Established in the 13th century, this ancient centre is still an exciting place to visit to this day. Steeped in culture, the area remains one of the most popular sites for visitors to the Swedish capital.

But why do so many 21st century tourists revel in its ancient streets?

Stockholm – Gamla Stan (Old Town), Sweden by Carles Tomas Marta­

The sights

It might be obvious but it’s true. The quarter’s glorious architecture and cobbled streets makes visitors feel like they are treading through history itself.

Organised walking tours are a relatively cheap and fun way to learn about the notable events that have occurred there. And, with the city’s dubious honour of having Sweden’s narrowest alleyway, it means you won’t get lost in the area’s meandering maze of streets.

There are photo opportunities a plenty in the Old Town, with the Brantingtorget Square and Riddarholmen Church, the oldest building in Stockholm, musts to be snapped at.

The Nobel Museum is another draw for tourists. Opened in 2001, it celebrates the history of the Nobel Prize and popularises its ideals. A rotating series of exhibitions means that there is likely to be something that’ll interest everybody in your group.

Stockholm Palace, the equivalent of Britain’s Buckingham Palace, also dominates the Old Town and is a great place to gain a flavour of the area’s culture. Devised by Tessin and Harleman in the 17th century, it is one of the finest and most interesting examples of European palatial design.

Royal Palace, Stockholm, Sweden by Nick Sieger

Food

Things are a bit more modern here than hog roasts and flagons of ale. The Gamla stan now contains some of Stockholm’s finest and most chic dining establishments.

The Frantzen/Lindeberg restaurant gives diners the chance to try something a little bit different. Recommended for those who like to push their culinary boundaries, the food can even come served with an accompaniment of pollen or a music box on the side of the plate.

Djuret, or “The Animal”, gives meat lovers an innovative chance to feel good about themselves, with only one kind of animal served depending on the season, which helps aid sustainability. With meat grinders used as lamps, what’s not to like?

Great hotels

The rejuvenation work carried out in the 20th century means it’s highly unlikely you’ll find yourself in a bad Stockholm hotel. The Old Town offers both budget hostels and more luxurious accommodation, all of which come with the traditional Swedish friendliness and cleanliness.

Despite being located in the historic part of the city, the hotels all tend to come with all the expected modern innovations to help make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

What are you most looking forward to seeing in Stockholm’s Old Town?

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article links back to http://www.radissonblu.com/royalvikinghotel-stockholm

The post The Charm of Stockholm’s Old Town | Sweden appeared first on Best of European Union.

One thing that makes Stockholm so unique is that the large city is actually comprised of 14 separate islands, connected by a network of bridges. There are currently 50 bridges keeping Stockholm’s different areas within easy reach of each other, and many of these are attractions in their own right.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Mispahn

Despite the fact it is made up of islands, Stockholm has an enviably good public transport network, comprising trains, buses and underground subway trains. You can buy day passes that allow you to get around using any combination of these, as with most major European cities.

The climate in Stockholm is surprisingly mild for a Scandinavian country, though you will find that if you visit in December the days are incredibly short, with only 6 hours of daylight on the shortest day. By contrast, there are 18 hours of daylight at the mid point of summer.

There are so many things to see and do in Stockholm’s many thriving districts that there is certainly something for every traveller. You can check out the historical sights in the old town, or shop and socialise in the trendy districts of Norrmalm and Ostermalm. The nightlife is great, but be aware that drinks are very expensive in Sweden.

Stockholm is a truly great European destination for a city break, and with plenty of transport links and hotels it is easy to find a well priced deal for a trip there.

The post Stockholm – one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Europe | Sweden appeared first on Best of European Union.