Stockholm is an unusual city, and visitors may well want to explore the delights in an unusual way. There are certainly plenty of opportunities.
The city sails along on its 14 islands – join the water dance by taking to the Riddargjärden or Saltsjön in a kajak, rowing boat, paddle boat or canoe. Saltsjön is a bay of the Baltic Sea that extends from Stockholm archipelago to the inner city of Stockholm.
You can also enjoy one of the many 100 year old steamers which can take you as a visiting passenger to far away cozy small islands for a cheap ticket. On board there’s often served high standard food, like the “Ongbotsbuff” (Angbatsbiff), Steamship beef, or local fish with excellent sauce. Enjoy your meal with a cold beer in the sun.
Originally built to accommodate the new needs of bourgeoisie, travelling between the city and their summer houses, these old vessels still serve Stockholmers as well as tourists who want to cruise the archipelago in style. These days they are in service from May to September.
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Don’t miss the charming Djurgårdsbron Sjöcafe which re-opened in 2013 with a restaurant, bar, pizzeria, kiosk, a visitor center and bicycle rental.
The Millenium Tour run by the Stadsmuséet takes thriller-lovers on to a walk round Södermalm. Here you can see the sights of Stockholm’s trendiest district through the eyes of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist. Over 80 million people have read Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s three Millennium books — The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. The tour gives additional background information about the popular characters.
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Vertigo-sufferers may pale in the idea of a rooftop tour, but Upplev Mer’s ladders and catwalks allow access to the dizzy heights of Riddarholmen with views over Gamla Stan. Visitors can clamber across the top of Riddarholmen’s Old Parliament building, taking in eight of Stockholm’s islands with 360-degree views. It’s a beautiful sight that’s not for the faint of heart… or those afraid of heights.
If you’re here in winter, you can experience the nearest thing to flying with tour skating. Although routes depend on which parts of the archipelago are solidly frozen, tours generally end with a skate through central Stockholm, right past the Stadshus (City Hall). Don’t worry if you’ve never tried ice skating before, anyone can do it!
Unusual Views of Stockholm, compiled by Tor Kjolberg