Detailed interactive map Stockholm
Stockholm is the Nordic regions largest city with historic and cultural grandeur extraordinary in Northern Europe. Built on 14 islands around one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved mediaeval city centers, the Swedish capital is splendidly positioned, with stunning and extremely varied landscape in every direction. The Stockholm archipelago is one of the world's most spectacular. Stretching 80 kilometers east of the city, the archipelago comprises 24 000 islands, islets and rocks. Several ferry lines and package tours are available here.
Stockholm has been the political and economic centre of Sweden since the 13th century. After its establishment in the 1250s it rapidly became a national centre, with its strategic location between the lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. During the latter half of the 20th century, Stockholm became a modern, technologically-advanced, and ethnically diverse city. People come to Stockholm for the food, the design and the music. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, although there are many islands and archipelagos, which one may look around by water. Stockholm is the entertainment capital of northern Europe, with everything from bars, pubs and nightclubs to theatres, cinemas and concert halls.
Stockholm offers a wealth of museums, theatres, sights, attractions and events. Most of the attractions in Stockholm are found in what Stockholmers call "innerstaden", the inner city - historically the zone within the city tolls. Some notable buildings of the inner town are the large German Church and several mansions and palaces: the Riddarhuset, the Bonde Palace, the Tessin Palace and the Oxenstierna Palace. The city's oldest section is “Gamla Stan” – Old Town, located on the original small islands of the city's earliest settlements and still featuring the medieval street layout. The northern part is dominated by the Royal Palace and the Riksdag - the Swedish parliament. The oldest building is the Riddarholmskyrkan from the late 13th century. There are three UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Stockholm area: the Royal Palace Drottningholm, Birka and Hovgården and The Woodland Cemetery. The most renowned national museum is the Nationalmuseum with Sweden's largest collection of art.
