Those who know me know my appreciation for tall Vikings, so a post about Sweden’s capital will come as no surprise. Settled since the Stone Age, Stockholm was founded as a city in 1252 and today spreads out over fourteen islands of the Stockholm archipelago. 30% of the city area made up of waterways and another 30% covered by parks and green spaces which must make it a pretty livable place. I certainly loved my time there!

MUST-SEE STOPS IN STOCKHOLM:

With a city that’s been around that long, there is plenty of history to explore, something that even a thoroughly contemporary traveler like me has to respect. Some of it, however, comes in a modern packaging. Naturally, that’s where I started: the Vasa museum, visiting Sweden’s very own and equally spectacular “Titanic.” If a ship that represents a nation’s pride is ever going to sink on its maiden voyage, Vasa went down in style. Commissioned by King Gustavus Adolphus as a powerful warship and a symbol of the country’s military strength, Vasa was richly decorated and armed with heavy bronze cannons. This proved to be its undoing. The ship was too top heavy and unstable and sank only 1,300 meters into its maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. The cold waters of the Stockholm harbor, however, helped preserve the wood so that when the ship was lifted in 1962, its hull was mostly intact. It is now housed in a thoroughly modern multi-level museum built by Swedish architects Marianne Dahlbäck and Göran Månsson. You can easily find it by looking for the visible ship masts on Djurgården island and it is pretty spectacular.

Those craving history should also make it to Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town dating back to the 13th century. You can walk up and down the narrow streets, visit the very large Royal Palace and stop by one of the countless cafes in when tired or hungry. My modern architectural compass took me to the Storkyrkan, Stockholm’s cathedral. Though it is the oldest church in Gamla stan, its simple, clean Swedish Brick Gothic architecture is beautiful. From there, the geeks among us should make the short trip to the Alfred Nobel museum. Others may go to the ABBA museum. When in Sweden….

These are the things most people will want to do. But there is more, especially if you are a contemporary art and design lover. It goes by the name Fotografiska. Housed in a converted old customs house and easily accessible by one of the many boat tours (that give you the added benefit of seeing this water-friendly city in all its glory), it is one of the premier contemporary photography centers in the world...

BEST CONTEMPORARY HOTELS TO STAY IN STOCKHOLM:

Stockholm’s hotel scene is definitely stepping it up and there are many great contemporary and minimalist design options. I enjoyed our stay at the Nobis Hotel with its spectacular and much-instagrammed staircase and cool calming design.

Other great options are Miss Clara with its cool and trendy take on traditional home furnishings, the funky and eclectic Berns hotel or the thoroughly modern At Six hotel.

GREAT PLACES TO EAT IN STOCKHOLM:

Stockholm’s restaurant scene is great and you will surely find a few places that you like. A couple that may be interesting are NOI at the Nobis hotel and Gastrologik. Enjoy!