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Stockholm Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Stockholm
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Stockholm Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Stockholm - The Swedish capital, Stockholm, is not only
Scandinavia's largest city but also its most enchanting, with its
centuries-old alleyways and squares being spread across an
archipelago of 14 islands. Locals are extremely proud of the fact
that here one can go ocean-fishing in the heart of the
city.
This historic metropolis with a small town
heart also boasts a multitude of museums, an abundance of
restaurants, a plethora of parks, fun fairs, a never-ending
nightlife (licensing hours extend until 5am) and a rich cultural
life. It all adds up to 'never a dull moment', particularly in the
summer when the sun virtually never sets because of its being
positioned in the far northern latitudes. Most
tourists are initially drawn to the quaint Gamla Stan (old town), a
warren of narrow cobbled-stone streets overshadowed by historic
houses, radiating out from the sumptuous Royal Castle where Swedish
royalty has resided since the 13th century. Despite the medieval
heritage, Stockholm is no staid, old-fashioned enclave. Citizens
have developed a reputation for being trendy, daring and
innovative, especially in the global realms of IT and fashion,
often setting the pace in the design and technology
fields. Stockholmers are also immensely
concerned with the environment, and the city-scape is made up of
one-third water, one-third green space, one-third buildings and the
cleanest air of any city in the world. Take a deep breath, pack a
picnic, hop aboard a ferry, and make for one of the parks where you
will undoubtedly be treated to a free concert; or head for the
legendary shopping districts of Biblioteksgatan (exclusive European
boutiques), Odengatan (antique treasures), Drottningsgatan,
Harrngatan, Hotorget or Stureplan. There is culture to be soaked up
too, with more than 150 museums to visit, art festivals galore,
architecture to be admired (including the City Hall where the Nobel
Prize banquet takes place), and a world-renowned Opera to
attend. It may be old, but Stockholm is a
destination for the young and energetic, as yet not over-run with
tourists like many other European capitals.
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Stockholm
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Royal Djurgården
A 10-minute walk from the city centre across the
Djurgarden bridge
www.skansen.se |
What is it? Stockholm's main attractions are conveniently
packaged close to the heart of the city on the island of
Djurgården, crammed with entertainment options, museums,
restaurants and wooded green space. Once upon a time the island was
a royal hunting ground. Now visitors can hunt for souvenirs at the
Handarbetets Vanner (handicraft centre); browse the art galleries;
enjoy thrills and spills at Gröna Lund, Sweden's oldest amusement
park; explore Sweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum; meet
Nordic wildlife at the zoo; and watch folk dancing. Also on the
island, accessed with a pleasant stroll along the waterfront, is
the Junibacken fairy-tale fun centre, the National Museum of
Cultural History and the fascinating Vasa Museum featuring a fully
rigged restored 17th-century galleon raised from Stockholm harbour.
Top off the day with a meal at one of the many excellent
restaurants.
Hours of Operation: Grona Lund opens between May and September, days and
hours vary. Skansen opens daily 10am to 4pm, up to 10pm in the
height of the summer season
Phone:(0)8 442 8000 (Skansen) |
2. Royal Palace and Gamla Stan
Slottsbacken
www.royalcourt.se |
What is it? The official Swedish Royal residence is one
of the largest and most glorious palaces in Europe, dating from
1754 (although it was built on the remains of an earlier medieval
castle). The Baroque edifice is in the heart of Gamla Stan, the old
city, and many of its 608 staterooms are open to the public all
year round. Visitors can admire the Hall of State, the Royal
Treasury, Apartment of the Orders of Chivalry, Gustav III Museum of
Antiquities and the Royal Chapel. In front of the palace the
changing of the guard ceremony takes place each day (12.15pm, and
1.15pm on Sundays) with splendid pomp and ceremony that rivals the
similar tradition played out at Britain's Buckingham Palace. Gamla
Stan itself is a treasure-trove of Swedish architecture from the
17th century. Today tourists throng the alleyways, once notorious
for brothels, but now lined with shops and restaurants, and admire
the 13th-century Cathedral, the Storkyrkan.
