Sweden Travel Guide to Top Tourist Attractions
With its incredibly rich culture, history packed with much consequence, and varied landscapes concealing countless natural gems, Sweden is a tourist's paradise. If you love exploring the outdoors, indeed it's hard, no, impossible to dismiss. Both the water and air are strangely clean, plus there are literally thousands of acres where untarnished forests and impressive lakes lie, including extensive archipelagos along the country's enchanting coasts.
The public transport and roads are exceptional, the people are unusually helpful and friendly, plus in recent times, Swedish cuisine has experienced a real earth-quaking revolution. Toss in an astonishing history, from infamous Viking invaders, imperial intrigue to Royal dynasties, and one fact is perfectly clear: you'll never get bored.
Sweden's fine attractions range from famous Ice Hotel, ancient towns, vast Arctic landscapes, to opulent palaces. There are plenty to do and you will want to have a lot of available time to take full advantage of all its historic treasures and outdoor adventures.
To assist you in making the most of your travel itinerary, we encourage you to use our Sweden travel guide to find the top tourist attractions in Sweden.
1) Vasa Museum. Located in Stockholm, the Vasa Museum is Sweden's wildly popular museum, now attracting nearly a million tourists a year. Over 20 million people already have toured since it opened in 1990. And you'll soon know why.
Back in 1628, the pride and joy of the Swedish Imperial fleet, warship Vasa, sporting 64 cannons, sank during its maiden voyage. The ship lay deep under the icy waters for over three whole centuries, but in 1961, a highly ambitious salvage operation began. Today, tourists from all over the globe visit to see this intriguing time capsule.
The museum accommodates visitors of all nationalities, such as providing audioguides and guided tours in English. A tour to Vasa which houses ten separate displays and four additional museum ships, is a full day out. You'll find a shop and a restaurant here to help you out in getting by.
2) Skansen & Djurgarden. As the oldest open-air museum in the world, Skansen is an ancient village comprising homes and farmsteads, representative from all over Sweden. However, collectively these remarkably preserved structures represent urban and rural culture at different eras, ranging from 1720 to the 1960s.
Gathered here are a bakery, a Sami camp with reindeer, churches, mills, schoolhouses, workers' homes, a funicular railroad, complete farms, and artisan's shops.
In such houses, workshops, and farms actually live costumed interpreters who continue daily work, showing the skills, crafts, and doing both household and farm-related tasks. Animals native to this country, inhabit a zoo, including areas for exotic animals as well as a children's zoo.
Skansen is situated in the large urban Djurgarden Park, where locals go often, particularly in the summer. Everywhere are traditional snackbars, restaurants, cafes, and hotels. You can rent either a canoe or bicycle. Here you'll find Abba the Museum and the Grona Lund amusement park.
Use a ferry beginning from Gamia Stan, or bus or tram from Norrmalmstorg. Alternatively, since the park is just a pleasant and quick 15-minute stroll from the city center, get more information at the Djurgarden Visitors' Center.
3) Gamla Stan. Stockholm's old town, called Gamla Stan happens to be a little concentrated area precisely where the city started in the mid part of the 13th century. A lot of today's medieval enclave still remains, though in typical Scandinavian style, it's brushed afresh as well as painted regularly. Its real charm exists in the architecture that includes narrow stone-paved paths and cobbled streets that go around its squares, particularly the central one, Stortorget, surrounded by aged merchants' homes.
In this neighborhood, lined with many cafes, restaurants, and shops, you'll run into the Royal Coin Cabinet, the Post Museum, the Nobel Museum, and several churches. Also, it's a great area for spending a day or two, that is, if you could find appropriate accommodations, with options ranging from economical hostels and inns, guesthouses to luxury boutique hotels.
4) Drottningholm Palace. On the lovely island of Lovo, the palace which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exudes a fairy-tale feel. It lies approximately 11 kilometers west of Stockholm city center, a 45-minute ride by ferry. The 17th-century palace is today the Swedish Royal Family's official residence.
On the stunning terraced park lie bronze sculptures from Denmark and Bohemia, but brought here as war trophies. Be certain to visit the 17th-century Chinese Pavilion. The 18th-century-old Palace Theatre is yet used to present performances throughout summer. While touring through the Theatre Museum, visitors now can admire from period stage costumes to stage scenery.
Available are guided tours in English, plus a fair number of exciting workshops and programs for adults and children alike.
5) Stockholm Archipelago. Stockholm is frequently called the "Venice of the North" because there is water everywhere and about 30,000 islands exist in Stockholm's enchanting archipelago.
While unique yellow and red timber summer homes occupy certain islands, others remain completely untouched as if frozen in time; but here tourists can discover treasure chests fully loaded with endless natural wonders.
A sea trip that includes around the city or visiting one or more islands, should be a top priority, regardless when you arrive, for cruises operate all-year-round. Several tours now include either lunch or dinner, plus they all provide a great opportunities for viewing the city. Take advantage of the hop-on hop-off options. While in downtown, you can't miss the distinguished Stromma boats.
