7 points of interest you should not miss in Stockholm

The picturesque metropolis of Stockholm boasts a wealthy maritime heritage, beautiful structure, and a formidable array of museums and points of interest. With a lot happening, the town has one thing to supply each customer. From the Viking powerhouse of Birka to the longer term cities exhibit within the Nationwide Museum of Science and Know-how, right here we advise seven very totally different points of interest that offers you an perception into Stockholm’s previous, current and future.

No matter you select to see while you’re within the metropolis, you may prefer to look into the Stockholm Go Metropolis cross as it will let you save as much as 50% on Stockholm points of interest.

Vasa Museum

One in every of Stockholm’s most iconic points of interest, the Vasa Museum, is devoted to the one preserved seventeenth century ship on the planet, the Vasa. It’s a type of locations that can make your jaw drop from the second you enter. The Vasa was constructed between 1626 and 1628 as a warship commissioned by King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden.

It tragically sank on its maiden voyage in 1628, solely to be rediscovered within the Fifties and raised from the seabed earlier than being meticulously restored. At this time it stands as a surprising testomony to Sweden’s naval historical past and you may’t assist however be captivated by the sheer measurement and ornate craftsmanship of the ship.

Displays inform you extra in regards to the ship’s building, its tragic sinking, and the following restoration course of, whereas multimedia shows assist to deliver the story of the Vasa to life. The museum additionally homes a formidable assortment of artifacts recovered from the ship, offering additional perception into life aboard the Vasa through the seventeenth century.

A go to to the Vasa Museum is not only about seeing a ship (unbelievable although it’s!); it’s about understanding the cultural and historic context of maritime Sweden, making it an unmissable attraction for anybody visiting Stockholm.

The Royal Palace

It’s laborious to know the place to begin with The Royal Palace as it’s actually a number of points of interest in a single: the Royal Guard (Högvakten), the Three Crowns Museum (Museum Tre Kronor), the Royal Flats and Treasury (Representationsvåningarna och Skattkammaren), the Royal Armoury and Riddarholmen Church. The Royal Guard is liable for defending the Swedish royal household and is a big a part of Stockholm’s navy preparedness. The altering of the guard takes place each day (apart from sure holidays) at 12.15pm.

The Three Crowns Museum provides guests a singular alternative to discover the historical past of the unique Tre Kronor Citadel, which stood on the identical web site till it was destroyed by a devastating hearth in 1697. On the opposite aspect of the Royal Palace, on the Royal Flats and Treasury, you may be taught in regards to the life-style of the Swedish royal household, discover the palace’s northern wing the place residences showcase a set of lavishly adorned rooms, and see the Council Chamber – a grand and historic room that has been used for hundreds of years for vital authorities conferences.

The Royal Armoury (not included within the Palace ticket) will be discovered deep contained in the stone vaults of the Royal Palace and is among the oldest museums in Sweden. Its collections of antiquities and different memorabilia hint the royal historical past of Sweden from the sixteenth century to the current day.

And at last, the thirteenth century Riddarholmen Church is the ultimate resting place of many Swedish monarchs, together with Charles XII, Gustav III and Karl Johan, in addition to different notable figures, corresponding to Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, who was adopted by Charles XIII and have become King of Sweden.

Metropolis Corridor

Accomplished in 1923, Stockholm’s Metropolis Corridor, or Stadshuset, is an iconic constructing – a putting architectural masterpiece that stands as an emblem of the town itself. With its waterfront location and famend, distinctive towers, it isn’t solely an vital administrative constructing but in addition a preferred vacationer attraction, drawing guests from around the globe.

Inside, Metropolis Corridor options quite a lot of stunning halls and rooms, and a guided tour of the Blue Corridor, the Council Corridor and the Golden Corridor offers you insights into the position the constructing performs within the cultural lifetime of Stockholm. The Blue Corridor is legendary for internet hosting the annual Nobel Prize banquet, the place laureates have fun their achievements. It’s characterised by grand arches and stylish simplicity.

The Council Corridor is the place Stockholm Metropolis Council holds its conferences. It’s an vital venue for native governance and decision-making, with a method influenced by Nordic Classicism; it’s lit by massive, tall home windows and has stunning wood-paneled partitions and ceilings, with intricate carvings that mirror Swedish craftsmanship.

The tour finishes with a go to to the Golden Corridor – designed by the architect Ragnar Östberg – which is adorned with beautiful mosaics that depict Swedish historical past and mythology. Some 18 million mosaic tiles cowl an space of round 1,500 sq. meters, with some of the well-known photos being the Queen of Lake Mälaren. She sits on a throne that represents Stockholm and is surrounded by figures that symbolise different components of the world, demonstrating its position as a world metropolis and the connection between Sweden and the broader world.

