Before you go, check out Visitstockholm.com and then consider whether to buy a Go City Pass ( www.gocity.
com/stockholm ) – it covers a number of sights and includes bus and boat tours. And when you arrive, use the excellent public transportation system or taxis to get around. (Only a Swedish meatball would drive his car in Stockholm; park it in one of the park-and-ride lots that ring the city.
) Stockholm, with more than 2 million people, is built on an archipelago of 14 islands woven together by 54 bridges. Gamla Stan, the city’s historic island core, is an Old Town of winding, lantern-lit streets, antiques shops, and classy cafés clustered around the Royal Palace. The palace hosts a fun, spirited Changing of the Guard ceremony, and contains the Royal Armory, with one of Europe’s most spectacular collections of medieval royal armor.
Famous Swedes include Astrid Lindgren, author of “Pippi Longstocking” (found in bookstores all over town), and Sweden’s most famous sculptor, Carl Milles, whose statues are strikingly displayed in Stockholm’s dramatic cliffside Millesgården. But let’s face it: Sweden’s best-known artistic output is the bouncy, irresistibly catchy songs of ABBA. Stockholm’s ABBA: The Museum is made for dancing queens – and kings – who want to soak up a little pop nostalgia.
Of course, Stockholm has plenty more sights to keep tourists busy. Skansen is Europe's original and best open-air folk museum. This huge park, with more than 150 hist.
