Home > City Guide  - Stockholm
_City Overview Spread across 24,000 islets and laced with numerous waterways on the southeastern coast of Sweden, Stockholm enjoys one of the most stunning locales of any capital city in the world. Over 30% of the city area is made up of waterways and another 30% is made up of parks and green spaces, giving Stockholm perhaps the freshest air and widest lungs of any European capital. This natural oasis is complemented by the stunning old town, which was perfectly preserved by Sweden’s neutrality in World War II. This Old Town (or Gamla Stan) is the epicentre of the city, with countless hotels, bars, restaurants and shops all prospering – as people in these historical streets have done for centuries. Away from the charms of the Old Town, the modern city showcases the neat and innovative design standards for which Sweden has become globally renowned. Much of Stockholm’s present day wealth comes from the new light industries, such as information technology and computing, with world leading companies often occupying prime real estate in the city centre or filling up the new business parks on the city fringes. All this is a far cry from the city’s humble beginnings, which stretch back to the 13th century and Birger Jarl – generally accepted as the founder of the city – although various settlements previously existed on the site. The city grew up around the Old Town, as Stockholm emerged as a key trading centre with influence all over the Baltic Sea region and further afield. Today Stockholm is a thriving modern European city that dispels all of the anachronistic images about dull Scandinavians. During the seemingly endless days and bright sunshine of the summer months, the city’s chic boutiques and stylish pavement cafés overflow with the ‘beautiful people’, who enjoy the hedonistic culture and lifestyle that has earned the Swedish capital rave reviews from Europe’s style magazines. Stockholm’s ethnic make-up is, perhaps surprisingly, very eclectic with over 15% first generation immigrants and over 100 languages spoken in the city. This increasing diversity has infused the city with a renewed vigour and energy, as the various incoming cultures interact with the indigenous Swedes. A quintessential Stockholm summer night is spent bathed in warm sunshine at a restaurant by the water’s edge, savouring fresh seafood plucked straight from the waters around Stockholm, before taking advantage of the midnight light and heading out for a night around the Stureplan, hanging out in some of Europe’s trendiest bars. When the long winter does come it is not all Nordic gloom – the locals head for the sanctuary of the cosy pubs that line the city. Stockholm has almost as many restaurants per capita as Paris does, as well as 150 or so museums and galleries, so there is always plenty to do when the winter chill sets in. Then there are the severe winters when many of the waterways around the city freeze up, allowing the unique experience of ice skating around one of the world’s most stunning capital cities. Language Swedish is part of the Nordic branch of the Germanic language family, closely related to Danish and Norse, and speakers of the three languages can often understand each other. English is widely spoken in Sweden, and there should be little difficulty in communication for English-speaking visitors. Sweden’s most distinctive minority community, the Sami or Lapps, speak Sami, their own language, which is unrelated to Swedish. Phrases Yes - Ja No - Nej Hello - Hej Goodbye - Hej då Please - Tack Thank you - Tack My name is … - Mitt namn är … How are you? - Hur mår ni? I’m very well - Bra, tack I feel ill - Jag mår dåligt How much does - Vad kostar det? it cost? Do you speak - Talar ni English? - engelska? I don’t understand - Jag förstår inte Where is …? - Var ligger …? Entrance - Ingång Exit - Utgång Danger - Farligt Open - Öppet Closed - Stängt Toilets - Toalett Doctor - Läkare Hotel - Hotell Restaurant - Restaurang Beer - Öl Wine - Vin Menu - Meny Today - Idag Tomorrow - Imorgon Monday - Måndag Tuesday - Tisdag Wednesday - Onsdag Thursday - Torsdag Friday - Fredag Saturday - Lördag Sunday - Söndag One - En / Ett Two - Två Three - Tre Four - Fyra Five - Fem Six - Sex Seven - Sju Eight - Åtta Nine - Nio Ten - Tio Twenty - Tjugo Thirty - Trettio Forty - Förtio Fifty - Femtio Sixty - Sextio Seventy - Sjutio Eighty - Åttio Ninety - Nittio One Hundred - Hundra One Thousand - Tusen Getting There By Air Stockholm-Arlanda (STO) Tel: (08) 797 6000 or (08) 797 6100. Fax: (08) 797 2096. Website: www.lfv.se The city’s impressive and modern airport is situated 45km (28 miles) north of Stockholm. Europe’s sixth largest airport, Stockholm-Arlanda is a major aviation hub for the Baltic and Scandinavian regions. Major airlines: Sweden’s airline is SAS Scandinavian Airlines System – SK (tel: (08) 797 0000; website: www.scandinavian.net), an international consortium set up with Denmark and Norway in 1946, which took over Linjeflyg to also become the major domestic carrier. Other carriers serving the airport include Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways and Lufthansa. Airport facilities: Services include duty-free shops, banks, bureaux de change, ATMs, restaurants and bars. Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz provide car hire services. Business facilities: Arlanda airport offers business facilities at the Prime Point centre (tel: (08) 797 6200; fax: (08) 5936 0920; e-mail: meetings@primepoint.com; website: www.primepoint.com), located in SkyCity (between Terminal Four and Terminal Five). The centre offers a number of conference rooms (accommodating from two to 700 delegates), offices and an exhibition hall for up to 1000 visitors. Opening times are Monday-Thursday 0730-2100, Friday 0730-1800 and weekends on request. Transport to the city: Arlanda Express trains (tel: (08) 5888 9000; website: www.arlandaexpress.com) to Stockholm Central run daily 0505-2335 (journey time – 23 minutes) and cost SKr160. SL (tel: (08) 600 1000; website: www.sl.se) buses run daily 0640-2305 to Stockholm (journey time – 40 minutes) and cost SKr80. Taxis to central Stockholm should operate at a fixed rate of SKr435, which ought to be posted in the window. Bromma Airport (BMA) Tel: (08) 797 6874. Fax: (08) 981 010. Website: www.lfv.se Located eight kilometres (six miles) west of Stockholm, Bromma Airport is an important hub for domestic flights to 19 airports. The airport processed almost one million passengers in 2000. Major airlines: British Airways (tel: (020) 781 144; website: www.britishairways.com) operates flights from Denmark to Bromma Airport. Domestic carriers include Braathens, Skyways Enterprise, Golden Air and International Business Air. Airport facilities: Services at Bromma airport include a restaurant, shops and car hire from Avis, Europcar and Hertz. Business facilities: Three conference rooms, accommodating between four and 75 delegates, are available for hire from the Swedish Civil Aviation Administration (tel: (08) 797 6874). Transport to the city: SL (tel: (08) 600 1000; website: www.sl.se) airport buses to Stockholm offer connections to the city centre (journey time – 20 minutes) for SKr60 (SKr100 return). Buses operate approximately every half and hour, Monday-Friday 0614-2152, Saturday 0955-1813 and Sunday 0955-2112. A cheaper but more time-consuming option is the local SL buses 110 and 152, which operate approximately 0600-2300 weekdays and 1000-1730 Saturday, connecting with the metro for travel into the city centre (journey time – approximately 40 minutes) and costing SKr16. Bromma Taxis (tel: (08) 797 8190) or (20) 979 797) operate a taxi service to the city centre, costing approximately SKr170. Skavsta Airport (NYO) Tel: (015) 528 0400. Fax: (015) 528 0426. Website: www.skavsta-air.se Situated 100km (62 miles) south of Stockholm, Skavsta airport is the terminus for the Ryanair international service from London Stansted. Major airlines: Ryanair (tel: (0900) 200 4040; website: www.ryanair.com) flies from London to Skavsta. Trygg-Flyg operates a service from Visby and Finnair flies to Helsinki. Other charter carriers include Apollo and Spanair. Airport facilities: These include a FOREX office, hotel booking service, duty-free shop, restaurant, bar and coffee shop. Car hire is available from Hertz, Avis, Europcar and National. Business facilities: There are no business facilities or executive lounges currently available at Skavsta Airport. Transport to the city: Flygbussarna (tel: (08) 600 1000; website: www.flygbussarna.com) buses to Stockholm run four-five times a day, daily between 1045 and 2150, connecting with all Ryanair flights. These cost SKr100 one way or SKr150 return (journey time – 1 hour 20 minutes). Skavsta Taxis (tel: (08) 5503 0000) offer a service to Stockholm (journey time – 1 hour) at a cost of approximately SKr1195, which travellers should pre-book. Approximate flight times to Stockholm: From London is 2 hours 30 minutes; from New York is 7 hours 45 minutes; from Los Angeles is 14 hours 10 minutes; from Toronto is 12 hours 10 minutes and from Sydney is 24 hours 10 minutes. Arrival/departure tax: None. Getting There By Water Throughout its history, Stockholm has always been a major port. Easy access to the sea and the waterways of the Stockholm Archipelago, as well as inland waterways, such as the Göta Canal between Stockholm and Gothenburg, make the city an ideal destination for boat travellers. The port authority, Ports of Stockholm Group (tel: (08) 670 2600; e-mail: info@stoports.com; website: www.portsofstockholm.com), has about 150-160 moorings per year and comprises the ports in Stockholm, Nynäshamn and Kapellskär. Its quays can accommodate ships of up to 245m (800ft) and ferries can tie up within sight of the Old Town. The main port area is in the north at Frihamnen (Free Port) and Loudden (Oil Port). The port has immigration facilities for ferry passengers and Stockholm Information Service booths offering information, hotel booking and car hire. Ferry services: There are frequent ferry services to other Baltic ports. Silja Line (tel: (08) 222 140; website: www.silja.com) runs to Helsinki, Tallinn, Rostock and Turka, while Viking Line (tel: (08) 452 4000, website: www.vikingline.fi) travels to Helsinki and Turku. Tallink (tel: (08) 667 0001, website: www.tallink.ee) runs a Tallinn–Stockholm service and Polferries (tel: (08) 5201 8101; website: www.polferries.com) runs a Gdansk–Nyanshamn service. DFDS Seaways (tel: (08705) 333 000 (UK) or (0316) 50650 (Sweden); website: www.dfdsseaways.co.uk) runs a car ferry service from Newcastle to Gothenburg (journey time – 25 hours 30 minutes), sailing from Newcastle on Monday and Friday. Transport to the city: The city centre is within easy walking distance from the port. Nynäshamn is 60km (37 miles) south of Stockholm, is linked to the city by the 73 road, as well as by rail, while the E18 road links the city with Kapellskär, 90km (56 miles) north to Stockholm. Getting There By Road Sweden uses the standard European road designation system with ‘E’ designating European routes. Traffic drives on the right and drivers give way to the right. National speed limits are 110, 90 or 70kph (68, 56 or 43mph), depending on the road and traffic density. Speed limits inside built-up areas (virtually all of Stockholm) are 50kph (31mph) or 30kph (19mph) in school areas. The minimum driving age is 18 years for car drivers and 17 years for motorcyclists. