Sweden is a Viking royal Scandinavian country on the Baltic Sea in northwest Europe. And Stockholm is its beautiful capital and largest urban centre, sprawled on an archipelago of 14 islands in the Baltic Sea. Sweden is a mosaic of contrasts for its architecture, culture and climate. It is despite its high north latitudinal position, owing to the warm North Atlantic current and moderating south-westerlies on its Baltic maritime coast.
Bordering Norway on the west in the Scandinavian peninsula of Europe jutting into the Baltic Sea, Sweden has a central position in the continent; and is geologically one of the oldest and most stable parts of the earth. It was once a joint kingdom with nautical neighbour Finland. It is connected with a bridge tunnel to Denmark across the Oresund Strait. These superlatives translate into its modern existence and a constitutional monarchy – modern, progressive, egalitarian and inclusive.
More About Sweden
Lakes intersperse with a rugged 2100 km long coastline to form a breathtaking landscape, vital for an extensive tourism industry. The countryʼs ancient name was Svithiod, derived from Svear or Suinones, an ancient name in Roman literature. The ancientness of the land comes from the historic and cultural relics dotting the country: and the capital Stockholm is also a permanent capital since 1528 at least.
Some large lakes include Vaner, Vatter, Malaren, Siljan and Storsjon. Since 15% of the country lies to the north of the Arctic Circle, the aura of the Northern Lights also adds to the charm. Blessed and aware of its natural heritage, Sweden was the first European country to establish the Sarek National Park to preserve its wilderness. St Bridget, founder of the Brigittine convent at Vadstena was a Swede. Its agricultural farm yields are among the highest in the world. Some major business corporations in the homeland of Alfred Nobel are electronics Ericsson, Volvo automakers, etc. It has a dense network of transportation and communications in all forms. The most important airports are Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo.
About Stockholm
Coming to Stockholm is the capital and largest city in Sweden. It is a microcosm of the Swedish ethos, situated on 14 Baltic islands connected by 57 bridges. Lake Malaren is the third largest in Sweden, and its easternmost bay – Riddarfjarden is in central Stockholm. The Lake is the backdrop of many tourist sites with historic and cultural eminence. The latitude of a shade under 60 degrees S gives the temperate city its ice sheet during the bleak winters, and maritime coasts kissed by moderate south easterlies and warm North Atlantic currents make the city hospitable. The human progress made by the free spirit and hard enterprise has led to Scandinavia becoming highly advanced technologically and socio-demographic. All 4 countries continually and continuously top the Happy Index in the world.
Stockholm is said to be founded by Birger Jarl 1252, a 13th-century Swedish statesman. It was once the capital of the joint state of Finland as Sweden. The giants of Science Alfred Nobel and Linnaeus belonged to this city. The famous pop group ABBA, noted actresses Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman, and Avicii, the electronic artiste, light up the arts and cultural realm. Moreover, Bjorn Borg, the living tennis legend lives here. Greta Thunberg is the latest environmental sensation to come to the fore. The city hosts major education and research institutions like the Stockholm School of Economics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University. The Riksdag (Swedish Parliament) and the royal residence are here. Hence, with so many cite-worthy attractions, Stockholm makes for an exciting and enriching experience.
Best Time To Visit Stockholm
The best time to visit Stockholm is during the summers in June and August when the sun shines plenty. You see the locals enjoying the scenery and greenery in parks, swimming along urban beaches, participating in cultural festivals and going for picnics and excursions to the islands. The hotels were also cheap at the time, offering attractive rates to the tourists. The autumn season from late August to September end is a considerable option, given the rates are the cheapest at that time and the approaching cold season has scattered the crowds.
If you want to go for a spectacle of White Nights, the peak of summer in July is the best time to view it. The phenomenon of the Midnight Sun occurs up in the extreme north. And the cold winter season of the sub-Arctic Lapland offers the ocular treat called Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights. Thus if one wishes to see Nature in its glorious hues, a trip from the capital can be planned to see the palette of the season.
Stockholm is a very walkable city, inhabited by 14 interconnected islands, with a profuse network of communications, bridges, ferry services, and metro trains and trams. So it is not an excuse that any part of the city is inaccessible; although time may fall short to explore the whole city. There are eternal geography, mediaeval history, modern industries and ephemeral activities to engage the fancies and whims of tourists. And Stockholm lies in the centre of any tourist concern within the country. It is famous for the worldʼs first open-air museum, and ABBA Museum, the iconic music band.
What to See in Stockholm?
- Paradox Museum and Fotografika Museum.
- The Kulturhuset- the House of Culture is a symbol synonymous with Stockholm. It stands for the growth of modernism in Sweden.
- SkyView is a gondola ride outside the reinforced Avicii Arena inside specially designed glass cubicles, giving a spectacular city view.
- Djurgarden is one of the Stockholm islands with several renowned attractions. The Vasa Museum is a sunken warship with 11 exhibits. The Skansen, founded by Arthur Hazelius in 1811, is the worldʼs first open-air museum. Besides, ABBA the Museum is a centre for interactive arts combined with the legacy of the famed pop music band ABBA.
- Drottningholm Palace in Ekero is the private residence of the Swedish royal family. Presently it is the home of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. It is also a world heritage site.
- Royal Palace of Stockholm is the official residence of the Crown and host of all official royal ceremonies. Apart from the Royal Apartments, the Palace houses museums like the Treasury and Gustav IIIʼs Museum of Antiquities. Besides, the Royal Chapel and nearby Riddarholmen Church are the royal cemeteries.
- Gamla Stan is the old town on the island of Stadsholmen. It houses buildings like Bonde Palace, Stockholm Palace, Stockholm Stock Exchange and Tessin Palace. Besides, the Nobel Museum is dedicated to the famous son of the town, the celebrated scientist Alfred Nobel.
- Strandvagen Boulevard in Ostermalm is a beautiful waterfront in central Stockholm. It was built for the 1897 Stockholm World Fair.
- The Sodermalm is a hip district located in central Stockholm and was among the 15 Coolest Neighbourhoods recently.
- The metro train system of Stockholm is a sight to behold, a work of art in itself.
Fun Facts Of Sweden
- Home of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite and the Nobel Prize Award.
- Hennes & Mauritz, abbreviated as H&M, has its headquarters in Stockholm. It is the second-largest fast-fashion clothing retailer, operating in 75 countries.
- Sweden is a green country, with more than half the country covered with forests. Moreover, Sweden imports waste from Norway and the UK to produce energy from recycled waste.
- Famous for ABBA, the masters of pop music. Music is one of its top exports.
- There is the famous ICEHOTEL in the village of Jukkasjarvi. The igloo hotel is carved out yearly from tonnes of ice blocks during winter. And the temperature is maintained at a steady -4 Celsius.
- Designing, innovations and recycling make Sweden an interesting travel destination. It is the founding base of IKEA – a pioneer of ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances and home accessories. It is the worldʼs largest furniture retailer. Sodermalm is the Design district of Sweden. Arkdes, the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design is in Stockholm.
- Fika, coffee breaks and Smorgasbord, the full Swedish food spread, are quite popular in Sweden. Similarly, AquaVit is considered the national spirit of Sweden. And the most renowned restaurant, famous for its smorgasbord is Operakallaren.
- Sweden uses its currency Krona, instead of the Euro, despite being a member of the European Union.
- Sweden has more than 95000 lakes.
- Sweden loves its potato harvest and celebrates the midsummer solstice celebrations with boiled potatoes, butter and dill.