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Sweden’s colorful capital is attracting more and more tourists every year. Whilst the weather and prices still put many people off, the culture and sites are some of the best in Europe. If you’re thinking jetting off to Stockholm, here are some travel tips before you book that flight.
When to Go?
When you choose to go depends largely on what you’re after. If it’s a relaxing holiday, you’re best off going in the summer when the temperature is highest and the daylight hours are longest. This is however the most pricey season, so for those simply wanting to travel on a budget, the winter months after Christmas are much more ideal both for accommodation and travel prices.
Getting Around
There are all kinds of ways to get around Stockholm from bus to train. The city’s taxi service is very reliable – it’s worth using a service such as booktaxistockholm to book in advance. You can also take a boat to get around much of Stockholm. The city is spread over 14 islands, although most of these are connected by road and rail.
Food and Drink
Eating out is expensive in Stockholm. Alcoholic drinks in particular cost a small fortune. You’re best off getting food and drink from supermarkets or eating food from street vendors. There are also a number of buffet restaurants throughout the city, in which you can enjoy all you can eat for a budget price. There are also lots of affordable and authentic smaller cafes down side streets where you can still enjoy local food such as meatballs and various meats.
What to See
Taking a hike around Gamla Stan is well worthwhile. This is the old town of Stockholm, famous for its multi-colored buildings, museums and cathedral. Riddarholm church is the famous spired building you’ll see in postcards and is the burial church of the Swedish monarchs. It also happens to be one of the oldest buildings in Stockholm.
The Royal Palace is nearby. This is the official home of the Swedish monarch – still used today as their official place of residence. Taking a boat tour is a worthwhile venture for seeing the sites. These can be costly but are well worth the views, offering many photo opportunities.
For those looking for something a little more unusual to do, the Vasa Museum is a great place to start, containing a 17th Century version of the Titanic. Stockholm’s underground R1 nuclear reactor can also be visited – the first nuclear reactor built in Sweden. Be sure to also take the metro to see what is essentially the world’s longest art gallery.