Stockholm by land, sea and air
Stockholm offers a wide and attractive range of attractions by land, sea and air that make it an ideal getaway.
A famous bank robbery in the city in 1973 led to the naming of Stockholm Syndrome, a term that is still used today to describe hostages who fall under the psychological influence of their kidnappers to the point where they take their side and don't want to leave them. But this term could well apply to the fascination that the Swedish capital often exerts on visitors. It's hard not to fall under the spell of this aquatic city, built on a total of fourteen lush islands connected by bridges and full of lively gastronomic, cultural and sports activities.
Flying over one of Europe's most spectacular archipelagos in a hot air balloon, sleeping in a former prison, letting your hair down at the ABBA Museum's karaoke bar, touring the city by speedboat or signing up for a criminal tour of the capital of crime fiction: Stockholm offers a broad and attractive range of plans by land, sea and air that make it an ideal getaway.
An unending array of boat tours
Water is omnipresent in Stockholm, so any excuse to sign up for a boat tour will be welcome. You can choose between cruising the waterways under the city's bridges, riding in an amphibious vehicle that can travel on both water and land, or on one of the speedboats that cruise around the Old Town, Djurgården and the islands of Fjäderholmarna. Other options are the small boats that trace the coastline around the Royal Palaces and the Natural History Museum, or a walking tour that is very popular among early birds and starts out at the crack of dawn.
The vast majority of these tours last between one and three hours and start from the city centre, but there is another interesting option: the Hop On Hop Off ticket, which allows you to take an unlimited number of trips over 24 hours. If you want to discover the Swedish capital from the air, you are in luck, because this is one of the few cities in the world that allow hot air balloons to fly over it. The flight lasts about an hour and champagne is usually served on board and/or a farewell picnic after landing. Another option for those who enjoy heights and can afford it is to discover the archipelago aboard a helicopter.
The most unusual plans
As for the mainland, don't forget to visit its must-see attractions, such as the Royal Palace, with its opulent rooms, and the fascinating Vasa Museum, where the absolute star is a formidable ship that sank in 1628 on its maiden voyage. After spending centuries underwater, it was rescued and has become a unique artistic treasure, 98% of which is made up of original pieces from the ship and hundreds of carved sculptures.
Beyond the most typical plans, you'll find other more unusual options. Fans of crime novels will love the crime-themed walking tours: Stieg Larsson, Henning Mankell and Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö are just some of the great masters of crime fiction who have made Stockholm the world capital of this genre. The city is taking advantage of this interest and organises tours that cover some of the most iconic scenes from those novels.
If you're looking for guaranteed fun, don't miss the chance to spend a hectic morning at the colourful and interactive ABBA Museum: you can make a video of yourself singing and dancing, try on some costumes, and have a blast singing karaoke. Among the curiosities on display is a piano that is connected to another one located in the home of one of the members of the famous group, Benny. When the musician plays at home, visitors can listen to him live from the museum.
Sleeping in a former prison
When it comes to choosing your accommodation, there are few more outlandish options than the Hotel Lanholme. Built in the 14th century, it was one of the capital's first prisons, until it was closed in 1975 and reopened a year later offering a surprising form of accommodation. The downside? The rooms, as you might imagine, are quite small.
Nor should you return home without sampling some of Sweden's culinary specialities, such as kottbullar, a traditional dish consisting of small meatballs containing onions, pork and beef and fried in butter, or råraka, a crêpe made with caviar and potatoes. Another local delicacy is smörgåsbord, an all-you-can-eat buffet with more than 40 dishes including herring, salmon, pâtés and homemade bread, served in many of Stockholm's restaurants. Missing all that would be a crying shame.