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.02% and heavy fines or prison sentences may be imposed on those driving while intoxicated. The use of dipped headlights is compulsory in the daytime for cars and motorcycles, as are crash helmets for motorcyclists. All car passengers must use seatbelts. Children under seven may not travel without specially adapted restraints. Drivers must also carry an emergency warning triangle. Studded tyres are prohibited, except from 1 November to the first Monday after the Easter holiday. A national driving licence and vehicle registration documents must be carried at all times. The Swedish authorities do not require drivers to carry a Green Card but its use is advisable, as it tops up the level of cover provided to that of the driver’s domestic policy. Automatic petrol pumps at service stations accept SKr100, 50SKr and SKr20 notes. Motormannens Riksforbund, the Swedish automobile association, can provide further information (tel: (08) 690 3800). Emergency breakdown service: Assistancekåren (0209) 12912 Routes to the city: Stockholm is integrated within the European motorway network, however, Oslo is the only other European capital within convenient distance for direct overland access. The European motorway, E18, leads to Oslo, while motorways, E20 and E6 lead to Oslo via Gothenburg. European motorway E4 heads south to Malmö for ferry connections to Copenhagen and to Uppsala in the north. Approximate driving times to Stockholm: From Uppsala – 1 hour; Gothenburg – 5 hours 50 minutes; Malmö – 7 hours 40 minutes. Coach services: The Cityterminalen (City Terminal), Klarabergsviadukten 72 (tel: (08) 762 5997), next to Stockholm Central, is the terminus for international coach connections. Facilities include refreshments, left-luggage and FOREX office. Eurolines (tel: (08) 440 8570; website: www.gobycoach.com) provide coach links to major European cities. Busstop (tel: (08) 440 8570) provide international bookings and information on domestic services. Coaches from the City Terminal serve most destinations in Sweden, although services to the far north are limited. Swebus AB (tel: (08) 762 3500; website: www.swebus.se) runs services out of the capital. Getting There By Rail Swedish State Railways – SJ (tel: (08) 762 2000; e-mail: sjinfo@.sj.se; website: www.resor.sj.se) is the efficient and well-organised national rail carrier for the country. Stockholm Central station (tel: (08) 762 2000) is located on Vasagatan. As well as left-luggage and other standard facilities, the station also contains Stockholm Central Post Office with all its facilities, FOREX bureau de change and tourist information. Rail services: Stockholm has international rail links to Copenhagen (journey time – 5 hours) and the rest of Europe, via the X2000 system. Since the opening in 2001 of the Oresund Link, the X2000 connects Stockholm with other major European cities without the need of a ferry connection. Trains also run to Oslo in Norway, twice daily (journey time – approximately 6 hours). The X2000 trains also travel to Gothenburg (journey time – 3 hours). Transport to the city: Stockholm Central is at the centre of the metro network. Getting Around Public Transport Storstockholms Lokaltrafik – SL (tel: (08) 600 1000; website: www.sl.se) runs Stockholm’s well-integrated network of metros, trams, commuter trains and buses (including some night buses). Bus services operate on average around 0600-2400 for normal buses, with night buses handling limited routes after that. The metro is the core of the system – stations are marked with a blue ‘T’ on a white background – and the service runs 0500-0200. Single tickets, valid on all services, cost SKr16 and can be bought on board buses or at metro stations. RabattkupongI (discount coupons) are available from newspaper stands – 20-trip coupons cost SKr110. The SL Tourist Card gives free travel on public transport inside the Greater Stockholm area. The pass costs SKr80 for 24 hours and SKr150 for 72 hours (concessions are available). The 72-hour card also gives free or reduced admission to selected tourist attractions. The Stockholmcard (Stockholmskortet) gives free public transport among other benefits. This costs SKr220, SKr380 and SKr540 for 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively (concessions are available). Both types of card may be purchased at Stockholm Information Service offices. Taxis Taxis can be ordered from Taxi Stockholm (tel: (08) 150 000) or Taxi Kurir (tel: (08) 300 000). Computer taxis accept major credit cards as payment. Taxis normally charge a basic fee of SKr28 and a journey of ten kilometres (six miles) will cost approximately SKr100 on weekdays, with higher rates for evenings and weekends. Tips are usually included in the fare. Limousines Limousineservice, Norrtullsgatan 63 (tel: (08) 222 280), provides chauffeured limousines for SKr780-850 per hour, with a reduced price if the car is hired for more than one day. The higher rate is applicable after 1900 weekdays, before 0600 weekdays and all weekend. Driving in the City Scattered over 14 islands and governed by strict speed limits, Stockholm is not an ideal city for drivers. Visitors might be better advised to use its excellent public transport system instead. The city’s planners have imposed numerous restrictions on drivers and petrol prices are among Europe’s highest. Principal car parks are the Galleriangaraget, at the Gallerian complex, Hamngatan 37, or at Phus Pub, Slöjdgatan 3. Carpark (website: www.carpark.se) provides a website, complete with maps, which focuses on parking in Stockholm. Parking is on average Kr50 per hour (less at night). Car Hire The minimum age for car hire is 18 years, with the proviso that drivers have held a driving licence for one year. Some larger cars are restricted to those over 24 years. A national driving licence, passport and credit card are required for hiring a car in Stockholm. Fire and third party liability is mandatory in Sweden and is included in all car hire deals. Cars are available from Avis (tel: (08) 202 060; website: www.avis.com) and Hertz (tel: (08) 240 720; website: www.hertz.com), both of which are located near the Stockholm Central. Typical rates for car hire are around SKr700 per day for an average saloon. Bicycle & Scooter Hire Cykel and Mopeduthyrningen, Strandvägen 24 (tel: (08) 660 7959), and Cykelstallet, St Eriksgatan 34 (tel: (08) 650 0804), both provide bicycle and scooter hire. A typical rate for a bicycle is SKr150 per day. Business Business Profile Quite simply, Stockholm is the financial, business and economic hub of Sweden, with most major business transactions and major Swedish companies – such as Ericsson, Electrolux, Ikea, Saab and Volvo – all based in the capital. Further afield, Stockholm is also a major regional player, principally in the merging Baltic markets and within the EU. Although Sweden has opted to stay out of the EMU (European Monetary Union) and thus not adopt the Euro as its currency, the city’s major trading partners are all European. The offices around Sergelstog and Hamngatan manage one of the most powerful economies in Europe. Both Stockholm and the larger Swedish economy have adapted to the decline in its traditional engineering base by diversifying into telecommunications and other ideas and design-based industries, especially mobile communications and information technology (IT). In 2000, an IDC survey put Sweden ahead of the US as the world’s leading IT nation. However, 2001 was a less positive year for the economy than expected, with GDP growth of only 1.5 % compared to 3.6% in 2000. The country is heavily dependent on exports and the rapid downturn in the IT and telecom sectors affected the economy, particularly in the Stockholm region. Among the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Sweden devotes the highest percentage of its GDP to research and development. Standing at 2.4%, unemployment in the city is considerably lower than the national average of 3.1%. Roughly 75% of the Swedish information and electronics industry is located in the Greater Stockholm area. Global companies with a presence in Stockholm include KPMG and Sheraton. Stockholm’s place in the top ten of international congress and conference venues further reinforces its position in the global trade circuit. Translation services are available from Activator RW-Consult AB, Storhagsv 23 (tel (08) 749 0925; website: www.activator.se). The Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, Vastra Tradgardsgatan (tel: (08) 5551 0000; fax (08) 5663 1600; website: www.chamber.se), provides information on many aspects of doing business in the city. There are a number of Internet cafés in Stockholm. Kulturhusets Internetcafe, Sergels Torg, is