Walking Tour Archives - Dawn Outdoors https://dawnoutdoors.com/tag/walking-tour/ Sharing advice, info and inspiration about my happy place: the Great Outdoors. Tue, 08 Oct 2024 16:51:37 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://happiestoutdoors.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cropped-favicon@3x-32x32.png Walking Tour Archives - Dawn Outdoors https://dawnoutdoors.com/tag/walking-tour/ 32 32 The Ultimate Self-Guided Tour of Stockholm Subway Art https://dawnoutdoors.com/stockholm-subway-art/ https://dawnoutdoors.com/stockholm-subway-art/#comments Sun, 19 May 2024 02:32:29 +0000 https://dawnoutdoors.com/?p=4233 A few years ago, I unexpectedly had a chance to go to Stockholm. I went not knowing what to expect and came home totally in love with this quirky and beautiful city. Besides exploring the old town (OMG so many gorgeous narrow streets), my favorite part of Stockholm was learning about Swedish culture. Apparently art …

The post The Ultimate Self-Guided Tour of Stockholm Subway Art appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

]]>
A few years ago, I unexpectedly had a chance to go to Stockholm. I went not knowing what to expect and came home totally in love with this quirky and beautiful city. Besides exploring the old town (OMG so many gorgeous narrow streets), my favorite part of Stockholm was learning about Swedish culture.

Apparently art is really important in Sweden. They have long, dark winters so I guess it gives them lots of time to spend inside being creative. And art is so important that Stockholm has literally covered their subway stations with art!

On my trip I spent a day riding the subway all over town, marveling at all this beautiful art… as commuters rushed by. I’ve put together an awesome self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art for you.

It visits 12 of the most beautiful stations close to the city center. And as bonus I’ve included a side trip to the dreamiest round library. There’s a map and step-by-step directions so I promise you can’t get lost.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

READ NEXT: 30 Photos of Stockholm That Will Inspire You to Visit

Stockholm Subway Basics

Stockholm’s subway system opened in 1950 and currently has 100 stations. It is often called the world’s longest art gallery since 90 of the stations are decorated with art.

While in other countries it might be called the metro, subway, or underground, in Swedish it is referred to as the T-bana, short for tunnelbana. It translates to” tunnel railway”.

There are three main lines: red, blue and green.

Self-Guided Stockholm Subway Art Tour Tips

Art at Radhuset Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.

Tour Length

Allow about 2 hours to follow the entire Stockholm Subway Art Tour itinerary.

Best Times to Take the Stockholm Subway Art Tour

The best time to take this self-guided Stockholm subway art tour is on a weekday in the middle of the day. That way you miss rush hour and have plenty of time to take photos in the stations.

I went on a Thursday morning around 10:30am and as you can see from my photos, I encountered very few other people. You could also try a weeknight late at night since the stations are open until 12:30am.

Stockholm Subway Art Tour Itinerary

I’ve put together an itinerary for you that visits some of the most photogenic stations in the city center. (There are other awesome stations further out, but they take much more time to visit so I haven’t included them.) On this tour you will visit twelve stations:

Red Line:

  • T-Centralen
  • Stadion
  • Tekniska Högskolan
  • Universitetet

Green Line:

  • Hötorget
  • Odenplan (Stockholm Public Library)
  • Thorildsplan
  • Fridhemslplan

Blue Line:

  • Solna Centrum
  • Hallonbergen
  • Radhuset
  • Kungsträdgården
  • T-Centralen

Stockholm Subway Art Tour Map and Directions

I’ve included directions in the tour below. There are clear signs in all stations showing where to go and when the trains are coming. It’s probably one of the easiest subway systems I’ve ever navigated.

I’ve also put together an awesome custom google map for you. (Because I heart maps!)

Stockholm Subway Art Map
Click to open in Google Maps

Stockholm Subway Tickets

A single use ticket for the Stockholm T-bana is valid for 75 minutes. However, that’s not enough time to do the whole tour.

