Stockholm: Holidays

Though by no means a bargain destination, Stockholm is a popular stop for backpackers. Stockholm’s proximity to wonderful nature and exotic Nordic location make it an interesting and worthwhile backpacking holiday destination. Hostels are not particularly cheap, but generally very clean, comfortable, affordable, and many are centrally located. Gamla Stan is great for walking around, and the cafes, bars and laid back bohemian vibe of Södermalm are quite backpacker friendly. The nearby Stockholm Archipelago is recommended for those backpackers who want to add a bit of unspoiled nature to their holiday.

Stockholm is a great city break destination. A stunningly beautiful, clean and lively city with plenty to do, Stockholm offers a fantastic variety of accommodation, dining, nightlife, sight seeing and cultural activities. With over 70 museums and art galleries, thriving theater, concert and entertainment scenes and a vibrant cafe culture, Stockholm is both an exciting and charming urban getaway, with a comprehensive public transport system. Just walk through the medieval streets of the Old City (Gamla Stan) any time of year and you’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time. Keep in mind that Stockholm is one of the pricier European city break hol-iday locations, so don’t expect any bargains.

Though not a typical beach holiday destination, Stockholm has a few beaches right in the city, as well as several in the nearby Stockholm Archipelago. Sunny summer days transform the city’s parks and beaches into summer holiday leisure spots. The island of Långholmen, near Hornstull metro stop, has several nice spots, including a small sandy beach. The largest beach in Stockholm city is Smedsuddsbadet (accessible via Fridhemsplan metro station) and is next to the Rålambshovsparken Park. This is a good family beach. Fredhällsbadet, near Kristineberg metro stop, is a rocky beach on western Kungsholmen. These beaches can get quite crowded during the summer, when the sun is out and the water isn’t so cold. A city break or backpacking trip can easily be combined with a mini beach holiday in Stockholm. The picturesque islands of Grindo and Utö in the Stockholm Archipelago are more remote, but great spots for a Stockholm beach holiday.

Camping and hiking are very popular pastimes in Sweden for Swedes and foreign tourists (especially Germans) alike. It may then come as no surprise that even the capital city of Stockholm has plenty of camping holiday facilities in its vicinity. Most of these campsites are located in greater Stockholm and on the Stockholm Archipelago. Popular locations include Bredäng Camping to the south of Stockholm, Rösjöbadens Camping to the north, with Waxholm Strand & Camping (with a beach) and Kapellskärs Camping, both on the Archipelago. These are just a few examples of the many camping holiday options available around Stockholm.

Scandinavia is known the world over for its cruise lines and Stockholm has plenty of cruise holiday options, ranging from budget to luxury. Regional cruises go between Stockholm and Finland (both Turku and Helsinki) and are operated by Silja Line. Some Stockholm to Finland ferry lines have the reputation of being wild overnight drinking parties, so don’t go on these expecting a relaxing or restful journey if you have budget, below deck cabins. Fares are higher in spring (and on Fridays throughout the year) and almost double during summer months. Prices to simply stay on deck start at under 10€ during the winter, with basic tourist class cabins at under 30€. Sea-side cabins are still higher, with suites over 150€ during low season. Again, these prices as much as double during spring and summer. Larger luxury cruise lines often include Stockholm on their cruise holiday itineraries, such as Royal Caribbean, Princess and Oceana. These routes include other stops such as Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Gdansk, Copenhagen, Warnemunde, Kiel Canal Transit, Amsterdam, Zeebrugge and Dover. A river cruise from Stockholm is a picturesque and relaxing way to experience Sweden’s many unique sights and landscapes. 6-day cruises on the Göta Canal go from Stockholm to Gothenburg, traversing “Two seas, one river, three canals, eight lakes and 66 locks”. Prices start at around 1,700€ per person.

Stockholm’s culture and arts scenes are thriving. With over 70 museums and art galleries, thriving theater, concert and entertainment scenes and a vibrant cafe culture, Stockholm is a great culture and arts holiday destination. The Royal Opera House, Skansen, the Royal Palace and Södra Teatern are just a few of the locations and venues for music and cultural festivals, plays and concerts which take place regularly and with frequency in this culturally rich city. Cultural holiday activities in Stockholm include visiting medieval Gamla Stan, perusing art galleries on Hornsgatan, taking in classical music at the Royal Opera House, or attending the world famous Stockholm Jazz Festival in July.