Hours of Operation: Closed Mondays. Open 10am to 4pm (15 May to 14
September), 12pm to 3pm (15 September to 14 May). Closed 8-31
January and subject to closer according to the King's official
duties
Phone:(0)8 402 6130 |
3. City Hall
Hantverkargatan 1
www2.stockholm.se/cityhall |
What is it? Stockholm's main landmark, the distinctive
red brick City Hall (Stadshuset) building, has stood on Kungsholmen
(King's Island) since 1923 and become world-renowned as the venue
for the annual Nobel Prize Banquet. The rather practical and
austere façade, dominated by three golden crowns atop a tower,
hides an extraordinary art nouveau interior. The plush council
chamber itself has a vaulted ceiling resembling an inverted Viking
longboat, echoing the Viking tradition of using overturned vessels
as shelter in winter. Most impressive, though, is the magnificent
Golden Hall, its walls covered with handmade mosaics. The view of
Stockholm from the tower is unsurpassed.
Hours of Operation: Tours depart daily at 10am, 11am, 12pm and 2pm in
June, July and August, and at 10am and 12pm daily the rest of the
year. The tower is open daily from 10am to 4.15pm
Phone:(0)8 5082 9058 |
Stockholm
holidays - Top Events
1. Midsummers Eve
From
To
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What is it? Sweden's most beloved of festivals,
Midsummer, is a national holiday celebrated around the country with
great gusto. In Stockholm thousands enjoy the festivities laid on
at the Skansen open-air museum, which centre around the raising of
a garlanded maypole. Dancing and singing around the maypole is
spurred on by the consumption of plenty of schnapps and beer. The
festival has its roots in ancient pagan fertility rituals but for
modern Swedes it is an excuse to enjoy a wild party as they emerge
from the long, dark winter.
Where is it? |
2. Polar Music Prize Days
From 2007-05-01
To 2007-05-31
|
What is it? Each year the world's most prestigious music
award is made in Stockholm, preceded by several days of activities
such as live performances, workshops, seminars, film shows and
exhibitions at various locations around the city. The city comes
alive with the celebration of music in this event founded in 1989
by the late Stig Anderson, manager of Scandinavian supergroup,
ABBA. The prize is administered by the Royal Swedish Academy of
Music and has been won over the years by the likes of Sir Paul
McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin and B.B.
King.
Where is it? Prize ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall; allied events
at various venues around the city |
3. Skansen Christmas Market
From 2006-12-02
To 2006-12-17
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What is it? The ideal place to do your Christmas shopping
and imbibe some true traditional Scandinavian Christmas spirit is
the huge Skansen Christmas market, which draws about 25,000
visitors every weekend in the run-up to the festive season. The
historic houses and homesteads that make up the outdoor museum
radiate music and warmth while revellers admire craft products,
sample the traditional Swedish Christmas brew called 'glõgg', and
dance around the Christmas tree. Shops and stores are packed with
gift ideas, ornaments, tempting sweets and Christmas
fare.
Where is it? Skansen Outdoor Museum, Djurgården |
4. Stockholm Jazz Festival
From 2007-07-17
To 2007-07-21
|
What is it? After more than 20 years the Stockholm Jazz
Festival has earned a reputation for becoming one of the biggest
and best events of its kind in Europe. Top international and local
jazz, blues, soul, funk and Latin stars perform over the five-day
festival on the island of Skeppsholmen.
Where is it? Main venue: Museum of Modern Art, Skeppsholmen |
5. Stockholm Pride
From 2007-07-30
To 2007-08-05
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What is it? The largest Pride celebration in Scandinavia
is the week-long rainbow carnival that turns Stockholm into a free
zone for the gay and lesbian community. The action is centred on
the largest island, Södermalm, where the Pride Park arena is set up
at Tantolunden featuring a stage, restaurants, shops and varied
attractions. Highlight of the festival week is the spectacular,
colourful parade through the city starting at 3pm on the
Saturday.
Where is it? Pride Park (Tantolunden), Pride House (Medborgarplatsen) and
various other venues around the city. The parade starts at
Blasieholmskajen next to the Grand Hotel and the National Art
Museum and ends at Pride Park |
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