50 | Viking Explorer Society News
City guide STOCKHOLM
Cradled by the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is a vibrant tapestry
of culture, architecture and Scandinavian elegance.
Spread across 14 islands linked by graceful
bridges, Stockholm is often called the
"Venice of the North." This Swedish capital
blends centuries of history with cutting-
edge design, offering a unique mix of royal
palaces, waterfront promenades, and
vibrant cultural districts. From medieval
alleyways in Gamla Stan to sleek modern
architecture and world-class museums,
Stockholm is a city where tradition and
innovation coexist beautifully.
Stockholm oozes charm; its storybook 16th
and 17th-century buildings, palaces and
museums are immaculate, as are its tall historic
houses painted in soft subdued colours. Even
the small but inviting Berzelii Park in front of
the palatial Hallwyl House, which looks out
across the bay, is perfectly manicured.
MUST-SEES
The charms of Gamla Stan, the old town
of Stockholm, are best explored on foot.
Concentrated primarily on the island of
Stadsholmen, Gamla Stan was founded
in 1252 and is the oldest section of the
city. Stroll along the narrow, cobblestone
streets to Stortorget, a historic square
surrounded by old merchant homes built in
the North German style and the Stockholm
Stock Exchange Building. Walk down the
narrowest alleyway in Stockholm—Mårten
Trotzigs gränd—which decreases to less
than three feet wide. See the baroque-style
Royal Palace, built in the 18th century and
consisting of more than 600 rooms. The
official residence of the Swedish monarch,
the palace is both a working government
building and an important historical site.
Stockholm's old town (Gamla Stan)
The historic Stortorget
