coll. - Stockholm

How To Use This E-Book

This Explore Guide has been produced by the editors of Insight Guides, whose books have set the standard for visual travel guides since 1970. With top-quality photography and authoritative recommendations, these guidebooks bring you the very best routes and itineraries in the worlds most exciting destinations.

Best Routes

The routes in this book provide something to suit all budgets, tastes and trip lengths. As well as covering the destinations many classic attractions, the itineraries track lesser-known sights, and there are also excursions for those who want to extend their visit outside the city. The routes embrace a range of interests, so whether you are an art fan, a gourmet, a history buff or have kids to entertain, you will find an option to suit.

We recommend reading the whole of a route before setting out. This should help you to familiarise yourself with it and enable you to plan where to stop for refreshments options are shown in the Food and Drink box at the end of each tour.

Introduction

The routes are set in context by this introductory section, giving an overview of the destination to set the scene, plus background information on food and drink, shopping and more, while a succinct history timeline highlights the key events over the centuries.

Directory

Also supporting the routes is a Directory chapter, with a clearly organised AZ of practical information, our pick of where to stay while you are there and select restaurant listings; these eateries complement the more low-key cafs and restaurants that feature within the routes and are intended to offer a wider choice for evening dining. Also included here are some nightlife listings, plus a handy language guide and our recommendations for books and films about the destination.

Getting around the e-book

In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

Maps

All key attractions and sights mentioned in the text are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map] just tap this to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

Images

Youll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of the destination. Simply double-tap on an image to see it full-screen.

2017 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd

Table of Contents

Recommended Routes For...

CITY VIEWS

Climb the stairs up the Stadshuset tower ().

Getty Images

CHILDREN

Kids will love the fun amusement park Grna Lund Tivoli ().

Julian Love/Apa Publications

ESCAPING THE CROWDS

For a more subdued day, venture out to the islands. Vaxholm () all offer lots of things to do away from the city crowds.

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MUSEUM BUFFS

The museum islands of Djurgrden ().

Julian Love/Apa Publications

MUSIC LOVERS

Enjoy classical music or opera at Konserthuset ().

Pl Allan/ABBA The Museum

PARKS AND GARDENS

For a spot of greenery, visit the stunning terraces of Millesgrden () with wide open spaces to explore.

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ROYAL STOCKHOLM

Have a right royal time at the Kungliga Slottet ().

Julian Love/Apa Publications

WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Stockholms Unesco World Heritage Sites include Drottningholm (), which travels back in time to the Viking Age with extensive 8th-century excavations.

Julian Love/Apa Publications

Explore Stockholm

Swedens capital is a city of islands, where palaces and peaceful hideaways line the shores, green spaces punctuate the cityscape and cobbled streets lead to traditional cafs, sleek modern restaurants, and lively cultural attractions.

At Stockholms heart is the water, from its earliest times as a trading port, its naval importance and through to the present day as a magnet for tourism. Boats and bridges link island to island, allowing visitors to wander at will from the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan (Old Town) to the buzzing cafs and clubs of Sdermalm. All this water adds to the charm of Stockholm, whether you sail to enchanting Drottningholms Slott, slip back in time at the Viking-era settlement Birka, or visit the Vasa Museum to marvel at its glittering golden warship.

Cobbled street in Gamla Stan

Julian Love/Apa Publications

Geography and Layout

Dramatically situated at a point where the Baltic and the waters of Lake Mlaren collide, the city has been splendidly endowed by nature. Described by Swedish novelist Selma Lagerlf as the city that floats on water, only the city centre to the north is situated on the mainland, with the rest of it spread gracefully, if unevenly, over 14 islands that are connected by no fewer than 40 bridges.

Fresh and salt water are separated by the island of Gamla Stan and the great lock gates of Slussen at the southern end. This island barrier is where Stockholm emerged some time before the 13th century. To the east are the thousands of islands of the archipelago, numbering nearly 30,000. Hundreds of small boats bobbing along the edge of the inlets and islands are testament to the passion of every Stockholm family to own and sail a boat.