A Tour of Gamla Stan in Stockholm, Sweden
Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden (ISO 1000, 24 mm, f/9, 1/1000 s)
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Gamla Stan holds a special place in my heart. Although I live about 40 minutes north of Stockholm in Uppsala, every time I come to Stockholm, I try to go through Gamla Stan. Translating to ‘The Old City’, Gamla Stan in Stockholm is like living in a time capsule, taking you back to Sweden centuries ago. There are many buildings still standings which such rich histories with architectures and designs that take you back in time.
There are 14 islands that make up the archipelago of the Swedish capital and Gamla Stan is one of them. It is centrally located in Stockholm and easy to get to by walking and public transportation (bus, train, boat). Along with old building facades, you can also find churches, palaces, restaurants, bars, and some of the best views of Stockholm, right here in Gamla Stan.
In this blog post I will highlight what should not be missed while visiting Gamla Stan and clue you in to some of my favorite spots on the island.
Be sure to check out my drone video below of Stockholm, Sweden!
If you find yourself in Sweden for an extended period of time and are wondering what other places are worth visiting, you can also check out my blog posts about other Swedish cities:
Stockholm (Blog Post Title: Why Stockholm is the best Scandinavian capital)
Stockholm Tunnelbana (Blog Post Title: The World’s Longest Art Gallery - Riding on the Stockholm Tunnelbana)
Uppsala (Blog Post: Uppsala: the hidden gem just North of Stockholm)
Helsingborg (Blog Post: Just a few reasons to see Helsingborg in the South of Sweden)
Malmö (Blog Post: Take a weekend break in Malmö, Sweden)
Lund (Blog Post: A Day tour of the university town of Lund)
Kalmar (Blog Post: Kalmar: The town you should know more about in Sweden)
Öland (Blog Post: A Day Tour of the Swedish island of Öland)
Marstrand (Blog Post: A day trip to the Swedish island of Marstrand)
Swedish Castles (Blog Post: A Tour of Sweden’s Coolest Castles)
Fårö (Blog Post: A Guide to the Swedish Island of Fårö)
Visby (Blog Post: A Closer Look at the Hanseatic Town of Visby)
Gotland (Blog Post: A Guide to the Swedish Island of Gotland)
Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden (ISO 1600, 24 mm, f/11, 1/20 s)
If you like some of my photos that you have come across, just know that I have many prints showcasing a variety of landscapes available for purchase below! (Sold as Posters, Canvas, or in Metal-Frames and Wooden-Frames).
Evert Taubes Terrass
One of my favorite spots in Gamla Stan isn’t actually a building or restaurant or museum, it’s just a terrace that overlooks the west of Stockholm. The Evert Taubues Terrass gives amazing views of the Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset) as well as the islands of Kungsholmen and Södermalm. It is a great place to go to unwind and watch the sunset in the city.
Stadshuset, Stockholm, Sweden (ISO 400, 24 mm, f/4, 1/125 s)
Riddarholmen church
Just nearby this terrass is the Riddarholmen church. The most identifiable feature of the church has to be its hallow black spire. Most of the church is realized in the Northern European Gothic style in addition to having some Baroque features. The church today functions only for commemoration or burial services. It is also the resting place of many Swedish monarchs going to Gustavus Adolphus (1632 AD) to Gustaf V (1950).
Now technically, this church as well as the Evert Taubues Terrass sit on the island of Riddarholmen, just next to Gamla Stan. However the islands are so close together that there isn’t much difference with regards to accessing them.
Riddarholmen Church, Stockholm, Sweden (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/11, 1/64 s)
Stortorget
The most iconic part of Gamla stan has to be Stortorget, or ‘the big square’. Cobblestone streets are aplenty in this area and once you reach the square with many tall and exquisitely colored structures, then you know you have arrived. It is the center of Gamla Stan and where all the action happens. If you are also in the area during the Christmas season, there is a wonderful Christmas market that pops up in Stortorget.
Each structure has its own history that can be further understood in a walking tour, but more or less these houses date back to the 13th century with strong hints of North German architecture. This also included the Stockholm Stock Exchange Building.
Stortorget, Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden (ISO 1000, 24 mm, f/9, 1/500 s)
Nobel Museum
Also within the confines of Stortorget is the Nobel Museum, or the Nobel Prize Museum. In here you can learn more about the founder of the prize itself, Alfred Nobel as well as winners of the Nobel prize. It is often customary for winners of the prize to also present artifacts of their achievements in addition to their own personal life stories. As someone who loves the sciences, I think this environment is one of my favorites.
Stockholm Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Stockholm is the official residence of the Swedish Monarch, though the monarchy typically resides in Drottningholm Palace which lies further to the East of Stockholm. The Palace is located just next to the Riksdag building which is the seat of the Swedish government. The King uses the palace of representative duties as the head of state. There are tours of the Royal Palace should you want to venture in further for more information.
Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden (ISO 400, 24 mm, f/5, 1/160 s)
Stenbock Palace
Another cool and underrated Palace nearby is the Stenbock Palace. You can’t miss it as it sits on the island of Riddarholmen with a bright pink facade. Built back in 1640, its history is extensive, being passed down through generations of the Stenbock family until it became owned by Erik Brahe, a colonel who also owned the amazing Skokloster Castle as well. I personally don’t know too much more about Stenbock Palace, other than it serves as a wonderful backdrop for photos.
Stockholms Cathedral
Stockholms Cathedral, or the Great Church it has also been called, is the oldest in Stockholm Construction of the church started in the 13th century and although centuries have passed, the church still possesses its medieval identity.
Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden (ISO 800, 24 mm, f/11, 1/60 s)
Stampen
I remember going to a jazz club while I was still living in the UK and only visiting Stockholm for the first time. We stumbled upon this bar called Stampen and proceeded to have such a wonderful night with good drinks, good music, and good vibes. I never forgot that experience and I always recommend coming to Stampen if you want to enjoy yourself.
The jazz bar is located at the old site of a French Reformed Church. The club itself was founded in 1968 and many Swedish jazz legends are chronicled to have played there over the years.
Skeppsbrokajen
For food with a view, look no further than Skeppsbrokajen, which is a street that runs along the water on the east side of Gamla Stan. Here you will find a lot of food options with the area being particularly popular in the Spring and Summer months. This is where you go in sunny weather with friends for a boozy brunch or late lunch.
Rather conveniently, there is also a ferry which is run by SL, Stockholm’s Landtraffic authority. With the cost of a normal SL ticket, you can take a ferry from here to other parts of Stockholm like Djurgården (Line 82). Not only is it a great way to save time commuting (only 10 minutes), but it also gives you access to another gorgeous part of Stockholm.
As you can see, if you really want to take in the best of the Swedish culture and identity, a visit to Gamla Stan in Stockholm should be at the top of your list.
