Stockholm Travel Guide

As you land in Stockholm, the first thing that struck you is how clean the city is. Considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world; Stockholm certainly lives up to its reputation. The Swedish capital, Stockholm is perfectly positioned where the lake Mälaren opens up into the Baltic Sea. Cutting-edge, fresh Scandinavian architecture is set into a backdrop of renaissance and medieval alleyways, plazas and palaces. The city is sprinkled with bridges and dramatic waterfronts as it is stretched across 14 islands, and the constant presence of waterways break up the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, giving it the lift if a small maritime town.

The Clarion Hotel Sign is a prime example of the exciting design trends that are taking over the hotel scene in Stockholm. Located just around the corner from the main train station, the hotel is right in the centre of the city. Due to the long, dark days of winter, the architecture of Clarion Hotel is focused around the maximisation of light, so the summer sun streams in through the glass walls.

For a city break, there are plenty of things to do during the day in Stockholm. The Stockholm card is a great way of getting access to the sights. It provides access to 75 museums, as well as public transport and river boat tours.

One of the best attractions in the city is definitely the Vasa Museum. The only remaining entirely intact 17th century warship in the world, the Vasa had been hidden underwater for 333 years until it was resurrected, reconstructed and displayed in Stockholm. The surrounding museum is considered one of the best in Scandinavia.

Another great place to visit in Stockholm is Skansen, an open-air museum offering a unique experience of life in historical Sweden. With a zoo housing a number of Scandinavian animals, including bears, wolves, wolverines and elks, the museum itself is surrounded by beautiful historic gardens and the summer months see it offer regular open-air concerts, including Swedish folk dancing.

Certainly in the summer the locals leave the land, grab a boat and explore the many beaches and islands that are scattered around the capital. Consequently there are a large number of companies offering boating services.

One of the worst aspects of going on holiday is trying to navigate around without knowing the language. However, the beauty of Stockholm is that it is, to put it simply, unbelievably civilised and chilled out. The locals are relaxed, polite and helpful, the city strewn with beautiful green gardens and parks, and the atmosphere is calm yet fun.