With its rich history and varied landscapes, Sweden is a traveler’s paradise. If you love the outdoors, it’s certainly hard to beat. The air and water are crystal clean, and there are thousands of acres of unspoiled forests and majestic lakes to explore, not to mention vast archipelagos along its coasts. The roads and public transport are excellent, the citizens are very friendly and helpful, throw in a mind-boggling history, from notorious Viking bersekers to Royal dynasties and imperial intrigue, and one thing is certain: you’ll never be bored. Sweden’s tourist attractions range from opulent palaces and ancient towns to vast Arctic landscapes, hidden gems. and historic treasures.
1 Vasa Museum
The Vasa Museum is Sweden’s most popular museum , more than 20 million people have visited since the museum opened, and it’s not hard to see why. In 1628 the pride of the Swedish Imperial fleet, the Vasa battle ship, sank on its maiden voyage. The ship lay below the icy waters for more than three centuries until, in 1961, an incredibly ambitious salvage operation took place. Now visitors from across the world come to see this fascinating mind boggling time capsule.
2 Gamla Stan (Old town)
Stockholm’s Old Town is known as Gamla Stan, a small concentrated area where the city began in the middle of the 13th century. Much of the medieval enclave remains, although in typical Scandinavian style, it is freshly brushed and painted. Its charm is in the architecture along its narrow stone-paved lanes and around its squares, especially the main one, Stortorget, surrounded by old merchants’ houses. In this neighborhood, along with plenty of shops, restaurants, and tea rooms, you’ll find so many places to explore such as Royal Castle, Royal Armoury, Stockholm´s 12th century Cathedral, Royal Coin Cabinet, Nobel Museum, Riddarholm island (Knights island) the amazing Abbey still in use burying mausoleum for Kings and Queens and several more attractions and charming locations.
3 Drottningholm
Fairytale Drottningholm Palace on the island of Lovö is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and lies about 11 kilometers west of Stockholm city center Dating from the 17th century, the palace is now the official residence of the Swedish Royal Family. In the picturesque, terraced park are bronze sculptures from Bohemia, Italy and Denmark, brought back as trophies of war. Be sure to take in the Chinese Pavilion (aka the pleasure house) which dates from the late 1700s. The unique fully operational with authentic period special effects and machinery,18th-century Palace Theatre (Drottningholms Slottsteater) still used for performances during the summer months.
4 Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset)
One of Sweden’s most famous buildings, the Stockholm City Hall was built between 1911 and 1923, using an astonishing eight million bricks. It is considered one of the finest examples of National Romanticism, designed by the architect Ragnar Östberg. The 106-meter-tall tower is topped by three crowns. Many events (besides beig the actual City Hall for the Stockholm´s region and city) are held here such as the Nobel Prize, you’ll see the Blå Hallen, the Blue Hall, where the Nobel dinner is held, and the Gyllene Salen, the Golden Hall, lined by 18 million gold mosaic tiles.