If don’t want to buy a longer ticket, heres’ how you can make the tour shorter: Skip the side trip to the public library and the Solna Centrum and Hallonbergen stops on the blue line since they are a bit further out.

However, I recommend you get a 24 hour pass so you can take your time and really explore the stations. If you get the 24 hour pass you can combine your self-guided Stockholm subway art tour with another transit-friendly destination such as exploring Sodermalm or taking one of the ferries from Nybroviken and Djurgården.

As of May 2024, the price for a single use ticket is 42SEK ($3.92USD/3.60Euro) and a 24 hour pass is 175SEK ($16.33USD/14.99Euro). Check the latest prices on Stockholm’s transit website sl.se.

You can either buy electronic ticket cards at the entrance to each station or use the SL app to buy tickets. Then you can scan your ticket or phone at the entrance to stations.

Art Viewing Tips for the Stockholm Subway

There is art all over the place in these stations so make sure you explore around so you don’t miss something. At each station walk the length of each platform and venture up the escalators towards the exits. You can even go through the fare gates and re-enter as long as your ticket still has time on it.

The trains run every 2 to 10 minutes during the day. Digital displays on the platforms will let you know when the next train is coming. At some stations you’ll have enough time to get off and explore before the next train arrives, but at most you’ll probably watch a few trains go by before you’re ready to leave.

Tips for Photographing the Stockholm Subway Art

It’s easy to take photos of the stations with any camera or phone. However, it can be a bit dark in some areas which makes for tricky photography conditions.

If you’re a serious photographer, consider bringing a DSLR on a tripod and shooting longer exposures. I brought my mini Gorillapod tripod and used it for some of the shots.

If you don’t have a fancy camera or a tripod, try to stand as still as possible while you shoot. Or try bracing your camera or phone against a wall or bench for even better stability.

The Ultimate Self-Guided Tour of Stockholm’s Subway Art

Okay, so you’ve packed your camera, you’ve bought your subway ticket and you’re ready. Let’s go explore Stockholm’s subway art!

START your tour at T-Centralen Station and head to the platform for the red and green lines.

T-Centralen Station

All three of Stockholm’s subway lines (red, blue and green) go through through T-Centralen Station. It’s also connected to the commuter and long distance railway lines so it’s a bustling place.

The platform for the red and green lines dates back to 1957 and features geometric tiles. (The blue line platform is a bit more photogenic, but don’t worry: you’ll visit it at the end of the tour).

Art at T-Centralen Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Art at T-Centralen Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.

GO NORTH on the RED LINE to Stadion (Be sure to get on a train that terminates at Mörby Centrum.  The red line also has another norther branch that goes to Ropsten – don’t take that one! )

Stadion Station

Opened in 1973, Stadion was one of the first “cave” stations, carved right out of the bedrock. To combat fears that the caves would be depressing, artists Åke Pallarp and Enno Hallek gave the station a rainbow theme.

Art at Stadion Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Art at Stadion Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.

GO NORTH one stop to Tekniska Högskolan Station

Tekniska Högskolan Station

This station serves the Royal Institute of Technology, so it’s no surprise that the art in this station is science themed. My favourite part is the large glass polyhedron in the centre of the station.

Art at Tekniska Hogskolan Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Art at Tekniska Hogskolan Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.

GO NORTH one stop to Universitetet Station

Universitetet Station

Universitetet station sits below Stockholm University. The main feature of the station are tile panels outlining the travels of Carl Linnaeus, a Swede who is known as the father of the modern taxonomy of organisms.

Art at Universitetet Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Art at Universitetet Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.

GO SOUTH back to T-Centralen

At T-Centralen, SWITCH TO THE GREEN LINE

GO EAST one stop to Hötorget

Hötorget Station

This is one of the original stations on Stockholm’s T-Bana, built in the 1950s. It had plain tile walls and no art at all until artist Gun Gordillo added a neon lighting installation to the ceiling in 1998. The rest of the station is pure 1950s,  retro signage, benches and all.

