Stockholm Sweden

On Land and On The Water, You'll Love It

COVID slowed us down for a couple of years, and now a few health issues challenge us.  We're still traveling if not writing about it quite so much. Our goal in 2022 was get to all seven continents in one year... and we did it.

Going forward health issues may not allow us to travel.  No one can take away those memories though.  We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels. 

You'd be hard pressed to find a prettier setting for a capital city than Stockholm, Sweden.

With one third of the city's area made up of waterways,

...it seems like it is part of the sea...

...And seafaring is certainly in the Swedish blood.

It's a city that spreads over 14 islands...

But you only need to visit three or four of them to get a real feeling for this Nordic capital.

The sea that Stockholm sits next to is the Baltic, but it is actually built on Lake Malaren which flows into the Baltic.


Norrmalm - Stockholm Downtown

Norrmalm is the downtown area.  The train from the airport arrives here, so this is probably the area where you'll start.  The bus depot is in the same building.

You'll find lots of hotels and shopping on this island. It's a convenient place to stay, and it's within walking distance to Gamla Stan.

Don't ignore it though.  Wander around here too.  Find the flower market. See the Concert Hall.


Walk Over The Bridge To Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan is the Old Town. It's a colorful, well preserved tangle of winding, cobble-stoned streets lined with restaurants, antique stores and tourist shops.

It's anchored by the Royal Palace.

You'll spend much of your time just wandering here.

You can watch the Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace at noon. Tour the Palace itself.

You'll find street performers or you may stumble on a school band concert like we did in the small square in front of the Nobel Museum.


Djurgarden Is Stockholm's Playground

There are several museums here.  There is also an open air folk museum, and an amusement park.

The Vasa Museum

The first place you want to head is the Vasamuseet, The Vasa Museum.

The Vasa is a well preserved 17th century Swedish warship. She is really beautiful to behold, but she was a sailor's nightmare.... having sunk 20 minutes into her maiden voyage. with several museums, an open air folk museum, and an amusement park.

It was probably because she she sank in those shallow, cold and brackish waters that she survived to be raised and put in this museum for us to marvel at.

Vasa Museum (the buidling on the hill)  Stockholm

The inside of the Vasa Museum is a photographers nightmare I might add. 

It is dark in the museum, so we really didn't get any good photos.  Sorry for us and for you. 

How about a photo of the outside of the museum... from the hop-on-hop-off boat... that's the best way to get there.

Other Museums Nearby

Around the corner from the Vasa is an exhibit building that houses old boats including one used by the King for Royal weddings and greeting dignitaries.

Also on this island is Skansen, Europe's first open-air folk museum. Today, around 150 traditional and historic houses and buildings have been moved here from all over Sweden.

If you have time, you could visit the Nordic Museum to learn about Swedish cultural history. And for the child in you, you could visit the Tivoli Grona Lund amusement park.

Skeppsholmen Island

Skeppsholmen is a small island stuck in the middle of these three.

It's a traffic-free park with trails and the Museum of Modern Art.

If you just want to take a walk in the park... right in the city... this island is for you. 

The hop-on-hop-off boats stop here.


How To Get There

Cruise Ships

You can arrive by cruise ship right into the heart of the city.

Flying In - How To Get To Town

If you fly in, you will arrive at Arlanda Airport. 

The Train

The fastest way to get into the city is the Arlanda Express train. It's a little expensive, but you can get a two-for-one price on weekends. It effectively whisks you into town in 20 minutes.

The Bus

The Flygbussarna, the airport bus, is half as much, but it takes longer with traffic.

Airport Shuttles

Airport shuttles are another alternative that will get you right to your hotel if you're staying in Gamla Stan or away from the central train/bus station.


Check At The Tourist Office

The Tourist Office at any point of entry will give you lots of information on where to stay, how to get into town and how to get around. They're very helpful.

Stockholm is a city that invites wandering on foot or getting around on the water with the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing boats.

