ESCRS - Stockholm City Guide

Away from the congress

The ESCRS will be running a number of sightseeing excursions during the course of the meeting. The Panoramic Stockholm & Vasa Museum Tour will take you through the major districts of the city up to Jjällgatan for a panoramic view of Stockholm and from there onto the famous Vasa Museum. There will also be an opportunity to see Stockholm from the water and take tours of the City Hall and Drottningholm Palace.

If you prefer a less formal approach to sightseeing, OTE would like to recommend a number of places that are well worth a visit.

OTE recommends...

Cultural excursions & sightseeing

Stockholm's museum of modern art, Moderna Museet, has been renowned for its presentation of innovative Swedish and international contemporary art since 1958. One of Europe's finest, the museum's collection of modern classics spans the entire 20th century right up to the present day with pieces by Matisse, Picasso, Dalí, Klee and Rauschenberg to name but a few. Spanish-born architect Rafael Moneo designed the building which has housed the collection since 1998.

At the Skansen open-air museum & zoo, Solliden, the site's highest point, offers one of the best views of Stockholm you can find, looking out over the Baltic and the seaway leading to the city. Some 150 historic buildings, houses, farms and working shops have been collected at Skansen and speak to us of how people lived in the past, offering visitors a glimpse of Swedish life from the Middle Ages all the way up to the 20th century. The city blocks include residences and demonstrations of handicrafts in a glassworks, a print shop and a bakery. Skansen also houses Scandinavian animals such as elk, wolves and bear, while the more exotic animals such as snakes and monkeys can be seen at Skansen-Akvariet.

The Swedish National Museum's magnificent building, built in 1866 in Venetian and Florentine style, contains the country's largest collection of paintings and sculptures, handicrafts, drawings and graphics. In addition to the older classics, 'The Modern Form 1900-2000' is a permanent installation and is the latest addition to the collection, which displays handicrafts and design classics from the 20th century.

The waterways that surround Stockholm offer numerous opportunities to explore the city and archipelago by boat. Why not take a voyage on a traditional steamboat? The SS Blidösund is run by a voluntary organization and provides a tranquil way of seeing the northern archipelago. Alternatively, take an excursion run by Stockholm Sightseeing. The "Round Kungsholmen" ferry tour leaves hourly from the quayside near City Hall. Tickets cost around 100 kr (approximately €11) and the guides all speak English. The company also runs tours called "Under Stockholm's Bridges" and "Round Djurgården", offering the perfect way to see Stockholm's sights from the water.

If you are feeling more adventurous, why not hire a boat yourself? Rowing boats, canoes, kayaks, pedalos and small boats with an outboard motor can be hired near the Djurgården Bridge at Tvillingarnas Båthyring and Skepp & Hoj and are a great way to discover the city's waterways. Larger boats for exploring the archipelago can be hired by the hour or day.

Shopping

Sweden, and Stockholm in particular, has a great reputation for shopping. Areas worth heading to include:

Östermalm: This is the area to head to if you are looking for luxury labels as you will find well-known names such as Louis Vuitton, Versace, Mulberry, Emporio Armani and Gucci here. It is also one of the best districts to explore if you are looking for the best and latest items in interior design.

Norrmalm: Best known for the glamorous department store, NK; a Swedish institution. It is also home to all the multinational chain stores and the city's busiest shopping street, Drottninggatan, where you will find shops such as H&M and Top Shop.

Södermalm: This has emerged as Stockholm's trendiest shopping district, with boutiques selling the latest fashion "must haves".

Gamla Stan: This is undoubtedly the best area to go to if you are looking for traditional Swedish items and souvenirs to take home for your friends and family.

Vasastaden: Visit Vasastaden for its excellent antique shops. It is also well known for good second-hand music stores.