Art at Hotorget Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Hötorget Station by Balazs Szanto on Flickr. Used under CC BY-SA 2.0.

GO EAST two stops to Odenplan

Odenplan Station and the Stockholm Public Library

Note: As of June 2024, the Stockholm Public Library is closed for renovations which will take several years. I’ll update the post once it re-opens.

Odenplan station is nothing special. It’s an older station and doesn’t have any notable art. However, if you get off the subway and walk two blocks east down Odengatan, you’ll reach the Stockholm Public Library. 

Opened in 1928, this beautiful building has a gorgeous 3 story reading room in the rotunda that is worth a visit. (Plus it’s totally free and they don’t mind photography as long as you are quick, quiet, and don’t use a flash.) After you’ve visited the library, head back to Odenplan station.

Stockholm's Public Library. Find out how to visit the library and 12 art-filled subway stations on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.

GO EAST  three stops to Thorildsplan

Thorildsplan Station

Like many of the stations, Thorildsplan uses tiles. However, these are not normal boring tiles. At Thorildsplan, artist Lars Arrhenius used the tiles to create whimsical 8-bit video game inspired art.

See if you can spot characters and scenery from Super Mario Brothers, Space Invaders, PacMan and more. Thorildsplan is an above-ground outdoor station – the only one you’ll visit on this tour.

Art at Thorildsplan Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Art at Thorildsplan Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.

GO WEST one stop to Fridhemsplan

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm

Fridhemsplan Station

The art at Fridhemsplan doesn’t have a clear theme: There’s a ship in a display box and also some robots with flowers. But the real reason your self-guided tour of the Stockholm subway stops here is to switch from the green line to the blue line. There’s a 200m tunnel connecting the green and blue line platforms

Art at Fridhemsplan Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Fridhemsplan by Ingolf from Berlin, Deutschland (Stockholm – Tunnelbana – Fridhemsplan) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Art at Fridhemsplan Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Fridhemsplan by Ingolf from Berlin, Deutschland (Stockholm – Tunnelbana – Fridhemsplan) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

SWITCH TO THE BLUE LINE

GO NORTH to Solna Centrum  (Be sure to get on a train that terminates at Akalla.  The blue line also has another northern branch that goes to Hjulsta – don’t take that one! )

Solna Centrum Station

The art at Solna Centrum station depicts the a red orange sunset behind the green of the Swedish forests. Artists Karl-Olov Björk and Anders Åberg then free-handed hundreds of little drawings onto the walls.

They depict important political issues including deforestation, the environment and the influx of people to the cities from rural areas. There are some humorous scenes if you hunt for them, like the angry moose menacing an unsuspecting hiker, below.

Art at Solna Centrum Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Art at Solna Centrum Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.

GO NORTH two stops to Hallonbergen

Hallonbergen Station

If the art at Hallonbergen Station looks like it was made by children… that’s because it was! Artists Elis Eriksson and Gösta Wallmark actually used their own childhood drawings and their children’s art to cover the walls of the station. 

The whimsical nature of the station seems appropriate since in Swedish Hallonbergen translates to Raspberry Hill.

Art at Hallonbergen Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Hallonbergen Station by Daniel Mott on Flickr. Used under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Art at Hallonbergen Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Hallonbergen Station by Vargklo~commonswiki on Wikimedia Commons used under CC BY-SA 2.5

GO SOUTH to Radhuset

Radhuset Station

The Radhuset Station is located underneath the Stockholm Courthouse. The station has exposed bedrock, painted reddish orange and has some interesting art objects mounted on the walls and ceilings. (Check out the metal shoes in the photo below!)

Art at Radhuset Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Art at Radhuset Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.

