After saying goodbye to our friends, we decided to carry on for a bit of a wander around Gamla Stan, catching that magical time when the sun is just about to go down, and the light is well and truly golden – luckily for me! Less luckily perhaps for the rest of my family who have to bear with me whilst I take thousands of pictures (I haven’t included that many here, don’t worry!) at that time of day. I like to think they are used to it by now…
Technically covering 3 islands (Stadsholmen, Riddarholmen, and Helgeandsholmen), Gamla Stan means Old Town, which dating back to the 13th Century it well and truly is. Up until quite recently though, it was more commonly known as Staden Mellan Broarna which means Town between The Bridges, which it also well and truly is…
This area is like exploring some kind of outdoor museum, after all it was the original city built surrounding the palace, and the rest of Stockholm that you see now would have just been countryside. This area just happens to be an outdoor museum with lots of good cafes, bars and restaurants (you definitely won’t go hungry here, just be aware that you may well be paying over the odds in some of the busier streets!)
As it’s one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, it’s very firmly nailed to the tourist map. It’s hard to avoid in any Stockholm visit however, as it’s also home to the Nobel Peace Museum, The Royal Palace, The Post Museum, The Parliament, and the 12th Century Cathedral amongst many other things, so the chances are you will probably find yourself in that area anyway – even if you didn’t plan on it.
I am letting the photos in this post do most of the talking, but trust me, as busy as it can get, its easy to get away from the most crowded areas (or try visiting first thing in the morning to completely avoid the masses!) such as Stortorget (the main square, definitely worth a look to appreciate the stunning Merchant’s houses, and for a quick pit stop at either one of it’s most famous cafes – Kaffekopen and Chockoladenkoppen), and the main souvenir shopping street – Västerlånggatan, by ducking down any number of medieval alleyways. You can also head to one of the quieter squares for a breather (look for anything with torg or torgarten at the end of a name!)…
If you have time, try to catch the changing of the guard at the 18th Century Royal Palace. This ceremony may not be massive in comparison to what we Brits are used to (but there are definitely less crowds than there are in London!), but it’s worth watching if only to witness another country’s pomp and ceremony up close and personal. The Palace also has one of the stillest and most statuesque guards I have ever seen when faced with a camera lens inches away from his face (not me!).
If like me you have a bit of a Dalahäst addiction, you should pay a visit to this little shop/Museum. It’s definitely worth a peek inside (strictly no pictures!), although taking in your pre-teen who as she grows ever taller is currently like some kind of puppy in terms of flailing limbs, was quite a nerve-wracking experience. Thankfully, I was able to pinpoint a few new favourites without having to pay for any breakages (and sent Mr R back in to take note of any Christmas shopping pointers he might need, after all it’s not all that far off!)…
I really enjoyed our little wander here. Just promise me you won’t forget to look up from time to time…
Linking up to Monday Escapes at Minitravellers and:
I love the buildings and the cobbled streets. The more I see and hear about this destination the more I want to visit
I think it would be gorgeous at any time of year too! Thanks Zena! (:
My favorite photo is the view of the clocktower. I also enjoyed imagining people going through the empty narrow alleys/streets–just going about their daily business, lost in their own thoughts. Your photos tell a story.
Thanks so much Marina! I would love to live somewhere like this, and be that person lost in my own thoughts! :D
You have captured Stockholm beautifully! Your opening sentence made me laugh about the gorgeous light and thousands of pics…. very much what I would do!
Thank you Lisa! I am addicted! :D
We have not been to Stockholm yet but it has been on my to do list for a while. I love medieval towns abd looking at your photos it reminds me a bit of Lucca in Tuscany. Thank you for the inspiration and your photos we lovely x
Thanks so much! (: x
Fabulous photos! We picked a particularly busy time to explore Gamla Stan when we were in Stockholm so enjoyed your photo tour from my house. Love the cute letterboxes! Thanks for linking to #citytripping
Thanks Elizabeth! (:
What a lovely post, Emma! I’ve still not made it to Stockholm so it was a real treat to see it through your lens. Love that photo of the clock tower. #mondayescapes
Thanks so much Clare! (:
I love wandering round places like that a lot, those narrow streets are so full of character. Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes
Thanks Karen!(:
Oh my goodness what a stunningly beautiful place this is! Your photos make me want to visit. Lovely post. Kaz
Thanks so much Kaz! (:
It looks like such a beautiful place to visit, great photos!
Thanks Amy! (:
What a beautiful photo tour of the place. Love those cute postboxes
Thanks Melanie, it’s a place full of cuteness!
I found Gamla Stan such a beautiful part of the city – such a different ambience from some of the other commercial areas. We found a lovely Italian restaurant we visited twice for lunch and just loved mooching round.
I don’t know why I didn’t buy one of the wooden horses – will have to buy one online! I have the Danish ducks and monkey!
#MondayEscapes
You have to go back to get a dalahest!! I have the ducks too. I picked one up in a really beautiful shop in Copenhagen, tipped it upside down to have a look at the price and it’s head fell off and rolled across the floor!! x
What beautiful photos! The narrow streets look really interesting. The shops look very tempting too. I think I would have spent a lot of money if that had been me ;-)
I think that’s why my husband let me take stacks of photos there, so I wouldn’t go into too many shops! :D
I think I want to go to Stockholm just to buy socks!
I am mad I didn’t buy any myself now! Thanks Marina!
I love exploring old towns like this, with narrow alleyways hiding boutique shops and perfect little cafes. Your pictures are just fab!
Thanks so much Daisy! (:
This looks like such an interesting place to visit, I’d love to go one day. It looks full of character and interesting things.
It really is. Thanks Ali! (:
Somewhere I’ve never been before and it’s lovely to see it through your photos. My girls say the same to me, but they are just used to it now!
I think they will thank us one day when they have 50 million photos to look through! :D Thanks Laura!
I enjoyed that. Thank you.
Thanks for coming with us! :)
Wow, this looks like a fab area to visit – so full of character
It’s totally jam packed full of the stuff! Thanks Rebecca! (:
Oh wow what a stunning place to visit! It reminds me a little of old town Marbella in Spain – with the narrow streets and beautifully kept shops and restaurants. I’d love to visit Gamla Stan some day x
Thanks Becky. That’s somewhere on my list I haven’t been yet! :)
I love the winding cobbled streets and the colourful houses
Thanks Kacie! (:
Stunning photography
Gamla stad is a great subject
Thanks so much! (:
I’ve never been to Sweden, so thanks for giving me a little look around, those post boxes are so cute. My family are the same with me taking loads of photos, the kids are like ‘not again!’. Mich x
Mine have given up with even that now! :D Thanks Mich x
Stockholm is somewhere I have yet to visit. I love those post boxes. All the buildings seem so tall. I seems like a pretty place to visit.
Thank you Melanie! (:
Beautiful photos, it looks like such a lovely place! I don’t think I’d be able to resist a pair of socks or a painted horse!
Thanks Jennifer! (: xx