7 must-see attractions in Stockholm

The beautiful city of Stockholm boasts a rich maritime heritage, stunning architecture, and a host of museums and attractions. With so much going on, the city has something to offer every visitor. From the Viking powerhouse of Birka to the future cities on display at the National Museum of Science and Technology, here we suggest seven very different attractions that will give you an insight into Stockholm’s past, present and future.

Whatever you choose to see while in town, you may want to look at the Stockholm Go City pass as this will allow you to save up to 50% on Stockholm attractions.

The Vasa Museum

One of the most attractive places in Stockholm, the Vasa Museum, is dedicated to the only preserved 17th century ship in the world, the Vasa. It’s one of those places that will make your jaw drop from the moment you walk in. Vasa was built between 1626 and 1628 as a warship commissioned by King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden.

It tragically sank on its maiden voyage in 1628, but was rediscovered in the 1950s and raised to sea before being carefully restored. Today it stands as an amazing testament to the history of Swedish shipping and you can’t help but be captivated by the sheer size and craftsmanship of the ship.

Exhibits tell you more about the construction of the ship, its tragic sinking, and the subsequent recovery process, while multimedia presentations help bring the story of the Vasa to life. The museum also has an amazing collection of artefacts found on the ship, which give more insight into life on the Vasa during the 17th century.

A visit to the Vasa Museum is not just about seeing the ship (amazing though!); it’s about understanding the cultural and historical context of maritime Sweden, making it an attraction for anyone visiting Stockholm.

The Royal House

It’s hard to know where to start with the Royal Palace as it is so many attractions in one place: the Royal Guard (Högvakten), the Three Crowns Museum (Museum Tre Kronor), the Royal Apartments and the Treasury (Representationsvåningarna och Skattkammaren), the Royal Armory and the Riddarholmen Church. The Royal Guard is responsible for protecting the Swedish royal family and is an important part of Stockholm’s military preparedness. The changing of the guard takes place every day (except on certain holidays) at 12.15pm.

The Three Crowns Museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the history of the original Tre Kronor Palace, which stood on the same site until it was destroyed by a devastating fire in 1697. On the other side of the Royal Palace, the Royal Apartments. and the Treasury, you can learn about the life of the Swedish royal family, explore the north wing of the palace where the apartments show a collection of lavishly decorated rooms, and see the Council Chamber – a large and historic room that has been used for centuries by important government. meetings.

The Royal Armory (not included in the Palace ticket) can be found deep within the stone buildings of the Royal Palace and is one of the oldest museums in Sweden. Its collection of antiquities and other monuments traces the history of the Swedish monarchy from the 16th century to the present day.

And finally, the 13th Century Riddarholmen Church is the final resting place of many Swedish kings, including Charles XII, Gustav III and Karl Johan, as well as other notable figures, such as Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, who was adopted by Charles XIII and became King. of Sweden.

City hall

Completed in 1923, Stockholm’s City Hall, or Stadshuset, is an iconic building – a magnificent work of art that stands as a symbol of the city itself. With its waterfront location and famous, unique towers, it is not only an important administrative building but also a tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world.

Inside, the City Hall has a variety of beautiful halls and rooms, and guided tours of the Blue Hall, Council Hall and Golden Hall will give you an insight into the role the building plays in Stockholm’s cultural life. The Blue Hall is famous for hosting the annual Nobel Prize banquet, where laureates celebrate their achievements. It is characterized by large arches and beautiful simplicity.

The Council Hall is where the Stockholm City Council holds its meetings. It is an important place for local administration and decision-making, with a style influenced by Nordic Classicism; it is lit by large, tall windows and has beautiful wood paneled walls and ceilings, and intricate paintings depicting Swedish art.

The tour ends with a visit to the Golden Hall – designed by the architect Ragnar Östberg – decorated with magnificent paintings depicting Swedish history and folklore. Some 18 million mosaic tiles cover an area of ​​approximately 1,500 square meters, with one of the most famous images being the Queen of Lake Mälaren. He sits on a throne that represents Stockholm and is surrounded by figures that represent other parts of the world, showing its role as a global city and the connection between Sweden and the wider world.

