Why you should visit Stockholm

After being in Stockholm for two weeks we can now say that we believe Baby Boomers should visit Stockholm. We soaked up the rich history and the culture, we enjoyed gastronomic delights in and around Stockholm and its regions, we got close to nature, we loved the Swedish people and their outlook on life and family and we were transported with ease around Sweden.

Why you should visit Stockholm

Rich in history and architecture

Stockholm has an impressive array of museums available from the two most famous — the Abba Museum and the Vasa to Skansen the world’s oldest open air museum and Fotografiska the world’s largest photography museum just to name a few. Stockholm has three World Heritage sites; Drottningholm, the residence of the Swedish Royal Family, Woodland Cemetery and Birka.

Sweden shines in the field of architecture from melting Ice Hotels, to the world’s first twisted skyscraper, a UNESCO World Heritage Cemetery, an electron microscope and the largest spherical structure in the world — the Ericsson Globe. Sweden is definitely not just IKEA, Volvo’s and Swedish meatballs and the Nobel Prize.

Travel further into the archipelago and visit Vaxholm Fortress and Siarfort, two of Sweden’s specially built military fortresses and the picturesque village of Wira Bruk where swords and rapiers were manufactured up until last century.

Did you know that the Vasa is the world’s best-preserved ship from the 17th century and the Vasa Museum is the most visited Museum in Scandanavia? I can understand why, I am not a history buff but this story really draws you in.

Can you imagine a battleship, the leader of the fleet, to sink after only sailing 1,300m on its maiden voyage in 1628? How? The guns fired their first salute, the crowd roared with delight, Vasa set sail, then a strong wind blew and she began to heel to the lee side, she righted herself and then heeled again, water poured into the gun ports and she slowly sank to the bottom.

The Vasa was built too top heavy, with 64 cannons high up in its construction, with its masts and sails. Fifty people perished that day, some were women and children who had been given permission to sail on her maiden voyage because their loved ones worked on board.Who took the blame? Well, the King didn’t. What about the designer? Nope, he passed away the year before. Vasa was salvaged from 333 years lying on the bottom of the ocean in 1961. The sad thing is that even due to the latest technology, the ship will eventually deteriorate. The oak wood used in the construction of the hull is now deteriorating and there is a possibility of another capsize.

We strolled through the ancient cobbled streets of Gamla Stan where the city was first founded, nearly missed the smallest statute in Stockholm and squeezed down the narrow alleyway of Marten Trotzigs. Gamla Stan is one of the world’s best-preserved medieval city centres and houses amongst other buildings Stockholm’s Cathedral, the Royal Palace and don’t forget to catch the daily Changing of the Guards when you visit.

Parliament House, Stockholm gives free guided tours in English and Swedish from Monday to Friday at different times. Check the board outside and remember to be there 20 minutes before the designated time, only a small number can join the tour at any one time.

It wasn’t high on my priority list of things to see in Stockholm but it turned out to be one of the highlights. Our guide had a passion, as a child her ambition was to be the first woman prime minister of Sweden, but soon realised after spending time with her Mother who was working in Parliament that her leisure time would be non-existent. She told us the history of the Parliament, the work of the Parliament, the different parties and duties of the parties and their members and what is happening today. It is a grand old building and one with spectacular views.

Since May 2013 the Abba Museum has been drawing crowds to its interactive exhibitions. Are you an Abba fan?

Gastronimic

Let us enjoy Fika.

Take time out morning or afternoon, with family, friends, work colleagues or even by yourself and mull about life in general whilst enjoying a cup of coffee or tea and a pastry (or two)’ Fika is civilised and it is the way of life for Swedes. One that we will certainly copy and enjoy with fond memories.

How about some ‘korvmoj’ before dinner? It’s Sweden’s answer to ‘fast food’ and we are great fans.

Close to nature

Visit Stockholm without visiting the archipelago would be like visiting Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. There is no excuse, over 30,000 islands to choose from and some within 20 minutes of the city. Take time to hike, enjoy the nature, eat the local cuisine, stay overnight on some of the islands, sail by ferry around the others and enjoy the towns and villages along the way.

We stayed on Nasslingen Island.

We also spent a few hours in Stendorren Nature Reserve where we walked over suspension bridges to arrive at small wooded islands where you could swim off the rocks (if you can brave the cold waters of the archipelago) or just watch the sail boats off in the distance.

We would recommend spending a few hours at the Oster Malma Wildlife Park to see moose, deer and fallow in their natural environment.

The Swedish people

From the moment of our arrival into Stockholm, we noticed a difference in Swedish people. They were softly spoken, calm, humble and egalitarian in nature. We learnt a new Swedish word ‘lagom’ meaning everything in moderation, work hard play hard is not in their vocabulary — it is more like work just enough and go out and play just enough.

Their family is very important. Children are raised to be equal in the family, there are no favourites. Traditional festivities are important for families to get together and celebrate e.g. celebration of the arrival of spring and summer. Companies expect both parents to share the parental leave on the birth of their children, they have 390 days of paid leave up until the child’s eighth birthday that can be spread out anyway they want. If Sweden can do this, why can’t other countries?

Travelling around Stockholm

Public transport is easy in Stockholm, the metro is clean and safe and the buses and trams are convenient and have regular schedules for a great way to move around and see the city.

From arrival at Arlanda Airport the Flygbussarna bus whisks you into the city terminal in 45 minutes every 10 minutes. At the luggage collection in the arrivals terminal you will find two automated ticket machines, or you can download their app and book online. Just scan the barcode as you board the bus — how simple and quick is that.

Our thanks to Flygbussarna for providing our transport to and from the city terminal. It was a smooth and effortless journey both ways, even catching the first bus to the airport of the morning at 4:00am.

To travel by ferry throughout the archipelago is just as easy as catching a train around Stockholm.

When you travel by train throughout Sweden you are viewing stunning landscapes, islands, lakes, villages as you are whisked away to your next destination.

For discounts to museums, attractions and restaurants and the Hop On Hop Off Bus it is worth using the Stockholm Pass.

Would you add Stockholm to your bucket list? If you’ve been to Stockholm, what was your experience?