Stockholm, Sweden

Gamla Stan, Stockholm
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stockholm-Altstadt-%28gamla-stan%29.jpg
Author: Jürgen Howaldt


Stockholm is the capital and biggest city in Sweden. The city proper covers 188 sq km (72.6 sq mi) while the urban area covers 377.3 sq km (145.7 sq mi). The Stockholm urban area, within Stockholm County, has a population 1.25 million people, while the metropolitan area of Stockholm has 2 million people in it.

Stockholm is situated in an archipelago with the central part of the city occupying fourteen islands in the east coast of south-central Sweden. Riddarfjärden Bay is regarded as the very heart of the city. Stockholm is an hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+1) and two hours during Daylight Saving Time in Summer. The phone area code of the city is +46-8.

Places of Interest in Stockholm, Sweden

360° View of Stockholm on Google Maps Street View

Västerlånggatan, Gamla Stan, Stockholm
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stockholm-Gamla_Stan-2.jpg
Author: Jürgen Howaldt


The history of Stockholm goes back to 1252, when it was first mentioned. The name Stockholm means "log islet". It probably refers to the islet of Helgeandsholmen, which was probably fortified with logs. The fortification was erected by Birger Jarl in the 13th century to protect the settlement from invasions coming from the sea.

Today the Old Town of Stockholm, called Gamla Stan, is located on the central island next to Healgeandsholmen. This is where you find many of the historic buildings of the city. Although Stockholm has been the most important city in Sweden for centuries, it was made the official capital of the Swedish Empire in 1634, during a period when Sweden became a major European power.

Brända tomten, Gamla Stan, Stockholm
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Br%C3%A4nda_tomten_Gamla_stan_Stockholm_2005-07-17.JPG
Author: Jordgubbe


The early part of the 20th century saw Stockholm further developing towards becoming a modern city. During this period, many of the historical buildings were torn down and replaced with modernist architecture, a move that is now regrettable in retrospect. Nonetheless many of the old buildings particularly in Gamla Stan, Södermalm and Östermalm are still standing.

Stockholm experiences a climate between humid continental and oceanic. Its warmest months are June to August, with the high temperatures in July averaging 21.9°C (71.4°F). The average low temperatures for Stockholm from December until March is below 0°C, with the coldest month being February, at -5.3°C (22.5°F). Wettest month in July, with 72 mm (2.83 in) of rainfall. The longest days of the year are in June, which gets 291 hours of sunshine. In comparison, December only gets 34 hours for the whole month.

Visiting Stockholm

Arlanda Airport
Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (ARN) is the biggest airport in Sweden. It is located about 37 km (23 mi) from Stockholm, in the town of Märsta. Scandinavian Airlines has its head office near the airport, which receives flights from many major cities of the world.

Arriving at Arlanda Airport, you can reach downtown Stockholm by taking the Arlanda Express Train, the regular trains, airport coaches and the taxi.

Riddarholmen, Stockholm
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Riddarholmen_2006b.JPG
Author: Holger.Ellgaard


The Arlanda Express Train is a high-speed train between the airport and the Stockholm Central Railway Station. It leaves from the basement of each airport terminal and arrives in Stockholm within 20 minutes. There's a train every 15 minutes. The fare is 240 SEK one way, and 120 SEK one way for ISIC Card holders. There's also a special concession of 250 SEK for 2 adults, for travel during weekends and holidays.

There's a public train station, Arlanda Central, located between terminal 4 and 5. There is a station access fee of 60 SEK. The Linköping-Stockholm-Gävle train takes you from the airport to central Stockholm in 20 miutes, at the cost of 95 SEK (2nd class).

There are airport coaches between Arlanda Airport and the City Terminal. The fare is 119 SEK (89 SEK if you're under 25). You can't buy the ticket on board with cash, but credit cards are accepted. There's a discount if you purchase online at their website: https://www.flygbussarna.se The journey takes 40 minutes.

Birger Jarls Torg, Gamla Stan, Stockholm
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Birger_Jarls_Torg,_Gamla_Stan,_Stockholm.jpg
Author: Fanny Schertzer


Swebus is a bus service between Arlanda Airport and the City Terminal. The journey takes about 40 minutes also. The fare is 89 SEK one way and 178 SEK return. Again, you can buy the tickets with cash, but credit cards are accepted. You can also buy the tickets from their website, https://www.swebus.se/SwebusExpress_com/Airport-transfer/

Other Airports
In addition to Arlanda Airport, you can also fly into Stockholm, landing at Bromma Airport (BMA) and Skavsta Airport (NYO). Bromma Airport is just 10 km from downtown Stockholm. It receives flights mostly from Århus in Denmark, Skien in Norway, and Brussel in Belgium. Skavsta Airport serves mostly low-budget carriers such as Ryannair and Wizzair.

Stockholms stadsmuseum, seen from Katarinahissen
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stockholms_stadsmuseum_och_Ryssg%C3%A5rden_2009.jpg
Author: Holger.Ellgaard

Exploring Stockholm

The subway, commuter train and bus system of Stockholm is managed by Stockholms Lokaltrafik. The fare is paid using coupons. If you are going to explore extensively, it's best you can the passes that can be used for 24 hours (100 SEK), 72 hours (200 SEK) and 7 days (260 SEK).

A very good option when exploring Stockholm on your own is to get the Stockholm Card, which allows you rides in the aforementioned public transport, as well as free admission to 80 museums and attractions in Stockholm. The Stockholm Card costs 395 SEK (24 hours), 525 SEK (48 hours), 625 SEK (72 hours) and 895 SEK (120 hours). The rate for children aged 7-17 is lower, being 195 SEK (24 hours), 225 SEK (48 hours), 245 SEK (72 hours) and 285 SEK (120 hours).

Neighborhoods of Stockholm City Centre

Neighborhoods of Söderort

Neighborhoods of Västerort

Suburbs of Stockholm

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