Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [53]
Beyond Riddarholmskyrkan, you’ll come to the far side of the island, which features great views across the lake to the impressive Stadshuset (20; Town Hall) and the eastern end of Kungsholmen (King’s Island).
Retrace your steps to Riddarhustorget and then turn left (northwest), before crossing over Vasabron and making your way along Vasagatan back to Centralstationen.
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STOCKHOLM FOR CHILDREN
Stockholm spoils kids: the miniature crowd is welcome in restaurants and many museums have thoughtful play areas. One of the top attractions for kids is Skansen, with its open-air format, petting zoo and glass-blowers’ workshop. Another winner is Junibacken, which sees tykes and their parents ‘fly’ through the strange and fantastical world of Pippi Longstocking. Also on Djurgården, Gröna Lund Tivoli has enough carnival rides, games and sticky treats to keep the little ones smitten. Leksaksmuseet is crammed with toys, both to look at and to play with, while Kulturhuset is a parent’s dream – you can drop off the smallest kids at Rum för Barn (4th floor), and keep teens entertained with do-it-yourself art projects in the workshop at Lava. Stadsteatern and Dramaten both run children’s plays regularly.
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TOURS
Stockholm Sightseeing (Map; 12 00 40 00; www.stockholmsightseeing.com) operates frequent cruises from early April to mid-December around the central bridges and canals from Strömkajen (near the Grand Hotel), Nybroplan or Stadshusbron; you’ll find ticket booths at these departure points. Some of the one-hour tours are free for Stockholm Card holders, but the two-hour tour, Under the Bridges of Stockholm (Skr180), covers more territory and passes under 15 bridges and through two locks, with a recorded commentary in several languages to fill in the history of the areas you pass by.
City Sightseeing (Map; 12 00 40 00; www.citysightseeing.com; Gustav Adolfs Torg) is the land-based sister operation, and runs daily 1½-hour coach tours of the city (Skr240) departing from Gustav Adolfs Torg. Both the 2½-hour tour (Skr330, April to mid-December) and 3½-hour tour (Skr395, including light lunch, early May to mid-September) combine the coach tour with a boat tour around Djurgården and the city’s closest archipelago islands (Skr395, 2½ hours). One-hour walking tours around Gamla Stan (Skr100, late June to August) are also available.
There’s a fact-packed, one-hour English-language guided walk (per person Skr75; 7.30pm Mon, Tue & Thu May-Aug, 1.30pm Sat & Sun Sep-Nov, Mar & Apr) through Gamla Stan with an authorised guide. Meet at the Obelisk at Slottsbacken, outside the royal palace; reservations are not required.
For an adrenalin-pumping introduction, RIB Sightseeing (Map; 20 22 60; www.ribsightseeing.se; Museikajen 1; adult/child Skr345/195) runs high-speed, high-thrill cruises through Stockholm and the archipelago on rigid, inflatable speedboats. Departing by the National Museum, tours last 1½ hours and run from mid-May to late September. Book ahead.
Stockholm is one of the few cities that allows hot-air balloons to fly over it. Book a tour with Far & Flyg (Map; 645 77 00; www.farochflyg.se; per person Skr1995; May-Sep) for an unforgettable perspective on the city.
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FESTIVALS & EVENTS
There’s a bounty of festivals, concerts and other happenings on Sergels Torg and Kungsträdgården throughout the summer, and the major museums exhibit temporary exhibitions on a grand scale. What’s On Stockholm lists daily events.
The biggest events in Stockholm are those celebrated throughout the country, such as Midsummer, Walpurgis Night, Lucia Festival, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Click here for more information, and if you’re in Stockholm at the right time, head to Skansen to party Swedish-style.
Lidingöloppet (www.lidingoloppet.se) The world’s largest cross-country foot race, with 30,000 participants, is held in late September in Lidingö, on Stockholm’s outskirts.
Smaka På Stockholm A six day celebration