- Destinations
- Europe
- Sweden
- Stockholm
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, restaurants, parks, fun fairs, a never-ending
nightlife (licensing hours extend until 5am) and a rich cultural
tradition. It all adds up to 'never a dull moment', particularly in
the summer when the sun virtually never sets because of its
position 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 monarchs have 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), and others. There is culture to be soaked up too, with
more than 150 museums to visit, art festivals galore, architecture
to be admired (including the beautiful 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.
Information & Facts
Climate
Stockholm has a moderate climate, with mild temperatures in both
winter and summer. In winter, temperatures range from about 19°F to
36°F (-7°C to 2°C) and average temperatures in summer range between
68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C), though sometimes higher. Snowfall
usually occurs from January to March. Rainfall can occur throughout
the year, though July and August tend to be the wettest months.
Getting Around
Navigating the compact but confusing city centre is best done on
foot. To see the sights further away you can utilise the city's
buses, underground (Tunnelbana or T-bana), ferries and trains run
by Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL). Discount cards or strips of
transferable tickets are available. Information on the transport
system, as well as a map and timetable, is available at the
SL-Center inside T-Centralen station at Sergels Torg. Taxis are
plentiful and can be hailed in the street or booked by telephone.
Buying a Stockholm Card (
Stockholmskortet) is perhaps the best way to make the most
of the city as it allows for unlimited travel on public transport,
as well as free entry to 60 museums and free sightseeing trips.
Stockholm Cards can be bought at various tourist centres in the
city.
Language
Swedish is the main language, with Lapp being spoken by
the Sami population in the north. Most Swedes speak and understand
English. Many also speak German and French.
Money
The Swedish monetary unit is the Kronor/Krona or Crown (SEK),
which is divided into 100 öre. Banks exchange money during business
hours from Monday to Friday. At other times money can be changed at
airports, ferry terminals, post offices and Forex exchange offices,
which are open daily. There are numerous ATMs throughout the
country, most of which accept MasterCard and Visa. Travellers
cheques and most major credit cards are widely accepted for payment
throughout Sweden.
Night Life
Stockholm has a vibrant nightlife with a multitude of bars,
clubs and jazz venues to enjoy. Admission and drinks prices are
quite high in Stockholm but the opening hours are long, ensuring a
good night out. The most popular nightlife venues are in Stureplan
and surrounds. Favourite Stockholm bars include the stylish Spy Bar
on Birger Jarlsgatan, and Café Opera on Kungsträdgården. Kvarnen,
on the island of Södermalm, is another trendy spot while Gondolen,
in Stadsgården, has great views. Kvarnen is a popular beer hall on
Tjärhovsgatan, and Absolut Ice Bar (in the Nordic Sea Hotel)
features temperatures below freezing year-round, and lots of ice!
Köket, in Stureplan, is one of the trendiest nightclubs in
Stockholm, rivalled only by Solidaritet on Lästmakargatan, and Blue
Moon on Kungsgatan. For live music and excellent DJs, head to
Källaren in Skånegatan. On Kungsgatan, the Fasching Jazzclub
features soul and Latin American music, and there are also jazz
performances at Stampen in Stora Nygatan.
Shopping
Shopping in Stockholm can be an expensive affair but savvy
consumers know the classic adage of 'you get what you pay for'.
Treasured souvenirs from Stockholm include Swedish glass products,
wooden furniture in blond pine or birch and, of course, wooden and
ceramic Swedish clogs. There are a number of shopping areas in
Stockholm, some of the trendies being Gamla Stan, Sergels Torg,
Kungsgatan and SOFO.
Västerlånggatan Street in Gamla Stan has good antique shops,
while Kungsgatan is home to the Drottninggatan pedestrian mall. The
renowned Gallerian shopping centre in Sergels Torg has a variety of
high-street and brand-name outlets to browse through, and nearby
department stores include NK and Åhléns. The PUB department store
is located in Hötorget.
On Södermalm Island, the hip shopping district of SOFO has
plenty of popular fashion stores to explore, as well as jewellery,
craft and fine art galleries. The Hornstullstrand Street Market, at
the western waterfront, has a plethora of bargains including
clothing by up-and-coming young designers and funky costume
jewellery.
Other popular shopping districts in Stockholm include
Drottningsgatan, Harrngatan, Hotorget and Stureplan.
Most shops in Stockholm are open 10am to 6pm from Monday to
Friday, and from 10am till lunch on Saturday. The VAT charged on
all products can be refunded on purchases exceeding EUR78 with the
presentation of a tax-free check from the store. *Note: do not
unwrap the goods before leaving Sweden.
Sightseeing
The city of Stockholm has a vast selection of attractions to
offer visitors. During summer there are extensive hours of daylight
for sightseeing outdoors, and on winter days there are plenty of
museums and galleries to visit. Popular sightseeing attractions
include the Royal Palace, the Skansen open-air museum and the
distinctive City Hall (
Stadshuset), while an excursion to any of the 24, 000
archipelago islets is also worthwhile. Djurgården Island has a
number of museums and galleries to explore, and the Museum of
National Antiquities is another interesting Stockholm
attraction.
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last
Sunday in October).