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Vaxholm Fortress Museum (Kastellet, Vaxholm) – this fortress has seen its share of drama.  Built in the 16^th century, it repelled a Danish attack in 1612, and in 1719 the Russians were prevented from reaching Stockholm. In the 1870s, the defensive emphasis shifted from Vaxholm Fortress to the strait Oxdjupet. In 1876, Oxdjupet was opened to traffic and a new fort – Oscar-Fredriksborg – was built.  Since the turn of the century, the forces defending the archipelago have moved their positions outwards, ultimately reaching the outermost perimeter of the islands.

Midway in the the 20^th century, the fortress became a museum, going through restorations in 2003.  The museum’s indoor department occupies thirty beautiful rooms and halls on both floors of the west section. Visitors see the fortress as it was in 1854, and can enter one of the Citadel’s bombproof vaults and see how things were during the Crimean War. In other settings you can call in on the Commandant, follow the issuing of orders ain a mine battery or visit the World War II coastal defence artillery post.

Here you can watch a movie about Vaxholm Fortress Museum and Vaxholm Citadel.

Admission:  SEK60.  Free admission for children up to 19 years.  Hours vary according to month.  Check the Museum’s website for an updated schedule:  www.vaxholmsfastning.se

Vasa Museum (Galärvarvsvägen 14, Stockholm) – this is the one museum in the world that’s dedicated to a ship. The Vasa.  The Vasa is the only preserved 17-century ship in the world, and a unique art treasure.  Most of the ship is original, and it is decorated with hundreds of carved sculptures. The 69 meter-long warship Vasa sank on its maiden voyage in Stockholm in 1628, and was salvaged over 300 years later in 1961.  Since then, the ship has been slowly, deliberately and painstakingly restored to a state approaching its original glory.  The three masts on the roof outside the specially built museum reveal the height of the ship’s original masts. Today, this is the most visited museum in Scandinavia, with over one million visitors a year, and ten different exhibitions around the ship to tell about life on board the ship. The film about the Vasa is shown in 13 different languages.  In addition there is a well-stocked shop and a pleasant restaurant. Tours of the museum take place every day. Admission:  SEK 130 (adult).  Free admission for children up to 18 years.

Ulriksdal Palace (Ulriksdal, Solna) – this royal palace was built in 1644, and is now part of the Royal National City Park.  Some of the apartments belonging to King Carl XV and King Gustaf VI Adolf (the palace’s current royal residents) are open to the public.  There’s also a café to accommodate visitors.  Admission:  SEK 80 (adult), SEK 40 (children from 7-18 years).

The Treasury (Kungliga Slottet, Stockholm) — The Swedish state regalia are used for royal weddings, christenings and funerals.  Among the priceless treasures are King Gustav Vasa’s sword of state, King Erik XIV’s crown, orb, sceptre and key, as well as a galaxy of princely crowns.  Admission:  SEK 150 (adult), SEK 75 (children 7-18 years)

Skokloster Castle (Skoklosters Slott, Stockholm) – this is one of the world’s greatest baroque castles in Sweden – located within a beautiful natural setting by Mälaren’s shore near Arlanda.  This castle was built from the Swedish Empire era in the 17^th century, and also happens to be the country’s largest private palace.  Visitors have the option of going through the Castle’s state room on their own, or take a guided tour through the beautiful rooms and halls filled with original furniture from various centuries.  Admission:  SEK 70 (adult), free for children up to 18 years old.

Skansen Open Air Museum (Djurgårdsslätten 49-51, Stockholm) – this is an unusual museum.  Along with it being the oldest open-air museum in the world, it also has a zoo (the Stockholm Zoo) – located on Royal Djurgården, with a view over all of Stockholm. Skansen is a favorite both among Stockholmers and visitors passing through, and it’s a perfect family outing. At Skansen you can learn about traditional crafts and traditions. This is the place to visit historic Sweden in miniature. 150 farms and dwellings from different parts of the country were disassembled and transported here. You’ll find charming town districts with glass blowing, pottery, a tinsmith’s workshop and a bakery, a gold-colored manor house, the Skogaholm manor house, the beautiful eighteenth-century Seglora wooden church and the The museum shop is a must for fans of traditional handicrafts. You can also see all of the animals native to Scandinavia such as moose, bears, lynxes, wolves, wolverines and seals. There is also a terrarium, a monkey house and a children’s zoo.  Admission:  SEK 100-150 (adult — prices vary with season), SEK 60 (children).

Royal Palace (Gamla Stan, Stockholm) – this has been, and still is the official residence of His Majesty the King of Sweden (which has over 600 rooms).  The Palace is open to the public and offers no less than five museums. The Palace was largely built during the eighteenth century in the Italian Baroque style, on the spot where the “Tre Kronor” castle burned down in 1697.  Visit the reception rooms with splendid interiors from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Rikssalen (the Hall of State) with Queen Kristina’s silver throne, and Ordenssalarna (Halls of the Orders of Chivalry). You can also see Gustav III’s Museum of Antiquities, the Tre Kronor Museum and the Treasury. The Royal Palace also contains the Armory, with royal costumes and armor, as well as coronation carriages and magnificent coaches from the Royal Stable.   Make sure not to miss the parade of soldiers and the daily changing of the guard.  Admission:  SEK 150 (adult), SEK 75 (children 7-18 years).