Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Viking Site of Birka
Here’s a practical guide for what you can see when you visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Birka, just out of Stockholm.
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 2.4 million / 59.2 degrees north
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. As one of the few places to avoid destruction during World War II, the city’s old world charm has been maintained. Stockholm is the ‘big city’ of Scandinavia, but is still compact and walkable.
About Stockholm
Latitude: 59.2 degrees north
Population: 2.5 million
Hottest month: July
Coldest month: February
Wettest month: December
Windiest month: January
Annual precipitation: 97mm
Stockholm Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Map of Stockholm
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Stockholm
Palace
Stockholm Palace
The Leprosy Museum is a unique museum to visit. the museum is located in St. Jørgen’s Hospital, which was in use from the 1400s until the last leprosy patients in Bergen died in 1946. Bergen was a main centre of leprosy research and the leprosy germ was discovered by Gerhard Armauer Hansen in Bergen in 1873.
Church
Riddarholmen Church
Riddarholmen is one of the oldest buildings in Stockholm, with parts going back to the 13th century. It is a fascinating church to visit!
Church
Storkyrkan
Storkyrkan is Stockholm’s official oldest building (consecrated in 1306) and is a fascinating historic church. It has just been restored, so be sure to go in.
Museum
Historic Museum
The Historic Museum has a fantastic Viking Age exhibition. The main exhibition about the history of Sweden is beautifully presented, too.
Museum
Vasa Museum
Arguably the best museum in Sweden, the Vasa museum is a fascinating tale of one of the biggest failure’s in Swedish military history. The massive warship was pulled up from the Baltic Sea 300 years after it sunk on its maiden voyage. The ship is 98% original.
City Hall
Stockholm City Hall
Stockholm City Hall is a fascinating building with an incredibly decorated interior. It is only possible to enter city hall on a guided tour.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
UNESCO World Heritage
Birka
Birka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it’s considered to be one of the oldest settlements in Scandinavia. It was also one of the main trade centres for the Vikings.
Road-Trips
We currently have no road-trips out of Stockholm
Self-Guided Walks
Gamla Stan Self-Guided Walking Tour
Explore the best-preserved old town in Europe. Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s old town and is located on an island in the heart of the city. For hundreds of years, this was the entire city of Stockholm. Only over the last couple hundred years has Stockholm spread out to the other islands around Lake Malaren. Gamla Stan fell into disrepair for some time as other parts of the city became more important, but now Gamla Stan is well-maintained and the most visited place in Stockholm. The fact that it is one of the few medieval cities in Europe not damaged during World War II (as Sweden was neutral) only makes it more wonderful to go walking around in!
Södermalm Self-Guided Walking Tour
Södermalm is one of the most beautiful parts of Stockholm. Stockholm is a huge city, and a lot of redevelopment means that many of the historic wooden houses have disappeared. But not in Södermalm! This neighbourhood has managed to hold onto its wooden houses, making Södermalm one of the best places to go for a self-guided walking tour. It’s also not as overcrowded as Gamla Stan, so you will feel you have the neighbourhood to yourself. Södermalm – today ‘SoFo’ – is a hipster neighbourhood with many of Stockholm’s coolest cafes, bars, shops and galleries located here. After learning about the region’s history, be sure to do some shopping!
Stockholm on YouTube
Watch our YouTube videos featuring Stockholm
Uniquely Stockholm
Here are some things that you must do and try in Stockholm
UNESCO World Heritage
Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan is the medieval city of Stockholm. These charming streets and 300 year old buildings are incredible and unlike anywhere else in Scandinavia.
History of Stockholm
Stockholm was founded in 1252 by Birger Jarl as the old capital of Sigtuna was constantly plundered. The first castle of Stockholm was built the same year. The Black Death killed 1/3 of Sweden’s population, and then in 1391 the Danes besieged the city, amalgamating the crowns of Sweden, Norway and Denmark under the Kalmar Union. From 1937 the city was constantly embattled as various Danish and Swedish factions struggled for power.
Sweden was able to finally break away from the Danes in 1523, but it wasn’t easy. When the Danish King Christian II came to Stockholm to celebrate his ascent to the throne, he tricked, trapped and beheaded 82 rebellious nobles. One of the victims had a son, Gustav Vasa, who led a successful resistance in 1523 and became Sweden’s first king on 6 June 1523, now Sweden’s national day.
