Welcome to Stockholm! This beautiful city, built on 14 islands, is often called The Venice of the North. Where else can you fish or swim in the city centre? The abundance of nature makes it a true haven, with architecture ranging from medieval to modern.

DISTRICT GUIDE

Ask a Stockholmer where they are from, and they will most probably say the name of their closest subway station. Being a city practically on water, it is best getting around its many narrow streets and alleys on public transport. Furthermore, the subway stations separate the different parts of the city.

City Hall
Stockholm is a city of many beautiful faces and each area of town is distinctive. T-Centralen, for example, is a typical downtown area with traffic jams and bustling crowds. This is the part known as the City or Norrmalm. From here you can choose to walk alongside the water to Djurgården, a lovely island ideal for walks and picnics, and visit Skansen or Gröna Lund. Why not stroll through Östermalm? This is the most elegant part of town where some of the city's most impressive buildings are found (Östermalms Saluhall should not be missed!). Go through Kungsträdgården ( The King's Garden) and walk over the bridge to cosy, little Skeppsholmen, popping into Moderna Museet or Skeppsholmen's church. You could take one of the ferries out to the magical archipelago and you will still be, geographically at least, within the borders of Stockholm. Of course, you could also take the subway a couple of stations and spot modern, daring architecture (The City Library at Rådmansgatan subway station and the new Cultural Centre at T-Centralen) or see the little red cottages. Whilst strolling around Mosebacke or Fjällgatan (subway station Slussen) you will still be in the same lovely city—Stockholm, the country's capital, and the Venice of the North.

Gamla Stan
The other side of town, Södermalm, is also worth seeing. In the late 1800s this was the home of Stockholm’s working class. Returning home from a long, hard day by the ships the workers used to stop for a drink at the local taverns. This image of Södermalm as the home of the bohemian workers, of genuine pub culture and socializing has been preserved; more cafés, galleries and pubs are found here than in any other part of town. A lot of small, funky stores featuring local artists' and designers' works are also to be found in this area, as well as at the summer Mynttorget street-festivals. At Vita Bergen (subway station Skanstull) performances in theatre and song can be enjoyed. It is here, at Södermalm, where you will experience a living, creative, urban Stockholm.

And if Södermalm is cultural Stockholm, Gamla Stan (the Old Town) is genuine Stockholm. It is still the city's pride and joy. Cobbled streets and narrow, 17th-century alleys (the smallest one being only 67cm wide!) create a unique atmosphere. Don't forget to look up at the impressive old church, Storkyrkan. The area’s old houses all feature ambitious decor and ornaments. If you turned back the clock by about 700 years this is what all of Stockholm would look like.

A lot has happened since, an example being the construction of the Royal Castle. Unfortunately, members of the royal family no longer live here; Drottningholm is now their home. Stroll through the lovely gardens, admire the water and appreciate the history of Stockholm, the country's diverse capital.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Once upon a time, there lived a fisherman was in Bishop of Strängnäs' service at the castle of Tynnelsö. On an especially beautiful day the fisherman caught an enormous salmon, which he wanted to keep all for hismself. Therefore, he decided to flee across the islands of Lake Mälaren and he ended up on an island at the outlet of the big lake—thus becoming Stockholm's first inhabitant.

This popular story about the salmon fisher is one of many legends of how Stockholm came to be founded. With regards to the name Stockholm, there is another known tale that goes as follows: when the town Sigtuna was destroyed by the Estonians, the citizens hid their things of great value in a hollow log and threw it in lake Mälaren. The log (called stock in Swedish) floated ashore at the island (holm) in question, and the homeless Sigtuna citizens thought this was the perfect place to settle down.

Archaeological excavations show that Stockholm was not founded until the 13th century. According to Erikskrönikan, the oldest depiction of medieval Sweden, the Regent Birger Jarl was Stockholm's founder. Stockholm went through a swift expansion and already in a document from 1289 the city is described as one of the most populated in Sweden. From the middle of the fifteenth century, the city had more than 1,000 households and a total population of 5,000 to 6,000, thus being far larger than any other contemporary Swedish city. Back then, and for a long time afterwards, the population consisted of three dominating ethnic groups: the Swedes, who were a majority, the Germans, of whom many were leading merchants, and the Finns who mainly worked as servants and plain craftsmen. Maybe the most important prerequisite for the city's early expansion was the fact that Stockholm had an excellent location as a lock to Mälaren. The elevation of the land made Stockholm's waters the only passage for ships heading towards the Baltic sea.

