Play. Shop. Eat. Stockholm

Stockholm is rich with history. The photo above was a jaw dropping moment while strolling through Gamla Stan, known as Old Town, it's the oldest part of the city dating back to the 13th century. Old Town Stockholm is laced with hidden alleyways and colorful corridors. If a trip to Scandinavia is in your future go see Stockholm. It's a vibrant city with hundreds of islands speckled off its shores. And tons of forward thinking design stores. This guide will help you play, shop, and eat in the capital city.

Play
Go on a tour with a real Viking. The Stockholm Viking Tour will lead you through the historic city pockets. If you only have time to do one thing go straight to Old Town and enter medieval Stockholm, your jaw will drop at the intricate, cobbled streets that narrow into colorful allyways. If you enjoy art don't miss Stockholm's National Museum, it is considered the best and most comprehensive museum in the world (they have paintings by all the great masters: Rembrandt, Rubens, Boucher, Renoir, Degas and Gauguin). Or see the modern art at The Agueli Museum. If you want to know what Stockholm was like in the 13th century head to the Museum of Medieval Stockholm, it is a free museum that is underground and set up just like medieval times. If you go you'll find the museum under the Norrbro bridge between Norrmalm and Gamla Stan. The world's oldest outdoor museum, Skansen is also very popular and worth a visit. And when you're ready to get off your feet for a while take a royal boat tour through Stockholm's canal or rent a city bike. For those with more time hop a ferry and visit one of the 150 inhabitated islands in the Stockholm Archipelago. Ferries depart from the Blasieholmen peninsular. And kids will love Pippy Longstocking's Junibacken.

Shop
The flagship Odd Molly boutique in downtown Stockholm is huge. Up close the dresses are flirty and adorable. Design House Stockholm features the designs of local Swedish artists. They even sell my bicycle basket. And Bruka Design is a must see, it's a gorgeous design store. Svenkst Tenn is an elegant interior design store. For brand named men's and women's clothing check out Grandpa. And Svensk Hemslöjds offers one of a kind handicrafts. MUD is known for it's Swedish-designed ceramics. And the sweet store Bric-a-brac offers urban clothing for women, men, and children. Shop wall-to-wall ribbons at Folkers. And if you are a tea lover don't miss The Tea Centre. For a pop of color head over to Afroart. If you want to visit a popular shopping destination for locals then go to Ahlens.

Eat
For breakfast and lunch don't miss Östermalms Saluhall inside you will find rows of fresh food stalls with something for everyone. It's very popular with the locals and they take their treats across the street to the courtyard and eat outdoors or you can dine in one the restaurants inside. For lunch eat outside with a garden view at Rosendals Tradgard Cafe. Or enjoy the small plates of French food at Sardin. For dinner request a fun room in The Grill (their website is fun too). Or enjoy an organic and locally grown meal at Aarts. Whatever you do don't try to eat any meal in Old Town. It is very expensive there and a tourist trap during high travel seasons such as summertime. Only walk through Old Town for the history and eat your meals elsewhere in Stockholm. If you insist on eating in Old Town head over to FLYT, a floating restaurant.

Plan a Day Trip
It's only a one hour train ride from Stockholm's central train station to the university town Uppsala, where you'll discover Carolina Rediviva, home of over five million books and a museum showcasing rare artifacts like the Silver Bible and Mozart's Magic Flute. And don't miss the Uppsala Cathedral it is gorgeous inside.

Stockholm's central train station offers lockers for luggage on the main level and downstairs. If you bring anything bigger than a carry-on size suitcase it is slim pickings to find a larger locker available to store bigger luggage, especially during high tourist season. And there is a high speed X2000 train to and from Stockholm to Malmö that only takes four hours (one way), a fun overnight trip option. Malmö is only 40 minutes from Copenhagen too. And Stockholm is an eight hour train ride to Oslo.

This map of Stockholm can help you get to know the area.

Their local website is Visit Stockholm.

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Photo: CopyStrands