National Museum of Science and Technology

The National Museum of Science and Technology, or Tekniska Museet, is a must-see for anyone interested in scientific discovery. It is dedicated to showing the evolution of technology and its impact on society and has a variety of interactive exhibits. Learn about the historical invention and development of transportation, communication and energy.

We really enjoyed the details of upcoming cities and learning more about the 15-minute city concept – the concept of planning cities where daily needs and services can be easily reached in just 15 minutes. This will reduce reliance on cars, promote healthy lifestyles and provide sustainable living, hopefully improving the overall quality of life for city dwellers.

There are many displays and displays such as facial recognition software aimed at detecting age, gender and mood. Not entirely accurate but impressive nonetheless!

On the top floor of the museum, children – and maybe even adults – will love the old computer games and consoles, many of which you can play on. The collection was found in a museum that was sadly forced to close. I even saw a computer from my childhood – the ever popular Commodore 64!

Army Museum

For those interested in military history, the Army Museum (Armémuseum) in Stockholm is a must-visit. Housed in a beautiful building dating back to the 18th century, the museum provides an in-depth look at Sweden’s military history from the Viking Age to the present day.

There is a wealth of artefacts to view, including uniforms, weapons and equipment, which tell the story of Sweden’s military involvement over the centuries.

The exhibits highlight important events in Swedish military history and there are displays dedicated to various conflicts, such as the Great Northern War and World War II. Learn how these events shaped the nation and entered into the lives of soldiers and the impact the wars had on Swedish society.

On the ground floor of the museum, there is currently a moving and sad exhibition called ‘Crossroads’ which looks at the history of Sweden and Ukraine during the last 1,000 years – a collaboration between the Swedish National Museums of Military History, the National Archives and the National. Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II. It starts with the Viking Age – and the marriage between Olof Skötkonung’s daughter Ingegerd and Yaroslav I (the Wise) of Kyiv – and takes you to the current conflict.

Haga Ocean Butterfly House

Located in Haga Park, 10 minutes’ drive north of Stockholm’s city centre, the Haga Ocean Butterfly House is like two attractions combined into one – a lush environment with an amazing variety of butterflies and tropical plants, and a marine aquarium. it is home to all kinds of aquatic life, from corals to clownfish.

Designed to resemble a tropical rainforest, the Butterfly House is complete with waterfalls, exotic plants and, of course, countless butterflies. Get up close and personal with these beautiful specimens as they feed on the fruit set aside for them and watch them flutter… they might come down on you like they did on us!

Watch where you walk – not only because the butterflies are sitting on the ground, but also because there are little frogs jumping freely. Also marvel at the chrysalis board where you will see hundreds of pupae and experience the process of metamorphosis first hand.

In addition to the butterfly exhibits, there is a small aquarium where the highlight is a large tank with several sharks and other fish. It’s not as extensive an exhibit as other aquariums in Europe but it can definitely be enjoyed by families with young children.

Birka: Viking City

Take a scenic boat trip from Stockholm to Birka, located on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sweden’s most important archaeological sites Often referred to as the first Stockholm or the first city in Sweden, it was founded in the Viking Age and became a thriving center for European trade and culture.

A guided tour of Birka is a great way to learn more about the town’s historical significance, allowing you to imagine what life was like for the residents of this bustling area. The surrounding area is also worth exploring and there are great views of the lake that can be enjoyed from the Ansgar Monument at the highest point on the island.

You can visit ancient burial mounds and the foundations of houses and workshops, as well as complete reconstructions of Viking-era buildings and boats, ancient Norse crops, and livestock, to get a better understanding of what life was like in these early years. Places to stay in Sweden.

The Birka Museum also provides an important context for the site, displaying artefacts found in the area, such as tools, jewellery, and weapons, which reflect the art and daily life of the Viking people. Why not stay the night after most of the tourists have left, enjoy a special sparkling experience and have a deeper connection with the rich heritage of Sweden’s Viking past?

Disclosure: Our trip is kindly supported by Visit Stockholm.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is the Editor of the Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years. He is the winner of the Innovation in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog was also voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best in luxury” by The Telegraph.