GO EAST two stops to Kungsträdgården

Kungsträdgården Station

I saved Kungsträdgården station for the end of the tour since it has the most to see. The first thing you’ll notice is the red, white and green colour scheme.

Next you’ll probably notice the sculptures: there are reclaimed pieces of sculpture from demolished buildings around Stockholm embedded in the walls and in a dedicated display area. There’s also a crazy mosaic ceiling detail.

Oh and this is the only station with live inhabitants: apparently there is a type of fungus and a type of cave spider that live in the station and nowhere else. Pretty weird!

Art at Kungstradgarden Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Art at Kungstradgarden Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.

GO WEST one stop to T-Centralen

T-Centralen Station

Your tour ends on the blue line platform of the T-Centralen station. Artist Per Olof Ultvedt painted this station on the blue line with a variety of blue motifs. Other parts of the station honour the workers who built the station – you can see their painted silhouettes on the ceilings and walls.

Art at T-Centralen Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.
Art at T-Centralen Station on the Stockholm subway. Find out how to visit this station and 11 others on a self-guided tour of Stockholm subway art.

Thanks for sticking with me through this self-guided tour of Stockholm’s subway art! If you’re looking for more things to do in Stockholm be sure to check out my self-guided tour of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s historic old town.

Read Next:

The post The Ultimate Self-Guided Tour of Stockholm Subway Art appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

]]>
https://dawnoutdoors.com/stockholm-subway-art/feed/ 37
The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm https://dawnoutdoors.com/self-guided-walking-tour-of-stockholm/ https://dawnoutdoors.com/self-guided-walking-tour-of-stockholm/#comments Sun, 19 Nov 2017 02:12:13 +0000 https://dawnoutdoors.com/?p=2730 If you’ve been following my blog for awhile you know that I’m pretty much an expert on hiking, the Vancouver area, Iceland and Nepal. So you might be surprised to hear that I’ve put together the ultimate self-guided walking tour of Stockholm. Wait, what? Stockholm? In Sweden? Yup! A few years ago I went on …

The post The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

]]>
If you’ve been following my blog for awhile you know that I’m pretty much an expert on hiking, the Vancouver area, Iceland and Nepal. So you might be surprised to hear that I’ve put together the ultimate self-guided walking tour of Stockholm. Wait, what? Stockholm? In Sweden? Yup!

A few years ago I went on a last minute trip to Stockholm in November. Yes, you heard that right, I booked last minute tickets to Sweden. Since it’s so far from Vancouver, it’s definitely not somewhere I thought I would visit as a quick, spur-of-the-moment trip. But my husband was heading there on business and it worked out for me to tag along. I honestly had no idea what to expect before I went.

And then I got there and it turns out Stockholm as an incredibly gorgeous old town center full of narrow alleyways, beautiful churches and tons of fun history. I spent an entire work week wandering the old town (known as Gamla Stan in Swedish) while my other half was at the office. (Ok, and also drinking coffee in adorable cafes.)  And by the weekend, I felt like a local. So much like a local that I could navigate the winding streets like a pro and spout out historical facts about every other building.

And now I’m passing that pseudo-local’s knowledge along to you with a totally free Stockholm walking tour.. Read on for instructions for the ultimate self-guided walking tour of Stockholm’s old town. (You don’t have to be visiting Stockholm to enjoy the tour: you can take a virtual tour from the comfort of your home. There’s lots of pretty pictures!) I also made a pretty wicked custom Google Map that you can use to find your way. (I HEART maps, you know!) Psst:

If you’d rather go on a guided tour of Stockholm, this one gets great reviews. And if you’re in Malmo, you should check out these great Malmo walking tours.

Some basics:

On this tour you will walk about 3 kilometres (about 1.9 miles). There are a few stairs and hills, but in general, it’s doable for most people. I recommend allowing about 1.5-2 hours to take the tour. You could do it faster if you walk fast and don’t stop often. However, you may want to take a break part way through for fika (coffee break). I’ve included a few recommendations for places to stop on the tour below.