The battle at Brunkeberg became one of the most influential events in Sweden's political history. It once and for all ended the union kings' power over Sweden and the group of Swedish employers who had been allied with Denmark finally surrendered. 10 October 1470 the Swede Sten Sture fought the Danish king Kristian. The Dane had besieged Brunkeberg, which had not yet been settled, and the swamp where Kungsträdgården Norrmalmstorg and Birger Jarlsgatan are today located. The Danes were attacked from two fronts and tried to retreat to Blaiseholmen. However, Stockholmers in boats attacked the bridge and succeeded in cutting it to pieces as the Danes ran over it. Many soldiers fell into the water and many drowned. Sten Sture's victory was great and glorious. King Kristian was wounded in battle—he lost some teeth caused by a bullet in the mouth—and never returned to the Swedish east coast. Sten Sture erected a monument in honour of his victory; the result was the wonderful sculpture Sankt Göran och Draken (St George and the Dragon), which can now be seen in Storkyrkan. More than a monument it was a token of appreciation for the saint's support and assistance during the battle.

Stockholm gained such strength and independence during the latter part of the Middle Ages, that the city became a powerful factor nationally on a political level, acting between the Danish union kings and the national movement lead by the Sture family. The dramatic course of events culminated in 1520 in a mass execution of the leading Swedish opposition. The massacre would forever be remembered as "Stockholm's Bloodbath". The majority of the townspeople and the realm's nobility had been invited to the coronation of the Danish king Kristian II, nicknamed Kristian the Tyrant. After three days of hectic partying, the archbishop Gustav Trolle accused the nobility of heresy, and a temporary court found all of them guilty. The executions began the very next day. Between the depressing 8 and 9 November approximately 100 people were beheaded at Stortorget.

The massacre became the catalyst to a series of events that resulted in Gustav Vasa (with a fast-growing beard) marched into the city in 1523, and proclaiming himself Sweden's first king and dynasty founder.

On 7 May 1697, Stockholm's pride until then, the castle Tre Kronor (Three crowns), burned down. Miraculously, no one perished in the flames. The fire broke out in the middle of the day in the attic above the drawing-room, which was located in the medieval part of the big complex: the old castle consisted of houses from different eras. When the fire was finally discovered it had spread with such speed that the outer roof and the inner ceiling were ablaze. The old tower Tre Kronor was on fire as well, and eight guns and one church bell that were stored on the upper floor fell down with a terrible crash into the Queen's wine cellar, causing the whole tower to collapse. The fire continued the whole day and the whole night and destroyed everything except the north wing. The new castle—Slottet—is located exactly where Tre Kronor once stood, facing the Opera.

It was not until the seventeenth century that the political institutions such as riksdagen, the central administration, and the Svea court of appeal were located in Stockholm.

Several bad harvests at the end of the seventeenth century and a plague in 1710-11, along with the Nordic wars, stretched the country economically. However, through growing industrialization, at the end of the century Stockholm managed to regain its role as the realm's prominent industrial community.

King Gustav III adored France, and it was through him that the Swedish language, art, music and other culture developed, inspired by the baguette-loving kingdom. On Friday 16 March 1792 the king went to the opera in the evening for a masquerade. He had been warned of an assasination plot, but unfortunately the king ignored the warning, put on his mask and walked downstairs to the party. There, a group of masked men surrounded him and greeted him with the words "Bonjour, beau masque" (Greetings, beautiful mask). In the very next instant the king was shot at close range. But he did not fall over, he just uttered the words "Je suis blessé"—(I am hurt). The assassins shouted "Fire!", but no one panicked and they were all caught and arrested. Gustav III did not die that night at the opera, but his gun wound became infected, and he passed away many days later. Captain Anckarström, one of the conspirators, who fired the fatal shot, took the full blame for the crime and was duly executed. It has gone down in history as the "Masquerade Murder".

Stockholm was one of dirtiest cities in Europe in the early nineteenth century. In addition, it was overcrowded. Söder was pure slum. Many children were disfigured from malnutrition, and lived in tiny basements with no sunlight. From this situation, the working class movement quickly developed, and 1909 the Social Democrats together with the liberals had gained the majority in the city council.