Central and greater Stockholm are very bike friendly and cycling can be a great way to spend your holiday in Stockholm. Stockholm City Bikes offers cycle rentals close to Stockholm Central Station. A 3 day membership pass will run about 11€ and bikes can be used for up to 3 hours at a time before being returned. Some Stockholm hotels may also have bikes for their guests to use on their cycling holiday in the city for free or a moderate fee.

Stockholm and Sweden in general have made great advances in disabled access. Funding and facilities for the disabled and a forward-thinking attitude make Stockholm a great holiday location for disabled visitors. In fact, it is Stockholm’s goal to become the most accessible capital city in the world by 2010. There are also disabled holiday package services which operate in Sweden, such as Accessible Sweden.

Stockholm has much to offer as a family holiday destination. Stockholm’s safety, large number of parks, a family city beach (Smedsuddsbadet, near Fridhemsplan metro station) and two theme parks make Stockholm a particularly family friendly holiday destination. Gröna Lund on Djurgården is a more or less typical amusement park, while nearby Junibacken, where the characters of Astrid Lingren’s books such as Pippi Longstocking come to life, offers a more fairy tale-like atmosphere. Nearby nature locations, such as the stunning Stockholm Archipelago provide great holiday excursions during family holidays in Stockholm.

Stockholm is an excellent gay and lesbian urban holiday destination. Sweden is very forward thinking in terms of sexual equality, especially in the urban areas, and Stockholm is no exception. The annual gay and lesbian pride festival and parade of Stockholm Pride, during late July and early August, is a good symbol of Stockholm’s gay and lesbian-friendly atmosphere. Gay and lesbian-friendly venues include Copacabana, a “queer feminist café” in Södermalm and the Roxy, an attractive and amiable bar near Medborgarplatsen.

For hen parties Stockholm offers a wide selection of hotels, venues, clubs, bars and other nightlife options. It should be said that Stockholm in general is quite expensive (especially drinks), so a hen celebration there will not come cheap. Stockholm is not a common hen destination, so you will not find yourself among other groups doing the same thing, and since English is so widely understood, any confusion should be easily avoided. For something different, consider Stockholm as a hen celebration spot.

For stag parties Stockholm offers a wide selection of hotels, venues, clubs, bars and other nightlife options. It should be said that Stockholm in general is quite expensive (especially drinks), so a stag celebration there will not come cheap. Stockholm is not a common stag destination, so you will not find yourself among other groups doing the same thing and since English is so widely understood, any confusion should be easily avoided. For something different, consider Stockholm as a stag celebration spot.

Walking in Stockholm is the best way to see the city on your holiday. Many of the sights of Stockholm are quite centrally located and if you are interested in doing some urban hiking, are easily accessible by foot. For hiking holidays outside the city, the Stockholm Archipelago offers wonderful hiking opportunities, as do trails along Lake Mälaren and the Dalälven River.

Stockholm provides a very scenic and romantic spot honeymooners with something different in mind. There are plenty of luxurious accommodation and fine dining options available for those who are not on a tight budget, and those wanting ambience and historical atmosphere will find Stockholm a perfect honeymoon holiday destination. Picturesque Gamla Stan (Old City) and the many parks located through out the islands of this “Venice of the North” create a very romantic and memorable atmosphere for a Stockholm honeymoon holiday.

Stockholm’s singles life is very lively, and single holiday makers should feel very welcome. The many nightclubs, live music venues, bars and restaurants will suit a variety of tastes for a single or party holiday. Nightlife and local student culture in Stockholm is buzzing and the variety of quality budget hostel accommodation as well as more expensive 3 and 4 star hotels make Stockholm a great location for a party or singles holiday. Singles life is particularly vibrant in Östermalm, especially around Stureplan, with Södermalm catering to a more relaxed, bohemian crowd.

Naturist holiday are indeed possible in Stockholm, though some of these beaches are not officially nude. There are naturist swimming spots close to Stockholm downtown, such as Långholmen, a rocky shore on Lake Mälaren, south of central Stockholm. The Baltic Sea also has a naturist beach, on the rocky shore of Erstaviken, south of Saltsjöbaden. Sweden is a very liberal country concerning naturism. Official nude beaches in greater Stockholm include Breviksbadet in Åkersberga and Lövnäsbadet in Södertälje.

