Djurgården
Djurgården (Stockholm) — The green island of Djurgården, close to central Stockholm, is beloved by both Stockholmers and tourists. Djurgården is a calm oasis which has been royal land since the fifteenth century.
There are fine areas to stroll, for example around the Djurgårdsbrunn canal and Blockhusudden. Djurgården is also home to several of city’s top museums and attractions, as well as enjoyable cafés and restaurants.
Dansmuseet / Museo de la Danza
Dansmuseet / Museum of Dance (Drottninggatan 17, Stockholm) – this museum is dedicated to world dance. Dansmuseet was established in 1953 in a basement of the Royal Opera House in Stockholm. The collections and activities have developed a great deal over the years, and the museum has moved several times up until 1999 when it was housed in a magnificent bank palace on Gustav Adolfs torg, built in 1918. In spring 2013 the museum moved to Drottninggatan 17. The museum has its origin in the Archives Internationales de la Danse, founded in Paris in 1933 by Rolf de Maré. Admission is free. Hours: 11 am – 5 pm (Tuesdays – Fridays only).
Apart from the permanent displays, several temporary exhibitions are put on every year. Dance films are always available and live performances. There is a large selection of events and activities to choose from during autumn, winter and spring.
City Hall
City Hall (Ragnar Östbergs Plan 1, Stockholm) — City Hall, with its spire featuring the golden Three Crowns, is one of the most famous silhouettes in Stockholm. Guided tours are available all year round. Stockholm City Hall is one of the country’s leading examples of national romanticism in architecture. The City Hall was designed by the architect Ragnar Östberg, and opened on Midsummer Eve in 1923. The City Hall is built from eight million bricks, and the 106 meter tall tower has the three crowns, which is the Swedish national coat of arms, at its apex. Behind the magnificent facades are offices and session halls for politicians and officials, as well as splendid assembly rooms and unique works of art. Stockholm’s municipal council meets in Rådssalen, the Council Chamber. The great Nobel banquet is also held in City Hall. After dinner in Blå hallen, the Blue Hall, Nobel Prize recipients, royalty and guests dance in Gyllene salen, the Golden Hall, with its 18 million gold mosaic tiles.
The City Hall is open to the public through guided tours only. Guided tours are held daily in Swedish and English at certain hours. During summer months the tours are available in several other languages. During the same period you can also climb up inside the tower and enjoy a fantastic view over the city. Tours can be canceled with short notice due to events. Admission: SEK 70-100 (adult), SEK 20-40 (children).
Birka
Birka (Björko island, west of Stockholm) – this is one of Sweden’s first real towns, and a worthwhile visit for those interested in Viking history (a daytrip must be organized to go there). During Viking times, Birka on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren, was the central hub and the most important marketplace in the entire Mälar Valley. It was founded in the 8th century AD, drawing in travelers from other parts of Scandinavia. Nowadays, this site has a wealth of ancient remains that have been excavated and studied since the 19th century.
The Stromma tour company organizes boat trips from the dock at Stockholm’s City Hall (during the Summer) to Birka. A round trip fare through their service is SEK 345 per person. See its website for more details on this exciting trip: http://www.stromma.se/en/Stockholm/The-Archipelago/Day-trips/Birka—The-Viking-City/
Bromma Blocks
Bromma Blocks (Ulvsundavägen 185–193, Bromma) – just a 15 minute drive outsde of Stockholm, this shopping center has about 80 stores and several restaurants & coffee shops. The retailers here include Bang & Olufsen, Ecco, H&M, The Body Shop, and many others.
Ambassadeur
Ambassadeur (Kungsgatan 18, Stockholm) – this nightclub, which has minimalist interior décor, is actually several clubs within the same location. The largest part of the club is Ambassadeur White — where they play vocal house. Ambassadeur Black focuses on R&B and soul. Ambassadeur Gold’s theme is feel-good retro, with pop hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
D.O.C.
D.O.C. (Karlavägen 28, Stockholm) – this pricey restaurant is considered the best Italian restaurant in Stockholm. Diners who have eaten here recommend the olive-fried back of lamb with garlic cream, as well as its other Tuscan dishes. It also has one of northern Europe’s best stocked Italian wine cellar and an extensive selection of first class champagnes.
Boat Sightseeing with Strömma
Boat Sightseeing with Strömma (Stockholm) – one option to see more of Stockholm is by boat (with tours offered by various companies). Under the Bridges of Stockholm, Royal Canal Tour and the early Good Morning Stockholm Tour concentrate on central Stockholm and take from 50 minutes to 2½ hours. The Good Morning tour is given in Swedish and English only. Other tours are also given in German, Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, Finnish, Chinese, and Japanese. The number of tours is limited during the winter.
Hop On Hop Off is a flexible way to see Stockholm from the water. The ticket is good for an unlimited number of trips over a 24-hour period. It can also be combined with bus (Open Top Tour).
Archipelago Race is for those who want to see the archipelago but do not have much time. In a fast Speedo boat, you get a feel for the archipelago and its 30,000 islands in less than 2 hours. The tour is given in Swedish and English. Tickets can be purchased online via: www.stromma.se
CAR RENTALS
CAR RENTALS – it’s easy to rent a car in Stockholm. Most major international car rental companies have offices and rental locations at all of Stockholm’s airports. It’s possible to book ahead of time or at the airport. To rent a car you will need a national driving license and a valid passport. Stockholm’s inner city has road tolls for Swedish-registered vehicles, so be sure to ask if tolls are included in the price.
The following car rental agencies operate in Stockholm:
Avis: +46 8 441 89 30
Europcar: +46 8 21 06 50
Hertz: +46 8 454 62 50
Sixt: +46 8 410 772 22
ABBA The Museum
ABBA The Museum (Djurgården 68, Stockholm) — Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid were and still are, for most of us, ABBA. The Swedish platform-booted and sparkly supertroupers stormed the pop world between 1972 and 1983 and gave us the hits ‘Dancing Queen’, Summernight City’ and ‘Knowing me, Knowing you’ among many others. It’s worth remembering that even though ABBA split up 30 years ago, Mamma Mia! the movie featuring their music, is the most successful movie musical ever and almost 50 million people have seen the same-named musical production. Now with ABBA the Museum in Stockholm the legend lives on and on and on. Admission: SEK 195 (adult), SEK 145 (children ages 6-15 years). Children under 6 go in free. Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (Saturday-Tuesday), 12 pm – 8 pm (Wednesday-Friday). See its website for more info: www.abbathemuseum.com
