7 sights you should not miss in Stockholm

The picturesque metropolis of Stockholm boasts a wealthy maritime heritage, gorgeous structure, and a formidable array of museums and sights. With a lot occurring, the town has one thing to supply each customer. From the Viking powerhouse of Birka to the long run cities exhibit within the Nationwide Museum of Science and Know-how, right here we propose seven very completely different sights that will provide you with an perception into Stockholm’s previous, current and future.

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Vasa Museum

Considered one of Stockholm’s most iconic sights, the Vasa Museum, is devoted to the one preserved seventeenth century ship on the earth, the Vasa. It’s a kind of locations that may 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 Nineteen Fifties and raised from the seabed earlier than being meticulously restored. As we speak it stands as a shocking testomony to Sweden’s naval historical past and you may’t assist however be captivated by the sheer dimension and ornate craftsmanship of the ship.

Displays let you know extra in regards to the ship’s development, its tragic sinking, and the following restoration course of, whereas multimedia displays assist to convey 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 isn’t just about seeing a ship (unimaginable 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 arduous to know the place to start out with The Royal Palace as it’s actually a number of sights in a single: the Royal Guard (Högvakten), the Three Crowns Museum (Museum Tre Kronor), the Royal Residences and Treasury (Representationsvåningarna och Skattkammaren), the Royal Armoury and Riddarholmen Church. The Royal Guard is answerable for defending the Swedish royal household and is a big a part of Stockholm’s navy preparedness. The altering of the guard takes place daily (apart from sure holidays) at 12.15pm.

The Three Crowns Museum provides guests a novel alternative to discover the historical past of the unique Tre Kronor Fort, which stood on the identical website till it was destroyed by a devastating fireplace in 1697. On the opposite aspect of the Royal Palace, on the Royal Residences and Treasury, you possibly can study in regards to the way of life of the Swedish royal household, discover the palace’s northern wing the place residences showcase a group of lavishly embellished 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, resembling 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 placing architectural masterpiece that stands as a logo of the town itself. With its waterfront location and famend, distinctive towers, it’s not solely an vital administrative constructing but in addition a well-liked vacationer attraction, drawing guests from world wide.

Inside, Metropolis Corridor options a wide range of stunning halls and rooms, and a guided tour of the Blue Corridor, the Council Corridor and the Golden Corridor will provide you with insights into the function 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 chic 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 giant, 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 gorgeous mosaics that depict Swedish historical past and mythology. Some 18 million mosaic tiles cowl an space of round 1,500 sq. meters, with one of the well-known pictures being the Queen of Lake Mälaren. She sits on a throne that represents Stockholm and is surrounded by figures that symbolise different elements of the world, demonstrating its function as a worldwide 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 inquisitive about scientific discovery. It’s devoted to showcasing the evolution of know-how and its affect on society and has a variety of interactive reveals. Find out about historic innovations and the event of transport, communication and vitality.

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 every day requirements and companies can all be simply reached in simply quarter-hour.  This would cut back automobile dependency, promote a more healthy way of life and allow sustainable dwelling, with the hope that it’s going to 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 ground of the museum, youngsters – and perhaps some adults too – will love the outdated laptop video games and consoles, a lot 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 a good looking constructing relationship again to the 18th century, the museum supplies an in-depth take 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 gear, that narrate the story of Sweden’s navy involvement over the centuries.

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

On the bottom ground of the museum, there’s presently a shifting and poignant exhibition known as ‘Crossroads’ which seems to be 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 Battle. It begins with the Viking Age – and the wedding between Olof Skötkonung’s daughter Ingegerd and Yaroslav I (the Smart) of Kyiv – and takes you all 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 sights mixed into one – a lush surroundings that’s house to a shocking number of butterflies and tropical crops, and a marine aquarium that’s house 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, in fact, numerous butterflies. See these unimaginable specimens up shut as they feed off fruit that has been put out for them and watch them fluttering round… they might 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 lots of 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 number of sharks and different fish. It’s not an intensive show like another aquariums in Europe however would positively be loved by households with younger kids.

Birka: The Viking Metropolis

Take a scenic boat trip from Stockholm to Birka, positioned on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage website and one among 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 study 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 price 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’ll be able to go to historical burial mounds and the foundations of homes and workshops, in addition to full-scale reconstructions of Viking-era buildings and boats, historical Norse crops, and livestock, to achieve a greater perception into what life was like on this earliest of Swedish settlements.

The Birka Museum additionally supplies worthwhile context for the location, showcasing artifacts recovered from the world, resembling instruments, jewellery, and weapons, which illustrate the craftsmanship and every day lifetime of the Viking individuals. Why not keep the night time after the vast majority of vacationers have departed, take pleasure in 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 ‘Finest Journey Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. Along with different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of many world’s greatest journey blogs” and “greatest for luxurious” by The Telegraph.