conveniently located in the city centre. Business Etiquette Swedes pride themselves on their co-operative, egalitarian spirit in the workplace. In theory at least, issues of status and hierarchy are far less important than in many other countries – most people use their first names in the workplace and elaborate deference is definitely out of fashion. Management style is consensual rather than authoritarian. Since Stockholm is the capital, the city sees itself as setting the tone and pace for the rest of the country. Nevertheless, however relaxed Swedes are about power and authority, they are strict timekeepers and punctuality is expected for both work and play. Standard working hours are 0900-1800 but flexible hours are common practice. They also stick to the point – personal chat is generally left until the real business is done and dusted. Smart dress is still the norm, although more casual attire is being adopted in the new industries such as IT and Internet businesses. Most business socialising is done away from the home, at bars and restaurants. Dinners tend to be quite boozy affairs, although at lunches water is often substituted for alcohol. Sightseeing Sightseeing Overview Stockholm is an easy city for tourists to navigate, as its centre is largely flat and strolling around is a pleasure. For journeys further afield, there is an excellent public transport system with trams, underground trains, buses and ferries servicing all areas of the city and the surrounding towns and villages. A good place for visitors to get acquainted with the city is from the Gondola Restaurant in the Sodermalm district where, over a full gourmet meal or just over a drink, visitors can get a good idea of the layout of the city through the venue’s panoramic windows. The focus of Stockholm sightseeing is around the Gamla Stan (or Old Town) that boasts many historical buildings, tourist shops, cafés, as well as the impressive Royal Palace – the largest royal palace still in use in the world. North of the Old Town is the main part of the more modern city, whose districts are home to numerous attractions, such as the impressive City Hall, the Museum of National Antiquities and the Stringberg Museum. Across the water by ferry is Djurgarden, a playground with a funfair park, Stockholm Zoo and Sweden’s most visited museum, the Vasa Museum, which is home to a 17th-century galleon that has been impressively raised from the chill waters of Stockholm’s harbour. The city has recently gained a reputation for stylish shops, bars and restaurants, making it the Scandinavian capital of cool. Beyond the centre of the city, over 10,000 islands and rocky islets in the Stockholm Archipelago wait to be explored. Tourist Information Stockholm Information Service Sweden House, Hamngatan 27 Tel: (08) 789 2490. Fax: (08) 789 2450. E-mail: info@stoinfo.se Website: www.stoinfo.se Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800 and Sat and Sun 0900-1500 (Apr, May and Sep); Mon-Fri 0800-1900 and Sat and Sun 0900-1700 (Jun-Aug); Mon-Fri 0900-1800 and Sat and Sun 1000-1500 (Oct-Mar). Other branches are located in Stockholm Central station, in the Kaknäs Tower and the City Hall. Passes The Stockholm Card (Stockholmskortet) gives free public transport within Stockholm and free admission to 70 museums and attractions – including the Royal Palace, Historiska Musseet and National Museum – as well as free parking at municipal parking meters and other special offers and benefits. It can be purchased at Stockholm Information Service offices throughout the city and train and ferry termini. The Stockholm Card costs SKr220, SKr380 and SKr540 for 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively (concessions are available). Also available from the Stockholm Information Service, the SL Tourist Card gives free travel on public transport inside the Greater Stockholm area and reduced admission to selected tourist attractions. The pass costs SKr80 for 24 hours and SKr150 for 72 hours (concessions are available). Key Attractions Vasamuseet (Vasa Museum) Sweden’s most visited museum enshrines the warship, Vasa, sunk inside Stockholm harbour while on her maiden voyage in 1628. The ship was built to the order of the great Vasa king, Gustavus Adolphus, and was the most powerful war galleon of her age. She was raised whole from the harbour bed in 1961, over 330 years after she had last seen the light of day. Carefully preserved, the ship now rests intact in the museum’s main hall. Displays recreate life on board the ship and a film shows how the salvage operation was carried out. The museum’s beautiful waterfront site on the island of Djurgården is an added attraction. There are guided tours in English Monday-Friday 1230 and 1430, Saturday and Sunday 1030 1630. Galarvarvsvagen 14 Tel: (08) 5195 4800. Fax: (08) 5195 4888. E-mail: vasamuseet@sshm.se Website: www.vasamuseet.se Transport: Bus 47 or 69. Opening hours: Daily 0930-1900 (summer); Thurs-Tues 1000-1700, Wed 1000-2000 (rest of the year). Admission: SKr70 (concessions available). Stadshuset (City Hall) Voted by the Swedes as the country’s finest building, Stockholm’s City Hall was begun in 1911, to an Art Nouveau design by Ragnar Östberg. Its interior has grand civic apartments, including the Golden Hall, with its glass and gold mosaics, while its tower gives a sweeping panorama of Stockholm. The building’s Blue Hall (which is actually red) is the venue for the annual Nobel Prize banquet. Visitors must join one of the scheduled tours to see the interior, although access to the tower is unrestricted during opening hours. Hantverkargatan 1 Tel: (08) 5082 9058. Fax: (08) 5082 9022. Transport: Five-minute walk from Stockholm Central station. Opening hours: Daily 1000, 1100, 1200 and 1400 (June-Aug), 1000 and 1200 (Sep-May) for tours of the interior; daily 1000-1630 (May-Sep), for the tower. Admission: SKr50 (interior); SKr15 (tower); concessions available. Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace) Situated in the heart of Stockholm, on the central island of Riddarholmen, the Royal Palace is the official residence of the monarchs of Sweden and the chief venue for official state events. With 608 rooms, it is among the largest surviving palaces in Europe. The present glorious Baroque edifice is the work of Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, from a 1692 design, however, parts of the older medieval Castle of Three Crowns still survive. Attractions include the Banqueting Apartments, the Apartments of the Orders of Chivalry, the Hall of State, the Royal Treasury, Gustav III’s Museum of Antiquities and the Royal Chapel. In addition, the changing of the guard at the palace is as much of a spectacle in Stockholm as it is in London. Slottsbacken Tel: (08) 402 6130. Fax: (08) 402 6062. E-mail info.stockholms-slott@royalcourt.se Website: www.royalcourt.se Transport: Metro Gamla Stan. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1200-1500 (1 Feb-14 May and 1 Sep-31 Dec); daily 1000-1600 (15 May-31 Aug). Admission: SKr110; SKr70 each for selected parts of the palace; concessions available. Statens Historiska Museet (Museum of National Antiquities) Sweden’s national historical museum, which traces the nation’s history from prehistoric times to the present day, is now graced by a spectacular Gold Room, housing the gold of the Viking chiefs. These hoards, recovered from tombs or hiding places, show Scandinavian Viking culture at its most prosperous and magnificent. There is also one of the finest European collections of medieval painted wooden religious sculpture on exhibition. Narvargen 13-17 Tel: (08) 5195 5600. Fax: (08) 5195 5603. Website: www.historiska.se E-mail: info@historiska.se Transport: Metro Karlaplan; bus 44, 47, 56, 77 or 79. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1100-1700 (Thurs until 2000 in winter). Admission: SKr60 (concessions available). Strindbergsmuseet (Strindberg Museum) Stockholm’s most famous cultural figure has his temple here. The Blå Tornet (Blue Tower) was August Strindberg’s last home, from 1908 until his death in 1912, and his apartment and library have been preserved in their original state. An exhibition showcases his last works, written on the premises. The museum, which also hosts temporary exhibitions and plays, is furnished in a strikingly sparse Nordic Art Nouveau style. Drottninggatan 85 Tel: (08) 411 5354. Fax: (08) 411 0141. E-mail: info@strindbergsmuseet.se Website: www.strindbergsmuseet.se Transport: Metro Radmansgatan. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1200-1600 (Tues until 1900 in winter). Admission: SKr40 (concessions available). Further Distractions Skansen (Open-air Museum and Zoological Park) This open-air museum and zoo on Djurgården was founded in 1891, to preserve Sweden’s rural culture and is the first such collection to be built. It contains some 160 historic wooden farms and houses from across Sweden. The farms have their own animals – traditional breeds tended by ‘farmers’ in period costumes – and the zoo and aquarium hold both animals native to the region and more exotic species. The children’s circus, children’s zoo and playgrounds make Skansen particularly attractive to families. Djurgården Tel: (08) 442 8000. Fax: (08) 442 8280. Website: www.skansen.se E-mail: info@skansen.se Transport: Bus 44 or 47. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1600 (Oct-Apr); daily 1000-2000 (May); daily 1000-2200 (Jun-Aug); daily 1000-1700 (Sep) Admission: Mon-Fri SKr30, Sat-Sun SKr60 (Jan-Apr); 1000-1700 SKr60, after 1700 Skr30 (May); Skr60 (Jun-Aug); Mon-Fri SKr30, Sat-Sun SKr50 (Sep-Dec); concessions available. Globen A vast sporting and events arena, the Stockholm Globe is the world’s largest spherical building at 85m (279ft) high and 110m (361ft) wide. As well as hosting major sporting contests, it also houses restaurants, bars and a shopping complex. A source of rich controversy when it was first built in the 1980s, the Globe regained its notoriety in the early 1990s, following a spectacular bankruptcy. Arena Vegan Tel: (08) 725 1000. Fax: (08) 725 1257. Website: www.globen.se E-mail: info@globearenas.se Transport: Metro Globen. