Stockholm Hotels

The 1998 European City of Culture, Stockholm has a wealth of heritage architecture, museums, theatres, festivals and monuments in store for intrepid travelers. The city is easy to navigate, thanks to one of the best public transit systems on the continent. A simple walk around Stockholm however, is enough to convince anyone that inhabitants indeed have a wonderful quality of life.

Attractions

A good place to start in Stockholm is the Gamla Stan, or Old Town. A virtual leap back in time, the area on the island of Stadsholmen dates back to the 13th century. The best way to enjoy the Old Town, replete with North German heritage architecture, is on foot. Principal attractions include the main square, or Stortorget, Nobel Museum, Stockholm Cathedral and Royal Palace.

In stark contrast to the aesthetic of Gamla Stan, many Art Nouveau masterpieces from the last century line Stockholm streets. As a consequence, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Skogskyrkogården cemetery, Stockholm Public Library, Hotel Esplanade and in particular, Stockholm City Hall, are imperative attractions.

Museums are everywhere in Stockholm, many of them world class. The Nationalmuseum is the national gallery of record in Sweden, with over 45,000 works of art. The Moderna Museet is one of the most faithful tributes to modern art in Europe, with works by Dali, Picasso and Warhol. For a matchless glimpse into the cultural history of Sweden, the Nordic Museum has wonderful exhibits in store.

A worthwhile attraction as a paramount Art Nouveau specimen, the Royal Dramatic Theatre has eight stages, on which hundreds of dramatic performances are put on throughout the year.

Built in 1773, with a new construction in 1899, the grand Royal Swedish Opera House is one of the most iconic in Europe. Whether or not you take in a performance, the Opera House deserves a visit.

Events

Stockholm is awash with festivals and events, ceaseless from one month to the next. A pre-eminent sports hub, the city has a number of popular clubs that field teams in soccer and ice hockey.

The world famous Nobel Banquet is held every December 10 at beautiful Stockholm City Hall.

One of the best jazz festivals in Europe takes place in the city every July, spread out among several superb indoor and outdoor venues. Another event that takes advantage of summer sunlight abundance is the Culture Festival. With attendance as high as 300,000, the festival is the most popular in Stockholm, with eclectic emphasis on music, art, photography and various performances. The city also hosts the most popular Pride Festival in Scandinavia, with crowds that number a half million strong to watch the requisite parade in late July.

Climate

Though Sweden is a country with four distinct seasons, winters can be quite mild in Stockholm. With the Gulf Stream in full effect, the cold months do not bring abundant snowfall, though daylight is at a premium. Summers can be quite hot and humid, with up to 18 hours of daylight.

• Winter (November to February) -3-5°C

• Spring (March to May) -3-16°C

• Summer (June to August) 11-22°C

• Fall (September to October) 5-15°C