiosk over a fire pit.
Beyond the many museums, expansive green spaces and parks and bustling cafes and nightspots, a must-do is a long stroll through Gamla Stan, Stockholm's oldest district and one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in the world, dating from 1252 AD. The Italian Baroque Royal Palace, one of the largest palaces in the world, with over 600 rooms, is also here. Home to the King of Sweden, this is open to the public. In addition to the reception rooms, there are five museums in the Palace, including the Royal Armory, with royal costumes and armor. Check out the parade of soldiers and the daily changing of the guard.
The winding cobblestoned lanes are lined with shops full of handicrafts, antiques and art galleries. The Royal Palace and Stockholm Cathedral are also in Gamla Stan. This is the perfect area to indulge in traditional Swedish dishes or stop in a coffee shop for “fika,” a very Swedish custom of meeting up for a coffee and a pastry, often a traditional cinnamon roll. The eclectic and very Scandinavian-cool Hotel Kung Carl is perfectly situated within steps-away distance from a Hop-on, Hop-off stop as well as being in the heart of the downtown area full of restaurants, museums, shops, etc. Its Jazz nights in the atrium lobby are a very popular Stockholmers meeting spots, and the included breakfast brunch is sumptuous and delectable, with a huge variety of Swedish and international offerings.
Stockholm is somehow overlooked by many who opt for the Big Three of London, Paris and
Rome, but this delightful, vibrant and very unique city has so much to offer - without the crowds.
Välkommen (welcome!)