Known in the past as the city between the bridges, Stockholm’s Gamla Stan (Old town) is one of the most popular attractions of the city. It is one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centers in Europe. When the city was founded in 1252, Gamla Stan was Stockholm and all life revolved around this part. Nowadays, Gamla Stan is one of the culturally richest old towns in Europe.

All of Gamla Stan and the adjacent island of Riddarholmen are like a living museum full of sights, attractions, restaurants, cafés, bars and places to shop. Gamla Stan is also popular with aficionados of handicrafts, curios and souvenirs. The narrow winding cobblestone streets, with their buildings in so many different shades of gold, give Gamla Stan its unique character. Even now cellar vaults and frescoes from the Middle Ages can be found behind the visible facades, and on snowy winter days the district feels like something from a story book.

There are several beautiful churches and museums in Gamla Stan, including Sweden’s national cathedral Stockholm Cathedral and the Nobel Museum. The largest of the attractions in the district is the Royal Palace, one of the largest palaces in the world with over 600 rooms. There are several interesting museums in the Palace, but our suggestion is the Royal Armory, with royal costumes and armor.