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1600 for guided tours. Admission: SKr50 (for tours); concessions available. Stockholm Metro Known as the ‘world’s longest art exhibition’, Stockholm’s metro is in fact famous for the quality of its subway art. From the mid-1950s it was official policy to decorate the network with originally commissioned art. Kungsträdgården and Stockholm Central metro stations are particularly ornate. Kungsträdgården metro station Kungsträdgården Tel: (08) 600 1000. Website: www.sl.se Transport: Blue metro line. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: SKr10 (single metro ticket). Stockholm Central Vasagatan Tel: (08) 600 1000. Website: www.sl.se Transport: All metro lines. Opening hours: Daily 0500-2400. Admission: SKr10 (single metro ticket). Tours of the City Walking Tours Walking tours, are offered by City Sightseeing (tel: (08) 5871 4030; website: www.citysightseeing.com). The ‘Old Town Walkabout’ – a guided stroll through the medieval core of the city – costs SKr80 for one and a half hours, departing twice a day (1130 and 1430) from Gustav Adolf Torg (29 June-1 September). Bus Tours City Sightseeing (tel: (08) 5871 4030; website: www.citysightseeing.com) offers a variety of bus tours departing from in front of the Royal Opera House. The ‘Stockholm in a Nutshell’ tour – combining a one-and-a-half-hour bus tour around the city centre and a one-hour boat cruise to Djurgarden – is one of the most popular at SKr260. Boat Tours A waterborne tour is as essential for visitors to Stockholm as it is for visitors to Venice. The Stockholm Card gives free boat tours on certain services during the summer. Strömma Canal Company (tel: (08) 5871 4000; website: www.strommakanalbolaget.com) and Stockholm Sightseeing, Skeppsbron 22 (tel: (08) 5871 4020; website: www.stockholmsightseeing.com), run various boat tours of the city, with departure points from quays by the Royal Dramatic Theatre, the Grand Hôtel and City Hall. Boat tours of the major waterside sites take about two hours and cost SKr140. A tour around Djurgården lasts about one hour and costs SKr90. Excursions For a Half Day Drottningholms Slott: Just 15km (nine miles) west of central Stockholm, Drottningholms Slott (Drottningholm Palace), Flottsforvaltining (tel: (08) 402 6280; website: www.royalcourt.se), is one of the most magnificent legacies of Sweden’s imperial age, justly compared to Louis XIV’s Versailles. Begun in 1662 – for the dowager queen, Hedvig Eleonora – by the great Swedish Baroque architects, Nicodemus Tessin the Elder and Younger, Drottningholm is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by equally splendid gardens containing the delightful Rococo Chinese Pavilion (tel: (08) 402 6270), almost a palace in itself. It also has the world’s best-preserved palace theatre – with its 18th-century stage machinery still in working order – a popular venue for summer concerts and performances. Closed to the public in winter, the palace is the official residence of King Carl Gustaf XVI and the Swedish royal family. Guided tours in English are available on request. Admission to the Royal Palace costs SKr50 and SKr50 to the Chinese Pavilion (concessions are available). Drottningholm Palace is open daily 1000-1630 (May-August), daily 1200-1530 (September) and Saturday-Sunday 1200-1530 (October-April) and can be reached by taking bus 301 or 323 from Brommaplan metro station or bus 177 or 178 to Drottningholm. There is a regular summer boat service from Stadshuskajen (the City Hall Quay) to Drottningholm, operated by Stockholm Sightseeing, Skeppsbron 22 (tel: (08) 5871 4020; website: www.stockholmsightseeing.com). For a Whole Day Thousand Isles: The classic excursion from Stockholm, this is a water tour of the entire surrounding archipelago. The 24,000 islands and islets of the Stockholm Archipelago are famed for their beauty and unique atmosphere, especially in summer. The standard package stops at four of the most appealing islands, allowing the option of an overnight stay on one of them. In the summer, Stromma Kanalbolaget (tel: (08) 5871 4000; fax: (08) 5871 4044; website: www.stromma.se), runs tours departing from Stockholm Nybroplan, costing SKr825, which includes lunch, coffee and guided tours. Hotels Sales tax at 12% is automatically added to the bill. Tipping of porters is usual, although tipping for room service is not expected. The prices quoted below are the starting prices for double rooms, including sales tax but excluding breakfast, unless otherwise specified. Business Nordic Hotel Only opened in January 2001, the Nordic Hotel is already proving a big hit with the Stockholm business community. Within easy walking distance of the evolving IT centre of the city, as well as Stockholm’s main railway station and the new Arlanda Express airport rail link, the location is one of the most convenient in the city. This stylishly designed hotel boasts 542 rooms, as well as a business centre, and also has conference facilities that can cater for up to 400 delegates. Another plus is Internet access through the in-room TVs. The hotel is split between the Nordic Sea and the Nordic Light buildings, with 367 and 175 rooms respectively and each with their own distinctive decor, including light installations that depict the sun. Vasaplan Tel: (08) 5056 3000. Fax: (08) 5056 3420. E-mail: info@nordichotels.se Website: www.nordichotels.se Price: From SKr 1200 (including breakfast). Radisson SAS Royal Viking Hotel This 351-room hotel is one the best of the numerous Radisson-affiliated hotels in and around Stockholm. The central location, within easy walking distance of the Old Town and the City Hall, is a major advantage. All of the luxuriously appointed rooms have modem points and voice-mail, while ‘business class’ rooms also have extras such as ironing boards, bathrobes and slippers. Non-smoking rooms are available, as are specially equipped rooms to cater for the needs of physically impaired guests. The hotel also boasts 26 conference rooms, as well as a lecture hall that seats 150. Vasagatan 1 Tel: (08) 5065 4000. Fax: (08) 5065 4001. E-mail: sales@stozs.rdsas.com Website: www.radissonsas.com Price: From SKr2000. Scandic Hotel Sergel Plaza This 405-room five-star business-orientated hotel in the centre of Stockholm has won the ‘Best Hotel in Sweden’ award on a number of occasions since opening in 1984. One of the seven floors is solely occupied by 12 executive suites; the standard rooms are fairly simple. Facilities include 24-hour room service, a swimming pool and a full range of business services. There are conference facilities to cater for 400 delegates. Brunkebergstorg 9 Tel: (08) 226 600. Fax: (08) 215 070. E-mail plaza.sergel@postbox.postnet.se Prices: From SKr2280. Sheraton Stockholm Hotel and Towers This 462-room first-class hotel has recently undergone a much needed revamp, which has restored it to its former high standards. The Sheraton offers views over the Old Town, Lake of Malaren and the City Hall, and is just a two-minute walk from Stockholm Central station and airport buses. Room features include work desk, hairdryer, in-room movies, mini bar, modem point, cable TV and voice-mail. Business facilities include 12 meeting rooms with a maximum capacity of 400 delegates, as well as a business centre. Tegelbacken 6 Tel: (08) 412 3400. Fax: (08) 412 3409. E-mail: sheraton-stockholm@sheraton.com Website: www.sheratonstockholm.com Price: From SKr1380. Luxury Berns Hotel Berns is one of the most exclusive places to stay in town. The 65 rooms (including four suites) marry modern Scandinavian design with the beauty of the building’s Belle Epoque architecture. Ten conference and meeting rooms are available with flexibility in numbers and facilities; the 1200-capacity China Room is particularly impressive. The hotel’s restaurants and bars have recently undergone a Terence Conran-aided makeover. The Clock Suite is legendary and a favourite of younger, trendier visiting celebrities (the older crowd tend to head for the Grand Hotel). Although there are no fitness facilities available on site, guests at Berns can use the extensive facilities at the nearby Grand Hotel, which is owned by the same company. Berzelii Park Tel: (08) 5663 2000. Fax: (08) 5663 2201. E-mail: hotel.berns@berns.se or info@berns.se Website: www.berns.se Price: From SKr1800 (including breakfast). Grand Hotel The 310-room Grand Hotel has long been the most glamorous place to stay in Stockholm and seldom disappoints. This deluxe hotel has justifiably been rated as one of the world’s great hotels since it opened back in 1874 and is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World group. It also enjoys an excellent location on the waterfront, with views back across the Old Town, within easy reach of Stockholm’s business centre. The 21 luxurious suites are popular with visiting celebrities and royalty – famous past guests include Theodore Roosevelt and Douglas Fairbanks. All rooms have modem points and there are also 19 conference and banqueting rooms that can cater for anything from two to 2000 delegates. Extensive fitness facilities and beauty treatments were added in 1997. Sodra Blaisholmshamnen 8 Tel: (08) 679 3500. Fax: (08) 679 3561. E-mail: hotel.grand@grandhotel.se or info@grandhotel.se Website: www.grandhotel.se Price: From SKr3295. Moderate Central Hotel This three-star hotel is, as its name suggests, located very conveniently in the heart of modern Stockholm. Although the decor is plain and functional with few luxurious touches, the 93 en-suite guest rooms all have Internet connections through the in-room satellite televisions. There are no conference rooms available. Vasagatan 38 Tel: (08) 5662 0800. Fax: (08) 247 573. E-mail: bokningen@centralhotel.se Website: www.centralhotel.se Price: From SKr 1095. Scandic Hotel Malmen This four-star hotel offers good value without sacrificing the level of facilities. The en-suite rooms are modern and comfortable, with extras – such as satellite television in all of the rooms, soundproof windows and trouser presses – all geared