The Vasa dynasty transformed Stockholm into a major military hub during the Thirty Years War. By 1650 the city had a thriving artistic and intellectual culture and nice new look. The castle, however, burned down in 1696 and had to be rebuilt. Constant battles with Russia shrunk the Swedish empire.
Industry came to Stockholm once the train lines were connected in 1871, and the population experienced a massive boom. Stockholm hosted the 1912 summer Olympics. Sweden was neutral during WWII and became a hot spot for Jews from the Baltics.
Stockholm Today
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: Stockholm Airport is a major airport with flights to almost anywhere.
Drive: Stockholm is well connected to the rest of Europe via the highways.
Train: Stockholm train station has trains to almost anywhere in Sweden as well as Oslo. It is possible to take the train to Copenhagen if you change at Malmo.
Ferry: Ferries connect Stockholm with Turku, Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga.
Getting Around
Stockholm is very walkable, but to get around quickly download the SL app and enjoy the decorated metro stations or use the bus to get around.
Shops
Places to Eat
Cafes & Bakeries
Grillska Husets Konditori is my favourite bakery in Gamla Stan.
Sundbergs Konditori in the Old Town is the oldest bakery in Stockholm.
Quick Bites
Reasonable Restaurants
Kvarnen in Sodermalm is excellent.
High End & Unique Eats
Kryp In in the Old Town is one of the best Swedish restaurants.
Places to Stay
Hostels
There are many hostels around Stockholm. If you want to stay in the Old Town, 2kronor Hostel Old Town is the best one.
The most unique hostel, however, is Vandrarhem af Chapman & Skeppsholmen, an old ship that has been transferred into a hostel.
B&Bs and Guesthouses
Hobo Hotel is a boutique hotel in the downtown area of Stockholm.
I have stayed at Hotel C in downtown Stockholm and really enjoyed it – the location is great.
Chains & Mid-Range
In the Old Town there are limited mid-range hotels, though you can try the Victory Hotel or Lord Nelson Hotel.
High End & Unique Properties
I have stayed at Hotel Gamla Stan in the Old Town and loved this hotel.
Hilton Slussen is a fantastic hotel, too. The location on Sodermalm is perfect as it’s only a 10 minute walk to Gamla Stan.
In the modern city centre, try the Grand Hotel Stockholm or Crystal Plaza Hotel.
Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages
January
Sunrise: 8:31am
Sunset: 3:23pm
Average Temperature: -1C (30F)
February
Sunrise: 7:24am
Sunset: 4:39pm
Average Temperature: -1C (30F)
March
Sunrise: 6:03am
Sunset: 5:51pm
Average Temperature: 1C (34F)
April
Sunrise: 5:32am
Sunset: 8:04pm
Average Temperature: 6C (43F)
May
Sunrise: 4:13am
Sunset: 9:15pm
Average Temperature: 11C (52F)
June
Sunrise: 3:31am
Sunset: 10:05pm
Average Temperature: 15C (60F)
July
Sunrise: 3:58am
Sunset: 9:48pm
Average Temperature: 18C (65F)
August
Sunrise: 5:05am
Sunset: 8:36pm
Average Temperature: 17C (63F)
September
Sunrise: 6:17am
Sunset: 7:07pm
Average Temperature: 12C (54F)
October
Sunrise: 7:26am
Sunset: 5:39pm
Average Temperature: 7C (45F)
November
Sunrise: 7:42am
Sunset: 5:21pm
Average Temperature: 3C (38F)
December
Sunrise: 8:39am
Sunset: 2:46pm
Average Temperature: 0C (32F)
All Posts About Stockholm
The History of Stockholm (Summarised)
Stockholm is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and also has a fascinating history!
The Vasa Museum Stockholm – Scandinavia’s Most Visited Museum
The Vasa Museum is dedicated to Sweden’s greatest construction failure!
Riddarholmen Church: Stockholm’s Oldest Building
Historic & practical overview of Stockholm’s oldest church
A Self-Guided Walk Around Södermalm
Follow this self-guided walk for Södermalm, Stockholm’s historic and hipster neighbourhood!
Stockholm City Hall: Why it’s Worth a Visit
From a sarcophagus to mosaics of Sweden’s history, Stockholm City Hall is not to be missed!