Medieval Sights & Vibrant Culture: Why Winter Is The Perfect Time To Visit The Friendliest City In Europe
Last Updated
Traveling to Europe in winter will not be an concept that appeals to most folks:
It’s chilly, for certain, daytime are restricted, particularly up north, and throughout many international locations, locals should not precisely at their most welcoming selves––can you actually blame them when it is 23°F out?
Like every thing in life, there may be at all times an exception to the rule: on this case, not the freezing temperatures, however how thrilling, energetic, and welcoming a metropolis will be regardless of the awful climate, or extra curiously even, because of this of it.
Believe it or not, Stockholm is the excellent metropolis break throughout the festive break, rating the best for friendliness throughout the pond, in line with Condé Nast Traveller, and providing a fairytale-like winter expertise (with the medieval Old Town and engaging History to go along with it).
It’s removed from being a sunny getaway, but it surely may as effectively soften your coronary heart:
Discover Sweden’s Colorful Medieval Capital This Winter
The capital of Sweden, Stockholm is built across 14 islands distributed round an archipelago on the Baltic Sea, all linked by as many as 50 bridges, an intensive underground system––which we’ll get to in a bit––and a number of ferry routes.
With a inhabitants of over 1.6 million folks, it’s the largest metropolis not solely in Sweden, however the entire of Scandinavia, so it may really feel somewhat overwhelming at first, with a lot to see and so little time, however should you’re visiting this winter, a great place to start out is Gamla Stan.
Swedish for ‘Old Town’, this centrally-located island is known for its cobbled streets and thin, ocher-colored homes courting again centuries.
It’s true Stockholm is kinder to sightseers in summer time when it is (considerably) nice out, and there is extra sunshine in comparison with the remainder of the 12 months, however we might argue winter is when it is at its most magical:
It is the friendliest metropolis in Europe, as per the most recent survey performed by Condé Nast Traveler, the place it scored a powerful 94.07, and certainly, strolling into any bakery or restaurant or asking locals for instructions, you will be greeted in a well mannered way and a hospitable smile.
Maybe it is the mysa spirit, possibly it is the very fact you may by no means get grumpy with a cheerful tummy filled with cinnamon buns from Café Saturnus, the delight and pleasure of Stockholm’s coffeeshop scene; both approach, Swedes are able to welcome you with open arms.
And you already know what they are saying, there is not any dangerous climate, simply dangerous clothes:
It’s So Beautiful You Won’t Mind Being Outside
Stockholm is supposed to be seen on foot, and you will be spending a number of time exterior.
Temperatures vary from the mid-20s to low 40s in winter, and that is the Baltic Sea, in any case, so it will get windy––undoubtedly be sure to put on sufficient layers to guard your self from the teeth-chattering chilly and do not maintain again on the mulled wine and sizzling choccie.
Warning given: do not miss a snow-dusted, Thirteenth-century Storkyrkan Cathedral dominating the skyline, the majestic Kungliga Slottet Royal Palace, the official residence of the Swedish Royal Family––yep, they’ve one in all their very own, in case you did not know!––and the spearing, red-brick City Hall.
For unashamed wintery enjoyable and an overload of tradition, be sure to pay Skansen a go to: a brief ferry experience away from the town heart, that is Stockholm’s world-famous folks park, depicting life in a rural a part of Sweden as if it was nonetheless the olden days.
Add to that winter markets stuffed with stalls, providing a variety of merchandise, from high-quality smithing and ceramics to Swedish avenue meals faves like sausages and pickled herring, and historic celebrations with conventional music and dance, and also you get the gist of it.
Escape The Cold Underground
Stockholm is hella chilly this winter, and whereas there’s undoubtedly some sightseeing to be completed, and the freezing temperatures should not hold you from exploring the picturesque Gamla Stan, you may at all times take refuge in one in all many indoor points of interest:
Check out Moderna Museet, an enormous assortment of recent and up to date artwork housing lesser-known work from artists like Matisse and Picasso, or Vasa, a museum fully centered round a well-preserved, Seventeenth-century warship.
The ABBA Museum is one other must-do whereas in Stockholm, an exciting exhibit (and celebration) of Sweden’s biggest musical act, and remember concerning the often-overlooked Stockholm Metro:
‘Wait, the metro?’
Yes, the metro.
Forget about London’s soiled tube seats and the rampant pickpocketing plaguing the Paris underground: Stockholm’s is a literal gallery of surrealist artwork, with stations which have ceilings that appear to be boiling lava or spaceships and every other artistic design in between.
We’re not speaking about one or two stations: every of them has a specific, particular person attribute that units them aside, with vivid colours or psychedelic patterns, and the metro system itself is taken into account the world’s longest artwork gallery.
All we will say to you is completely satisfied exploring!
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No adverts, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where vacationers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even discover like-minded journey buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your e-mail handle to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.