Stockholm, built on 14 islands, is situated where Lake Mä laren opens up into the Baltic Sea. 30 percent of the central Stockholm area consists of water which explains why Stockholm is often called the "Venice of the North". Stockholm is also a very green city; more than 40 percent of the land is made up of parks and open spaces.
Here's our recommendations on what else to do while you're in Stockholm, the city where blondes and polar bears roam the streets hand in paw.
Djurgården
Djurgården is a recreational park area and pleasure ground in eastern-central Stockholm. With its large number of historical buildings and monuments, museums, amusement parks, zoos, cafés, promenades, and lush sceneries, it has been a magnet for tourists and a popular leisure-time area for Stockholmers since the late 18th century. MAP/WEB
Gröna Lund, Lilla Allmänna Gränd 9
Gröna Lund is an amusement park located on the seaward side of the Djurgården island and is relatively small compared to other amusement parks, mainly due to its central location, which has cramped its expansion. Gröna Lund is a popular venue for concerts during the summer. MAP/WEB
Skansen, Djurgårdsslätten 49-51
Skansen is the oldest open-air museum in the world. And yes, it's located on Djurgården. Skansen is also a zoological park and well worth a visit for the typical tourist. MAP/WEB
The Stockholm Archipelago (Stockholms skärgård)
A trip to the archipelago is something we really recommend for you who are staying a day or two extra. Over 24,000 islands and rocks create a truely majestic scenery! You can go for a day trip, and recommended islands are Finnhamn (perfect for nature lovers), Grinda (beaches, rocks, a restaurant, a youth hostel, camping ground, summer cottages, cycle tracks), Utö (sandy beaches, beautiful cliffs), and Vaxholm (small, beautiful town only an hour away from the city by boat). For boat trips to the archipelagos and around Stockholm, visit Waxholmsbolaget and Stockholm Sightseeing for more information.
Stockholm Town
Visit the official visitors guide to Stockholm website for more tips on what to do during your stay. WEB
The Swedish Museum of Natural History (Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet), Frescativägen 40
The Swedish Museum of Natural History has as its mission to promote the interest for and knowledge and research about the make-up and development of the universe and the earth, the plant and animal life of the earth together with human biology and the natural environment. MAP/WEB
The Vasa Museum, Galärvarvsvägen 14
The Vasa is the world’s only surviving 17th-century ship and one of the foremost tourist sights in the world. MAP/WEB
COOL SPOTS
SF-Bokhandeln, Västerlånggatan 48, Old Town, MAP/WEB
The Science Fiction Bookstore is a Swedish store selling books, videos, games, magazines and merchandise. Geek proof!
Urban Outfitters, Biblioteksgatan 5, MAP/WEB
If you're a shop-a-holic, this is where you should go to get some cool gear. Or what about a USB fan or Tengu when working those lonesome nights? Oh, I know! A Bambi tray is what you've always wanted to give a way to your best friend!
WHERE TO GRAB A FIKA
When you go to Stockholm, you should definately grab yourself a fika! "A fika? What are you on about?", we can hear you think. Fika is a social institution in Sweden: it means taking a break from work or other activities and having a coffee with one's colleagues, friends, date, or family. This practice of taking a break for a coffee and a light snack (some biscuits, cookies, or a sandwich) between more substantial meals like lunch and dinner is central to Swedish life. Here's our favourite spots:
Kaffekoppen, Stortorget 18-20, MAP/WEB (Great place in the old town)
Muggen, Götgatan 24, MAP (With wifi and close to the event)
Rosendahls Trädgårdscafé, Rosendalsterrassen 12, MAP/WEB (Info in English)
Vete-Katten, Kungsgatan 55, MAP/WEB (Great for breakfast too)
Vurma Mat & Café, Bergsunds strand 31, MAP/WEB (Bohemian stylee)
RESTAURANTS
Gondolen, Stadsgården 6, MAP/WEB
After you've showed your better half the offices of DICE/Electronic Arts and explained to her how great they are, take her to this fancy place for food and drinks to re-install order in your relationship. They got a great view too, and it's only a three minutes walk to the event.
Mamas & Tapas, Scheelegatan 3, MAP/WEB
If you're into tapas, visit this place for excellent food and prices.
Stockholm-Eating WEB
Stockholm-Eating is the definitive guide to eating in Stockholm, well, according to themselves anyway.
NOW, WHERE IS THAT PLACE LOCATED AGAIN?
