Stockholm What Is Known For

The island of Djurgarden, once a royal enclave, is just a few minutes from the city's center (by foot, ferry, or tram), and the delightful mix of parkland, museums, and amusement park is a favorite attraction for residents and visitors alike. Sailors and fans of nautical history should head first to the Vasa Museum, dedicated to the world's oldest ship – a stunningly restored royal warship that sank in the harbor in 1628. Nearby is Skansen, the world's first (1891) open air museum, with more than a hundred 18th- and 19-century homes and other buildings from around the country set on 75 acres, with folk-dancing, crafts, and tours that offer a taste of life in long ago.

Stockholm has its full measure of department stores and malls, but for yet another way to see the Old Town, gambol down to Gamla Stan's main street, Vasterlanggatan, where you can peruse art galleries and crafts shops, between pit stops at any of several small neighborhood restaurants and cafes. A favorite with shoppers? Art glass from the likes of Orrefors and Kost. And for a serious spree, stroll the upscale sidewalks of Biblioteksgatan, where fine clothing and jewelry boutiques can put a dent in any credit card.