Welcome to Stockholm

Djurgården & the Vasa Museum

Djurgården, originally established as a royal hunting park in the 16th century, is today one of Stockholm's most prominent cultural and recreational destinations. The island is home to several of the city's most celebrated attractions, including the Vasa Museum, the Skansen open-air museum, Prince Eugen's Waldemarsudde, the ABBA Museum, the Viking Museum, the Nordic Museum, and Gröna Lund amusement park. Visitors can also explore nearby museums such as the Swedish History Museum, the Museum of Technology, and the Spritmuseum, dedicated to Sweden's cultural relationship with food and drink. Combining history, culture, art, entertainment, and beautiful green spaces, Djurgården offers a unique glimpse into both Sweden's heritage and contemporary cultural life.

The Vasa warship took more than three years to construct, yet it sailed for only about twenty minutes before sinking in Stockholm Harbor on its maiden voyage in 1628.

In 1956, the ship was rediscovered by engineer and maritime historian Anders Franzén, who had spent years independently searching the harbor for the lost vessel. After remaining submerged for 333 years, the Vasa was successfully salvaged and brought back to the surface in 1961. Today, visitors can view the remarkably preserved warship firsthand and learn the extraordinary story of how it was built, lost, rediscovered, and ultimately recovered, a unique insight into Sweden's naval history and 17th-century craftsmanship.

Skansen, inaugurated in 1891, is recognized as the world's first open-air museum. It was founded by Arthur Hazelius, whose vision was to create a living museum engaging for visitors of all ages and open throughout the year. More than a century later, Skansen continues to embody that original spirit.

Walking through this expansive park, visitors can explore historic buildings such as manor houses, farmsteads, a church, and a traditional schoolhouse, all relocated from different regions of Sweden. The museum also offers demonstrations by skilled artisans, including glassblowers, shoemakers, and other traditional craftsmen, providing a vivid insight into Sweden's cultural heritage and rural life.

Gamla Stan, The Old Town

Gamla Stan, Stockholm's enchanting Old Town, is the birthplace of the city in the 13th century and the historic heart of Sweden's kingdom. Built on the small island of Stadsholmen, this historic district was once a bustling center of trade for merchants from across Northern Europe, especially during the powerful Hanseatic era. As you wander through its narrow medieval alleyways and over worn cobblestone streets, you'll follow paths that kings, traders, and townspeople have walked for centuries.

The colorful buildings and hidden courtyards tell stories of Stockholm's past, from royal ceremonies and political intrigue to dramatic events like the Stockholm Bloodbath of 1520, when Danish King Christian II ordered the execution of Swedish nobles in the city's main square, Stortorget. Today, that same square is one of Gamla Stan's most picturesque landmarks, surrounded by beautifully preserved merchant houses.

History comes alive around every corner, from the magnificent Royal Palace, one of Europe's largest palaces still in use, to Stockholm Cathedral, where Swedish monarchs have been crowned and married for generations. You'll also find the Nobel Prize Museum. The Royal Palace serves as the official residence of the King; the current palace was built after a fire destroyed the former one, known as "Three Crowns," in 1697. It hosts official banquets and state occasions, including the annual Nobel Banquet held on 11 December, during which the King and Queen of Sweden welcome the Nobel laureates.

Visitors can explore the various royal apartments while learning about the palace's history, architecture, valuable art collections, and the traditions surrounding royal ceremonies and festivities. A visit to the Royal Armoury further enriches the experience, offering insight into Sweden's royal history through its remarkable collection of ceremonial costumes, armor, weapons, carriages, and royal regalia.

Stockholm City Hall, Vintage Boat Cruise & Drottningholm Palace

Stockholm City Hall is one of the city's most iconic landmarks and architectural masterpieces. Constructed from eight million bricks, one million of them handmade, the building is renowned for its striking silhouette along the waterfront and its exceptional craftsmanship.

Visitors can explore the impressive Blue Hall, the venue for the annual Nobel Banquet held on 10 December following the Nobel Prize Ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall. The hall's monumental brick architecture and finely detailed masonry reflect the vision of architect Ragnar Östberg.

Equally remarkable is the Golden Hall, adorned with millions of shimmering glass mosaics depicting scenes from Swedish history and culture, creating one of Scandinavia's most celebrated interiors. Beyond its architectural significance, City Hall also serves as Stockholm's political center, where the City Council convenes regularly. Guests will learn about the Nobel Prize traditions, the governance of Stockholm, and the innovative ideas behind Ragnar Östberg's celebrated design.

The experience concludes with a scenic journey aboard a classic vintage steamer, the M/S Prins Carl Philip, departing near City Hall. Guests cruise across Lake Mälaren whilst enjoying lunch, arriving at the Royal Palace of Drottningholm, beautifully situated on the lakefront. Home to the royal families since the seventeenth century, the Palace, together with its eighteenth-century Palace Theatre and the Chinese Pavilion, became one of Sweden's first UNESCO World Heritage Sites, listed in 1991.

Aboard the M/S Prins Carl Philip

Lunch Menu

Choose Your Favorite Dish

Poached Salmon with Wasabi Butter and Coleslaw

Inkokt lax med wasabismör och kålsallad

Swedish Meatballs with Cream Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Lingonberries and Pickled Cucumber

Köttbullar med gräddsås, potatispuré, rårörda lingon och pressgurka

Warm Gnocchi Salad with Lemon Dressing

Ljummen gnocchisallad med citrondressing