Stockholm, Sweden Attractions

Djurgarden was once the royal Swedish family's summer residence. Today, Djurgården is one of Stockholm's most popular summer recreation spots. One of Stockholm's 14 islands, Djurgården offers the Vasa ship museum, the open-air museum of Skansen, the Waldemarsudde estate, and the Nordic Museum. Djurgården is located just east of Gamla Stan (Old Town).

Skansen is the largest open-air museum in the world and its first. Founded by Artur Hazelius in the 1890s, the Skansen has exhibits in traditional Swedish architecture from across the country and runs the gamut from windmills to churches and barns. Skansen park also features a theater, zoo, aquarium and an amusement park. To learn more about one of Stockholm's most popular attractions, visit www.fodors.com/world/europe/sweden/stockholm/review-100249.html.

Stockholm's Old Town or Gamla Stan is the city's most popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the globe with its historic architecture and charming dining. The Västerlånggatan is the Old Town's major shopping thoroughfare and is so narrow that it is nearly completely reserved for pedestrians, there are also many delightful antique shops and souvenir shops which line the streets of Gamla Stan. To learn more about Stockholm's most popular tourist attraction, visit www.frommers.com/destinations/stockholm/0066024555.html#ixzz1NtYjt04p.

The Royal Castle in Stockholm, or Kungliga Slottet, dates back more than 700 years and remains the official residence of the royal family even today. Located in Old Town, Stockholm's Castle has more than 600 rooms and is one of the few inhanbited royal palaces that is also open to the public. To learn more, visit www.frommers.com/destinations/sweden/0243020927.html#ixzz1NtZ56QZu.

Gröna Lund Amusement Park is modeled after its namesake in Copenhagen namesake, but is less the fantasy-like land of its counterpart and more similar to a true amusement park. Gröna Lund is home to a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, bumper cars, and the Power Tower, which is Scandinavia's tallest free-fall theme park ride and offers spectacular views of Stockholm. To learn more, visit www.gronalund.com.

Vasa Museum is a showcase for the 17th-century Vasa, the oldest complete ship in the world that has ever been fully identified. Set in Skansen's main entrance, free tours of the Vasa are conducted during the summer months every half hour. To learn more about Stockholm's Vasa Museum, visit www.vasamuseet.se.

Stockholm Cathedral is a beautiful example of Franciscan architecture from Sweden's pre-Reformation era, which ranks as one of the finest remaining examples in Europe. Since the 14th century and centuries after, Stockholm Cathedral was the mausoleum for members of Swedish royalty and is still one of the most recognizable sights in Stockholm's historic skyline. To learn more about Stockholm Cathedral, visit www.frommers.com/destinations/sweden/0243020810.html#ixzz1NtbRRcP5.

Drottningholm Palace and Court Theater is isted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has quite deservingly been called the "Versailles of Sweden." Set on an island in Stockholm's Lake Mälaren, Sweden's royal family still lives here in a private area of the palace. The sprawling complex of buildings and gardens require about 3 hours to tour. To learn more about Drottningholm Palace, visit www.royalcourt.se.