Stockholm: The city between the bridges

The attractions, the local food, the many different museums and the shopping opportunities – this to me was the Scandinavian charm!  A city situated on 14 islands and linked by 57 bridges, this unique and endless combination beautifies the diversity of “The City Between the Bridges,” Stockholm.

 My husband Wolf and I began our trip by getting checked into a perfectly located hotel across the Central Station. The very same hotel The Beatles stayed in during their first tour outside of England in 1963. A hotel that has skipped generations but maintained its charm with its 60s interior! A short walk around the corner lays the Drottninggatan, the longest and most popular pedestrian shopping street that stretches from one end of the city center to the other. Fascinating!

A great introduction to the city was sightseeing by boat, the classic way of exploring Stockholm, apart from walking or going on-board the tour bus. Getting the best view, Wolf and I sat in the front of the ferry to take advantage of perfect photo opportunities – we didn’t go wrong.

Our first visit was to the Gamla Stan (the Old Town), a peaceful neighborhood and a trip back in time by wandering through the narrow cobbled alleys and by-ways. It is also where its gem, Kungliga Slottet (The Royal Palace) and the Storkyrkan (Stockholm’s oldest church) are located. I particularly loved the beautifully colored buildings along Stortorget, as it is truly one of Stockholm’s finest! Right across these buildings stood the Nobel Museum, a world event put together by Alfred Nobel with the idea of ideas – the most prestigious award, the Nobel Prize. The museum was just spot on!

A building buzzing with activities and also a living symbol of the city is the Stadshuset (City Hall) of Stockholm, one best-known attraction that I highly recommend for a visit. The Stadshuset is visible from almost anywhere in the city because of one of its distinctive features, its tower. On certain periods, members of the public are able to enter and witness what it is like inside. Tours in many different languages are available as well.

For local art in both conventional and modern form, a large collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings can be found at the National Museum. The building was as much a piece of art as the items displayed inside it.

At the Vasa Museet (Vasa Museum) lay one of my favorite attractions, the original structure of the restored Vasa ship, salvaged after 333 years of being under the sea. It is a museum designed with seven floors that included every single available historical context on the Vasa. I didn’t even realize the long hours we spent inside!

The fun starts here at the Grona Lund, the Tivoli located at Djurgarden jam-packed with magic moments where you will find rides, attractions, games and entertainment all in one place. It is an everyday amusement park that served the public for the past 125 years! In the same part of town, a house full of stories, mischief and magic is no other than the Junibacken, Stockholm’s top museum for children. This museum takes you into the home of Pippi Longstocking, written by Astrid Lindgren herself and also a place where many other characters come to life!

Having become Sweden’s most successful music group and still proudly the talk of the town, ABBA is pleased to announce the re-opening of their museum with no exact date being disclosed at present. Some of their famous songs include Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen and Chiquittita.

Treating ourselves to a break from all our activities, we sampled some traditional Swedish assortments that included a smorgasbord of smorrebrod (open sandwiches), kottbular med graddsas och rarorda lingon (a meatball dish served with potatoes and lingon berries in cream sauce), pastries and reindeer and elk meat served with brod & smor (bread and butter). This variety somehow made our trip more fulfilling.

One brilliant idea is a visit to The Absolut Icebar Stockholm as recommended by our Swedish friend, Helena Vessby if opting for a night out. It is a bar made entirely of ice – ice walls, ice tables, ice bar, ice sofa, ice glasses and ice sculptures! You will also be provided with a coat made of fur to keep warm, but ensure to make reservations in advance to guarantee entry.

Having something special to remember Sweden by, I made a purchase of a wooden Dala horse, a Swedish symbol you will find almost anywhere in the city. I also didn’t miss buying some postcards, goodies and a magnet with the colored buildings carved into stone to add to my collection.

Stockholm was a grand holiday that I have very much appreciated. I will definitely return soon!