Twenty-eight nations participated in the Olympic Games held at Stockholms Stadion in 1912. During these early Games the host countries tended to win most gold medals, and Sweden was no exception.

As to more recent occurrences, the United Nations held their first international environmental conference in Stockholm 1972. One night, thousands of young people demonstrated in favor of preserving the whales and ending whale hunting. They walked through the city behind a truck, which resembled a black whale. The next day an unprecedented resolution was accepted—a ten-year interruption to whale hunting.

A lot has happened since that beautiful day a long, long time ago when the Bishop's fisherman caught his big salmon. Hopefully this short glimpse of history had given you a better idea of the Venice of the North—Stockholm.

WHERE TO STAY

If you come to Sweden by air, you will most probably land at Arlanda International Airport. Here you will find very practical and elegant accommodation. The Radisson SAS Arlandia Hotel and Radisson SAS SkyCity Hotel are located nearby.

From Arlanda you will surely journey to Central Station. This is the crossroads for most forms of transport in Stockholm. This city can be proud of is transport system: it is one of the finest in the world. There are subways, railways, buses and boats to take you wherever you want to go. You can travel on the Arlanda Express to the international airport, or take the super fast X2000 passenger railway to most major cities in Sweden. Boats are available to islands and countries surrounding Sweden. From Stockholm you can travel by boat throughout the archipelago, a magnificent journey to thousands of islands. Tour buses often leave from City Terminal in the same block.

In the Central Station area, there are hotels, restaurants and a wide variety of shops within a couple blocks. Some of Stockholm's finest and most expensive places of accommodation are within two blocks of Central Station. Next to the station is the Radisson SAS Royal Viking Hotel Stockholm one of Stockholm's finest hotels. Across the street are the Scandic Continental and the Sheraton. These hotels are expensive, but worth it. Most include breakfast in the price. Shopping in this area is very interesting; you can shop for tour guides, maps, and pictures of Stockholm, as well as for gifts such as crystal glass. There are tax free stores available and the selection is excellent. Many restaurants and cafes with lots of outdoor dining are available, or if you crave a fast-food hamburger you can buy one here also.

North, on Vasagatan, you will find many places to stay. These are all within walking distance of the Central Station. Freys Hotel, Hotel Terminus, Adlon Hotel and Central Hotel are close by. In this area you can go to a concert at the Vasa Teatern or buy a tour guide map from Kart Butiken. Scandic Sergel Plaza Hotel and Rica Hotel are nearby as well. These are mid-priced hotels with quality, clean rooms and service. From Vasagatan it is a short walk to Drottinggatan and hundreds of fine, specialized shops for all ages and preferences.

Near Central Station there are also some lower-priced but first class hotels. Comfort Hotel located on Kungsbron (the King's Bridge) as well as Wallin Hotel on Wallingatan all offer moderately priced, but good accommodation. One of the lower priced options is the City BackPackers Hostel on Upplandsgatan.

South of Vasagatan is the famous Gamla Stan or Old Town. To visit the district of Gamla Stan is like travelling back in time. There is a good choice of hotels in this area, something for every pocket. If you want first class luxury, Grand Hotel is the best alternative. This hotel offers excellent service and is located opposite the Royal Castle and Old Town. Within walking distance of Grand Hotel are many museums, for instance Modern Museum and the Architecture Museum. A walk over the bridge Strömbron to the Old Town is special. There is always someone fishing for salmon in the clean water of Strömmen. An evening walk through the Old Town alleys is a wonderful way to finish your day.

If you want to stay on the Old Town island, there are alternatives such as First Hotel Reisen on Skeppsbron, which offers wonderful view from many of its rooms. This accounts for the high prices. Victory Hotel is somewhat cheaper and offers a nice atmosphere and modern comfort. For those needing only a room without a restaurant, Lord Nelson Hotel or Rica Hotel Gamla Stan are economical and a wise choice. In the Old Town there are many wonderful restaurants and pizzerias to choose from.

For the newlyweds, there are dreamy and romantic rooms at the Lady Hamilton Hotel. Opposite Hotel Reisen across the water, you can see a white ship; this ship is anchored permanently and serves as a hostel. It is called Af Chapman and Skeppsholmen. This accommodation is offered at low prices and is a unique opportunity for accommodation near the Old Town. Breakfast is served on deck in the summer; that alone is worth the price.