towards business needs. There are also a number of small conference rooms available for hire. Gotgatan 49-51 Tel: (08) 5173 4700. Fax: (08) 5173 4711. E-mail: malmen@scandic-hotels.com Website: www.scandic-hotels.com Price: From SKr1650 (including breakfast). Other Recommendations Birger Jarl This trendy new 240-room hotel has already attracted a steady following among the city’s cognoscenti, as well as with savvy visitors. The revamped hotel is the perfect example of the best of modern Scandinavian design without the harshness of too much minimalism. Birger Jarl somewhat uniquely aims to change its mood with the season by changing its decor. Individual designers have also been brought in to create idiosyncratic rooms that can be surveyed on the web before booking. Other plus points include a number of meeting rooms (one with a capacity of up to 150) and the rooftop gym with views of the city. Tulegatan 8 Tel: (08) 674 1800. Fax: (08) 673 7366. E-mail: info@birgerjarl.se Website: www.birgerjarl.se Price: From SKr1830 (including breakfast). Icehotel Surely one of the most unusual hotels in the world, the Icehotel is built every year on the banks of the Torne River, approximately one hour from Stockholm by plane. It might be far from central Stockholm but the hotel is quite unique. Made, as its name suggests, from ice, the hotel has 65 rooms, including 20 suites, all sculpted by different artists. The thick ice provides insulation against the cold (rather like an enormous igloo) and each bedroom has a temperature of around -5C (21F). Guests sleep in thermal sleeping bags on a blanket of reindeer pelts. There are also 30 hotel bungalows with skylights for viewing the northern lights, as well as three conference rooms with a maximum capacity of 120 people. Jukkasjarvi village Tel: (980) 66800. Fax: (980) 66890. E-mail: info@icehotel.com Website: www.icehotel.com Price: From SKr2490. Lydmar Hotel The Lydmar Hotel is fast becoming the trendiest place to stay in a city whose range of hip hotels is expanding all the time. The hotel’s public spaces are often home to temporary art installations and many cultural events are also staged here. Isaac Hayes and Beverly Knight are among the big names to have performed in the hotel’s lobby in recent years. All rooms have wide-screen TVs, DVD and voice-mail connections. A nice touch is the movies that are provided free of charge. The location on Stureplan is right at the heart of Stockholm’s busy nightlife scene; recently another six rooms have been added. The Lydmar Hotel is a good choice for a business trip that allows a few nights of pleasure at either end. Sturegatan 10 Tel: (08) 5661 1300. Fax: (08) 5661 1301. E-mail: info@lydmar.se Website: www.lydmar.se Price: From SKr1465. Restaurants The selected restaurants have divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments. Sales tax of 12% is already included in bills; some restaurants also add a 10-15% service charge. If no service charge appears on the bill, a 10% tip is normal and expected. As all wines are imported to Sweden, they are subject to steep price hikes and added tax and therefore tend to be expensive. The prices quoted below are for a three-course meal and for a bottle of house wine or equivalent and include sales tax but not service charges. Gastronomic Berns Recently given a makeover by British style guru Sir Terence Conran, this restaurant in the Berns Hotel has a born-again quality. On a busy night Berns can squeeze in around 250 diners who come to enjoy the top-rate cooking and the added attraction of the new crustacean bar, which is a must for seafood lovers, with a wide variety of fresh shellfish served with various sauces and cooked according to the diner’s personal preference. Another Berns speciality is the excellent lobster. The restaurant was once a grand theatre hall and the impressive decor creates a remarkable setting for dinner. Berzelii Park Tel: (08) 5663 2222. Fax: (08) 5663 2323. E-mail: info@berns.se Website: www.berns.se Price: SKr500. Wine: SKr250. Bon Lloc Another fine dining temple that proves how much the Swedes love top-quality cooking. Bon Lloc has a relaxed atmosphere and the food has a Spanish influence. In the dining room, the straight-back, upholstered chairs are teal and wine coloured, with crisp white tablecloths for silver service. With arguably the finest chef in all of Sweden at the helm, Bon Lloc cannot really go wrong. Mathias Dahlgren’s ‘nouveau euro-latino’ cooking well deserves its one Michelin star and booking well ahead is essential. One of the best dishes is oven-roasted ham with apple cider glaze, while the willingness to experiment is demonstrated with main courses such as roasted pig’s foot. The recent move to a larger, more central location has done nothing to dent the supremacy of Bon Lloc (which means ‘good luck’ in Catalan). Regeringsgatan 111 Tel: (08) 660 6060. Fax: (08) 107 635. Website: www.bonlloc.nu Price: SKr450. Wine: SKr300. Gasslingen This single Michelin-starred restaurant serves the finest of French high cooking in stylish, although slightly quirky surroundings. For those who like classical French style and cuisine, this is the place in which to dine. It is a temple to gastronomy, specialising in classic haute cuisine, with such delights as foie gras, duck, lobster and truffles. Brannkyrkagatan 93 Tel: (08) 669 5495. Website: www.gasslingen.se Price: SKr300. Wine: SKr250. PA & Co This used to be one of the undoubted stars of the Stockholm restaurant scene but its most fashionable times are now behind it. Once responsible in many ways for helping to kick-start the city’s culinary renaissance, PA & Co is nevertheless still going strong (despite its detractors), largely due to the excellent value of the food on offer. The decor is simple and the Swedish produce is still as fresh as ever, with well-cooked red-meat dishes as well as excellent reindeer. Riddargatan 8 Tel: (08) 611 0845. Price: SKr200. Wine: SKr230. Wedholms Fisk In a city that is surrounded by rivers, lakes and the sea, it is no surprise that seafood is very popular in Stockholm. The accolade of best fish restaurant in the city is much fought over, although many locals and discerning visitors agree that the honour goes to Wedholms Fisk, whose freshly prepared seafood has earned the restaurant a Michelin star. The creamy sauces that cover the freshly caught sole, turbot and salmon are legendary on the Stockholm culinary scene. The classical cooking style varies between Swedish and classical French, while the decor tends toward the pale and purely stylish. Nybrokajen 17 Tel: (08) 611 7874. Price: SKr500. Wine: SKr250. Business Bakfickan This restaurant is a firm favourite with local businesspeople and is a trusted venue for a business lunch or dinner. It is the least formal of the eating places located at the State Opera House, serving up a fresh selection of traditional Swedish dishes including open smorrebrod sandwiches. Diners can choose to eat either at the long counter or at the small tables. Operahuset, Karl XII Torg Tel: (08) 676 5809. Website: www.operakallaren.se Price: SKr300. Wine: SKr240. Franska Matsalen For unabashed glamour and old-world style, the single Michelin star of Franska Matsalen at the Grand Hotel is hard to beat. A restaurant first opened in these plush surrounds in 1899 and today the setting is still popular among the local business community as a classy place for winning over clients and introducing people to the city for the first time. Fresh fish and red meat feature strongly on the menu and main courses include seared turbot with chanterelles and white wine sauce or peppered glazed reindeer with Jerusalem artichoke and Swiss chard. Savvy diners book a window seat with views across to the Royal Palace. Grand Hotel, S. Blasieholmskajen 8 Tel: (08) 679 3584. Fax: (08) 611 8686. E-mail: info@grandhotel.se Website: www.grandhotel.se Price: SKr700. Wine: SKr300. Fredsgatan 12 The classical surroundings of this first-rate restaurant are renowned as a great setting for a business lunch or dinner, with top-quality cuisine to match. The interior is unfussy and cool, reflecting the simple Swedish menu. The cooking has earned Fredsgatan 12 a Michelin star and the verandah outside is the business place to be seen on a summer’s day. Samples dishes include turbot with salmon pastrami and the somewhat unlikely sounding sweet and sour venison. Diners can also try the delicious yellow cloudberries. Fredsgatan 12 Tel: (08) 248 052. Fax: (08) 237 605. E-mail: info@fredsgatan12.com Website: www.fredsgatan12.com Price: SKr600. Wine: SKr300. Marten Trotzig At the most expensive end of the business market, this restaurant hits the mark for those trying to impress potential clients or thank old ones. In summer, diners can enjoy the warmth out in the courtyard, while in winter things move inside to the cosy interior rooms, which are heated by a roaring fire. Specialities include deer and hare, while the homemade ginger beer is legendary. For those on a tighter budget, there is also a cheaper menu that explores a similar mix of Swedish and international dishes. Vasterlanggatan 79 Tel: (08) 240 231. Price: SKr550. Wine: SKr300. Stadhuskallaren This is where they cook the dinners for the Nobel Prize ceremonies and it is also a good place for rewarding business contacts and cementing new relationships. The restaurant is particularly renowned for the quality of its omelettes, which come with a variety of fillings. Guests can dine in style on white linen tablecloths in the City Hall, under the beauty of the paintings on the ceiling that date back to its opening in 1923. City Hall, Hantverkargatan 1 Tel: (08) 650 5454. Fax: (08) 650 5776. Website: www.profilrestauranger.se Price: SKr400. Wine: SKr300. Trendy Berns Grill A new addition to the restaurant scene for 2001 is Berns Grill, located at the hotel of the same name. This trendy place is a favourite with lunching media types, who come to savour the sunshine on the outdoor terrace, which has a canopy and retractable covers to cope with the vagaries of the Swedish summer. The menus focus on light and healthy