World City Guide

Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview
Stockholm is an easy city for tourists to navigate, as its centre is largely flat and strolling around is a pleasure. For journeys further afield, there is an excellent public transport system with trams, underground trains, buses and ferries servicing all areas of the city and the surrounding towns and villages.

A good place for one to get acquainted with the city is from the Gondola Restaurant, in the Sodermalm district, where over a full gourmet meal or just a drink, visitors can get a good idea of the layout of the city through the venue’s panoramic windows. The focus of Stockholm sightseeing is around the Gamla Stan (or Old Town), which boasts many historical buildings, tourist shops, cafés, as well as the impressive Royal Palace – the largest royal palace still in use in the world. North of the Old Town is the main part of the more modern city, whose districts are home to numerous attractions, such as the impressive City Hall, the Museum of National Antiquities and the Stringberg Museum. Across the water, via ferry, is Djurgarden – a playground with a funfair park, Stockholm Zoo and Sweden’s most visited museum, the Vasa Museum, which is home to a 17th-century galleon that has been impressively raised from the chill waters of Stockholm’s harbour.

Many museums are closed on Mondays. The city has recently gained a reputation for stylish shops, bars and restaurants, making it the Scandinavian capital of cool. Beyond the centre of the city, over 10,000 islands and rocky islets in the Stockholm Archipelago wait to be explored.

Tourist Information
Stockholm Information Service
Cultural Centre/Kulturhuset (lower floor), Sergels torg 3
Tel: (08) 789 2490. Fax: (08) 789 2450.
E-mail: info@svb.stockholm.se
Website: www.stoinfo.se
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 0900–1800 and Sat and Sun 0900–1500 (Apr, May and Sep); Mon–Fri 0800–1900 and Sat and Sun 0900–1700 (Jun–Aug); Mon–Fri 0900–1800 and Sat and Sun 1000–1600 (Oct–Mar).

Other branches are located in Stockholm Central station, in the Kaknäs Tower and the City Hall.

Passes
The Stockholm Card (Stockholmskortet) gives free public transport within Stockholm and free admission to 70 museums and attractions – including the Royal Palace, Historiska Musseet and National Museum – as well as free parking at municipal parking meters and other special offers and benefits. The pass is available for purchase at Stockholm Information Service offices throughout the city, as well as train and ferry termini. The Stockholm Card costs SKr220, SKr380 and SKr540 for 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively (concessions available).

Also available from the Stockholm Information Service, the SL Tourist Card gives free travel on public transport inside the Greater Stockholm area and reduced admission to selected tourist attractions, including the Skansen open-air museum. The pass costs SKr80 for 24 hours and SKr150 for 72 hours (concessions available).