The history of Stockholm dates back to the 13th century, and the best place to discover it is in Gamla stan, the Old Town. Gamla Stan is famous for its winding, cloistered streets, boutiques, and cozy restaurants, all gathered close by to the Royal Palace. An hour's boat ride brings you to the gardens of  Drottningholm Palace, the pastoral residence of Sweden's Royal Family.

Other Stockholm’s architectural landmarks include: Riddarhuset, the Tessin Palace, Oxenstierna Palace. Bonde Palace, the Stockholm Palace and the Storkyrkan Palace, all located in the Old Town (Gamla Stan). Stockholm also displays several museums, art galleries, theatres and an amusement park Gröna Lund.

Within the graceful architecture of this historic capital you will discover a cultural life of exceptional vitality and energy.

Hundreds of restaurants varying taste and style are found here, as well as innumerable shops and galleries showcasing the works of Stockholm's exceptional arts community. Music in the city ranges over all types, from folk dancing in the parks and Stockholm Jazz Festival and classical concerts to Swedish and American pop and rock.

In a metropolitan area with well over a million people, you can escape the crowds - to a quiet beach, a lush forest, or even a deserted island if you like - sometimes in as little as half an hour.  

Did you know that...?

• Stockholm is one of the cleanest capitals in the world. The city was granted the European Green Capital Award by the EU Commission in 2010 and has been celebrated as Europe’s first green capital.
• The famous actress Greta Garbo (1905-1990) was born in Stockholm, 1905, and had her first job at a still existing department store in the city centre, PUB.
• Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the well known Nobel Prize in 1895, which have been awarded since 1901 in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for peace.
• Beside the Nobel Prize Awards Ceremony Stockholm is also famous for its Stockholm Jazz Festival (one of Sweden’ oldest).
• Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002), the Sweedish writer of famous children´s book the Pippi Longstocking,  is the world's 18th most translated author and has sold roughly 145 million copies worldwide.

For SPORT lovers travelling to Stockholm in winter time:

• Hellasgarden - located only 20 min. away from the downtown. In winter it is a very nice area for ice-skating, cross-country skiing, taking of sauna...And if you are brave you can even bath in a hole cut in the ice :-). 
• Ski resort Hammarbybacken - easy to reach by metro. There are many rental offices for ski equipment.

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