Södermalm
South of Gamla Stan is the district of Södermalm. You will find many good alternatives for accommodation in different price groups. You go "up" to Södermalm, literally, because you can get here by two lifts on both sides of Slussen, although you can also walk there. On Södermalm there are many picturesque streets and old houses with gardens. Scandic Hotel has two hotels in the area and all are high in both quality and price. Scandic Hotel Sjöfartshotellet is close to Slussen. The view of Stockholm from here is lovely. From Slussen you can take a ferry to the large amusement park Gröna Lund and the wonderful outdoor museum and zoo, Skansen. Scandic Hotel Malmen is located at Medborgarplatsen. All these hotels are modern and clean, providing all the high standards of service you expect. The walk between these hotels is a memorable experience. On Götgatan you will find many music stores and cafes.

More economical accommodation near Söderhallarna is offered by the Columbus Hotel & Hostel. Rival Hotel is splendid for families. There is no shortage of cafes and dining places in this area. An historical building is Hotell Anno 1647, which is decorated in a 16th century style. A cafe and a dining room are available for guests. On the south end of Södermalm is a very good business hotel called Alexandra Hotell. It is not expensive and not far from Stockholm's Globe City.

Within a few minutes' travel from Stockholm Central there are many more alternatives. The district of Östermalm offers hostels and splendid hotels. Near Östermalmstorg are rather expensive, British-style hotels—Mornington Hotel and Comfort Hotel Wellington. A large food market is nearby where many fresh products from different countries are sold. Delicacies from every nation can be found here, such as caviar, canned ants, and rooster combs. Behind the Dramaten is Hotel Örnsköld. It is moderate in price and close to the harbour, from where you can take a boat to the archipelago.

Östermalm has many boutiques and shops with a very personal style, as well as the Comfort Home Hotel Tapto, which offers a very personal service. On one of Stockholm's most luxurious streets, Strandvägen is Hotel Esplanade. All comforts and services are offered at a high price.

The district of Vasastaden has many very good, expensive hotels as well as less expensive alternatives. All hotels in this part of town have many shops and a good variety of entertainment and restaurants around them. By the park Humlegården are Hotel Kung Carl, Scandic Hotel Anglais and Elite Hotel Stockholm Plaza. Take a little walk to Stureplan where you find an old swimming hall, Sturebadet, with its wonderful interior decor.

If you come on the Arlanda bus from the airport, you can stop at Elite Palace Hotel near Wennergren Center and the beautiful Hagapark with the butterfly and birdhouse. Cheaper alternatives in a quieter area are Hotel Tegnérlunden and Hotell August Strindberg which is located near a little park.

For the businessman, Hotel Birger Jarl on Tulegatan is perfect. They have fast ISDN computer connections and other facilities available. Hotell Lilla Rådmannen and Kom Hotel are other cheaper alternatives in this area. If you want something a little cheaper you will find Wasa Park Hotel,a very good alternative in calm and peaceful surroundings.

The district of Kungsholmen has some good hotels for families, Hotel Aldoria is less expensive, and First Hotel Amaranten is an exclusive alternative. Both are located near Kronobergs Park.

Another suggestion while visiting the district of Djurgården is Villa Källhagen. The old house is quite charming, and there is plenty to do in the area to justify a stay here. It is like the countryside down at the water, and the hotel has a very good restaurant. Within walking distance are the Vasa Ship museum, Gröna Lund and Skansen. There are many more to choose from. One last one to mention here is an exclusive hotel called Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden. It is beautifully located just east of the city.

