\
Stockholm

Stockholm

State

Södermanland and Uppland

Country

Sweden

Continent

Europe

Size

188 KM2

Population

975,551

Spending Budget

$488 - $2,892

Famous For

  • World’s First National City Park
  • World’s Largest Hemispherical Building
  • The Narrowest Street
  • World Heritage Sites
  • Lots Of Museums
  • Clean Water

Best Time to Visit

  • June
  • July
  • August

History

After the Ice Age, around 8,000 BC, there were already many people living in what is today the Stockholm area, but as temperatures dropped, inhabitants moved south. Thousands of years later, as the ground thawed, the climate became tolerable and the lands became fertile, people began to migrate back to the North. At the intersection of the Baltic Sea and lake Mälaren is an archipelago site where the Old Town of Stockholm was first built from about 1000 CE by Vikings. They had a positive trade impact on the area because of the trade routes they created. Stockholm's location appears in Norse sagas as Agnafit, and in Heimskringla in connection with the legendary king Agne. The earliest written mention of the name Stockholm dates from 1252, by which time the mines in Bergslagen made it an important site in the iron trade. The first part of the name (stock) means log in Swedish, although it may also be connected to an old German word (Stock) meaning fortification. The second part of the name (holm) means islet and is thought to refer to the islet Helgeandsholmen in central Stockholm. According to the Eric Chronicles the city is said to have been founded by Birger Jarl to protect Sweden from sea invasions made by Karelians after the pillage of Sigtuna on Lake Mälaren in the summer of 1187.

Present Day

By the second half of the 19th century, Stockholm had regained its leading economic role. New industries emerged and Stockholm was transformed into an important trade and service centre as well as a key gateway point within Sweden. The population also grew dramatically during this time, mainly through immigration. At the end of the 19th century, less than 40% of the residents were Stockholm-born. Settlement began to expand outside the city limits. The 19th century saw the establishment of a number of scientific institutes, including the Karolinska Institutet. The General Art and Industrial Exposition was held in 1897. From 1887 to 1953 the Old Stockholm telephone tower was a landmark; originally built to link phone lines, it became redundant after these were buried, and it was latterly used for advertising. Stockholm became a modern, technologically advanced, and ethnically diverse city in the latter half of the 20th century. Many historical buildings were torn down during the modernist era, including substantial parts of the historical district of Klara, and replaced with modern architecture. However, in many other parts of Stockholm (such as in Gamla stan, Södermalm, Östermalm, Kungsholmen and Vasastan), many "old" buildings, blocks and streets built before the modernism and functionalism movements took off in Sweden (around 1930–35) survived this era of demolition. Throughout the century, many industries shifted away from industrial activities into more high-tech and service industry areas. Stockholm's metropolitan area is one of the fastest-growing regions in Europe, and its population is expected to number 2.5 million by 2024. As a result of this massive population growth, there has been a proposal to build densely packed high-rise buildings in the city center connected by elevated walkways.

Future

Stockholm’s energy ambitions don’t stop there. The city plans to be fossil-free by the year 2050 and increasingly reliant on wind and solar sources for electricity and algae for fuel. To keep moving in that direction, city planners will have to contend with a population boom. Some urban growth experts predict Stockholm will see its population increase from 900,000 to a whopping 3 million in 30 years, largely due to immigration. Inverse spoke with Tigran Haas, Director of the Urban Planning & Design Masters Program at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, to find out how the city can reconcile its sustainability goals with the need to provide resources and opportunities to migrants. The city provides infrastructure for several different transport options. There are car traffic, rail and bicycle routes. The Stockholm Ring Road [essentially a beltway road that encircles the central district of the city] will be completed soon. We have a vast network of railway stations and tracks — rail, commuter, light rail. And from next month car traffic will be reduced and even eliminated from core parts of the city. Work towards sustainability — energy efficiency, lowering carbon emissions, ecological housing etc. continues. Major problems associated with lack of housing, especially affordable one. Large post-war housing estates need renovation and energy efficiency schemes but above all, breaking the bonds of ethnic and economic segregation and concentrated poverty is a must.
Must Visit Places ------------

Gröna Lund

Located right next to the city on Djurgarden Island, Sweden’s oldest amusement park, which opened in 1883, is very much up to date and perfect for a family day out. With over 30 attractions, including the mighty roller coasters, ’Insane’, and the ’Free Fall Tilt’, as well as the tamer Funny House, teacups, carousels, and bumper cars, there’s no shortage of things to see and do here.

