Stockholm Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h20 and 25 reviews

Similar to a small waterfront castle, the Skating Pavilion is a building linked to Stockholm’s sporting history. In the middle of the 19th century, ice skating was a discipline that quickly became popular among the upper classes of the Swedish capital and those of the rest of Europe.

Here you are in front of a small citadel that sits on the islet of Kastellholmen like a medieval castle by the water. This red brick monument hides an eventful history of more than 350 years.

It is well known to say that in each of us sleeps a child’s soul even after reaching adulthood. And, from time to time, not much is enough to wake her up. Take Gröna Lund, for example, right across the street on the island of Djurgården.

Knowing that you will not be able to swim across the water, we decided to bring you as close to the shore as possible, to talk about the long apricot-coloured building, with a fireplace, visible on the opposite bank.

In this place, it is not really land in sight, but rather boat in sight monsoons! Built in 1887, Af Chapman is this huge three-masted square, steel-hulled ship moored on the west shore of Skeppsholmen Island.

Yes, Stockholm is a city, and even a capital, but many are unaware that Stockholm is also Sweden’s largest archipelago, surrounded by as many as 30,000 islands and islets. In this vast maritime maze are distributed about 6 neighborhoods, some of which, in the middle of the water, imperatively require the crossing of a bridge to be reached.

As if Stockholm did not already have enough surface wonders, it also had to tackle its underground network. And, by underground, we mean especially its subway network which, here, is much more than just a means of transport.

A temple of dance and soprano, baritone and tenor voices, the Royal Stockholm Opera is the national stage by definition throughout the country. Its first troupe was founded in 1773 by King Gustav III of Sweden, the great patron of the time.

Occupying almost an island on its own, the Swedish Parliament is the democratic heart of the country. While several projects were studied, in order to convert the island area into a vast park, it was finally the seat of parliament and the central bank that occupied the land from 1905.

If you manage to spot a red brick tower, overlooked by a gilded element, then well done, you have just put your finger on the next Attraction you want to discover. Due to its institutional role and history, the Stockholm City Inn has been one of the most important landmarks in the Swedish capital since 1923.

Within the large family of red brick buildings in Stockholm is the very expensive church of Riddarholmen. Its distant 13th century origins make it one of the oldest monuments in the city, but above all the only medieval church still visible in the capital.

This is the Riddarhuset, the Palace of Nobility, one of the great symbols of the Swedish aristocracy. Built in the 17th century in an impressive baroque style, it was much more than a palace: for more than two centuries, it was the parliament of the nobility.

The most important religious building in Stockholm is St. Nicholas Cathedral. History tells that in the 13th century, a wooden chapel was already on this spot thanks to Birger Jarl, incidentally the founder of the town.

If we slip you the word “Nobel”, what is the first idea that instinctively comes to mind? It is certain that in nearly 99% of cases, it is this international award, given each year to personalities “who have brought the greatest benefit to humanity”, that has arisen first in your mind.

If there is one place where the essence of Stockholm is concentrated, it is without hesitation in the Gamla Stan district. The first origins of the Swedish capital, like the first historical events of the 12th century, were held in this intertwining of medieval cobbled and winding streets.

Triumphant in its baroque style and massive dimensions, the Royal Palace is rooted in Stockholm’s history, as a precious witness to its glorious past. Despite foundations dating back to the Middle Ages, it was not until the beginning of the 17th century, through King Gustav II Adolph of Sweden, and his daughter Christine of Sweden, that the palace finally occupied its main function as the official residence of the monarchy.

In the select circle of the Swedish capital’s landmarks, you can count without hesitation the imposing building in front of you. Founded in 1792 and officially housed in this Renaissance-style establishment since 1866, the Stockholm National Museum is Sweden’s first museum of art and design.

When we arrive on Skeppsholmen Island, it is almost impossible for us not to see this elegant, pink-tinted building on the top of the hill. If a rather romantic design shows up in the curves of the site, the story behind it is, in fact, of a completely different kind.

Body of water, remarkable landscapes, peaceful atmosphere, this is how you can characterize Skeppsholmen Island, or “island of ships” if you like to translate. Traditionally located away from the rest of the city, this small piece of floating land was once a royal pleasure garden excluded from all kinds of developments.

It is agreed that a long view would not have been a refusal to better see the details of this ship in the distance, constituting alone the most visited maritime museum in the country. The story behind this cultural address is so impressive that it doesn’t take much more to attract the crowd.

Look at this big yellow building that runs along the shore. In front of you stands the Exercishuset, this magnificent yellow building built between 1851 and 1853 by the architect Fredrik Blom. This iconic Stockholm colour dates back to the 18th century, when Swedish architects were inspired by the yellow brick palaces admired on their Trips to Southern Europe.

It is impossible to miss it with its large Doric columns overlooking Mynttorget Square: here is the Ledamotshuset, the “house of deputies”. The facade, designed in the 18th century, comes from the former coinage house, Kungliga myntet, which once occupied the site.

Here, I invite you to stop for a moment. In the street on your left, if you go only a few metres, you will notice a narrow alley whose name is inscribed just above: Stenbastugränd. If it’s open during your passage, enter and walk the few meters that will lead you to an amazing circular courtyard.

In front of you stands the Bonde Palace, considered one of the finest examples of Swedish Baroque. Built between 1662 and 1673 for the powerful Bonde family, it was designed by two great architects of the time, Nicodemus Ticino the Elder and Jean de la Vallée.

It’s hard to visit Stockholm without tasting its gastronomy. And of course it all starts with the most iconic dish: köttbullar, those famous meatballs served with puree, cream sauce, blueberry jam and pickled cucumbers. A typical Swedish sweet-savory blend.