The Old Town
The Old Town (Gamla stan in Swedish) is one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centers in Europe, and one of the foremost attractions in Stockholm. This is where Stockholm was founded in 1252.
The Old Town and the adjacent island of Riddarholmen are like a living pedestrian-friendly museum full of sights, attractions, restaurants, cafés, bars and places to shop.
Here you will find popular places to shop handicrafts, curios and souvenirs. The narrow winding cobblestone streets, with their buildings in so many different shades of gold, give the Old Town 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 a tale from a story book.
There are several beautiful churches and museums in Old Town, 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. In addition to the reception rooms, there are several interesting museums in the Palace, including the Royal Armory, with royal costumes and armor. Don't miss the parade of soldiers and the daily changing of the guard.
A great way to explore the Old Town is to stay at First Hotel Reisen just 300 meters from the Royal Palace.
Distance to the Old Town from our other hotels in Stockholm:
- First Hotel Norrtull - 27 min. by buss
- First Hotel Kungsbron - 15 min. by tram
- First Hotel Fridhemsplan - 13 min by buss