Hop-on Hop-off Bus

Stockholm With 20 stops around the city of Stockholm, covering all major tourist attractions, the Hop-on Hop-off Bus is a great way to explore the city. The of comfortable buses will whisk you between stops, specially chosen to give a comprehensive introduction to Stockholm\’s rich history and dazzling culture. With audio guides in several languages and unbeatable panoramic views,visitors can get to know this famous city in detail.

Vikingaliv

At Vikingaliv visitors can experience the Viking Age through sound, light, andmoving settings.Learn amazing Viking facts and see the interactive exhibition and learn how theVikings traded and raided. Lifelike characters guide you through Stockholm\’sVikingaliv, which mixes fun with the very latest research into the history of theVikings!

The Royal Bridges and Canal Tour

Stockholm is a city that virtually lies on the water with the sea running throughthe city itself, and one of the best ways to explore is via a canal boat tour.Visitors can leave from the Royal Palace in the center of Stockholm and cruisethrough the Djurgården canal, built by hand back in 1832.Glide under some of Stockholm\’s 57 bridges and see Stockholm\’s grandarchitecture from a whole new angle.

The ABBA

The Museum More than three decades after they split up, their music still popsup in movies, TV shows, and of course their record-breaking musical MammaMia.The museum brims with ABBA memorabilia and visitors can see costumes, goldrecords, instruments, and original items. Then you can be an important part ofthe action by experiencing the feeling of being the 5th member of ABBA andsinging at the Polar Studio with the band.

Skansen open-air museum and Nordic Zoo

Skansen Open Air Museum is known for being one of the oldest open-airmuseums in the world and easily one of the best things to do in Stockholm ifyou love history.Skansen takes you on an amazing journey into the past to engage withScandinavian folk traditions, craftsmanship, and culture.Visitors can explore the history of old Sweden across a huge area of farms anddwellings and seefascinating workshops showing traditional crafts like butter churning, weaving, shoemaking, and glassblowing, which have been passeddown over the generations.

Tantolunden Park

Located in the south-west of the island of Södermalm, adjacent to trendyHornstull, Tantolunden is one of Stockholm’s most extensive and varied parks.Its combination of allotments, open expanses, an outdoor gym, a children’s playarea, and water sidewalks, make it a great getaway from the city centre andthere is even a small beach where you can sit and watch the world go by.

Astrid Lindgren's Fairy tale World

Visitors can check out Junibacken’s Story Train, which chugs through famousstories by Astrid Lindgren, featuring narration by Astrid Lindgren herself.Visitors can watch daily live shows packed with fun singing and theatreentertainment for kids. Enjoy a magical, delightful day together at Junibackenin Stockholm where books come to life and there are amazing playful exhibitions to inspire kids and their parents.

The Vasa Museum

The incredible Vasa battleship was intended to be the pride of the SwedishImperial eet, yet it sank on its maiden voyage in 1628.An amazing salvage operation took place in 1961, and now visitors can marvelat this glorious time capsule, 95 percent of which is entirely original.The three masts on the roof of the museum were reconstructed to the exactheight and speciation’s of the originals.

Fotograska

Located in the old wharf at Stadsgården, the Fotograska is a museum ofcontemporary photography in Stockholm that\’s well worth a visit. Visitors can explore the planet’s most exciting subjects, fromnature andwildlife to photojournalism and narrative, to conceptual photography andbeyond.