Stockholm Self-Guided Walking Tour Map

Stockholm walking tour Google Map
Click to open in Google Maps

Step-by-Step Stockholm Self-Guided Walking Tour Directions

START at Gustav Adolfs Torg Square

Gustav Adolfs Torg Square in Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
Gustav Adolfs Torg Square with a statue of King Gustav Adolf II (surprise!) and the Opera House behind.

Begin your self-guided walking tour of Stockholm at Gustav Adolfs torg. This square is considered to be the geographic center of Stockholm. It is named for King Gustav Adolf II who founded the Swedish Empire in 1611. Stand facing south and look down the Norrbro bridge. From here you have a great view of the Royal Palace, which you’ll visit towards the end of your tour.

The National Swedish Opera House. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
The National Swedish Opera House

The building on your left is the Kungliga Operan, the National Swedish Opera House. This is the second opera house to stand on this site. The first was built at the request of King Gustav III in 1782. Unfortunately for the King, he was assassinated here in 1792. If you want to see the outfit he was wearing at the time (blood stains and all), visit the Royal Armoury Museum (Livrustkammaren) underneath the Royal Palace.

Arvfurstens Palats. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
Arvfurstens Palats

The building on your right is the Arvfurstens Palats. It currently houses the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but it was originally built as the private residence of Princess Sophia Albertina, the younger sister of King Gustav III.

Turn RIGHT and walk to the Riksbron Bridge

To begin, turn right and walk next to the water along Stromgatan until you reach the Riksbron pedestrian bridge. The fresh waters of Lake Malaren meet the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea at this bridge. You can often see people fishing on the sea side of the bridge. Yup, the Swedes love fishing so much they do it in downtown Stockholm.

Sagerskahuset, Sweden's White House. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
Sagerskahuset, Sweden’s White House (the official residence of the Prime Minister)

Turn around to look back towards Gustav Adolfs torg. The white building is Sagerskahuset, the official residence of the Swedish Prime Minister. So Sweden has a white house too 😉 Conveniently, the Prime Minister’s office is located a couple doors down to the left in the art nouveau style Rosenbad building.

Walk ACROSS the bridge

Riksdagshuset in Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
The Riksbron Bridge and the courtyard of Riksdagshuset

Your self-guided walking tour of Stockholm will now enter the old town proper. Walk across the Riksbron Bridge, under the arch and into the courtyard of Riksdagshuset, the Swedish House of Parliament. This imposing building takes up most of the island of Helgeandsholmen.

READ NEXT: 30 Photos of Stockholm That Will Inspire You to Visit

Walk THROUGH the courtyard and ACROSS the bridge

This short bridge is called Stallbron, which means “stable bridge” in Swedish because historically, the royal stables were located on Helgeandsholmen. Once you cross the bridge you will be on Stadsholmen, the largest of Gamla Stan’s islands. To your left is the Royal Palace. (Don’t worry, we’ll come back here later!)

Turn RIGHT on Myntgatan and go STRAIGHT to the Riddarholm Bridge

From the bridge, turn right on Myntgatan follow it as it turns into Riddarhustorget and then heads towards the Riddarholm Bridge. The two grand buildings you’ll pass on your right are the Bonde Palace and Riddarhuset. The Bonde Palace was originally constructed in the 1600s as a private residence for a member of the Swedish nobility, but today it houses the Swedish Supreme Court. Next to the Bonde Palace is Riaddarhuset, the Swedish House of Nobility which also dates from the 1600s.

CROSS the bridge to Riddarholm Church

Riddarholm Church in Gamla Stan, Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
Riddarholm Church

Cross the Riddarholm Bridge and arrive on Riddarholmen, the third of Gamla Stan’s islands. The main attraction here is Riddarholmkyrkan Church one of the oldest buildings in Stockholm. Parts of it date back to the medieval times of the 13th century. Inside you’ll find the tombs of many of the Swedish kings. There is a 60SEK entrance fee (or you can get in with a Stockholm Pass).