Mediterranean-style food, with grilled seafood and tender steaks being particularly popular. There is also a good selection of fresh salads. Berzelii Park Tel: (08) 5663 2222. Fax: (08) 5663 2323. E-mail: info@berns.se Website: www.berns.se Price: SKr320. Wine: SKr260. Buddha Bar Buddah Bar is a confirmed favourite on the Stockholm restaurant circuit. The decor tends towards the minimalist but any harshness is taken away by the presence of candles on the tables. This buzzy place may not offer the best value in the city but its menu covers many cuisines and most people come mainly for the atmosphere. Swedish highlights include generous smorrebrod and crisp salads, making this a popular venue for a business lunch or for a light meal before heading out for a night on the town. In summer, there are tables outside that make a great place to sit to people-watch. Biblioteksgatan 9 Tel: (08) 611 8030. Fax: (08) 643 8728. Website: www.biblos.nu Price: SKr400. Wine: SKr200. Folkhemmet Folkhemmet is an excellent example of the new trend for relaxed restaurants that serve up the best of fresh Swedish produce. A lively crowd occupies the candlelit tables in the main restaurant, which features an open-plan kitchen where the chefs can be seen at work. When the weather allows, there are also tables outside. Menu highlights include a delicious starter of blue cheese soufflé and parma ham with pear salad and mains of the likes of seared salmon or fresh lemon sole. The wine list is good value for Stockholm. Renstiernas Gata 30 Tel: (08) 640 5595. Fax: (08) 643 8728. Price: SKr200. Wine: SKr200. Halv Trappa Plus Gard This trendy newcomer, with its avant-garde Scandinavian decor, serves up inspired cooking in surroundings that recall the glories of the 1970s. Diners can choose between the quirky interior and the tables outside in the warmer months. The menu is not exactly inventive but the fish and meat dishes come served with an emphasis and style that reflects the fashionable surroundings. Lastmakargatan 3 Tel: (08) 611 0277. Price: SKr350. Wine: SKr250. Rolfs Kok One of the trendiest places to eat in Stockholm, Rolfs Kok is where the local cognoscenti head. The sparse interior veers towards minimalism and the food tends towards the style (and often small portions) of nouvelle cuisine. The menu is a collage of Swedish and international influences, which are given innovative reinventions in the Rolfs Kok style. Examples of main dishes are confit of tuna with artichokes, bacon and basil, and leg of rabbit with lentils, dried cherries and vanilla. 1 Tegnergatan 41 Tel: (08) 101 966. Website: www.rolfskok.se Price: SKr350. Wine: SKr250. Budget Indian Curry House Laying claim to being the cheapest Indian restaurant in town, with typically rich Indian decor, this fun place serves up tasty Indian staples, such as samosas and curries. In the summer months, the Indian Curry House also has a few tables available outside. Scheelegatan 6 Tel: (08) 650 2024. Fax: (08) 650 2024. Price: SKr120. Wine: SKr110. Kungshallen Located right in the heart of downtown Stockholm, Kungshallen food hall is a great place for the hungry to fill up with cheap goodies, whether diners choose to sit down or take meals away. It offers has a range of international foodstuffs, from Tex-Mex and Indian to Greek and sushi, as well as a range of more esoteric Swedish specialities. There are over a dozen different eateries here to choose from. Kungsgatan 44 Tel: (08) 218 005. Website: www.kungshallen.com Price: SKr160. Unlicensed. Maharaja Stockholm has a number of subcontinental restaurants. Maharaja is notable, as it offers great value and serves good interpretations of all the usual Indian dishes with the sumptuous style and elaborate embellishment that is synonymous with Indian decor. The vegetarian curry and the fresh naan breads are the highlights of the menu. They also prepare a range of very good vegetarian dishes. Stora Nygatan 20 Tel: (08) 210 404. Price: SKr140. Wine: SKr130. Manna Gourmet This relaxed restaurant offers excellent vegan food in no-nonsense surroundings – the interior is somewhat Spartan, down-to-earth and almost clinical. Dishes are healthy and filling and many think it is the best vegetarian restaurant in Stockholm. Menu items include veggie dishes with pasta, potatoes or unpolished rice. Guests can make their own mix of the main courses on offer or have some hot soup on a cold day. Closes 2100. Asogatan 102, Soderhallarna Tel: (08) 643 1805. Price: SKr60. Wine: SKr160. Tranan This is the type of simple place popular with Swedes who want to dine out without breaking the bank. Not only do few tourists ever make it here but the menu is only written in Swedish, so adventurous visitors will have to trust the friendly staff and other diners to fill them in on translations of the traditional Swedish dishes. One excellent example is the fillet of beef served with fried potatoes, horseradish and egg yolk. The decor is that of a typical French bistro, giving it a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Karlbergsvagen 14 Tel: (08) 5272 8100. E-mail: tranan.odenplan@swipnet.se Price: SKr230. Wine: SKr230. Personal Recommendations Gondolen Gondolen easily offers the best view of any restaurant in Stockholm. This purpose-built viewing capsule lends diners panoramic vistas of the Stockholm skyline. The menu may sound better than the food actually tastes but any first-time visit to Stockholm would not be complete without a pre-dinner cocktail and a meal at Gondolen. Menu highlights include gravadlax (marinated salmon) with asparagus or the roasted reindeer fillet served in cranberry sauce. Stadsgarden 6 Tel: (08) 641 7090. Website: www.eriks.se Price: SKr250. Wine: SKr300. J Restaurang This restaurant is a boat ride outside the city centre. Its aquatic locale, on a marina in Stockholm’s Newport district, complements the cooking, which focuses on seafood. Head chef Mark Phonix is at the helm and works culinary wonders with the day’s catch, which often includes turbot and salmon. The menu also includes a range of salads and, in the colder months, hearty soups. The sunbathed terrace is a heavenly place to be on a hot summer’s day but the restaurant is also enjoyable for cosy autumnal dinners. Augustendalsvagen 52, Newport Tel: (08) 601 3025. E-mail: info@restaurantj.com Website: www.restaurantj.com Price: SKr400. Wine: SKr250. Nordic Hotel Restaurant For those either arriving at or leaving from Stockholm’s main international airport, the bright and breezy restaurant at the Nordic Hotel is only a two-minute walk from the airport’s Arlanda Express train terminal. The restaurant is the perfect alternative to the ramble of fast food joints in the railway building itself. Lunches are light and good value, while the evening meals are more interesting, with seafood taking centre stage. One innovative idea for lunch is the ‘Swedish platter’, a one-dish meal that features Swedish sausages, gravadlax and fish roe. Vastaplan 4-11 Tel: (08) 5056 3000. Fax: (08) 5056 3060. E-mail: info@nordichotels.se Website: www.nordichotels.se Price: SKr400. Wine: SKr220. Ocean This big outdoor space on the water is the place to be when the sun shines in Stockholm. Given the location, it is no surprise to learn that the menu focuses heavily on seafood, with salmon, scampi and black fish all making appearances. The modern surroundings and high-quality fusion food are perfect on a warm day in summer, when the whole evening is bathed in light at this latitude. The bright and friendly staff is another bonus. Norr Malarstrand 75 Tel: (08) 652 4090. Website: www.restaurangocean.com Price: SKr350. Wine: SKr300. Salzer Restaurant & Bar This restaurant is unique in Stockholm for its 1950s interior, which has made it an instant favourite with the city’s stylish set. It might remind some diners too much of Happy Days but the food is fresh, modern and international. The large portions of the Swedish mainstays keep the locals coming back for more, with dishes such as Åseda isterband (a type of smoked sausage) with potatoes in white sauce. John Ericssons Gate 6 Tel: (08) 650 3028. Website: www.salzer.nu Price: SKr300. Wine: SKr250. Sport The famously healthy Swedes love sport of all kinds. Stockholm’s unique location makes it a focus for climbing, sailing, rowing, kayaking and even fishing. Many of Sweden’s main sporting events are held outside the capital, however, events that are held within the city include the annual Stockholm Marathon, in June, the world’s largest women-only cycling contest, Tjejtrampet, in May, and Tjej-Milen, an annual running race for women, in August. The Sandhamn Open, an annual sailing contest held at the island of Sandhamn in the Stockholm Archipelago, takes place in June, the Sandhamn Regatta in July, while Sailboat Day is held in September. The Stockholm Open tennis tournament takes place in late October. Like many European countries, the Swedes love football. AIK Stockholm (website: www.aik.se) is in the first division and is a good soccer team, emerging over the last few years from the shadow of IFK Gothenburg and FC Malmo elsewhere in Sweden. The team has there own stadium, Råsunda Fotbollstadion, Solnavägen 51, Solna (tel: (08) 735 0935). Visitors who wish to purchase tickets to sporting events should refer to the AIK Stockholm website, which provides information and tickets for other football and ice hockey games. Fitness Centres: Urban fitness fanatics can benefit from fitness centres like Metropolis Gym, Birger Jarlsgatan 36 (tel: (08) 611 3505; website: www.metropolisgym.nu), or one of the SATS Sportsclub (website: www.satssportsclub.com) locations at Sveavägen 20 (tel: (08) 5452 1380), Birger Jarlsgatan 6c (tel: (08) 5450 1460) or Regeringsgatan 47 (tel: (08) 791 2230). Both centres offer a guest pass for SKr200. Golf: The Rosenkalla Golfklubb, Rosenkälla, in Åkersberga (tel: (08) 5102 6260; website: www.golf.se), has a good 18-hole course, with access open to guests paying the green fee of SKr180 during the week and SKr220 at weekends. The 18-hole Drottningholm Golfklubb (tel: (08) 759 0085; website: www.drgk.nu) has a lovely setting