Make the most of Stockholm’s exciting blend of the old and the new
Richard Ryan - Stockholm Visitors Board
Stockholm is one of the world’s most beautiful capitals. Located in between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, the main city is spread across 14 islands. This abundance of water has earned it the nickname ‘The Venice of the North’ and its name means the town between bridges. Stockholm was founded in the mid-13th Century as a fortified outpost controlling the passage of sea traffic into Lake Mälaren, and quickly became the largest city in Sweden.
It formally became the nation’s capital in 1634 under King Gustav Vasa, and in the 17th century underwent massive growth, with the population expanding from 10,000 to 60,000. Today, Stockholm is home to 1.95 million people and has the largest Gross Regional Product in Scandinavia. It is also renowned for its high standard of living and excellent environmental record, and recently became the first city to be named ‘European Green Capital’.
Christer Lundin - Stockholm Visitors Board
One unique aspect of Stockholm is its abundance of outdoor bathing spots; although these are undoubtedly more appealing in the summer months. As might be expected, Stockholm in October is cool, with average temperatures of between 5°c and 10°c (41°f and 50°f), and with an average monthly rainfall of 50mm, it’s probably worth bringing an umbrella. Stockholm’s northerly location also means that daylight hours are short in the summer, with sunset rise occurring at about 7am and sunset at about 6pm.
If the weather is not on your side, there is plenty to do that doesn’t involve braving the elements. In total, Stockholm has 70 museums and 100 art galleries, perhaps one of the most famous of which is the Vasa Museum, housing the 17th century warship. ‘The Vasa’, which sunk on its maiden voyage just kilometres from the harbour, and was recovered intact from the bottom of Lake Malaren almost intact in the early 1960s. It represents the most complete warship of its era in existence, and is exhibited in a specially built museum, along with the artefacts recovered from the wreck.
Richard Ryan - Stockholm Visitors Board
The Old town, called ‘Gamla Stan’ in Swedish, is the oldest surviving part of the city, dating back to the 17th century. It is also one of the most beautiful parts of the city, filled with baroque buildings and cobbled streets, and dominated by the Royal Place, the official residence of Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustav. The palace is the largest palace still in use by a head of state anywhere in the world, with a massive 608 rooms, and contains several museums, including the Tre Kronor Palace Museum, dedicated to the medieval fortress which stood on the sight of the palace before being destroyed by fire, the Armoury, and the Museum of Antiquities of Gustav III. The changing of the Guard takes place Wednesdays and Saturdays at 12 and Sundays at 1. Gamla Stan also has a large selection of restaurants, cafes and shops selling antiques and souvenirs, however most of the shops tend to be geared towards tourists, so for those interested in serious shopping, South Folkungagatan on Södermalm (known as SoFo, in reference to its laid-back, bohemian atmosphere) might be a better bet. It is full of trendy and usual shops, selling everything from records to vintage clothes, as well as cafes, restaurants and galleries.
Preben Kristensen - Stockholm
Visitors Board
For fans of Art, Stockholm’s national museum has a collection consisting of about 16,000 works dating from the late middle ages up until the beginning for the 20th century, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, Renoir, Degas and Gauguin, while the Moderna Museet boasts an extensive collection of modern art by both Swedish and international artists, including works by Picasso, Dalí, Joan Miró, and Warhol, as well as photography and experimental film. Other Museums include The Museum of Natural History, The National Museum of Science and Technology, The Nordic Museum, The Museum of Medieval Stockholm, The Museum of Wines & Spirits, Museum of Ethnography, The Dance Museum, and Skansen Open Air Museum.
Sweden is well-known throughout the world for the Nobel Prizes for Physics, Chemistry, Medicine and Literature, which are awarded in Stockholm (The Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway). The award ceremony is held in the Concert Hall, and the Banquet in Stockholm’s City Hall, also the seat of the city government. The City Hall is famous for its elaborate decor, with the most famous room being the Gold Hall, which has walls covered by eighteen million glass and gold mosaic pieces depicting scenes from Swedish history.
Getting around
The most convenient way of travelling in Stockholm is the subway system, the tunnnelbana, or T-bana (often called the longest art gallery in the world as many of the Stations are decorated by specially commissioned works of art) although there are also include buses, trams, overground trains, and ferries, which travel between Stockholm’s many Islands.
Stockholm’s nightlife is, on the whole, fairly sophisticated, due to Sweden’s stringent restrictions on the sale of alcohol, but nevertheless lively. Legally, alcohol can be bought in stores at age 20, and bars and restaurants from age 18, although it is not unusual for clubs and bars to set the age limit at 20, or even 23. Most clubs close around 2am, although a few remain open until 5am. Stureplan, a public square between Norrmalm and Östermalm is particularly well known for its exclusive clubs and bars, such as the infamous Sturecompagniet and the Spy Bar, many of which are frequented by Swedish celebrities, and even members of the Royal Family. Arriving early at these places is advisable, as queues are often very long, and door policies can be strict, so dressing appropriately is essential. Södermalm also has numerous bars and clubs, and these tend to be more relaxed, both in door policy and atmosphere, as well as less expensive. Well known venues include The Mosebacke Etablissement, a renovated old theatre, with a bar, a stage for live music and comedy, and a large terrace with fantastic views of the city; Ost 100 (Ostgotagatan 100); a lounge bar, and Folkhemmet (Renstiernasgata 30), a popular bar and restaurant.
Clarion Hotel Stockholm, Ringvägen 98, Box 20025, 104 60 Stockholm, Sweden
Clarion Hotel Stockholm
TOPRA is delighted to be hosting its sixth annual symposium in this wonderful city. The Symposium will be held in the Clarion Hotel, one of the largest hotel and conference complexes in Stockholm. The characteristic glass facade, designed by Swedish company, White Architects is a spectacular example of contemporary Scandinavian architecture, and the hotel prides itself on it’s collection of art, much of which was specially commissioned by prominent Scandinavian artists, as well as on hosting live music performances and exhibitions. The hotel offers several public bars and lounges, an a la carte restaurant, and breakfast and lunch buffets. There is also a ‘relax area’ containing a gym and Sauna. The Clarion is located on the Island of Södermalm, a fashionable and predominantly residential district, just south of the Old Town, to which it is connected by a bridge.