To see maps of Stockholm and/or search for a specific address, go here. "Vad söker du?" means "What are you looking for?" (name, company, search word, branch of trade, telephone number) and "Var?" means "Where?" (street, zip code, postal address, area).
Here's our recommendations on what else to do while you're in Stockholm, the city where blondes and polar bears roam the streets hand in paw.
Djurgården
Djurgården is a recreational park area and pleasure ground in eastern-central Stockholm. With its large number of historical buildings and monuments, museums, amusement parks, zoos, cafés, promenades, and lush sceneries, it has been a magnet for tourists and a popular leisure-time area for Stockholmers since the late 18th century. MAP/WEB
Gröna Lund, Lilla Allmänna Gränd 9
Gröna Lund is an amusement park located on the seaward side of the Djurgården island and is relatively small compared to other amusement parks, mainly due to its central location, which has cramped its expansion. Gröna Lund is a popular venue for concerts during the summer. MAP/WEB
Skansen, Djurgårdsslätten 49-51
Skansen is the oldest open-air museum in the world. And yes, it's located on Djurgården. Skansen is also a zoological park and well worth a visit for the typical tourist. MAP/WEB
The Stockholm Archipelago (Stockholms skärgård)
A trip to the archipelago is something we really recommend for you who are staying a day or two extra. Over 24,000 islands and rocks create a truely majestic scenery! You can go for a day trip, and recommended islands are Finnhamn (perfect for nature lovers), Grinda (beaches, rocks, a restaurant, a youth hostel, camping ground, summer cottages, cycle tracks), Utö (sandy beaches, beautiful cliffs), and Vaxholm (small, beautiful town only an hour away from the city by boat). For boat trips to the archipelagos and around Stockholm, visit Waxholmsbolaget and Stockholm Sightseeing for more information.
Stockholm Town
Visit the official visitors guide to Stockholm website for more tips on what to do during your stay. WEB
The Swedish Museum of Natural History (Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet), Frescativägen 40
The Swedish Museum of Natural History has as its mission to promote the interest for and knowledge and research about the make-up and development of the universe and the earth, the plant and animal life of the earth together with human biology and the natural environment. MAP/WEB
The Vasa Museum, Galärvarvsvägen 14
The Vasa is the world’s only surviving 17th-century ship and one of the foremost tourist sights in the world. MAP/WEB
COOL SPOTS
SF-Bokhandeln, Västerlånggatan 48, Old Town, MAP/WEB
The Science Fiction Bookstore is a Swedish store selling books, videos, games, magazines and merchandise. Geek proof!
Urban Outfitters, Biblioteksgatan 5, MAP/WEB
If you're a shop-a-holic, this is where you should go to get some cool gear. Or what about a USB fan or Tengu when working those lonesome nights? Oh, I know! A Bambi tray is what you've always wanted to give a way to your best friend!
WHERE TO GRAB A FIKA
When you go to Stockholm, you should definately grab yourself a fika! "A fika? What are you on about?", we can hear you think. Fika is a social institution in Sweden: it means taking a break from work or other activities and having a coffee with one's colleagues, friends, date, or family. This practice of taking a break for a coffee and a light snack (some biscuits, cookies, or a sandwich) between more substantial meals like lunch and dinner is central to Swedish life. Here's our favourite spots:
Kaffekoppen, Stortorget 18-20, MAP/WEB (Great place in the old town)
Muggen, Götgatan 24, MAP (With wifi and close to the event)
Rosendahls Trädgårdscafé, Rosendalsterrassen 12, MAP/WEB (Info in English)
Vete-Katten, Kungsgatan 55, MAP/WEB (Great for breakfast too)
Vurma Mat & Café, Bergsunds strand 31, MAP/WEB (Bohemian stylee)
RESTAURANTS
Gondolen, Stadsgården 6, MAP/WEB
After you've showed your better half the offices of DICE/Electronic Arts and explained to her how great they are, take her to this fancy place for food and drinks to re-install order in your relationship. They got a great view too, and it's only a three minutes walk to the event.
Mamas & Tapas, Scheelegatan 3, MAP/WEB
If you're into tapas, visit this place for excellent food and prices.
Stockholm-Eating WEB
Stockholm-Eating is the definitive guide to eating in Stockholm, well, according to themselves anyway.
NOW, WHERE IS THAT PLACE LOCATED AGAIN?
To see maps of Stockholm and/or search for a specific address, go here. "Vad söker du?" means "What are you looking for?" (name, company, search word, branch of trade, telephone number) and "Var?" means "Where?" (street, zip code, postal address, area).