close to Drottningholm Palace, for a green fee of SKr450. Sailing: The Royal Swedish Yacht Club (tel: (08) 717 0365; website: www.ksss.se) provides information on the waters in and around Stockholm. Swimming: Visitors not wishing to jump into one of the city-centre canals for a bracing dip can go to Eriksdalsbadet (tel: (08) 5084 0250; website: www.eriksdalsbadet.com) or Centralbadet (tel: (08) 242 400; website: www.centralbadet.com). Bathing in Lake Mälaren or the Baltic is surprisingly popular, given the latitude. Tennis: Tennisstadion, Fiskartorpsvägen 20 (tel: (08) 215 454; website: www.tennisstadion.se), is a fine old hall in the upmarket Östermalm, where Olof Palme used to play. An hour of play costs SKr180-215. The club, TSK Malmen, Siskargortsv 20 (tel: (08) 613 3085; website: www.fly.to/tskmalmen), leases some of its courts and is quiet and cheap at SKr125-160 per hour (concessions are available). Shopping For decades, the profits of Sweden’s post-war prosperity have poured into the boutiques and stores of Stockholm. The result is a shopper’s paradise. The area around Biblioteksgatan has most major European fashion designers, while antique shops can be found around Odengatan. Open all day on Nybrogatan 31, Östermalmshallen is arguably northern Europe’s loveliest covered food market, although locals will more often be thronging the grocery at Åhléns City, Klarabergsgatan 50, Stockholm’s last big department store, or malls like Pk-Huset, Hamngatan 10. NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Hamngatan 18-20 has over 100 departments, selling everything from crafts to health food. Gallerian, Hamngatan 37, claims to be Stockholm’s largest shopping complex. The pick of Swedish glass is on hand at Nordiska Kristall, Kungsgatan 9, over 80 years old, or the arts and crafts emporium, Konsthantverkarna, at Mäster Samuelsgatan 2. Agata, Nytorgsgatan 36, sells stylish modern ceramics, glass and textiles, while at Kalika, Arsenalsgatan 3, traditional wooden furniture and toys are on sale. Nordiska Galleriet, Nybrogatan 11, excels in furniture design and Designtorget, Götgaten 21, in eclectic curiosities. Standard Swedish shopping hours are Monday to Friday 0900-1600 and Saturday 0900-1400. In Stockholm, however, many stores are open for longer and on Sunday. Visitors leaving the country may reclaim the standard VAT tariff of 25% within 30 days of purchase – only available at shops displaying the ‘tax free shopping’ sign. The receipt and unopened goods must be presented at the airport for a refund. Culture Stockholm’s cultural history extends back to its Viking beginnings. The city was also the birthplace of Alfred Nobel, whose will instated the famous five prizes for peace, physics, chemistry, medicine and literature – economics was added in 1968, by the Bank of Sweden – and Stockholm’s literary set have since brought cultural glory to the city, by winning the Nobel prize for literature (see Literary Notes section). Stockholm was awarded the title of European capital of culture in 1998, an indication of how vibrant and eclectic the city’s cultural scene is. The avant-garde architecture of Modern Museum on Skeppsholmen, designed by Rafael Moneo, is a controversial memento to the year, as the style is not to all tastes. Tickets to cultural events may be booked from the central ticketing agency, Biljett Direkt (tel: (0771) 707 070; website: www.ticnet.se). Online information (website: www.musikfestivaler.se) is available for Swedish music festivals. What’s On magazine (website: www.whatsonwhen.com) is available locally and provides cultural events information. Music: The blue stuccoed Konserthuset, Hötorget (tel: (08) 102 110; website: www.konserthuset.se), houses the world-class Swedish Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, host to guest conductors such as Andrew Davis and Paavo Järvi. The Royal Palace Music Festival and Stockholm Sinfonietta Riddarhus Festival annually bring packed concert programmes to splendid venues in the Old Town, while the lovely antique Drottningholm Court Theatre, Drottningholms Slott, Flottsforvaltining (tel: (08) 5569 3100; website: www.drottningholmsslottsteater.dtm.se), hosts summer opera and ballet seasons. Opera-lovers should not miss the summer performances at the 18th-century Drottningholm Palace Court Theatre Theatre: The Dramaten, Nybroplan (tel: (08) 667 0680; website: www.dramaten.se), is Sweden’s highly respected national theatre. The Orionteatern, Katarina Bangata 77 (tel: (08) 643 8880), is also part of the established scene. The Stadsteatern, in the Kulturhuset at Sergels Torg (tel: (08) 5062 0200; website: www.stadsteatern.se), has more radical productions and is far cheaper, while Teater Galeasen, Slupskjulsvägen on Skeppsholmen (tel: (08) 611 0030; website: www.galeasen.se), is at the cutting edge of contemporary theatre. Stockholm is home to The English Theatre Company (tel: (08) 662 4133; fax: (08) 660 1159; e-mail: etc.ltd@telia.com; website: www.englishtheatre.se), based at the Regina Theatre, Nybrogatan 35. Dance: The Dansens Hus, Barnhusgatan 12-14 (tel: (08) 796 4910; website: www.dansenshus.se), was set up in the 1990s, as Sweden’s foremost dance venue. Birgit Cullberg, the leading Swedish director and choreographer, frequently stages productions there – her Cullbergsbaletten ensemble is the country’s foremost. The Royal Swedish Ballet, founded in 1773, is one of the oldest companies in the world. It is based at the Royal Swedish Opera, Strömgatan (tel: (08) 248 240; website: www.operan.se). Moderna Dansteatern, 103 Slupskjulsvägen on Skeppsholmen (tel: (08) 611 3233; website: www.mdt.a.se), hosts more impromptu, innovative performances. Film: The Stockholm International Film Festival (website: www.filmfestivalen.se) is the key event in the city’s cinema calendar. All movies in Sweden are shown in their original language with subtitles and mainstream movies are screened at Biopalatset, Medborsplatsen (tel: (08) 678 8548) and Filmstaden Sergel, Hotorget (tel: (08) 789 6001), while arthouse movie aficionados should head to Sture, Birger Jarlsgaten 28 (tel: (08) 644 3100). Ingmar Bergman grew up in Stockholm and his schooldays at Palmgren’s School in Östermalm were the basis for his 1944 screenplay, Hets (Torment). His 1952 film, Sommaren med Monika (Summer with Monika) kicks off with a majestic voyage through Stockholm in a small boat. Many film buffs will also remember Stockholm’s crop of Swedish Hollywood sirens – Greta Garbo, born Greta Gustavsson in 1905, and Ingrid Bergman, born in Stockholm in 1915. Cultural events: The Stockholm Summer Games in July (tel: (08) 222 160; website: www.summergames.se) draws considerable local and international participation and is the kick-off for other events. The customary summer programme of opera and ballet at Drottningholm Court (tel: (08) 5569 3100; website: www.drottningholmsteatern.dtm.se) is especially popular with music lovers, as is the Royal Palace Music Festival (tel: (08) 102 247; website: www.royalfestival.se) in September. The Stockholm International Film Festival (tel: (08) 677 5011; website: www.filmfestivalen.se) takes place in November. The St Lucia Day festival, on 13 December, includes singing events and traditional parades of girls crowned with candles. Literary Notes The granddaddy of the Swedish literary fraternity was August Stringberg, with his The Red Room (1879) considered by some as the first real Swedish novel. Swedish writers have received the Nobel Prize for Literature seven times but only Selma Lagerlöf (1909) and Pär Lagerkvist (1951) made any significant impact outside Sweden. Nelly Sachs, winner of the 1966 prize, was a naturalised Swedish citizen of German Jewish extraction and wrote in German. Ingmar Bergman is the only other renowned international cultural figure to have drawn much from the city (see Film above). His career was constantly involved with the Stockholm film and theatre worlds. More recent literary works include two hilarious chapters in Bill Bryson’s Neither Here Nor There (1998) and the Colin Forbes thriller, The Stockholm Syndicate (1989), which centres on an international conspiracy based in the city. Nightlife The late evening summer sun in Stockholm seems to stretch on forever, while the long winter nights need filling with fun. The result is a city committed to nightlife. Strong jazz traditions and smart bars cater to older or smoother patrons, while the club scene – often Spanish in flavour – parties hard. The area around Stureplan is the most happening place in the city. Admission to clubs costs around SKr5-100, while a litre of beer will cost SKr70-100 and 4cl of vodka around SKr70. The minimum age for buying alcohol is 20 years – 18 years in restaurants or nightclubs – and its sale is restricted to 1200-2400 (Sunday from 1300), although nightclubs or the occasional favoured bar, such as Kvarnen on Södermalm, sell drinks later into the night. Standard hours for bars and clubs are from about 0900-0200, with restaurant bars opening earlier and some clubs closing later (at about 0500). What’s On magazine (website: www.whatsonwhen.com) is available locally and provides excellent information on Stockholm’s nightlife events. Bars: Halv Trappa Plus Gård, Lästmakargatan 3, is a ferociously trendy bar-restaurant and a great resort for local celebrities. Another hot spot is Spy Bar, Birger Jarlsgatan 20. Wih, Ynglingagatan 26, offers good eating and drinking, while Gondolen, Stadsgården 6, serves drinks to match its unbeatable view. The Sturehof Bar, Stureplan 2, and its upstairs cousin, O-bar, are benchmarks in the style-conscious re-branding of the old Sturehof Restaurant. The Grand Hotel’s Cadier Bar, Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8, is the place to enjoy a classy cocktail, while the Opera Bar, Karl X11’s Torg, offers quiet surroundings for a relaxing drink. Conversely, Kvarnen, Tjärhovsgatan 4, is a beer hall with a typically rootsy Södermalm charm, open until 0300 and hugely popular. Tennstopet Bar, Odengatan 50, is over 100 years old and another solidly traditional drinking hole. Casinos: The Radisson/SAS