Stockholm

Your tour begins with a drive up to Fjällgatan for a panoramic view of the city. A highlight of your day will be a visit to City Hall, beautifully situated by the shores of Lake Mälaren. Inaugurated in 1923, this magnificent building is the result of a 12-year project by Swedish craftsmen, sculptors and artists. There are numerous splendid halls, the most famous of these being the Blue Hall, where the Nobel festivities unfold each year, and the Golden Hall, known for its mosaics.

Afterwards, drive past the Royal Dramatic Theatre, along Strandvägen to the island of Djurgården, regarded as Stockholm’s amusement and recreation centre with great parks and museums, including the Vasa Museum.

Once considered to be one of the world’s largest and most prestigious warships, the Vasa sank in Stockholm’s inner harbour on her maiden voyage in 1628. The Vasa Museum was built around this 17th century warship after it was salvaged in 1961 and restored to its former glory.

To round off your tour, head to the Old Town to join your guide on a walk taking in the historic elegance of the Royal Palace and Cathedral (exterior views). Stroll along the narrow, twisting alleys and cobbled streets, featuring baroque doorways and coats of arms.

Stockholm, strategically built where the freshwater Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea, shows off her most beautiful side when seen from the water. Often referred to as ‘the Beauty on Water’, Stockholm is built upon 14 different islands and the mainland, all linked together by over 50 bridges.

Water plays an important role in everyday life. Boating, swimming and fishing are popular activities in this capital city, where over a third of the total surface area is water. While cruising the glittering waters, you’ll glide under bridges, pass through locks, and see most of the main sights of the city, including the Old Town with the Royal Palace, the magnificent City Hall, the Djurgården island, Vasa Museum, Skansen Open-Air Museum and the Tivoli ‘Gröna Lund’.

Over 4,000 objects are on display at the Museum of National Antiquities, as well as the remarkable Gold Room. Opened in 1994, the Gold Room contains Sweden’s most prized gold and silver treasures – 115lb of gold in total, and an even greater quantity of silver. Admire the skill of ancient goldsmiths and listen to the stories behind the exhibitions. Allow yourself to be captivated by the magic of gold!

Before leaving the Museum, you’ll have time to visit the shop where you can find small mementos and copies of prehistoric jewels, which make ideal souvenirs.

Enjoy a panoramic tour of Stockholm including the island of Djurgården, Vasa Museum, the Gröna Lund Tivoli, the Skansen Open-Air Museum and extensive parklands beyond. View the Royal Palace, the Opera House and the Parliament building, before continuing through the modern shopping and business areas at Hamngatan and Sergels Torg.

Your introduction to Stockholm begins with a panoramic tour of the modern city centre and the business areas.

Cross through the enchanting medieval old town, pass the Royal Palace and the Royal Dramatic Theatre, travel along Strandvägen en route to the island of Djurgården, regarded as Stockholm’s amusement and recreation centre. Not only does the island have great parks, but also museums, including the Skansen Open-Air Museum and the Vasa Museum.

The Vasa Museum is built around the incredible 17th century warship, which sank in Stockholm’s inner harbour on her maiden voyage in 1628. Salvaged in 1961 and today restored to much or her former glory, the Vasa represents an authentic piece of living history. This remarkable ship is a sight to behold as you imagine a time when it was once the worlds largest and most prestigious warship.

This orientation of Stockholm is a perfect way to see many of the highlights and decide which you’d perhaps like to return to later. Fjällgatan gives a magnificent view of the city, as well as the enchanting medieval old town, ‘Gamla Stan’, where the Royal Palace overlooks Stockholm’s inner harbour.

Pass by the Royal Dramatic Theatre, along Strandvägen before venturing onto the island of Djurgården. This island is known for recreational attractions due to its wonderful parklands and gardens as well as the Gröna Lund Tivoli and the Skansen Open-Air Museum. Djurgården is also home to the Vasa Musem which houses the remarkable 17th century warship.

Your tour continues through the diplomats’ quarters and Östermalm, to the modern shopping and business areas at Hamngatan and Sergels Torg. On the island of Kungsholmen, you can view the impressive City Hall, the site of the annual Nobel Prize Banquet.

Experience the charm of the old town, before heading to the world’s first Ice Bar! Stroll along the narrow, twisting alleys and cobbled streets of the old town and soak up the historic elegance of the exterior of the Royal Palace. At the Great Square stands the Old Stock Exchange, now home to the Swedish Academy and the Nobel Museum. There will be some free time to search for that all-important souvenir in the wonderful old town area, before rejoining your coach for the short drive to the heart of the city, where a ‘cool’ experience awaits.

Time to wrap up warm for your visit to the Absolut Icebar. The Bar is kept at a permanent -5°C all year round, so everyone will be provided with warm fur ponchos and mittens before entering. Drinks are served in fist-sized hollow ice cubes, placed on a bar made of clear ice blocks. The walls and tables are also built with ice harvested from the Torne River on the border between Sweden and Finland. A vodka drink will be served.

