The largest capital of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Stockholm, combines 14 central islands with 24,000 larger and smaller islands of the Stockholm archipelago, located in one of the three Swedish regions of Svealand. The centralised area of the city is defined by five main suburban districts, where almost two million people reside. The city is connected by 57 bridges on Sweden's third-largest freshwater lake, Mälaren, which flows into the Baltic Sea. Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, which focuses on the development of the fashion, film and music industry, as well as technology and design innovations. The connecting part of the city life in Stockholm is certainly architecture, art and design, which includes the characteristics of traditional and modern culture. Why choose a trip to the capital, known as the Venice of the North, which hosts over 4 million tourists every year, you can find out with practical advice from Hostelling International Slovenia, which provides travel content for your trips.
The history of the creation of the city is defined by the year 1000 and the North Germanic tribe Vikings, who settled the area of present-day Stockholm due to the trade routes through which they traded with other European nations. The name Stockholm was first recorded in 1252. The meaning of the town's name is made up of two Swedish words, stock, meaning half, and holm, meaning island. According to Erikskrönikan, the oldest Swedish chronicle from the first half of the 14th century, the city was founded by Swedish statesman Birger Jarl of the House of Bjelba in order to protect the territory from other nations. The development of the old part of the city of Staden mellan, called Gamla stan, began under the leadership of Birger Jarl and the third Swedish king Magnus Ladulås in the 13th century. In Gamla stan today stands the royal palace and the Swedish parliament riksdag.
Tourist and cultural attractions can be found every step of the way when you walk around the city, which is also easily accessible on foot. To get to know the city and its culture, there are city museums that showcase the history of Stockholm and modern culture in the city. In order to better understand and learn about the city's past, we have selected some city museums for you, where you can get acquainted with the Swedish pop music group Abba, maritime life on a battleship from the 17th century, the period of the North Germanic Viking tribe, modern photographic production and the way of life in different parts of Sweden during the pre-industrial era and the zoo. Start your day with a tour of the Stockholm City Museums:
On your trip and discovering the Stockholm culture as well as the city districts and streets, you will find a tourist guide that makes it much easier to understand the city. The waterproof Stockholm City Map by Lonely Planet is not only a map showing city trails, but it can also help you get to know tourist attractions and communicate with basic phrases in Swedish. Travel tips and a lot of interesting information for travellers are prepared by the journalists of the Hostelling International Slovenia, so I invite you to read the article Exploring Stockholm.
Gamla stan is a small island where the largest medieval old town in Europe is preserved. The streets of the district are surrounded by colourful 17th- and 18th-century houses, tourist attractions, restaurants and bars. The district of the Old Town is famous for its royal palace, which comprises more than 600 rooms and other rooms where the royal residences, museums and the royal chapel are located. The Old Town is a rich architectural legacy with medieval frescoes.
Kungsholmen is an island with residential districts and parks, such as Hornsbergs strandpark, Rålambshovsparken and Kronobergsparken. The island is recognisable by the town hall, which is built of 8 million bricks, and a 106-metre-high tower with its distinctive three crowns. Every year, a Nobel banquet takes place in the Blue Hall of the City Hall, celebrating the Nobel Prizes. Cultural features of the district include the Kungsholmen Church and Kristineberg Palace.
Norrmalm is a business district that houses various museums such as the National and Modern Museum and other cultural institutions such as the Opera House, the Stockholm Concert Hall and the Cultural Centre, as well as the Kulturhuset Stadsteatern City Theatre. Much of the district was developed in the early second half of the 20th century, along with the T-Centralen main metro station, which began operating in 1957. The business district offers, among other things, the viewing of film performances in a number of cinemas.
Östermalm is the largest district of the Stockholm metropolitan area, with numerous cultural institutions, an Olympic stadium and a large Östermalms saluhall market. In the district of Östermalm, one of the largest public libraries in the world is the Library Kunglige, where all printed works that have been published in Sweden are kept. The largest district of Östermalm, with its Swedish History Museum and other cultural venues, exhibits historical exhibits of the Swedish nation and culture.
Södermalm was once a poor district of the working people, after which it became an important meeting point for alternative culture and artistic production. The modern district of Södermalm offers a range of fashion shops, museums and countless tourist attractions or nightclubs for entertainment. A feature of the district is the 500-meter-long Monteliusvägen walking trail with panoramic views of the town hall, Lake Mälaren and Riddarholmen Island, which is part of the island and the old town of Gamla stan.
With this selection of activities in Stockholm, we bring a lot of fresh ideas for engaging in the Scandinavian capital and getting acquainted with the traditions and culture of the Swedish city of Stockholm. When deciding which museums and tours to choose for sightseeing or relaxation, we suggest that you choose a digital Go City ticket, thus gaining access to 45 tourist activities within the city. At the same time, we have prepared other interesting activities for you to take part in on your trip to Stockholm. The first activity takes you into a world intertwined with history and myth, into a unique experience while walking with ghosts, while the second activity introduces you to the work of Avicii in the interactive museum of the Dj's electronic music, and the third activity is a gondola ride to the Avicii arena:
The following three activities are perfectly designed for all those who like deliciously prepared dishes and would like to experience the Swedish culinary scene and take the historical paths of the Vikings in the cities of Sigtuna and Uppsala or independently decide to hike in the Stockholm forest, where you can experience a fire-prepared lunch with the Swedish Fika. An introduction to the traditionally prepared dishes of Swedish gastronomy, Viking culture with a tour of the oldest Swedish town of Sigtuna and exploring the flora and fauna with the preparation of a sustainable lunch can be experienced with three selected activities that present Sweden as well as its diverse culture:
The last selection of three activities is intended for sports enthusiasts, as well as those who would like to get to know Stockholm from Lake Mälaren or travel from Stockholm to the nearby city of Helsinki. Kayaking on the water is organized not far from the centre of Stockholm with a ride along the island of Vaxholm, where the Vikings once lived. A boat tour to the city's embankments and the island of Fjäderholmarna with a guide presents some facts about Stockholm, including its building heritage and the Djurgården Royal Park. A cruise and overnight stay in a four-person cabin across the Baltic Sea to Helsinki offers relaxation on a cruise ship with various activities. Choose your water activity:
The Scandinavian capital Stockholm should become your reality with Hostelling International Slovenia, which advises you on your travel with current tourist advice on the history of the city, activities and cultural attractions, without which it is impossible to get to know another country. Before going to Stockholm, read the first and second part of the City Break in Stockholm, where you find out about life in the city and everything it has to offer. When you decide to send a postcard to your loved ones, take a photo from your favourite cultural sights and send your first free MyPostcard right from our profile. Use the promo code HIGlobetrotter and choose from a variety of postcard designs. Prepare well for your trip to Scandinavia. See you in Stockholm!
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