Go BACK across the bridge, then turn RIGHT on Storkyrkbrinken

After visiting Riddarholm Church, retrace your steps back across the Riddarholm Bridge and head back down Myntgatan to Storkyrkbrinken. Turn right on Storkyrkbrinken. From here you will be able to see the tower of Storkyrkan Church up the hill.

Turn RIGHT on Prastgatan

Prastgatan in Gamla Stan, Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
Prastgatan (Priest Street)

Follow Storkyrkbrinken for a few blocks, then turn right on Prastgatan. Prastgatan means “priest street” in Swedish and historically clergy associated with the nearby Storkyrkan Church lived here. Today it’s a picturesque narrow street lined with old homes. It’s my favourite place to walk in Stockholm’s old town since it isn’t crowded with tourists. Oh, and it’s gorgeous.

STOP at the intersection with Kakbrinken

A runestone in Gamla Stan, Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
Can you spot the runestone built into the wall? It’s on the corner behind the bollard.

Follow Prastgatan for four blocks to the intersection with Kakbrinken. Here you will find a runestone built into the wall of a shop. The stone dates from the Iron Age but historians don’t know exactly how old it is or why it is in a wall in Stockholm! Runestones were usually made to memorialize the dead, and this one says (in old Norse) “Torsten and Frögunn had the stone erected after their son”.

CONTINUE on Prastgatan to Tyska Stallplan

Follow Prastgatan for a few more blocks to Tyska Stallplan, which means German Stable Square. This area of Gamla Stan is the old German quarter. So it shouldn’t surprise you to learn that the church you passed along the way is the German Church (Tyska Krykan). And don’t worry, we’ll loop back and visit it later.

Turn RIGHT Into Marten Trotzigs Grand

Marten Trotzigs Grand in the old town of Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
Walking through Marten Trotzigs Grand, Stockholm’s narrowest street.

From Tyska Stallplan take a few more steps down Prastgatan, then turn right into Marten Trotzigs Grand. Marten Trotzigs Grand is the narrowest street in Stockholm – it’s so skinny that you might not even notice that it’s there. It’s only 90cm wide at it’s narrowest point and since the buildings on either side are slowly tilting with age, it’s getting incrementally narrower each year. It’s also the only place in Stockholm’s old town where you will see graffiti. Walk down this “street” (which actually includes a set of stairs) until it ends a block later at Vasterlanggatan.

Turn LEFT on Vasterlanggatan

After emerging from tiny Marten Trotzigs Grand, turn left onto Vasterlanggatan. Vasterlanggatan runs the length of Gamla Stan parallel to Prastgatan and is filled with souvenir shops and touristy restaurants. If you need some postcards or fake Viking helmets, this is the place to go.

Turn LEFT Into Jarntorget

Jarntorget in Gamla Stan, Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
Sundbergs Konditori in Jarntorget. This bakery-cafe dates back to 1785

From Vasterlanggatan turn left into Jarntorget, which means Iron Square in Swedish. There has been a square on this spot since the 1300s. Historically it was an important trade center, but today it is surrounded by cute little cafes with outdoor seating, including Sundbergs Konditori, the oldest bakery-cafe in Stockholm, which dates back to 1785. Stop in for a fika (coffee break) to sample the pastries.

Turn LEFT onto Osterlanggatan, then go UP the hill

From Jarntorget turn left onto Osterlanggatan, then head left up the hill on Sodra Benickebrinken. There are public toilets located underneath this sloping street if you need a bathroom break. Historically this area used to be home to many taverns.