There is a magnificent view of the city from Fjällgatan, and the enchanting medieval Old Town, Gamla Stan, includes the Royal Palace, overlooking Stockholm’s inner harbour. From the historic island of Riddarholmen, adjacent to the Old Town, you have a stunning view over the Lake Mälaren and the City Hall.

Travel past the Royal Dramatic Theatre along Strandvägen to the island of Djurgården, which has wonderful parklands and gardens along with cafés and restaurants and museums.

Your drive continues through the diplomat quarters and Östermalm, a fashionable neighbourhood of stately apartment buildings, to the modern shopping and business areas at Hamngatan and Sergels Torg.

At a traditional Swedish café, Vetekatten, coffee or tea and an assortment of pastries and cookies will be served.

On the island of Kungsholmen, you’ll pass the impressive City Hall, before travelling back via the Western Bridge to Södermalm.

Witness the historic elegance of the exterior of the Royal Palace, dating from the 18th century but built on the remains of the old castle the ‘Three Crowns’. Built on a hill in the Old Town, the Royal Palace has no less than 608 rooms. Today Stockholm Palace is the King’s work place, while Drottningholm Palace is the permanent home of the Royal Family. Visit the State Apartments displaying magnificent baroque and rococo interiors, which are still used today for different functions.

Continue with your guide for a walking tour along the narrow streets of the Old Town and experience the medieval intimacy of this historical city. Experience the bohemian atmosphere and the sense of age in houses dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries with Baroque doorways and rusting coats of arms. View the exterior of the Cathedral, the oldest church in Stockholm and see Stortorget, the Great Square, which is dominated by the old Stock Exchange and houses the Nobel Museum. You will also see the Swedish Academy, whose members decide the material for the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Finally enjoy some free time for independent sightseeing. Visit the interior of the Cathedral for a quiet moment or just browse the many shops and boutiques with handicrafts, souvenirs, clothes and much more.

Vaxholm, often referred to as the ‘Pearl in the Archipelago’, is part of a wonderful living archipelago community with approximately 60 islands and just over 10,000 inhabitants. Your guide will take you on a walk through this charming summer town, with its old buildings, beautiful ornate carvings and big verandas. The view from the port and across the water to the imposing Fortress is magnificent.

Then, join the car ferry for a short journey to the island of Rindö, a holiday paradise built around a defense station, the Oscar Fredriksborg Fortress. A few minutes by coach will take you across the island to the next ferry for a trip to Värmdö, located east of Stockholm.

At Siggesta Gård, a traditional Swedish lunch will be served in the renovated barn dating from the latter part of the 19th century. Afterwards, continue to the historic town of Gustavsberg, famous for its porcelain production. A visit is included to the treasure trove of porcelain in the Porcelain Museum. Among the pieces, you can find dinner services decorated with elephant imagery and lotus edgings from the 1830’s, flowing blue designs from the 1850’s, majolica art pieces, grand vases and much more.

During some free time you can take a walk around the harbour with its many leisure boats or do some shopping.

The Ericsson Globe Arena, resembling a giant golf ball, is the largest spherical building in the world. An exhilarating 2 minute glass gondola ride will take you to the top of the Globe. Make sure you remember your camera as when you reach 426 feet above sea level, the ‘bubble’ will make a brief stop for you to admire the magnificent views over the city and take some panoramic photos.

Once back on firm ground enjoy a panoramic tour of the City’s main sights. Admire the enchanting medieval Old Town, Gamla Stan and the Royal Palace overlooking Stockholm’s inner harbour. You’ll also pass by the island of Djurgården, regarded as Stockholm’s amusement and recreation centre with great parklands, beautiful gardens and numerous museums including the world famous Vasa Museum. On the island of Kungsholmen, enjoy impressive views of City Hall, renowned for its architecture, mosaics and for being the site of the annual Nobel Prize Banquet.

Try something unique to Stockholm - a guided walk conducted along the roofs of the city! Buckle up in your safety harness and take your first steps along the narrow rooftop path. Admire the fantastic views and the fascinating stories that your guide will narrate.

Your walking tour begins with a ride in a lift to the top floor and then attic steps to the roof of the Old Parliament building, 141 feet up. Admire the most breathtaking 360 degree views over Stockholm, including the historic old town of Gamla Stan and across 8 of the 14 islands on which the city was built. As you walk in single file along the path you are in touching distance from the spire of Riddarholmen Church, built by the Franciscan monks and the final resting place of most Swedish Kings.

Back on terra firma, you’ll continue your adventure to the Old Town. Have your camera at the ready to capture the historic elegance of the exterior of the dominating Royal Palace. As you stroll along the narrow cobbled streets you’ll pass by a number of small boutiques from handicraft workshops, art galleries to antique shops. In the heart of the old town is the Great Square, Stortorget, and the former Stock Exchange, now the home of the Swedish Academy which meets annually to decide the laureate of the Nobel Prize for Literature.