Famous sights

National Museum of Fine Art

Blasieholmshamnen. Tel: +46 8 519 543 00.

Collections of applied art and modern design, painting, sculpture, prints and drawings. Scandinavia's largest collection of furniture, china, glass and Swedish silver.

National Museum of Cultural History

Djurgårdsvägen 6-16. Tel: +46 8 519 560 00.

Here you can learn about Swedes, their customs and everyday life, both past and present. Swedish interior design, fashion and costumes.

Museum of National Antiquities

Narvavägen 13-17. Tel: +46 8 519 556 00.

Sweden was one of the Vikings' home grounds and this is where you can learn more about them. And about Sweden's historical development in general.

Kaknästornet

Ladugårdsgärdet. Tel: +46 8 789 24 35.

Tv/radio transmission tower that is one of Scandinavia's tallest buildings (155 meters high). Spectacular view of Stockholm and surrounding districts from the observation decks.

Drottningholm Palace

Drottningholm. Tel: +46 8 402 62 80.

Construction of the palace started in 1662 after the first building on the site was destroyed by fire. The Chinese Pagoda and other follies are worth seeing. This has been the home of the Swedish royal family since 1981. Open daily.

Royal Palace

Gamla Stan. Tel: +46 8 402 60 00.

Even though the Swedish royal family now lives at Drottningholm Palace on the outskirts of the city, the centrally-situated Royal Palace is still very much a going concern. The king and queen work here. With its 600 rooms, it is bigger than Buckingham Palace.

City Hall

Hantverkargatan 1. Tel: +46 8 508 290 00.

You may have seen it on television because the Nobel prize festivities are held here. Considered one of the most beautiful city halls in the world.

Subway

Stockholm's subway is unique for its raw, exposed rock faces. Don't miss the spectacular Kungsträdgården station.

Vasa Museum

Galärvarvet, Djurgården. Tel: +46 8 519 548 00.

The warship Vasa sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. Now she has a museum of her own. Absolutely unique. Nothing like it anywhere else in the world. Guided tours, exhibitions, slide shows.

Skansen

Djurgårdsslätten 49-51. Tel: +46 8 442 80 00.

All parents in Stockholm have taken their children for walks around Skansen. Many of the traditional houses have guides in period costume that will tell you about the erstwhile inhabitants lives. The world's first open-air museum, it is Sweden's largest, with over 150 historical buildings. There are also enclosures with Nordic animals, plus an aquarium with more exotic species. Well worth a visit. During the Summer there are open air recitals. Other bizzare attractions inclulde the Soother Trees.

Guided tours

From the Middle Ages till Now

Stockholm Visitors' Board. Tel: +46 8 789 25 90.

Historic walk between churches and palaces that fills you in on the bloody and fascinating history of the Old Town.

Great walks

Gamla Stan (The Old Town)

Fly on the wings of history and walk the narrow streets in this unique part of Stockholm. The oldest buildings date from the 13th century. Two thousand people live here permanently.

Hagaparken

Lovely place to walk near the center of the city. Check out Haga Palace where the Swedish king and his sisters grew up.

Djurgården

Large royal park. A wonderful oasis where you can walk or bike and enjoy the fresh air. Several museums, restaurants and outdoor cafes.

Drottningholm Park

Lovön.

The grounds of Drottningholm Palace, official residence of the Swedish royal family. Here you can stroll through a French baroque garden and a more naturalistic English garden and admire the 18th-century baroque theater, which continues to play during the summer. It's large and impressive, so give yourself time to enjoy it. During the summer, there are regular boat services from City Hall to Drottningholm.

Norr Mälarstrand

A quayside stroll from City Hall to Rålambshov Park on Kungsholmen is a favorite for locals who enjoy a breath of sea air together with a fine view over the Riddarfjärden waterway, with the Söder district in the distance.