DINING AND DRINKING

"An appetizer (or a main course) which consists of among others bread and butter, cold cuts and small hot dishes" is how a smorgåsbord is defined according to the National Encyclopedia. Stockholm's restaurant world could be described as giant smorgasbord, offering something for every tastebud. Over the last twenty years the Stockholm smorgasbord has developed enormously, inspired by culinary art from the four corners of the earth as well as the Swedish cuisine. One explanation for today's multi-cultural restaurant life lies in the fact that Swedes, including Swedish chefs, travel greatly all over the world, bringing new ingredients and flavours as they come back to their own kitchen. In the old days it would have been sacrilege if one served herring in any other way than the traditional. Today it is not uncommon that herring is flavoured with ginger or oregano; it is no longer a question of breaking the rules of the local cuisine, but about reinventing and blending. A couple of years ago every self-respecting neighbourhood had a pizzeria; now the pizzerias have been forced to move closer together to make space for more exotic spices offered by Indian and Thai cuisines. Restaurants have been and still are springing up like colorful mushrooms all over the city, which has left the ordinary man and woman in Stockholm more gastronomically knowledgeable.

Norrmalm - City
Why not start off with a real Swedish breakfast at Grand Hotel one of the most exclusive hotels and restaurants in Stockholm? The buffet and the view over the water will take your breath away, and some famous faces may be hidden behind the morning paper. If you would rather have people to complement your breakfast, grab a smoothie at the American-inspired Wayne's Coffee Or have a pleasant awakening with a cup of mint-chocolate coffee across the street at Dilas, the little Italian coffee shop, where a genuinely Italian atmosphere rules, even in the early morning hours.

A must for champagne drinkers and lobster guzzlers is Berns in Berzelli Park. Operakällaren is a classic in the Stockholm restaurant world, but if the prices are too high one can find equally fine food on the other side of the Kungliga Operan at Bakfickan. Another classic and immortal restaurant is Café Opera where simple home cooking is the main attraction. The paradox of combining luxury with simple home cooking can be enjoyed at Sturehof the present hub of Stockholm's restaurant life, open practically round the clock. Prinsen is still the rendezvous place for many actors, poets and artists, and at KB the cultural elite mixed with Internet elite, sampling crossover and traditional Swedish dishes. Crossover and other food trends that characterised the Swedish cuisine during the Nineties began at Rolfs Kök. East regarded as the best soul bar in town, offers modern Asian food from Thailand, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

Vasastaden

Have a generous lunch and drink as much blueberry juice as you want to at Blåbär If the craving for a juicy entrecôt becomes to unbearable, visit the French tavern Minerva. Il Forno (which in Italian means "wood oven") does not look like much on the outside. It is a well-kept secret amongst pizza-lovers who make a pilgrimage from all over town to get their wood oven-baked pizzas. These, combined with great pasta at bargain prices are part of Leonardo's winning concept. Norma on the corner could easily be missed, but the cosy atmosphere and the traditional Swedish food with European influences make a meal here a long-lasting memory. Hoedupbab is a giant hit among other fun Korean specialties at Koreana. Habana (La) is a great introduction to Cuban cuisine. Another modern Asian restaurant is Mooncake with its focus on Chinese food, serves with finesse and fantasy. A personal and relaxed atmosphere accompanied by the seas' delicacies is Musslan specialty.

Peppar is a classic in its neighbourhood; here stout and masculine dishes such as chili, jambalaya and so forth dominate the menu. Sala Thai has for a long time been the Thai king of Vasastan. Small, fastidious, nice and comfortable is September, worth a visit; a piece of advice, though, is to book one of the few tables beforehand. Storstad on the other hand won the Stockholm Award for best restaurant, and is extremely popular. Tranan is well-visited, whether it is in the actual restaurant where the favourite dish is meatballs and Rydbergare, or downstairs in the bar with the pinball machines. Especially during the weekends it is frequented by young people out clubbing. Bistro de Wasahof is the pride of Vasastan located at Vasaparken where French cuisine gets on well with Swedish; it is appreciated by older-generation journalists, authors and actors. Last but not least, spend your Sunday morning relaxing at Sirap over a fragrant American brunch.

Östermalm

It may not be Bagdad Café, but it is Beirut Café that whets the appetite for Lebanese food. The Lebanese cuisine has a lot in common with the Turkish, and the Turkish cuisine has a lot in common with the Greek. The result is Halv Grek Plus Turk The name is a wordplay as one of the owners is a Turk and the other is half Greek. Step in through the somewhat anonymous door and in an instant you are in the Mediterranean with a taste of aniseed and green figs. Grodan Grev Ture is the mecca for many young, hip, hardworking people around Stureplan, who go to enjoy its traditional dishes. Ciao Ciao Due crowd consists of both young gluttons and well-behaved families ordering the same tasty, traditional Italian food.
Lydmar has a stylish dining room where one can choose between a range of appetizing dishes, no matter what the budget, since the food comes in three different sizes. Tures is the natural hang-out after the end of a working day, while No 18 gets better the closer it gets to midnight. Wedholms Fisk is the fish restaurant with a capital F, and has kept its winning concept through the years: fresh fish, heavenly sauces and enormous portions.

