Stockholm, Sweden the Venice of the North
By Alara Shannon, Marketing | August 01, 2013 ( Comments)
Stockholm Overview:
Founded in the mid-13th century, Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and the largest city in Scandinavia. The city’s strategic position in the southeast of Sweden on the Baltic Sea quickly grew its historical importance as a vital trade and economic center.
Distributed across 14 islands connected by 57 scenic bridges, Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Sometimes referred to as the Venice of the North, Stockholm is known for its beauty, its buildings and architecture, its abundant clean and open water, and its many lush parks.
It is a sightseeing smorgasbord, including a wide selection of world-class museums and attractions such as the well- preserved medieval city center Gamla Stan (The Old Town), the vast Royal Palace, the Vasa Maritime Museum, and the City Hall, which hosts the yearly Nobel Prize ceremonies. Stockholm became the ‘European City of Culture’ in 1998 and features two UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Royal National City Park, the world’s first, is an oasis of green in the center of the bustling and vibrant city.
With its high latitude, daylight varies from over 18 hours in the summertime to just 6 hours in December. Despite its northern location, Stockholm has a humid continental climate with relatively mild weather. Summers are usually pleasantly warm with average temperatures of 68–77 °F (20-25 °C), but winters are cold with average temperatures of 23- 34 °F (-5 to 1 °C). Spring and autumn are generally cool to mild.
The unit of currency in Sweden is the Krona (SEK). Traveler’s checks and credit cards are also widely used and the euro is accepted in many places. Tipping is not necessary in restaurants where a service charge is included in the bill, however, it is common to round up and leave a few notes (about 5%). For taxis, round up the fare to the nearest Kronor.
Swedish is the national language of Sweden, but you will find that a large portion of Stockholm residents are able to speak conversational English - it is one of the first foreign languages offered in schools.
Useful Swedish Phrases:
- Hello: Hej (HAY)
- Good day: God dag (Good dayg)
- Excuse me: Ursakta (Oor-sayk-tha)
- Goodbye: Adjo (Ad-juuh)
- Do you speak English?: Talar du engelska? (Taahlar doo ayngelskah)
- Yes: Ja (YAH)
- No: Nej (NAY)
- Please: Snalla (SNELL-la)
- Thank you: Tack (TOCK)
- You are welcome: Var sa god (VAHR sha good)
Where You'll Dock in Stockholm:
Cruise ships will use one of two cruise terminals in Stockholm, Frihamnen for the larger cruise ships or Stadsgarden for the smaller ships. Tourist Information Centers with souvenir shops and Wi-Fi are available at both.
Stadsgarden is slightly closer to Stockholm’s Old Town, Gamla Stan, and is accessible on foot (approx. 20 minutes) by walking along the dock guided by a blue line marked on the ground. Taxis are available for about $20 (SEK 120) and a 10 minute travel time.
Frihamnen cruise dock is located in a commercial district, walking is not recommended. The best way to get to nearby attractions is by taxi ($25 or SEK 150) or bus with a travel time of 15-20 minutes.
Stockholm is easily navigable by a convenient and safe public transportation system of hop-on/hop-off buses, subways, trains, trams and ferry lines. The Stockholm card or the SL Tourist Card entitles the holder to unlimited travel on public transport in and around Stockholm.
What to do in Stockholm:
Gamla Stan (the Old Town) is the oldest section of Stockholm and one of its top attractions. The cobblestone streets are home to restaurants, cafes, art galleries, bars and shops. Stroll by medieval architecture, the Stockholm Cathedral and the Nobel Museum. Also in Gamla Stan is the grand 600-room Royal Palace, the official residence of His Majesty the King of Sweden.
The Palace is open to the public and offers a look at the spectacular Royal Apartments and a variety of museums steeped in regal history; the Treasury with the regalia using for weddings, christenings and funerals; the Tre Kronor Museum that displays the palace’s medieval history and remnants of the Tre Kronor Castle; and Gustav III’s Museum of Antiquities.
Stockholm’s City Hall (or Stadshuset) is another popular tourist attraction and built in 1923 it is a famous example of Sweden’s national romantic architectural style. It is the political center of the Swedish government but best-known for its spires featuring the golden Three Crowns and a panoramic view of the city. The large Blue Hall is used for the Nobel Prize Banquet and the Golden Hall contains more than 18 million mosaic pieces made of glass and real gold.
Another remarkable destination in Stockholm is the green island of Djurgarden. The Royal Djurgarden is located in the heart of the city and has it all - national Swedish city park, museums, castles, a zoo and many festivals. Don’t miss the Vasa Ship Museum, a Swedish warship that sank in 1628 and was salvaged 333 years later, then restored to create the only museum of its kind in the world. The Skansen Open-Air Museum features a beautiful view of Stockholm, the Stockholm Zoo and consists of 150 historic buildings from all over Sweden educating visitors about traditional crafts and local traditions. Junibacken, another main attraction, is a magical children’s museum devoted to Swedish children’s literature.
Leisurely walk down Strandvagen, a tree-lined boulevard along the picturesque waterfront. The National Museum is the largest art museum in Sweden, with a collection of artwork from the late Middle Ages to the early 20th century including paintings, sculptures, and applied art. If you have time, explore the magnificent Royal Opera House and Royal Dramatic Theater. Situated 40 miles from Stockholm is Uppsala, a religious and cultural center since the early days of the Vikings, offering much in the way of historic interest. Or Sigtuna, the oldest town in Sweden, is located 36 miles from Stockholm and is home to charming wooden buildings including stores, cafes, restaurants and hotels, plus an interesting museum.
To save a little, check out the Stockholm Card – this city card gives you the benefit of free admission to over 80 museums and attractions, plus free public transportation.
You can visit Stockholm, Sweden on many Northern Europe cruise itineraries.
