3-Day Tranquil Getaway in Stockholm, the Hometown of IKEA

Written/Compiled and Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network. Source/MOOK Editorial Department

When it comes to Sweden, nothing is more well-known than the colorful and stylishly designed IKEA, while the Swedish capital—Stockholm—is the second-largest city in Northern Europe. Stockholm consists of 14 large and small islands, and due to this unique waterscape, it is also known as the "Venice of the North." The northern island, which belongs to the political and commercial district, features important attractions such as the City Hall, the National Gallery, and the Royal Park. To the south are the Palace and the Cathedral, which belong to the Old Town; further south lies the leisurely-paced and culturally rich South Island area. On the first day of the itinerary, you can explore all three areas, then visit Djurgården Island the next day to admire several museums with traditional charm, and on the third day, head to the nearby Drottningholm Palace to experience the beauty of elegant palace architecture.

Day 1: City Hall → Royal Park → National Gallery → Royal Palace → Cathedral → Nobel Museum → South Island

Highly Recommended Attraction: City Hall

Located by the fjord, the beautiful building topped with the Swedish Three Crowns emblem on its tower is Stockholm City Hall. This landmark of Stockholm was built by architect Ragnar Östberg between 1911 and 1923, using a total of 8 million red bricks and 19 million mosaic tiles, making it a grand structure. Architect Östberg adopted the style of Renaissance royal palaces, centering the design around two square courtyards: the Blue Hall and the Borgargården. Those wishing to visit the City Hall must join the daily guided tours.

Highly Recommended Attraction: Royal Park

The green spaces and parks in central Stockholm cover nearly 38 hectares, and this long-shaped park is one of them. In summer, the flowers here bloom vibrantly, and there are often concerts held in the afternoon. The outdoor cafes and restaurants along the sides are perfect for enjoying the sunshine. In winter, the entire park turns into a large ice-skating rink.

Highly Recommended Attraction: National Gallery

The National Gallery, which blends styles from Italy, Vienna, and Florence, is located by the canal. Cross the Skeppsholmsbron bridge to reach the Contemporary Art Museum and the Architecture Museum. The gallery has three floors and houses a collection that mainly includes paintings from the late Middle Ages to the early 19th century, along with sculptures, totaling over ten thousand works—the largest collection in all of Sweden. Among them, the works of Dutch painter Rembrandt are particularly notable, and many of these artworks come from the historical collections of the Swedish royal family.

Highly Recommended Attraction: Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Sweden is located in the Old Town. The original Tre Kronor Castle was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1754 in the Italian Baroque style. The current Swedish royal family resides here, and the approachable royals generously allow the public to visit some rooms and museum exhibition halls. Open areas include the Royal Residence (Kungliga Slottet), the Treasury (Skattkammaren), two churches, the Royal Armory, the Three Crowns Museum (The Tre Kronor Museum), the Royal Stables (The Royal Mews), and the Gustav III's Antiquities Museum (Gustav III’s Antikmuseum). Moreover, the changing of the guard ceremony at 12:15 on Wednesdays and Saturdays is also open for viewing in the square.