Nickname(s):
STHLM
Demonym(s):
Stockholmare
Founded:
1252
Democracy:
Developed:
European Union:
Schengen:
Euro:
National Capital:
RegionalState Capital:
Population (City):
976 000
Population (Urban):
1 612 000
Population (Metro):
2 403 000
Population Density (km2):
5 200
Population Density (mi2):
13 000
Largest City In Sweden
Largest Metropolitan Area In Scandinavia
Language:
Swedish
Currency:
Krona
Avg. Summertime High:
24 °C
75 °F
Avg. Summertime Low:
15 °C
59 °F
Warmest Month:
July
Coldest Month:
January
Avg. Wintertime High:
1 °C
34 °F
Avg. Wintertime Low:
-3 °C
26 °F
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The Old Town of Stockholm is one of the best-preserved in Europe and with the medieval street layout still largely intact. The Old Town is located on an island in the center of the city, with the more modern Norrmalm to the north, and hipster Södermalm to the south. Further south you'll find Stockholm Globe Arena, the largest hemispherical building on Earth and host to many concerts and sports events.
Kingdom of Sweden | Konungariket Sverige
Sweden
English
Sverige
Swedish
Region:
Northern Europe
Area:
450 295 km2
Ranked 55 out of 195
Population:
Population:
10 402 000
Ranked 88 out of 235
Urbanization:
88 %
Ranked 23 out of 194
Capital:
Stockholm
Population: 2 403 000
Largest City:
Stockholm
Population: 2 403 000
Major Cities:
Economy & Development:
Human Development Index:
Very High
Ranked 7 out of 189
Inequality-Adjusted HDI:
Very High
Ranked 7 out of 189
GDP (PPP) Per Capita:
$53 240
Ranked 35 out of 225
Democracy & Freedom:
Democracy Index:
Full Democracy
Ranked 3 out of 167
Freedom House:
Free
100 points out of 100 possible
Press Freedom:
Good
Ranked 3 out of 180
Economic Freedom:
Most Free
Ranked 35 out of 162
National Identity:
Independence Since:
1523
Independence From:
Denmark
National Day:
6th of June
What Is Celebrated On The National Day:
The coronation of Gustav Vasa as King Gustav I on the 6th of June 1623, which symbolized the ending of the Kalmar Union and Danish rule over Sweden.
Facts & Codes:
Driving Side:
Right
-
Time Zone:
UTC +1 (CET)
Summer - UTC +2 (CEST)
Country Calling Code:
+ 46
-
Country Code:
SE
ISO 3166
Swedish County | Svenskt Län
Stockholm
English / Swedish
Region:
Central Eastern Sweden
Area:
6 519 km2
Ranked 16 out of 21
Population:
Population:
2 380 000
Ranked 1 out of 21
Population Share:
23 %
Of National Population
Capital:
Stockholm
Population: 2 403 000
Largest City:
Stockholm
Population: 2 403 000
Major Cities:
-
Information:
GDP Per Capita::
$77 272
Higher than national average
Climate:
Humid Continental Climate
Köppen: Dfb
Time Zone:
UTC +1 (CET)
Summer: +2 (CEST)
Vasa Museum
17th-Century Ship
Gamla Stan
Old Town
Kungliga Slottet
Royal Palace
Stockholm-Arlanda Airport
IATA Code:
ARN
ICAO Code:
ESSA
Passenger Volumes:
Distance:
40 km / 25 mi (N)
Located In:
Märsta / Sigtuna
Named After:
Arlanda is a constructed name made for the Airport
Information:
Stockholm actually has three airport (Arlanda, Bromma & Skavsta). Stockholm-Arlanda is the largest and the most probable point of entry if you're flying into Stockholm.
Transfer To/From:
Arlanda Express is the quickest and takes 20 minutes to the Central Station. It's quite expensive and cost 30 USD one-way. You can also take a commuter rail for about half that price and double the time. Buses costs 15 USD (Flygbussarna) and will take you to the city center in 45 minutes. Taxis are expensive and be aware of scams. Make sure you take a car from the three main companies (Taxi Stockholm, Sverigetaxi, and Taxi Kurir).
Underground Metro
Tram / Light Rail
Elevated Rapid Transit
Walkability
Public Transportation:
Stockholm has a metro system with 100 stations and three main lines. The system opened in 1950 and is the heart of public transportation in Stockholm. There's also a network of commuter rail and trams throughout the city and suburbs, the commuter rail network even connects to Uppsala in the North. Even if you do not need to use the metro while exploring the city it's worth visiting some of the stations regardless as the Stockholm Metro is often called "The World's Longest Art Work" due to the beautiful artworks and murals at the stations. Three stations worth visiting are Rådhuset, Kungsträdgården, and T-Centralen (Metro Station at the Central Train Station). Prices are the same no matter how far you travel in the network (except for Arlanda Airport and Uppsala) and the system is completely cashless.
Walkability:
The city center is very walkable and you don't need to use public transport while exploring the areas of Norrmalm, Södermalm, Östermalm as well as the Old Town. Those areas include almost all major sights of the city.
Currency:
Swedish Krona
Code:
SEK
Subunit:
Öre
Symbol:
;-
Cash Or Credit:
Credit all the way! Sweden redesigned all the bills and coins 5-10 years ago and I still don't know how the new ones look like. I've had the same 100 Kronor (10 USD) bill in my wallet for several years without ever having to use it. You can use credit cards even for transactions of less than one SEK if you want to without complaints or issues.
