16 Jan Walking Tour Stockholm

In anticipation of my trip to Stockholm in May I have created this walking tour of Old Town Stockholm. During World War II this island was known as Staden, and now Gamla stan.

My tour has been adapted from Frommer’s Walking Tour 1, changed for what interests me the most.  I know it is very courageous to create a Walking Tour from a Google map when I haven’t been there yet so I am absolutely open to comments and critiques!

• Begin at Gustav Adolfs Torg. At this spot is the Royal Opera and in the center of the square, a statue of Gustav II Adolf, King of Sweden from 1611 until 1632 when he was killed in battle.
• Walk across Norrbro (the North Bridge) heading toward the Royal Palace and passing on your right the
• Swedish Parliament on the tiny island of Helgeandsholmen, dating from 1897. Here is a virtual tour.
• Along the bridge on your left is the Medeltidsmuseet (Museum of Medieval Stockholm.) This museum contains objects and settings from medieval Stockholm and parts of the old city wall. Closed on Mondays.
• Continue along the bridge until Slottskajen. You are looking straight at the Royal Palace. Make a right turn to Riddarhuset. The “House of Nobility” was built in the period 1641-1672 and was used by the Swedish aristocracy during the Parliament of the Four Estates (1668-1865). Today the Nobility gathers here every third year. Open Monday-Friday 11:30 to 12:30 for a fee.
• Walk across the Riddarholmsbron bridge to the little island of Riddarholmen. Here are private palaces dating back to the 17th century. The main landmark is the Riddarholmskyrkan church. One of the oldest buildings in Stockholm dating back to the 13th century, it has been the burial place of Swedish kings for 4 centuries.
• Walk along the north side of the church until you can cross Birger Jarls Torg. Take Wrangelska Backen to the water. Then go left and walk along Södra Riddarholmshamnen. Great spot for photos.
• Look for the yacht Mälardrottningen Hotel.
• Left on Gymnasiegränd back to the church and circle around to your right to cross the bridge again.
  When you hit Myntgatan it looks to be tricky. Cross the 1st lane of Myntgatan, then fork left.
• Pass Stora Nygatan (to your right) and take the next right onto Storkyrkobrinken, passing the landmark Cattelin Restaurant on your right. According to Wikipedia, their specialty is a garlic-flavoured squid salad but I didn’t see it on their menu. Oh well …
• Continue along this street, past the Lady Hamilton Hotel, then turn right onto Trångsund. Immediately on the left is Storkyrkan, also  known as “The Great Church,” the oldest church in Old Town. Founded in the mid-1200s, it is the site of coronations and royal weddings.  The most famous sculpture here is St. George and the Dragon, a huge work dating from 1489. There is an entrance fee unless you are there for a church service, morning prayer in English daily at 8:45.
• Next on your left is the Nobel Museum located in the former Stock Exchange Building (Börshuset.) Dedicated to the history of the Nobel Prize, Nobel laureates and the life of Alfred Nobel, the prize’s founder. The museum is on the north side of:
• 

  Mårten Trotzigs gränd

  Stortorget (Great Square) the oldest square in Stockholm and the site of the Stockholm Blood Bath of 1520 when Danish-Swedish king Christian II beheaded 90 Swedish noblemen and displayed their heads in the square.

• At the NE corner of the square, take Källargränd north to view the entrance, opening onto Slottsbacken, of the Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet.) This is the official residence and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch. It is the daily place of work for The King and Queen as well as for the various departments that make up the Royal Court. The present palace dates mainly from 1760 after a previous one was destroyed by fire. Tours and entrance fees. Times for the changing of the guard.
• After your tour, along Slottsbacken, then go right on Bollshusgränd, a cobblestone street of old houses leading to the square of Köpmantorget or ”Merchant’s Square.” One of the most charming squares of the Old Town, Köpmantorget contains a famous copy of the St. George and the Dragon statue (in case you didn’t get to see it at the church.)
• From the square, take Köpmanbrinken (west) which runs for 1 block. Also known as “Merchant’s Slope.” The street is lined by historic buildings on cobble-stone streets.
• Turn right and you will run into Österlånggatan, once Old Town’s harbor street and a major thoroughfare of taverns, restaurants and shops. Continue along Österlånggatan and take the first left under an arch leading into:
• Stora Hoparegränd, a dark and narrow alley from the mid-1600s. Walk toward the water, and turn right on Skeppsbron. Walk for 2 blocks and turn right up Ferkens Gränd until you return to Österlånggatan. As you are walking south, keeps your eyes open for Johannesgränd to your left.
• Johannesgränd is another historic alley. Take a peek, then continue walking on Österlånggatan until you come to Tullgränd. Take the street on your right:
• Prästgatan. This street was named after the priests who used to live here. As you climb the street, look to your left to:
•  Mårten Trotzigs Gränd, an often photographed street of steps that’s the narrowest in Gamla Stan. The width of its 36 steps tapers down to only 90 centimeters.   Double back on Prästgatan to Österlånggatan 51.
• Den Gyldene Freden Restaurang is the oldest restaurant in the world to have the same surroundings and environment as when it opened in 1721. From the restaurant there is a small connector street to the street Järntorget. At this point you can walk south along Järntorget which becomes Järntorgsgatan.
• Järntorgsgatan (Iron Square’s Street.) This used to be the main approach to the city from Södermalm and was known as Stora Gatan or “The Big Street.” Lined with fantastic shops, cafes. Walk (north or south) to the 2nd oldest square in Stockholm, dating back to about 1300.
• Järntorget (Iron Square) was the center of the copper and iron trade in the 16th and 17th centuries, and until 1662 the city’s official scales were here.  Sundberg’s bakery dates back to 1785. Look for the statue of Evert Taube, troubadour and Swedish national poet. From the Iron Square take Västerlånggatan heading NW.
• Västerlånggatan(The Western Long Street.) This pedestrian street is the main shopping artery of Old Town and actually traces the original length of the 13th century defensive wall which protected the city. Most of the front doors of the shops are located either on the quieter Prästgatan, the parallel street passing along the eastern side, or in one of the numerous alleys on the street’s western side. Continue along Västerlånggatan or Prästgatan (however you are shopping) and turn right onto Tyska Brinken until you see on your right:
• Tyska Kyrkan which  Since the beginning of the 17th century, this has been the German church of Stockholm.
•  After you leave the church, the street in front of you will be at Skomakargatan. Head up this street and you will pass Stortorget Square. The street is now called Trångsund. When you get to Storkyrkobrinken, turn left and then right on Västerlånggatan. Keep walking and you will pass through the Riksdag Building, the Parliament of Sweden, over the bridge to Drottninggatan.

Wow, I wonder how long that will take!  I’ve tried to put most spots on this Google Map.  Again, I’m open to any ideas.  What have I missed?

View Walking Tour Old Town in a larger map

Share this Post

• Tweet