by: Marc A. De Jong
Stockholm is not as big and famous as Paris, London or New York. Still it is regarded as one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. The Swedish city captures the heart of every visitor.
Arriving in Stockholm is already something special. From your plane you will see the water, the immense green areas, the fourteen islands with the colorful buildings that make up Stockholm..... You are in a holiday mood even before you set your first step on Swedish ground.
Located between the lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is sometimes called the Venice of the North. And, indeed, there is water everywhere. However, you don’t need a gondola to get around. An extensive bus and subway network takes you everywhere.
Stockholm and Sweden don’t make the news regularly. Sweden is a sparsely populated, but rich country and the nine million Swedes lead a wealthy calm life. They are modest, helpful, tolerant, and speak excellent English – which makes Stockholm even more pleasant to visit.
The city is remarkably clean. It’s a very safe place too. Swedish crime figures are among the lowest in the world.
Stockholm has a rich history and many points of interests. Take in walk in Gamla Stan, the old town centre with its medieval streets, well-preserved houses and royal palace. Visit the world’s first open-air museum Skansen, which is a joy even if you are not a museum fan. Or make a boat trip in the archipelago: no less than 24,000 islands and rocks create majestic sceneries you will never forget.
But even modern Stockholm has a lot to offer. Nightlife in the Swedish capital is hip, the Scandinavian design goods in shops are hard to resist, and the once controversial business district around Sergels Torg becomes one of the most vibrant parts of town in summer.
Stockholm mixes the latest trends and developments with ancient Nordic culture and tradition, located in an area with an almost magic natural charm. It’s truly one of the world’s most beautiful capitals.