Turn LEFT on Svartmangatan and to Tyska Kyrkan

The German Church in Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
The exterior of Tyska Kyrkan, the German Church

From the top of the slope on Sodra Benickebrinken, turn left onto Svartmangatan. The literal translation is “black man street”, but the name isn’t as offensive as it sounds: it refers to the Blackfriars monastery that used to located in this area. Continue on Svartmangatan for a few blocks until you reach Tyska Kyrkan (the German Church) on your left. You’ll need to pay 50SEK to go in, but the ornate Baroque interior with stained glass windows is worth it.

The interior of Tyska Kyrkan in Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
The ornate interior of Tyska Kyrkan, the German Church

Turn RIGHT on Kindstugatan to Branda Tomten

Branda Tomten in the old town of Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
Branda Tomten (the “burnt lot”)

After you’ve finished admiring the interior of the German Church, turn left out of the churchyard back on to Svartmangatan, then make your first right onto Kindstugatan. Within a block’s walk you’ll arrive at Branda Tomten, which translates to “the burnt lot”. There was a building in the space occupied by this triangular square until 1728, when it burned down. The lot was left vacant afterwards since it provided a convenient place to turn horse-drawn carriages around. Now it houses a beautiful chestnut tree and climbing vines, making it a great spot for photographs.

Turn LEFT onto Sjalgardsgatan, then RIGHT to the Statue of Saint George and the Dragon

Statue of Saint George and the Dragon. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm.
The statue of Saint George and the Dragon

From Branda Tomten, make a left onto Sjalgardsgatan, then immediately turn right onto Kopmangatan. A block later you’ll arrive in Kopmantorget Square, the site of a large bronze statue of Saint George and the Dragon. The statue depicts Saint George slaying a dragon. (Surprise! Ok, not really.) The legend of Saint George dates back to the Crusades. Saint George is said to have saved an entire village in Libya from a dragon… provided they converted to Christianity first, of course. The statue is actually a replica – the original wooden version is inside Storkyrkan Church. You have to pay to get in to the church, but there’s no fee to view this statue 🙂

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Self-Guided Tour of Stockholm Subway Art

Walk BACK up Kopmangatan to Stortorget

Stortorget Square in old town Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm.
Stortorget, the main square in Stockholm’s old town

From the statue of Saint George, turn around and head back up Kopmangatan. Walk 4 blocks until you reach Stortorget, the main square in Gamla Stan. In fact, the name means “big square” in Swedish. Stortorget is Stockholm’s picture-perfect showpiece and the colourful buildings on the south side of the square have been featured on countless postcards (and Instagram selfies).

However, Stortorget has a not-so-picture-perfect history: it was the scene of the Stockholm Bloodbath that took place over three days in 1520. The King of Denmark invited all the Swedish royalty and nobility to a banquet… and then had them all executed. The only noble to escape the carnage was Gustav Vasa since he was away from Stockholm at the time. He gathered an army outside the capital and eventually defeated the Danish to liberate Sweden. Despite all his friends being killed and having to wage a war, it worked out pretty well for Gustav: He was the last surviving noble, so he got to become the first King of Sweden!

There are also several old and historical buildings around the square. The Swedish Stock Exchange building on the north side of the square dates back to 1776. These days it houses the Nobel Museum. The houses at numbers 3 and 5 date back to 1640s. Today they house a Christian charity for the homeless. The colourful buildings at numbers 14-22 (the postcard ones) are from the 1600 and 1700s. There are cafes on the ground floors of most of them now. Grab a patio seat at Chokladkoppen (in the orange building at number 18), order a hot chocolate and a slice of prinsesstårta cake, and settle in for some people watching.

Go LEFT to Trangsund and Storkyrkan

When you’ve taken enough selfies in front of the picturesque buildings of Stortorget (I won’t judge – I did it too), leave the square on Trangsund, on the left side of the Nobel Museum. Walk a block to reach Storkyrkan, which means “grand church” in Swedish. Dating back to the 13th century, Storkyrkan is the oldest church in Gamla Stan, even older than Riddarholm Church. Since it is right next to the royal palace, it has hosted many royal weddings and coronations.

