The wonderfully named Stockholm Blood Bath of 1520 was so-called because King Charles II of Denmark beheaded 80 Swedish noblemen and created a display of their heads in a pyramid shape. When you’re standing in the peaceful main square outside, it’s worth reflecting that the plaza was the site of one of Sweden’s bloodiest massacres. Once inside there’s the Royal Apartments, Hall of State and Royal Treasury with endless displays of royal memorabilia including thrones, weaponry and coronation robes, if you like that sort of thing. The castle is impressive in scale but for me the exterior was slightly underwhelming although there is restoration work going on at the moment. You can lose yourself in the winding alleys of the Old Town for several hours – and the lack of roaring traffic is a real bonus.Įventually, all routes seem to lead to the Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet) which dominates Stortorget square, one of the few big spaces in the Gamla Stan. When you get away from the tatty tourist trinket shops, there are numerous charming cafes, boutiques and artists’ studios to explore. We spent a couple of hours exploring the streets which reminded me a little of a Scandinavian Prague. It’s one of Europe’s best preserved medieval quarters where Stockholm was founded in 1252. The Gamla Stan historic quarter is the jewel in the crown of the city centre with its maze of alleyways and old buildings. It’s also remarkably civilised and polite with friendly Swedes happy to help you make the most of your stay. In common with many Scandinavian cities, I found it tidy, uncluttered and relaxing – there’s very little graffiti, vandalism or grime that you get in cities like Berlin and London. I was struck by its well-laid out city centre, splendid waterways and well-preserved historic streets which haven’t been ruined by high rise offices and unsympathetic modern developments. So what makes Stockholm special and why does it top so many league tables of ‘best capital cities’? Stockholm is a wonderful place but it’s also one of Europe’s most expensive cities – then again, if you feel like splashing out, why not go with the flow and ignore the expense! Stunning Stockholm Relaxing down by the harbour There’s only one nagging problem – there’s a price to be paid for Stockholm’s high quality of living. Water is the stunning backdrop to Stockholm’s multitude of islands, leading many to dub the city “the Venice of the north”. Thankfully, Stockholm doesn’t suffer from the traffic congestion and overcrowding that plagues London, Rome and Paris – water transport and bikes are king in this city. It boasts a rich history with palaces, museums and galleries aplenty culture vultures will love its rich palette of arts and entertainment venues. The city is stylish and sophisticated with attractive buildings, charming historic alleyways and relaxing green spaces. Stockholm is indeed a leading contender for the title of Europe’s loveliest city with its beautiful islands, harbour front and historic medieval town. How could we miss a city that came with such a recommendation? “Don’t miss Stockholm – it’s Europe’s most beautiful city,” a group of Dutch tourists gushed when we were travelling around Scandinavia on a recent tour.Īlthough we were six hours drive away, we decided to blast it up north in the camper van.
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