Djurgården

Ulla Winbladh was originally built as a baker's shop for the international Stockholm exhibition in 1897, and everything from the interior décor to the food still is genuinely Swedish. Villa Källhagen is regarded as one of the best restaurants in town. The food is made with a never-ending passion for the Swedish flora and the four seasons. Please make a trip to Rosendals trädgård a priority. On a sunny day either go here for an early fresh lunch (the queue starts early) or have one of the irresistible home-baked pastries and sit down among the old, beautiful, knotty apple trees in the garden.

The Old Town
The historical Den Gyldene Freden was opened in celebration of the peace at Nystad in 1722. Hence the name, Gyldene Freden, which means "the golden peace". Ever since, the restaurant has been much frequented, and well-established among locals. A comfortable quality restaurant with staff that does everything to make you happy is Järnet. Kaos is an imaginative retreat and a culinary surprise. Gourmet food is served at Lejontornet, in medieval surroundings. The modern and robust atmosphere at Mårten Trotzig is hard to resist. Trattoria Romana is located in a charming basement, with equally charming food and accompanying violinists.

Södermalm
The view is unique and dazzling at the international Gondolen and the same goes for the food. The flagship at Södermalm is Hannas with unaffected and unconventional food and patrons. Across the street is Hannas Deli which is much more crowded and fashionable. Il Tempo Italian food is a cherished culinary dream. The kitchen's concept is "food from all over the world" and Matkultur is a place where lunch is a sacred institution. Muggen is a romantic place with praiseworthy, modern Italian food. Delicious French crepes are made in a steady succession at Creperie Fyra Knop and ordering in French is deeply appreciated. Snaps/Rangus Tangus is an affable restaurant located in a palatial building at Medborgarplatsen. An unpretentious eaterie is Sjögräs either after work or before the adventure of the evening. Sushi and sashimi are very good reasons to visit Sushi-Ya. Wake up slowly at Mosebacke Etablissement eat their weekend buffet and play a game of chess.

Kungsholmen

Mamas and Tapas is Spanish culture and cuisine personified. You are well taken care of, plus you have the opportunity of enjoying traditional Swedish food in the yellow-painted place called Absinth Bar & Bistro. Snails cooked in a variety of ways are L'Escargot's speciality. High-class food and perfection are Bon Lloc's guidelines—the world champion chef Mathias Dahlgren rules in this kitchen. Göken used to be a beer-house, and has developed into a little pearl with regards to the food and the service. The sushi is in a division of its own at Roppongi Something as original as a crossover between Gotlandish and Mediterranean food is what people eat at Spisa hos Helena. Beautiful restaurants with carefully cooked food close to the water are Sjöpaviljongen and Ocean.

Although the Stockholmer has become more educated in the culinary art, a hot dog with bostongurka and rostad lök still has a sacred place in most hearts. You might actually get one of your best culinary experiences in Stockholm at one of the hot-dog stands around town.

RECOMMENDED TOURS

The Royal Castle and the Old Town

We meet outside the Royal Castle after a walk from the Central Station over Norrbro bridge. To the right is the old Government House. You cannot be here without noticing Stockholm's Middle Age Museum; it is newly built and exhibits a lot about medieval Stockholm. The entrance is under Norrbro bridge. We turn our back to this now but promise to come back here soon.

The Old Town (Gamla Stan) is exactly what it sounds like, a very old town. One does not really know exactly how the town of Stockholm developed here more than seven hundred years ago. One thing is sure though: the water. During the twelfth century, this was the only connection to lake Mälaren from the Baltic Sea. The Old Town in those days was a reloading place for the ships from different countries. We start our walk through the Old Town at Lejonbacken in front of the Royal Castle. The King does not live here nowadays, but the castle is used for state visits and royal dinners. The royal castles in Stockholm permit visitors. Start walking to the left of the castle. The castle has been here since the 1200s. Before, it was called "Tre Kronor", (Three Crowns); unfortunately it burned down in 1697. The present castle and the obelisk you can see on the other side of the castle were built shortly after the fire. The obelisk is a thank you to the people from the king for helping to protect the city during the war against Russia in 1788-1790.

