Sweden: Old town in Stockholm
Old Town (Gamla Stan) is the Stockholm’s original city centre and consists of Stadsholmen island and the islets of Riddarholmen, Helgeandsholmen and Strömsborg. The Old Town dates from the 13th century but most buildings are from the 17- and 1800s. It’s a glorious labyrinth of charming cobbled streets, alleyways, faded mustard and rust coloured town houses and meeting squares reflecting north German architecture.
The main square Stortorget is the centre of Old Town and near the main attractions on the island, the baroque style Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet), and The Royal Chapel (Storkyrkan) around the corner, where Crown Princess Victoria married Daniel Westling in June 2010.
There are about 3000 people living there today and it’s one big melting pot of cafés, restaurants, tourist shops, studios, galleries and museums including the Nobel Museum, the Post Museum, and The Royal Coin Cabinet in the National Museums of Economy.
Hard to believe that the Old Town was once considered the slum of Stockholm (from mid 19th-20th century) when it is now a sought after address.
Don’t miss changing of the guards takes place outside the Royal Palace and in the summer months, you also get regaled by the military band and horses. Join the fun on King Carl Gustaf XVI birthday on 30 April.
Eat in Den Gyldene Freden, serving traditional Swedish food in Stockholm’s oldest existing restaurant with an unaltered interior according to the Guinness Book of Records.
Source: http://www.visitsweden.com
