Stockholm's Gamla Stan is known for its colorful buildings, tight alleyways, open squares and ... [+]
At the heart of Sweden's capital city Stockholm lies the old town island Gamla Stan. Compact at barely a half mile across, Gamla Stan nevertheless manages to pack in enough history and culture to keep most visitors occupied for at least a full day.
The picturesque island location of the old town is perfectly summed up by the district's former name. Until 1980, Gamla Stan (The Old Town) was officially known as Staden Mellan Broarna (The Town Between The Bridges). As the previous name suggests, you're never far from the water. This means you can lose yourself in the atmosphere of the narrow, cobbled alleyways without any fear of actually getting lost.
Stortorget
Orient yourself from the central Stortorget square, the perfect spot for photography and people-watching. When filled with tourists, it's hard to imagine the area was considered little more than a slum as recently as the 1960s.
The brightly-colored buildings lining the square hide a grim chapter from Stockholm's past. As part of an intra-Scandinavian power struggle almost 500 years ago, the Danish King executed 82 Swedish nobles on the square in an event that would become known as the Stockholm Bloodbath.
Stockholm's old town Gamla Stan is packed with narrow, cobbled streets.
Today the square is a much calmer place, a happy mix of locals going about their day and camera-wielding tourists.
Sweden's Nobel Prize museum is one of the square's highlights, chronicling the achievements of more than 900 Nobel Laureates. Pick up a free audio guide for the best experience.
The Royal Palace
Taking up the entire northern corner of Gamla Stan, the imposing Royal Palace is one of Europe's largest. More than 600 rooms are crammed inside the 11-story baroque building including state apartments and living space facing the inner courtyard.
The official residence of the King is open to tourists along with three museums: the Treasury including the Crown Regalia, the Three Crowns museum detailing the medieval history of the palace itself, and an antiquities museum.
The imposing Royal Palace marks the entrance to Stockholm's old town district.
Storkyrkan
The original parish church of Stockholm, Storkyrkan (it simply means 'The Great Church' in Swedish) retains much of its medieval interior despite the renovated baroque exterior introduced in the 18th century.
Among the impressive art inside is one of the first known paintings of Stockholm, revealing how the city looked in the 16th century.
Stockholm’s narrowest street
Gamla Stan is packed with narrow alleyways, but Mårten Trotzigs gränd is the pick of the bunch. Barely two-feet wide at its narrowest point, the alley serves as a useful shortcut for locals between the bigger streets Västerlånggatan and Prästgatan as well as a photo opportunity for tourists.
Mårten Trotzigs gränd is the narrowest alley of the the old town (Galma Stan) of Stockholm, Sweden.
Learn more at the Medieval museum
The city’s medieval history really does come alive at the Medieval museum, built around sections of the original 16th century city walls. These—along with a treasure trove of artifacts including 11 boats—were discovered during the largest excavation in the city's history in connection with construction work next to the Swedish parliament.
Street scenes including a market square and trading houses are reconstructed around the original walls in the atmospheric underground exhibition.