Royal Viking Hotel, Vasagatan 1, and the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, Tegelbacken 6, both operate casinos, as does the Café Opera in the Kungsträdgården and Tre, Vasagatan 17, near Stockholm Central station. Dress code is smart and only those over 18 years are admitted. All the casinos in Stockholm are similar in games, with Black Jack, French Roulette and High Jack. Passports are also required at all venues. Clubs: Some of Stockholm’s liveliest clubbing goes on under the palm trees at Blue Moon, Kungsgatan 18, which incorporates the Havana Bar, dispensing Cuban cigars along with the drinks, and the Ice Bar, as cool as its name suggests. Equally Latin in flavour but more upmarket, Sophie’s Bar, Biblioteksgatan 5, plays host to the rich and funky. Monkey Bar, St Eriksgatan 46, is a staple venue with space for chilling out and a young crowd – their parents head for Penny Lane, Birger Jarlsgatan 29. Café Opera, Kungsträdgården, draws an eclectic crowd of all ages and tastes to its fabulous interior, plying mainstream partygoers with cutting-edge sounds. Tre Remmare, Vasagatan 17, feeds, waters and entertains night owls long after the other venues close and boasts the Sinatra bar, offering cocktails in a mini-shrine to crooner Frank. Live music: The hotel bar at the Lydmar, Sturegatan 10, regularly holds unadvertised soul and jazz gigs. Right in the Old Town, Kristina, Västerlånggatan 68, offers good food as well as nightly live music. Stockholms Stadion, Lidingövägen, is the venue for large-scale stadium rock. Hardcore Goths and punks are among those heading for the bashes at Kafé 44, Tjärhovsgatan 44. City Statistics Location: Sodermanland province, southeastern coast of Sweden. Country dialling code: 46. Population: 7750,348 (city); 1,823,210 (metropolitan area). Ethnic mix: Predominantly native Swedish, largest minority Finnish, with notable Iraqi, Iranian, Turkish and Somali communities. Religion: Predominantly Lutheran (Church of Sweden). Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are standard. Average January temp: From 2°C to –7°C (36°F-19°F). Average July temp: From 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Annual rainfall: 900mm (35.5 inches). Special Events Kiruna Snow Festival, late Jan-early Feb, celebration of winter includes an ice sculpting competition and a reindeer race, Kiruna International Swedish Furniture Fair, Feb, Stockholmsmässan Stockholm International Antiques Fair, Feb, Mässvägen 1, Älvsjö Stockholm International Boat Show, Mar, Stockholmsmässan Vasaloppet Ski race, historic cross country ski race, early Mar, Dalarna Are at W.A.R., late Mar, winter adventure race, Are Drottingholm Court, ballet and opera events (website: www.drottningholmsteatern.dtm.se), May-Aug, Drottningholm Slottsteater Stockholm Marathon, Jun, starting and finishing at the Olympic Stadium Midsummer Night, parties, 21 Jun, throughout the city Stockholm Summer Games, sports events (website: www.summergames.se), Jul, various sports venues Stockholm Price, the biggest gay and lesbian pride festival in Scandinavia (website: www.stockholmpride.org), late Jul-early Aug, various venues in the city centre Stockholm Open, tennis tournament, Kungliga Tennishallen, Lidingövägen 75 Royal Palace Music Festival (website: www.royalfestival.se), Sep, Royal Palace, Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace), Slottsbacken Stockholm International Film Festival (website: www.filmfestivalen.se), Nov, various venues Scandinavian Sailboat and Scandinavian Motorboat Show, Nov, Mässvägen 1, Älvsjö Nobel Prize Day, award of the Nobel Prizes and banquet (website: www.nobel.se), Dec, Stockholm City Hall St Lucia Day, annual festival of light and procession through central Stockholm, 13 Dec, Skansen Skansen Christmas Market, seasonal market (website: www.skansen.se), Dec, Skansen Cost of Living One-litre bottle of mineral water: SKr10 33cl bottle of beer: SKr16 Financial Times newspaper: SKr20 36-exposure colour film: SKr45 City-centre bus ticket: SKr16 Adult football ticket: SKr100-400 Three-course meal with wine/beer: SKr310 1 Swedish Krona (SKr1) = £0.07; US$0.18; C$0.18; A$0.20; €0.11 Currency conversion rates as of February 2003 Business Services Business Contacts: Stockholm Chamber of Commerce Västra Trädgardsghatan 9, PO Box 16050, 103 21 Stockholm Tel: (08) 5551 0000. Fax: (08) 5663 1600. E-mail: info@chamber.se Website: www.chamber.se Swedish Chamber of Commerce (UK) 73 Welbeck Street, London W1G 0AZ Tel: (020) 7486 4545. Fax: (020) 7935 5487. E-mail: link@swedish-chamber.org.uk Website: www.swedish-chamber.org.uk Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce (USA) 119 Oronoco Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Tel: (703) 836 6560. Fax: (703) 836 6561. E-mail: admin@sacc-usa.org Website: www.sacc-usa.org Swedish-Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Canada) Suite 504, 2 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3E2 Tel: (416) 925 8661. Fax: (416) 929 8639. E-mail: mail@sccc.ca Website: www.sccc.ca Swedish-Australian Chamber of Commerce (Australia) 25th Floor, 44 Market Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Tel: (02) 9262 1077. Fax: (02) 9290 3907. Website: www.swedishtrade.org.au Business Library Stockholms Stadsbibliotek Sveavägen 73, PO Box 6533, 113 83 Stockholm Tel: (08) 5083 1100. Fax: (08) 5083 1007. Website: www.ssb.stockholm.se This is the main public library in Stockholm, with over 700,000 books, and other amenities. Convention and meeting planners Stockholm Convention Bureau PO Box 6911, 102 39 Stockholm Tel: (08) 736 1500. Fax: (08) 5465 1599. E-mail: stocon@stocon.se Website: www.stoinfo.se/congress Organises meetings and conferences. Stockholm Information Service / Congress Stockholm PO Box 7542, 103 93 Stockholm Tel: (08) 789 2400. Fax: (08) 789 2445. E-mail: congress@stoinfo.se Website: www.stoinfo.se/congress or www.stockholmtown.com Organises congresses. Convention and meeting venues Stockholm City Conference Centre Barnhusgatan 12-14, 107 26 Stockholm Tel: (08) 5061 6600. Fax: (08) 216 971. E-mail: marknad@stoccc.se or info@stoccc.se Website: www.stoccc.se An established venue that caters for 800. Stockholm International Fairs Mässvägen 1, 125 30 Stockholm Tel: (08) 749 4100. Fax: (08) 992 044. E-mail: info@stofair.se or staff@stofair.se Website: www.stofair.se Large international convention centre able to welcome up to 15,000 delegates. Office equipment hire Konferensteknik Svensk Kulturfilm AB Hantverkargatan 11b, 112 21 Stockholm Tel (08) 650 5760. Fax: (08) 653 3270. E-mail: konfteknik@konferensteknik.se Website: www.konferensteknik.se Allkontorsmaskin Kurt Hyllendahl AB Gustavlandsvagan 175, Bromma, Stockholm Tel (08) 802 430. Fax: (08) 259 978. Secretarial services Manpower PO Box 6446, 113 82 Stockholm Tel: (08) 736 1900. Fax: (08) 736 1924. E-mail: info@manpower.se Website: www.manpower.se Olsten Drottningholmsvägen 22, PO Box 12127, 102 24 Stockholm Tel: (08) 100 500. Fax: (08) 5989 8297. E-mail: stockholm@olsten.se Website: www.olsten.se Experienced secretaries available for one day, one week, or more. Translation services Interverbum Hälsingegatan 40, PO Box 6016, 102 31 Stockholm Tel: (08) 457 8800. Fax: (08) 457 8861. E-mail: info@interverbum.se Website: www.interverbum.se Unusual conference venue Cirkus Djurgårdsslätten, PO Box 27821, 115 93 Stockholm Tel: (08) 5879 8755. Fax: (08) 5879 8749. E-mail: info@cirkus.se Website: www.cirkus.se A hundred-year-old circus, converted to a modern conference and exhibition venue accommodating up to 2000 visitors. History c. AD760 Vikings establish a trading centre at Birka, near modern Stockholm c. 1252 Stockholm is established by Birger Jarl as a fortified island defence outpost against Baltic pirates, commanding the transshipment route between the Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren 1270 The Riddarholmskyrkan (Riddarholm Church), a Franciscan monastery and Stockholm’s oldest surviving building, is founded in the Old Town 1306 Consecration of Stockholm’s oldest church (dedicated to St Nicholas), now part of Storkyrkan (Stockholm Cathedral) 1376 The image of St Eric (King Eric IX), patron saint and symbol of Stockholm, first appears on the city’s seal 1436 Earliest surviving charter of the city of Stockholm is enacted 1471 Battle of Brunkeberg in Stockholm: Swedish rebels under Sten Sture defeat Danish King Christian I 1520 Stockholm Bloodbath: Danish King Christian II executes 82 Swedish noblemen in the Stortorget (Great Market), Old Town 1520-23 War of Liberation from Denmark: Stockholm becomes a last bastion of Danish power and is besieged 1524 Gustav I Vasa of Sweden enters Stockholm on 24 June after a long siege 1611 Gustav II Adolf accedes to the Swedish throne; he soon makes Sweden a major European power with Stockholm as its chief city 1628 The warship Vasa sinks in Stockholm Harbour on its maiden voyage 1634 Stockholm formally becomes the national capital of Sweden 1710 A disastrous plague wipes out about one third of Stockholm’s population 1754 The Swedish royal family move into the newly completed Royal Palace 1833 Alfred Bernhard Nobel is born in Stockholm 1849 Johan August Strindberg is born in the city 1860 Opening of the railway link ends Stockholm’s isolation in winter 1862 Legislation is passed making the City Council Stockholm’s supreme governing body 1875-80 New plans for city growth approved: Stockholm expands rapidly as industrial development brings new prosperity 1878 Stockholm College, later Stockholm University, begins giving classes 1896 Alfred Nobel dies, leaving a fortune to sponsor prizes in various disciplines, administered by Swedish academies and awarded in Stockholm 1901 Stockholm is the venue for the award of the first Nobel Prizes 1961 Vasa is raised from the bed of Stockholm Harbour 1986 The Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme is assassinated while walking home from a Stockholm cinema with his wife; the identity and motives of his attacker remain a mystery 1998 Stockholm is made European Capital of Culture Copyright © 2003 Columbus Travel Publishing Ltd.