Nationwide Museum of Science and Know-how

The Nationwide Museum of Science and Know-how, or Tekniska Museet, is an enchanting vacation spot for anybody considering scientific discovery. It’s devoted to showcasing the evolution of expertise and its impression on society and has a variety of interactive reveals. Find out about historic innovations and the event of transport, communication and power.

We actually loved the insights into future cities and studying extra in regards to the notion of the 15-minute metropolis – an city planning idea the place each day requirements and companies can all be simply reached in simply quarter-hour.  This would scale back automobile dependency, promote a more healthy life-style and allow sustainable dwelling, with the hope that it’ll enhance the general high quality of life for metropolis dwellers.

There are many hands-on shows and reveals such because the facial recognition software program which goals to detect age, gender and temper. Not solely correct however spectacular nonetheless!

On the highest flooring of the museum, youngsters – and perhaps some adults too – will love the previous laptop video games and consoles, lots of which you’ll play on. The gathering has been acquired from a museum that was sadly compelled to shut. I even noticed the pc from my childhood – the once-popular Commodore 64!

Military Museum

For these intrigued by navy historical past, the Military Museum (Armémuseum) in Stockholm is a must-visit attraction. Housed in an attractive constructing relationship again to the 18th century, the museum offers an in-depth have a look at Sweden’s navy historical past from the Viking Age to the current day.

There’s a wealth of artifacts to view, together with uniforms, weapons and tools, that narrate the story of Sweden’s navy involvement over the centuries.

Displays spotlight vital occasions in Swedish navy historical past and there are shows devoted to varied conflicts, such because the Nice Northern Struggle and World Struggle II. Learn the way these occasions have formed the nation and delve into the lives of troopers and the impression warfare has had on Swedish society.

On the bottom flooring of the museum, there may be at the moment a shifting and poignant exhibition known as ‘Crossroads’ which appears to be like at Sweden’s and Ukraine’s historical past via the final 1,000 years – a collaboration between the Swedish Nationwide Museums of Navy Historical past, the Nationwide Archives and the Nationwide Museum of the Historical past of Ukraine within the Second World Struggle. It begins with the Viking Age – and the wedding between Olof Skötkonung’s daughter Ingegerd and Yaroslav I (the Sensible) of Kyiv – and takes you right through to the current battle.

Haga Ocean Butterfly Home

Nestled inside Haga Park, a 10-minute drive north of Stockholm metropolis centre, the Haga Ocean Butterfly Home is like two points of interest mixed into one – a lush atmosphere that’s residence to a surprising number of butterflies and tropical crops, and a marine aquarium that’s residence to all method of aquatic life, from coral to clownfish.

Designed to resemble a tropical rainforest, the Butterfly Home is full with waterfalls, unique vegetation and, after all, numerous butterflies. See these unbelievable specimens up shut as they feed off fruit that has been put out for them and watch them fluttering round… they could even land on you as they did with us!

Watch the place you stroll – not solely as a result of the butterflies land on the bottom, but in addition as a result of there are small frogs hopping about freely. Marvel too on the chrysalis board the place you’ll see a whole lot of pupae and admire the metamorphosis course of first-hand.

Along with the butterfly reveals, there’s a small aquarium the place the spotlight is a big tank with a couple of sharks and different fish. It’s not an intensive show like another aquariums in Europe however would undoubtedly be loved by households with younger kids.

Birka: The Viking Metropolis

Take a scenic boat journey from Stockholm to Birka, positioned on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage web site and one in every of Sweden’s most vital archaeological websites Sometimes called the primary Stockholm or the primary city in Sweden, it was was established through the Viking Age and have become a thriving centre of European commerce and tradition.

A guided tour of Birka is a good way to be taught extra in regards to the city’s historic significance, permitting you to think about what life was like for the inhabitants of this bustling settlement. The encompassing panorama can also be value exploring and there are some fabulous views of the lake to be loved from the Monument of Ansgar on the highest level on the island.

You possibly can go to historic burial mounds and the foundations of homes and workshops, in addition to full-scale reconstructions of Viking-era buildings and boats, historic Norse crops, and livestock, to achieve a greater perception into what life was like on this earliest of Swedish settlements.

The Birka Museum additionally offers invaluable context for the location, showcasing artifacts recovered from the world, corresponding to instruments, jewellery, and weapons, which illustrate the craftsmanship and each day lifetime of the Viking folks. Why not keep the night time after nearly all of vacationers have departed, get pleasure from a particular glamping expertise and have a deeper reference to the wealthy heritage of Sweden’s Viking previous?

Disclosure: Our journey was kindly supported by Go to Stockholm.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxurious Journey Weblog and has labored within the journey trade for greater than 30 years. He’s Winner of the Improvements in Journey ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. Along with different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.