The Stockholm Experience

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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The Swedish capital of Stockholm is not so much one great city, but a whole collection of islands which together make a lively and cosmopolitan destination. Made of fourteen islands connected by bridges, across the city you''ll find an interesting and captivating range of sights, all of which combine modern, innovative architectural styles with the fairytale towers from days of yore.

As soon as you step off the plane and breathe in the Stockholm air, you''ll notice what sets it apart from almost any other city in the world: its fresh air. As a third of the city is made of waterways and another third of green space, it is easy to understand why.

Of course, if you pay a visit to the beautiful city you can immerse yourself not only in its splendid, fresh atmosphere but also savour its heritage, on show in its array of spectacular sights. Look out for the City Hall, and pay a visit to the royal family''s great old home Drottningholm Palace. In the regal splendour of the city you''ll be able to witness the traditions of the country''s old monarchy.

With a great range of museums on offer for visitors to look around, ...
... you''re sure to find something engaging. Visit the Vasa museum and you''ll be rewarded with the sight of its seventeenth century warship, whilst the Skansen open air museum similarly offers a unique experience. Meanwhile around the old town of Gamla stan you can explore narrow streets and houses which date all the way back to the Middle Ages.

If you want to take a break from walking around town seeing the sights, then you''ll find plenty of stores where you can find something interesting. Sweden is renowned all over the world for its innovative design; in Stockholm itself you''ll be able to look around many stores where you''ll get to take a look at Swedish-designed clothes, textiles and decor items. If you''re looking for something special to take home, then a Swedish specialty is hand-made and hand-painted glassware.

Among Stockholm''s well-trodden shopping paths are the old town, where you''ll find plenty of small stores selling souvenirs, arts and crafts, and lots of other tourist items. Visitors often flock to the shops which sell merchandise on Vasterlanggatan, but if you want to find something nice and go at a slower pace then you could try Osterlanggatan or the nearby streets. The pedestrianised street of Drottninggatan is another popular destination, whilst other areas like the SoFo district are fashionable.

If you''re looking for somewhere to go and enjoy a good meal in the evening, then Stockholm provides not only the standard budget restaurants that will meet most people''s needs; the city offers plenty of quality establishments where you can go and savour all the tastes you''d expect from a proudly diverse destination. During the day of course you can enjoy the Swedish tradition of fika, a coffee break at one of the many joints nearby.

So if you''re looking for the perfect continental destination to go and experience from its heart, then Stockholm has to be a top choice. Bonny Kominek is a freelance travel writer with a love of European travel. They recommend Octopus Travel for Stockholm hotels.