The flagship city of Scandinavia is none other than Stockholm. This sprawling city is comprised of many islands — all with their own unique features and traits. The natural beauty of this city rivals anywhere else in the world, and it’s unsurprising to learn that there’s plenty to do here. If you do plan on traveling to Stockholm anytime soon, here are a handful of places for you to check out and enjoy.
Skansen
Skansen can’t be categorized by a single word. This expansive location (over 70 acres) is comprised of many elements quintessentially Swedish. If you want to see what Sweden looked like hundreds of years ago, small homes were recreated — showcasing some of the trades (blacksmith, farming) that Swedes would do as a means for survival. Little booths are scattered throughout Skansen, where you can purchase authentic Nordic food and all of the souvenirs you could dream of. Even more unique, there’s a zoo at Skansen that showcases a host of animals specifically from that part of the world (including reindeer).
Located in Djurgården, it’s the set-up that has most people flummoxed. The gigantic space is on top of a massive hill, and it’s completely outdoors. You will see some beautiful views of the city from this elevated space, and it’s a great way to walk around in a nature-esque setting while learning about a new culture.
Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan is the old town portion of Stockholm. It features an iconic row of colorful buildings not too dissimilar from what you’d find in Nyhavn in Copenhagen. You are very central to everything here. The architecture is beautiful, and there are some stunning churches present in Gamla Stan that were first built in the 1300s. Many of the official government buildings can be found here. Shopping opportunities here are excellent, as are the food and bar options for a night out on the town.
ABBA Museum
Also residing in Djurgården is the ABBA Museum. There’s a case to be made that ABBA is the most popular band worldwide to hail from Sweden. Initially, two married couples who joined together with their respective musical talents, this museum is solely dedicated to Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Agnetha Faltskog. Fans of the band will be treated to costumes worn in shows, instruments played by band members, copious amounts of ABBA music, and of course, a world-class gift shop to load up on ABBA merch.
Fotografiska
Fotografiska is a very unique museum featuring art in the form of photography. It’s in a beautiful location — sitting right on the water in the Södermalm district. It’s a nice change of pace from city life, as you enter this quiet venue, moving from room to room as you take in the fantastic installations. They can change based on the visiting artists and their exhibits. All the same, it’s one of the better museums in the entire city. There’s even a café and restaurant to enjoy if you want to grab a bite before or after your experience.