Good To Know:
-
Local Language:
Swedish
Language Family:
Germanic (Indo-European)
Writing System:
Latin Alphabet
What About English?
Almost everyone speaks good English in Sweden and you don't have to ask if it's okay to use English. You can just assume that everyone, of all ages, will be able and willing to assist in English.
Other Common Languages:
-
Drottninggatan
Pedestrianized
Yes
Built
1630s
District
Norrmalm
Drottninggatan (Queen Street) is a 1.5 km (0.9 mi) long street that goes from Riksbron (National Bridge) near the Swedish Parliament Building and continues North to Observatorielunden in Vasastan, not far from Odenplan Metro Station. Most of the stretch is pedestrianized, except for two blocks at the Northern end of the street. It was built in the 1630s and was originally known as Stora Konungsgatan (Great King's Street). Drottninggatan will take you through some major sights of Stockholm such as The Parliament Building, Sergels Square, and Hötorget, as well as the Central Station.
The central of Stockholm, both geographically and from a tourist’s point of view, is undoubtedly the Old Town, which is situated on a small island known as Stadsholmen. As a tourist this is an area where you will spend a lot of time, however, I wouldn't recommend looking for a hotel in that area. I would rather recommend you to look at hotels in Norrmalm, just North of the Old Town. The reason for that being that you would have more and better dining and shopping options in the evening. Stay within a five-minute walking distance of the Old Town on the Northern shore and you will have a great time.
The central of Stockholm is very safe and there's no reason to be worried at all while exploring there. Any issues will be found in the suburbs, which you have no reason to visit if you're on a purely touristic trip. The furthest North that you might go to while exploring are Friends Arena and Mall of Scandinavia in Solna, and the furthest South you might go is Globe Arena just South of Södermalm. Everywhere in between those two points are perfectly safe, and it's only if you would venture further out than this that you could end up in areas that can be considered unsafe.
Note: My assumption is of the basis that you will always take normal precautions when you're out traveling, just as you would do at home. Even the safest cities have bad elements and no matter how safe you might feel you must always take basic precautions. I'm always aware of my surroundings when I walk around, both with and without the camera. I am however a very typical tourist and it shows so I am a person that will undoubtedly draw the attention of those who targets tourists. If you can you should of course always try to blend in as much as possible, but with my big camera around my neck, it's impossible. That's two things that are good to know when reading my assessment of how it felt from a safety point of view.
Stockholm, unfortunately, lacks a lot of the international chains that have established themselves in other European capitals in recent years. There are however some local chains worth trying out.
Max
Origin:
Founded:
1968
Type of Food:
Hamburgers
Did I Try:
Yes
My Score:
3 / 5
About:
-
Comment:
This is a good option if you're looking for hamburgers and it’s worth trying out. They have a company profile of caring for the environment and focusing on vegan alternatives in their menus.
No Images Available
ChopChop Asian Express
Origin:
Founded:
2011
Type of Food:
Asian Fusion
Did I Try:
Yes
My Score:
4 / 5
About:
-
Comment:
It's very good if you're looking for this type of food. But I would probably not recommend someone who's just visiting for a few days to go there. It's very similar to Panda Express in the United States. The menu is almost identical, with only minor differences.
No Images Available
Sibylla
Origin:
Founded:
1932
Type of Food:
Hot Dogs & Hamburgers
Did I Try:
Yes
My Score:
2 / 5
About:
The most classical of Swedish chains. Began as a collective of hot dog stands that wanted to increase the average standard of hot dog stands. During the year it evolved and today they are mostly known for selling hamburgers.
Comment:
I'm not a super fan, but it's not bad. It's just that I don't find it good enough to want it ahead of any of the competition. It's more fun to try than any of the chains you have at home, but I wouldn't aim for Sibylla.
No Images Available
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The Skyline of the Kungsholmen area of Stockholm from Skinnarviksberget, a lookout spot with great views of the city on Södermalm.
Stockholms Stadshus (City Hall)
Skyline of Central Stockholm. The five large buildings are Hötorgsskaporna. Built in the 50s and 60s they were once a symbol of a new and modern Stockholm. Today they are more a symbol of how we demolished historical quarters for brutalist, soulless monuments.
The Skyline of Stockholm, showing mostly Gamla Stan (Old Town).
The Skyline of Stockholm, with Kaknästornet in the background. Photographed from Monteliusvägen, which is another good lookout spot on Södermalm.
Skyline of Stockholm and Kungsholmen.
A train approaching Old Town and Stockholm Central Station.
The Old Town of Stockholm is filled with narrow alleys and beautiful architecture.
Most streets in Old Town are cobblestone streets.
Many of the buildings in Old Town are preserved from the times when Sweden was a great power in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Gamla Stan (Old Town)
Österlånggatan, literally translated as Eastern Long Street.
Österlånggatan
Järntorget (Iron Square) is a meeting point in Old Town. It's the starting (or ending) point of both the previously mentioned Österlånggatan and also, visible in this photo, Västerlånggatan (Western Long Street).
Architecture around Järntorget.
Drottninggatan (Queen Street) is the main shopping street in Stockholm.
A street on Södermalm.
A small street leading up to Skinnarviksberget on Södermalm.