You really should see it from both perspectives... land and sea... because it's such a beautiful combination of both.

Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark

Curious about what else we've written about?  Search our site for a destination or travel tip.

But... We'd love to have you share this page or comment on it…
Thanks, Judy and Mark

International Travel Tips l Europe Travel Tips
Hotel and B&B Tips l Packing Lists
Go from Stockholm Sweden to MouseToursTravels Home Page

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Did it help with your travel planning and preparation? Eager to leave on that next vacation? Please leave your tips or comments in the box below.

Timely Tips

Summer Vacation
Travel is fun in the Northern summer... but don't neglect the Southern Hemisphere at this time of year.
Yes, it's winter in South Africa, but that's their dry season. It's a good time to travel there.

Lions stop traffic in Kruger NP South Africa

Sometimes you need to watch rain patterns instead of just seasons to figure the best time to travel...

Whether you're taking a road trip close to home or traveling abroad...

Whether it's summer or winter in your part of the world...
the way you pack can make it all more pleasurable.

Check out all our Packing Lists and Tips.

Need travel ideas?
Things to See in Europe
Africa Calls!
Travel In America

Don't just dream about it...
Start making plans!

Custom Tour Planning List
International Travel Planning Tips
Foreign Is Fun - Not Scary!
Get Your Passports and Visas

And Expect Good Things
There Are Tourist Angels

Search

Search MouseToursTravels
Travel questions or destination info?
Find our answers faster..
.

Translate

We want you to feel comfortable out in the world and on our pages - so surf away in your own language...

Updated Tips & New Travel Stories

  1. 2022 Travels To All Seven Continents

    After COVID, all seven continents in one year was a worthy goal for our 2022 travels..

    Read More

  2. 2021 Travels - Another COVID Year?

    Our 2021 travels were only domestic. COVID kept us close home. Road trips and a cautious flights but still fun.

    Read More

  3. 2020 Travels - What Travels?

    Our 2020 travels were slim. COVID kept us home too. One trip to the Three Guyanas, but dreaming of travel next year.

    Read More

Two Ways To Like Us!

Like Our Site Top Left
Like Our Fanpage Below
Thank You!

More On Scandinavia

Oslo
Affordable Oslo
Bergen
Norway Fjord Drive
Norway In A Nutshell
Our Norway
Stockholm
Stockholm By Boat

Navigate Our Site

Related Pages
on
Trip Planning

Guide Books
Why Travel With A Guidebook

How to Choose A Travel Guidebook

Travel Agents
A Travel Agent - Do You Need One?

Choosing Destinations
Best Time To Go

What Kind Of Trip Do You Want
More Than Throwing Darts

Some of Our Ideas
Stories About Europe
Why Not Africa?
North America
International Travel Tips

What Kind of Vacation?
Group Tour

Independent Travel
Driving Vacations
Adventure Travel
Active Travel - OK, How Active?
Multigenerational Vacations

Eco-Travel and Volunteering
Green Travel Tips
Sustainable Tourism
Volunteer Vacations - Are They For You?

Plan For Safety
Travel Advisories - Plan A Safe Trip

Don't Let Travel Worries Get To You
Keep Traveling

Planning Itineraries
A Custom Tour?
Custom Tour Planning List
Custom Tour Ideas
Top Ten Lists - Helpful, But…
Balance Your Itinerary - Mix It Up
Avoid Museum Sensory Overload
Hobbies for Trip Ideas
Where To Get Trip Ideas

Preparation
Get Passports and Visas

Travel Documents
Vaccinations and Meds 
Travel Preparation

Checklists So You Don't Forget
Travel Document Checklist

Travel Preparation Checklist
Home Departure Checklist
Pre-Departure Checklist

Ready For A New Adventure?

We escape by traveling…
But there are more ways to escape. 
Work on something you LOVE…
With A Website
SBI Teaches You Everything

First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life