Stockholm: Sweden’s Hub of Fashion, Culture and Beauty
A fashion and cultural oasis, Stockholm is a vibrant city that is spread across 14 distinct islands. Despite being near each other, every neighbourhood has a distinct flavour where you’ll typically find stunning museums, trend-setting design, contemporary hotels, innovative cuisine, and an abundance of shops. Travellers far and wide visit this area via the central train station or airport, hoping to indulge in the undoubted beauty and class of Sweden’s capital. Sprinkle in world-renowned attractions such as the Royal Palace and Vasa Museum, and Stockholm marks itself as one of the best destination choices that Europe has to offer.
Districts of Stockholm
With it being made up of 14 islands, it should come as no surprise that Stockholm has a diverse selection of districts to visit. Due to it featuring many of the best attractions and museums the city has at its disposal, the green haven that is Djurgården is often a favourite destination choice for travellers. Arguably the most colourful and diverse district is Södermalm, where incredible views of the city are interspersed with fashionable clubs, cafes and restaurants. With that said, and for a different slice of commercial wonder, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Norrmalm – where its revitalised centre is populated by shopping centres, trendy boutiques and popular dining spots. Although if you are searching for a stark contrast to the modern side of Stockholm, the medieval heart of the city can be found on the island of Gamla Stan. Here, you can explore the famous ‘Old Town’ that sports cobbled streets, narrow alleyways and archaic architecture – although the island’s main street of Västerlånggatan contains a smattering of modern comforts such as tourist trinkets and waffle cones!
Area Highlights
As one of Europe’s major cities, it is only natural that Stockholm has an array of attractions that will grab your attention. As far as the most acclaimed things to do, the Vasa Museum is right at the top of the list with many travellers. That is because it houses the Vasa, which is the only preserved 17th century ship in the world – and the reason why it’s Scandinavia’s most visited museum. Two of Sweden’s most well-known buildings, the Stockholm City Hall and Royal Palace, are situated in the centre of the city and their spectacular architecture are both well worth exploring. Alongside numerous other worthy examples, two highly regarded Stockholm museums are ABBA The Museum and Skansen Open-Air Museum. The former is a full-on celebration of global icons ABBA, while the latter features a charming zoo amongst historical buildings and dwellings. And if you are looking for a place where you can relax or take a gentle stroll, the Djurgarden is a fantastic park with scenic sights at every turn.
Shopping Spots of Stockholm
Although already touched upon to an extent, it is difficult to encompass the sheer scale of shopping opportunities that are available when in Stockholm. From large shopping centres to boutique stores, filling up your hotel room with goodies and gifts has never been easier! For the fashion conscious, you can find an appealing mix of creative and emerging designers within Södermalm – once referred to by Vogue magazine as the coolest place in Europe. Although if sampling the high life is more your style, you can’t go wrong with Östermalm. This large central district has an expansive range of global brands and high-end retailers, including Stockholm’s well-known department store Nordiska Kompaniet. More mainstream stores are accessible via Västermalmsgalleria, a mid-sized shopping centre in the attractive area of Kungsholmen. And if you simply require a one-stop destination to grab everything from electronics to furnishings, major shopping centres like Täby Centrum and Heron City are ideal options.
Dining & Drinking
With over 2,500 dining choices spread across Stockholm, making your choice for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner can prove to be difficult – in a good way, of course! From opulent restaurants to cheap and cheerful eateries, traditional Swedish cuisine to flavours from across the globe, there is virtually an endless amount of food establishments to match your budget and preferences. And no matter where your hotel or accommodation choice is situated within the city, you will typically be a short stroll from an abundance of places to eat. In comparison, the nightlife scene is similarly healthy when it comes to both quality and quantity. Seeking a relaxed bar where you can enjoy a drink before seeing a show? Or maybe you want to sample the famous nightclubs of Stockholm, where many famous DJ’s perform? Whatever your disposition, there are many venues in the city centre to match your nightlife needs.