Stockholm provides a very scenic and romantic spot for couples with a different kind of holiday in mind. There is plenty of luxurious accommodation and fine dining available for those who are not on a tight budget, and those wanting ambience and historical atmosphere will find Stockholm a great couples holiday destination. Picturesque Gamla Stan (Old City) and the many parks located through out the islands of this “Venice of the North” create a very romantic and memorable atmosphere for couples on holiday in Stockholm, while the nearby Stockholm Archipelago offers great couples getaways and day breaks.

There are several golf clubs in and around greater Stockholm, some quite close to the city, making it possible to enjoy a golf holiday in Stockholm when weather permits. Ullna Golfklubb is only an hour from Stockholm and highly recommended. Lidingö Golfklubb offers a decent course and is close to central Stockholm. Other courses include Kungsängen Golf Club, plus clubs in Åkesberg and picturesque Drottiningholm. Enquire about membership and privacy rules at specific clubs before planning any golfing holidays in Stockholm.

Coming in a close second to Auckland as the most boat-intensive city is Sweden’s capital, known (along with several other cities) as the ‘Venice of the North’, and spread over 14 of the many thousands of islands (most sources say 24,000) of the Stockholm skärgården (archipelago). Residents set out for their island hideaways at weekends, sailing between unspoilt bays, sandy beaches and rocky cliffs; islands are dotted with birch trees and wildflower-strewn meadows, interspersed with historic fortresses and old fishing settlements, and you might spot ospreys and sea eagles. Sailing holidays in the Stockholm Archipelago mean sheltered waters and gorgeous scenery. Private tours and sailing lessons can also be arranged at many of the Archipelagos sailing clubs and schools. For a sailing holiday in and around Stockholm city, enquire about such clubs as Vikingarnas Segel Sällskap on Djurgården. For spectators, the Tall Ships' Races is an international sailing event held around the Ports of Stockholm, boasting some of the largest sailing boasts currently in existence, and lasting for around four days in late July.

Stockholm is a surprisingly good location for a diving holiday. Wreck diving is particularly popular diving holiday activity, due to the many wrecks from different wars and sunken freight ships in the waters around Stockholm. Some Stockholm diving schools host excursions at different skill levels, which include diving instruction and equipment rental. On your diving holiday, check out Stockholm’s schools, which either offer NAUI and PADI affiliated methods. Diving schools in Stockholm include Oceanic Tech at Vanadisplan 6-8, FantaSea Diving at Tomtebogatan 19 and Waterhouse dykcenter, Ringvägen 48.

Stockholm is home to some urban ski and snowboard slopes, particularly Hammarbybacken, which is located in the heart of Stockholm. Most local ski slopes are fairly small, but convenient if you are in Stockholm on holiday and fancy some skiing or snowboarding. Other ski holiday locations in Stockholm County include Bålsta Enköping Alpina in Bålsta, Ekebyhovsbacken in Ekerö, and Ekholmsnäs in Lidingö.

A shopping holiday in Stockholm is by no means cheap, but if you hunt around, some good buys can be had. On the other hand, Stockholm is great for a shopping trip if money is no object. Known for its fashionable residents, Stockholm is a center for high end and trendy clothing, with many boutiques as well as department stores and chains. Östermalm is the place for high end shopping, as is the Sturegallerian shopping complex in Norrmalm, while Gamla Stan is common for holiday souvenirs and handicrafts, some tacky, but many quite nice. Götgatsbacken and the SoFo area of Södermalm are good for design boutiques and various clothing styles. Stockholm is a center for Nordic design goods, which are known for their marriage of beauty and functionality. Ceramics, glassware and of course furniture are also popular holiday shopping purchases.

Sweden is the home of Swedish massage and Stockholm has plenty of urban spa retreats to soothe your muscles and pamper you in style. Classic Swedish bathhouses are worth trying for an authentic Stockholm spa holiday, while Hasseludden Yasuragi in Nacka offers Japanese style bathing and Blue Hammam in Lidingö is a local take on a Turkish bath house. Of particular interest are Central Badet in Norrmalm, housed in a beautiful art nouveau building from 1909, and Storkyrkobadet, a simple, classic basement bath house in Gamlastan. Well-being and spa holidays in Stockholm offer a unique and traditional version, which differs considerably from typical modern resort spa vacations.