satrijoe

Hello Travellers, I am likely to go to Stockholm by the end of June on business and was planning to arrive earlier to know the city.
What are the things to do around there?

Of course, I am looking for things unique to Sweden. Not much into museums. What about transportation? I assume I can take public transportation to move around.

Regards.

blackduff

Take a few hours and visit the Wasa museum. This is a ship which sunk about 1639 and around the eighties the ship was found and lifted.

I watched the ship rebuild itself and it's now into a newer museum but it's a good visit, especially for a man.

If you want something unique, this should meet the requirement.

There's also an outside museum which shows older houses. The houses were grouped to similar a small village.

Take a day and visit through the archepelago of Stockholm. There are thousands of islands and it's worth taking a ride.

Again, go visit the Wasa. It certainly is unique.

Blackduff

blackduff

I forgot that the Wasa was sunk on it's first sail. The king was on the quay watching his new war ship and it sunk. The ballast within the ship wasn't correct and when the ship heeled with a light breeze, the gun ports went underwater and the whole ship foundered.

Good story is shown at the museum.

Blackduff

crefloors

Plus the Vasa is the only "living" example of a 17th century ship that exists today. The Baltic is very cold and is also brackish so the organisms that are usually present to destroy wood in other waters do not live in the Baltic, hence it's excellent condition when it was raised in the 60's. They got it up almost entirely in one piece. Well worth a visit. The outdoor museum is called Skansen. I didn't get there because I was there this last January and it was just really cold but my neice has been there and said it is well worth a visit. You might also like to go to Gamla Stan..the old town. The Palace is there as well as the Stockholm Cathredral AND the Nobel Museum. I know you said you weren't that much into museums...I'm not especially either but the Vasa and The Nobel were well worth a visit and I'm glad I went.

blackduff

ttt

GeorgeW

Our local PBS station in Annapolis played a Rick Steves tour of Sweden recently and the Wasa exhibit seemed by far the most interesting thing Stockholm's got going for it. The Swedish Royal family is a very good-looking family, especially the oldest girl. Maybe you can attend a royal event.

KT

Although outdoor museums like Skansen are no longer unique to Sweden, Skansen was the first of them. In fact, in some other European countries, outdoor museums are referred to as "skansens." And, of course, the buildings in Skansen are all Swedish, so in that sense they're unique to Sweden, and there are some "living history" demonstrations there of Swedish crafts, etc.

Stockholm has several good museums other than the Vasa, but since you're not into museums....

One typically, though not uniquely, Swedish thing is serious coffee consumption. Many outdoor cafes have blankets on the chairs so the patrons can wrap up and keep drinking when it's cool.

I agree with the advice to try to get around the archipelago (or Lake Malaren). Stockholm has a magnificent setting. Any good guidebook should have transportation info. Also, have you looked at www.stockholmtown.com?

blackduff

A bit south of Stockholm is a small outdoor museum in Linköping. This is similar to Skansen but certainly smaller. I was married in this museum some few years back and I still remember. It was certainly unique, to me anyway.

Blackduff

Ozarksbill

The Vasa has got to be one of the top museums deserving some hours. What sunk the ship was too darn many heavy cannon on deck so it was doomed at the launch. Just walking around the old part of Stockholm is great. And a boat trip. This is a big city compared with copenhagen or Oslo but hop on a bus. How about a side trip to Sigtuna and Uppsala?

ozarksbill

isabel

I'm also going to be in Stockholm for only a short time this summer (two days in July) and I was wondering about how long it takes to walk around certain areas. The main thing I like to do in a new city is a walking tour (put together from guidebooks). So how long do you think it would take to see the Old Town, and to walk along the harbor from City Hall to Djurgarden? And about how much time would you budget for the Vasa? I know everyone is different but I'm just looking for a ballpark opinion.

Also, where do you think is the best "view" - from above that is. I know there are a couple of towers, and some churches that you can climb. Anyone have a favorite?

sprin2

Isabel, you're in luck as Stockholm is a glorious city for walking. Gamla Stan is quite compact and you can easily walk it and see the architecture in about an hour. Some of the best parts of the Old Town are off the main shopping street, so make sure you poke around the side streets.

The walk along the harbor takes maybe 30 - 45 minutes maybe. It is lovely too with lots of boats.

We enjoy the film at the Vasa and try to plan our visits around the spoken English version (there is a captioned version in English too as well as many other languages). You might check the website for the time of the one you need. It provides a nice background to the exhibit and details the raising. The Vasa has a very good cafeteria which I highly recommend as well as two additional ships which you can tour docked outside. Most people just run through the main museum and don't venture out to see these. The main museum is big and I'd suggest 1 - 2 hours to see it all.

satrijoe, given you don't like museums, I'd suggest a boat ride to one of the islands or on the lake. We found the Swedes were very friendly when on the water. Public transportation is excellent and easy to navigate. Do you have any interests and maybe we can help with more specifics.

hobbes

I am also in Stockholm later this month and thought i"d add to this thread. Sprin2, we like to walk around, do plan to see the Vasa and Skansen, do a boat tour, wander the old town. I'd love any more recos for things unique to do in Stockholm during our 3 days there. I loved an earlier reco to go the shop which makes handmade trolls and that is now on my list. Any more secrets from those in the know? Thanks!

blackduff

There's a nice underground market which might please some travellers. I wish I had taken a photo in this market since I had to pay $5.00 each for large baking potatoes. Wow! I had just arrived to Sweden and I hadn't encountered the cost of living in Sweden.

I can't remember the name of the market but it's right in the central area of Stockholm.

Blackduff

isabel

Where is the shop with the handmade trolls? I'd love to see that as I have a collection.

sprin2 - thanks for that info, very helpful.

I notice there are several boat companies and different boat tours. Is any one better than the others? Suggestions for a good boat ride that would only been an hour or two, I don't have time to take the whole day tours.

crefloors

I'm trying to find my receipt from the Troll shop. I'm not good about saving receipts unless needed for taxes etc. It's called Tompte and Troll. We were on Gamla Stan and we easily walked to it from our hotel. My sister-in-law found it in some brochure at the hotel I think. I actually have a picture of the shop sign...I'll see what else I can find out.

crefloors

Well, when all else fails, try a little "google". www.tomtar-troll.com. It was the Tomtar/not Tompte part that got me. I'ts Osterlanggata 45, 111 31 Stockholm. Hope I spelled the street right. Happy shopping.

crefloors

ttt

isabel

crefloors - thanks so much. I've copied down the address.

satrijoe

Thanks all for the replies.
Hey Blackduff, I am going to Linkoping after Stockholm! What a coincidence huh?
Sprin2: I like walking around, visiting historical landmarks, nice landscapes, good architecture... Also need to buy something for my 7-year daughter!

Hey Isabel: Just curious, are you from Portugal or Spain, maybe?

Cheers!

isabel

satrijoe - No I'm from the US - but I am going to Portugal, for the two weeks before my 8 days in Stockholm and copenhagen.

crefloors - I just got an email from a woman I know who is currently living in Stockhom, she sent me a list of places to check out (I actually posted part of her email on the other current thread about Stockhom) and I just realized she also recommend the same troll store. So I'm definitly gonna check it out.