The interior of Storkyrkan Church in Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm.
The beautiful interior of Storkyrkan

The interior of the church is worth a visit, even though it costs 60 SEK (or use your Stockholm Pass). The ornate royal pews and silver altar are pretty spectacular. Plus you can see the original wooden version of the statue of Saint George and the Dragon – it’s even bigger than the replica.

Turn RIGHT on Storkyrkobrinken, then LEFT to Parade Square

Changing of the Guard in Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm
Changing of the Guard, Stockholm. Photo credit: MRHeinz on Pixabay. Used under Creative Commons CC0.

After visiting Storkyrkan, turn right around the corner of the church on to Storkyrkobrinken, then immediately make a left onto Hogvaktsterrassen to enter the Parade Square of the Royal Palace. This circular plaza marks the tourist entrance to the Royal Apartments, the only area of the Royal Palace that is open to the public. The changing of the guard ceremony also takes place daily in this square. It starts at 12:15 on weekdays and 1:15 on weekends in the summer, and then occurs on a reduced schedule the rest of the year. Get there early if you want a good spot in front to watch as it gets busy.

Turn RIGHT, then go LEFT on Slottsbacken

Sweden's Royal Palace in Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm.
The Royal Palace

Walk through Parade Square, then turn right to exit the square. Turn left on Slottsbacken to walk down the south side of the Royal Palace. The palace was originally built in 1754, although there has been a castle on this spot since the 13th century. The present day palace has over 1400 rooms and is home to the royal family as well as several museums. Remember how I told you at the beginning of the tour that you can check out the bloody clothes King Gustav III was assassinated in?  You’ll find them in the Royal Armoury Museum on the south side of the building.

Turn LEFT onto Skeppsbron

At the bottom of Slottsbacken, turn left on to Skeppsbron to walk along the east side of the palace. There are two waterfall style fountains coming out of the wings of the building with a private terrace garden in between. Opposite the palace there is a great view of the inner harbour of Stockholm and the island of Skeppsholmen, which houses many museums.

Turn LEFT onto Slottskajen and walk UP the ramp

Old town Stockholm. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm.
The view from the Royal Palace

At the end of the east wall of the Royal Palace, turn left to the north side of the palace on Slottskajen and walk up the ramp. From up here you get a great view of the gardens in front of Riksdaghuset and across to Gustav Adolfs Torg Square. Underneath the ramp you will find the entrance to the Tre Kronor Museum that explores the history of the medieval castle that once stood on this spot.

Walk back DOWN the ramp and ACROSS the bridge

Riksdagshuset. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm.
The baroque facade of the Riksdaghuset

Once you cross the stone Norrbro bridge, you will be back on Helgeandsholmen island. On your left is the Riksdaghuset, the Swedish House of Parliament. You can see that the Baroque facade on this side is done in a much different style than the Neoclassical side you walked through at the beginning of the tour. If you head down the stairs to the park on your right, you will find the semi-hidden entrance to the Medieval Museum. In the 1970s workers were excavating this area to build a car park… when they discovered parts of a medieval city wall. So instead of building a car park, they built a museum. Inside this museum, you can visit the old city wall as well as several interactive exhibits about life in medieval Stockholm. Oh also, it’s FREE to visit!

CROSS the bridge back to Gustav Adolfs Torg Square

The Royal Palace. Visit it on the Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm.
The view of the Royal Palace from Gustav Adolfs Torg Square

Once you cross the bridge you’ll be back in Gustav Adolf’s Torg Square, where the tour started. Turn around and take one last look at the Royal Palace. You have visited three islands, seen three churches and walked about 3 kilometers (2 miles). Thanks for sticking with me through this self-guided walking tour of Stockholm! Let me know how you liked it in the comments.

Read Next:

The post The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Stockholm appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

]]>
https://dawnoutdoors.com/self-guided-walking-tour-of-stockholm/feed/ 49