My Favorite European City

Last week, I hopped aboard the train from Västerås and headed to Stockholm for the day. I'd been there last October with Nick, and in January with my family. This was my first solo trip into the city, and confirmed for me that without a doubt Stockholm is my favorite European city. Not only is the city beautiful, but it is clean. Not only are there tons of things to do, but you can walk to nearly all of them. Not only is there great shopping, but great history. Below are just a few reasons that I love Stockholm!

Part of the Gamla Stan

Each trip into Stockholm, I have spent time in the Gamla Stan (the old city), just walking around and enjoying the sights. One of my personal favorite activities to do, not only in Stockholm but throughout Sweden, is try and spot the fake windows. You may be wondering, fake windows? Below is a great example:

pretty easy to spot this "window"!

See, back when much of Stockholm- and many buildings throughout Sweden were built- glass was very expensive. Because of this, often the first floor would have real windows, and then throughout the rest of the buildings, or portions of them, windows would simply be painted on to the exterior of the building in order to give a uniform appearance of windows. Now it is just a fun item to try and spot as you explore cities throughout Sweden! I have seen "fake" windows in Stockholm and Karlskrona- have not yet spotted them in Västerås!

at the Culture Festival in Stockholm

Every time I have been to Stockholm, there has always been something new and exciting that I have discovered. This past time, the Culture Festival was going on for the week. As I walked past, I noticed that the "Castellers De Sants" was performing. Castellers de Sants is a Catalonia human tower group- essentially, groups of people whom form human towers and perform throughout the world. Above is just one quick snapshot-six layers of people high!

narrow streets of Stockholm

 Throughout much of Stockholm, but especially in the Gamla Stan, you will notice the very narrow streets. This one is just slightly bigger than my arms length. The streets are built this narrow because much of the city was planned out hundreds of years ago, before things like cars were even a thought.

Beautiful shot of Stockholm on the water

 People say that Stockholm is the Venice of the North- and although I've never been to Venice, I can agree with this. Stockholm is a city built on and around the archipelago, comprised of islands, tunnels, and bridges connecting it. You are never (slight exaggeration) more than a stone's throw away from the water. Stockholm is one of the few major European cities never to be bombed during the wars, and because of this has retained much of the history and beauty surrounding it.

Sverige Riksdag 

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. One of the features in Stockholm you can visit is the Sverige Riksdag (Swedish Parliament) building that is located near the Gamla Stan. Also close by is the Stockholm Royal Palace, which is guarded by the Swedish royal guard. 

With my family in a basement pub

Another of my favorite things to do while in Stockholm is just pop into various pubs. Many of them have super cool, old, dark basement areas. 

Nick in October 2014

August 2014

October 2013

January 2014

 The last thing I will conclude with about why Stockholm is my favorite city is the vintage telephone booths found throughout the city. On my first trip to Stockholm with Nick in October 2013, we both snapped a picture in the same booth. Now, every time I go back to Stockholm, I have to get a picture in there to send to him!

In case you haven't completely fell in love with Stockholm yet, here are other posts about Stockholm on my blog:

Review: The Red Boat Hotel

October Stockholm Trip

January Stockholm Trip

Vasa Museum

What is your favorite city, and why does it claim that top spot for you? I'd love to hear your responses!