On Slottsbacken is the museum Livrustkammaren and on this street we find also the Royal Mint. The Old Town has many very narrow alleys. Now we walk down one of them, Källargränd, to the market Stortorget. The famous restaurant Stortorgskällaren is located here. You can have lunch in deep cellar caves dating back to around 1500. The composer and singer Carl Mikael Bellman's spirit rests heavy here. We now pass the cathedral, Storkyrkan. It is hard to imagine that it has been here since at least 1279! Inside the church you can see the wooden sculpture St. Göran och Draket (St George and the Dragon). Many medieval streets lead out from this marketplace—Köpmangatan, Svartmangatan, Skomakargatan and Lilla Solgränd.

When you go through the Old Town, observe its streetlights. They are replicas of the old models. We continue our walk south on Skomakargatan. Along the way, you will see doorways carved and sculpted from oak trees. Johan Feder was the name of a shoemaker that gave the street its name.

We now enter Tyska Brinken and Tyska Kyrkan (the German Church). If the time is 8am, 12 noon, 4pm or 8pm you can hear the church bells chime. Next you come to Västerlånggatan. It is absolutely full of small and large shops on both sides of the street. You will find anything and everything for souvenirs and gifts. You may also hear street musicians along the way. When Västerlånggatan ends in the south, you find Järntorget market. The name dates back to 1400, when iron (järn) was exported from this area.

Now you walk along Österlånggatan north until you come to Köpmantorget. The statue depicts the same scene as the one in Storkyrkan, St George and the dragon. Any of the narrow alleys to the right go down to Skeppsbron. Go down any of them to see a big white ship; that is the hostel Af Chapman where you can hire a room. There are many wonderful restaurants in the Old Town. You could try for instance Restaurant Diana on Brunnsgatan with its wonderful atmosphere.

If you now walk just a little north you will be back at the Royal Castle again, and our tour of the Old Town is finished.

Södermalm and Mariaberget

We now take the subway (red line) to Mariatorget. When you come up through the exit to Mariatorget you will see Maria Magdalena church. The churchyard is a calm oasis in the city, and the Swedes' beloved musician Evert Taube´s grave is here. An older church was here already in the 1300s. You will see Hornsgatan now. It is long and goes between Slussen and Hornstull. You will see a variety of different shops in all sizes and descriptions. Have fun exploring these!

We now cross Hornsgatan and go up through Blecktornsgränd until we reach Bastugatan. It is like entering an ancient world. You will see small houses with gardens and a panoramic view of Stockholm that is breathtaking. Bastugatan (Sauna Street) got its name from all the little bathing cottages that were here in the Middle Ages.

To see Stockholm from up here you must walk along to Ivar Los Park on Mariaberget. There is a walkway and benches to sit on while enjoying this spectacular viewpoint. Looking straight across the water you see the main Town Hall with its three crowns on top (Stockholms stadshus). A little to the right you see the Old Town with its alleys. Far away to the right you see Skansen and Gröna Lund. The water in front of you is Lake Mälaren, but at Slussen it changes from sweet water to the salt water of the Baltic Sea.

One very good thing to know is that all street numbers in Stockholm start at Slussen. So wherever you are in town, all streets are numbered away from Slussen.

Take a walk up to Mariahissen. You can have a cup of coffee here before going down the lift to Ryssgården. Located here is Stockholm's Stadsmuseum. Mariahissen is one of two lifts that take you up and down to Södermalm. The other one is Katarinahissen located on the other side of Slussen. Another time we will go there and look at the wonderful view.

The subway takes you back to Central Station anytime to finish your walk.

Djurgården, Vasamuseet, Gröna Lund and Skansen

For this walking tour, you will first take bus 56 from Central Station to bus stop Biologiska Museet. This house, a museum since 1893, is one of Stockholm's most famous buildings. It looks like an ancient Norwegian wooden church. Inside you can see "the animals of the north seen in nature". Artist Bruno Liljefors, and taxidermist Gustaf Kolthoff have done fantastic work. In daylight they show the silent animals in the forest, on the mountain, and in the sea.

