Traveling in Stockholm, Sweden
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.
Stockholm is 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 is the downtown area. The combined train and bus station is there. 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.
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, with several museums, an open air folk museum, and an amusement park. 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. It was probably because 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.
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 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.
You can arrive by cruise ship right into the heart of the city or fly into Arlanda Airport. If you fly in, 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 Flygbussarna, the airport bus, is half as much, but it takes longer with traffic. 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.
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.
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Stockholm Tours
Stockholm Shore Excursion: Stockholm Grand Tour by Coach and Boat
Price: $60.92
While you re in port, get a comprehensive sightseeing experience of Stockholm on the Stockholm Grand Tour. Combining a panoramic coach tour and a boat cruise through the city s scenic waterways, this shore excursion is perfect for cruisers in Stockholm for the first time. You’ll see all the highlights on this 3.5-hour tour, leaving you with free time to explore Stockholm on your own before your ship leaves port.
Stockholm Shore Excursion: Stockholm in One Day Sightseeing Tour
Price: $52.21
While you’re in port, see Stockholm in a nutshell on this 2.5-hour sightseeing tour. You’ll get a comprehensive overview of the entire city, first from the comfort of a coach and then via boat, making for a well-rounded introduction to Sweden’s capital.
Stockholm Shore Excursion: Stockholm Panoramic Sightseeing Tour
Price: $37.71
Short on time in Stockholm but want to see it all while you re in port? This is the shore excursion for you. In just 90 minutes, you ll get a panoramic overview of Stockholm, see all its famous monuments and stop at Fjallgatan, where the view over the whole city will amaze you.
Stockholm Grand Tour by Coach and Boat
Price: $60.92
Take the most comprehensive sightseeing tour of Stockholm available, combining panoramic coach travel and a boat cruise out to sea. Perfect for first-time visitors, you’ll see all the highlights on this 3.5-hour tour, leaving you with time in the day free to explore Stockholm on your own.
Stockholm Historical Canal Tour
Price: $21.75
This guided Historical Canal tour will boat you through Stockholm’s historical canals and famous buildings.
Stockholm Panoramic Sightseeing Tour
Price: $37.71
Not much time in Stockholm? Want to see it all in one tour? This is the tour for you. Not only will you be able to see all of Stockholm’s famous monuments, you will stop at Fjallgatan, where the view over the whole of Stockholm is amazing.
Stockholm Bike Tour
Price: $43.51
Explore the islands of Stockholm on two wheels, and discover the hidden gems that can’t be reached by bus or boat! Your must-do 2.5-hour bike tour round this cycle-friendly city is led by an expert guide who will update you on the historical sights and on Sweden today as you ride.
The Original Stockholm Ghost Walk and Historical Tour
Price: $31.85
When Stockholm’s museums have locked their ancient doors, when the stores are all closed and people have retreated to the safety of their homes, this is when the empty streets of Stockholm’s Old Town are handed over to the spirits, vampires and to us. Stockholm’s past will come to life on this 2hour walking tour.
Stockholm City Hop-on Hop-off Tour
Price: $31.91
Create your own itinerary on a Stockholm City Hop-on Hop-off Tour. Travel on an open-top double-decker bus as you see the sights of Stockholm at your own pace. You can get on and off the bus as often as you like at the designated bus stops along the routes and your ticket is valid 24 hours.
Kayaking Tour of Stockholm Archipelago
Price: $143.6
Discover Sweden’s must-see Archipelago, a cluster of over 24,000 islands just an hour away from Stockholm. Your day trip by paddle kayak is the most adventurous and eco-friendly way to explore the raw beauty of this unspoilt island wilderness.
Stockholm in One Day Sightseeing Tour
Price: $52.21
With limited time to spare, see Stockholm in a nutshell on this detailed 2.5-hour sightseeing tour. You’ll get a comprehensive overview of the entire city first from the comfort of a coach and then via boat travel, making for a well-rounded introduction to Sweden’s capital.
Stockholm City Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour
Price: $14.5
Experience Stockholm from the water on a Stockholm City Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour. This boat tour shows you many of the “must see” sights of this beautiful city.