Opposite the museum is a long brick wall. Behind the wall is a graveyard for people who have some connection with the sea. It is very beautiful and has a wonderful view over the water. Down from the graveyard, you can see one of Sweden's most visited museums, Vasamuseet. There you can see the ancient ship Vasa, which sank outside the beach on its maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. She is unusually well preserved and the sight is incredible.

You cannot go out on Djurgåden without a visit to Gröna Lund, Stockholm's lively amusement park. Fun for all ages and all types is found here, with amusements such as one-armed bandits, cotton candy, rides, the funny house, restaurants and bars. One special feature is the free-fall ride. Cowards can also try from a much lower height. The roller-coaster ride has had some new turns added and the merry-go-rounds are full of happy children. On the big stage many artists perform throughout the summer.

A little further out on Djurgården to the left is Skansen. This is Stockholm's fantastic open-air museum and zoo. Here there are ancient farms, brought here and rebuilt from different parts of Sweden. Demonstrations of old-fashioned machines and activities, such as carting, spinning and weaving are here. They show how people lived and worked on the ancient farms. There is also Small Skansen for children to enjoy, with baby animals. It is hard to leave here but we go on anyway.

On top of Skansen is Soliden restaurant with a wonderful view over Stockholm. Many couples have chosen to be married in the old church called Seglora. If you have strength enough left, we continue to Waldemarsudde. This is Prince Eugene's Castle and is open for the public as a museum and art gallery. The Prince was a skilled artist, and it is worth the walk here to see the park, the castle and his masterpieces. Don't miss the painting Vitsippor, it is quite wonderful.

Now our tour on Djurgården is over. Here at the waterside we rest a little before we go back to Gröna Lund, where we can take a ferry over to Slussen and the subway to take us home again.

Sergels torg, Hötorget, Kungsträdgården and Nybroplan

We gather at Sergels Torg. Here is the Culture House (Kulturhuset) - go in and have a look at the Designtorget; there you find new ideas and designs for articles that you didn't know you needed. Kulturhuset is made up of several large floors with a lot happenings, such as dance, theatre, music, and exhibitions. Take a look at its programme.

We walk up some stairs and turn north (right) to Drottninggatan. This is the most outstanding shopping street in Stockholm. Street musicians are often here to entertain you when you pass. Åhléns's large department store is here and along Drottninggatan you will find numerous interesting and varied shops for shoes, clothes and everything else. Butterick's is the place to go to buy things for practical jokes, parties, masquerades, and so on: you will never come out empty-handed from this shop. Take one street to the right and you will end up at Hötorget. The name comes from the hay (hö) market held here in old times. It is wonderful to see all the flowers, fruit, and little market stands everywhere. On one side of Hötorget is a blue building that houses Stockholm's Concert Hall, whose programme you should check during your stay.

There is a fantastic fresh food market under Hötorget. One of the entrances you will find at the cinema, saying "Hötorgshallen" on the door. Down here you can enjoy a bowl of fish soup or fresh bread or pastries and rest your feet before continuing. This place smells fantastic. You can buy something from anywhere around the world here.

Upstairs again, you can walk to the right past the blue Concert Hall. This takes you back to Sergels Torg with its high glass obelisk, which is lit up in the winter. Turn to the left on Hamngatan down to NK. This is another large department store known for its quality merchandise. Opposite NK is the Kungsträdgården. It was earlier the King's vegetable garden. Today it is a park with many activities going on daily. The big fountain sounds refreshing and the ice-cream sellers are kept busy. There is a permanent boules lane here, and in the summer music of various kinds is performed on the stage next to it. In the wintertime you can skate to music on the skating rink.

Further along in the park there is a statue of Karl XII. He is known as the great warrior King of Sweden and he lived between 1697 and 1718. Still today the Swedish government starts every year with a parade and the soldiers are dressed in the same type of yellow moose-skin trousers.

Only a few blocks north of Kungstädgården is Nybroplan, with the Royal Dramatic Theatre in white and gold. It has many stages with many different plays. At the water's edge, many white boats are waiting to take you out into the archipelago of Stockholm. This is another wonderful experience to try.

We hope you have enjoyed your city walk in Stockholm. Nearby is the subway station Östermalmstorg from where the train will take you to your home.