 Stockholm is not only Sweden’s capital city, but also the largest city in Scandinavia. It offers some of the most stunning scenery which is provided by the archipelago of 14 islands across which it is spread. More than 30 per cent of the total city area is comprised of water, while parks and greenbelt areas make up another 30 per cent making the city arguably one of the world’s richest in terms of its supply of clean, fresh air.
 Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town, is a maze of traditional cobbled streets and alleyways with fascinating architecture and historic constructions; it’s also the city’s epicentre with an abundance of places to stay, eat or be entertained. Visitors will probably find themselves spending a good deal of time in this part of the city.
 History and heritage are of great importance to the residents of Stockholm; however this is not to say that the city is old-fashioned or oblivious to modernism. Far from it in fact as local residents are as enthusiastic about technology and development as anywhere in the EU and this being Sweden’s capital, it’s a city at the forefront of development, fashion and innovation. Visitors can make their own mind up which aspects of the city’s culture they wish to embrace, having ample opportunities to see both the old and the new.
 For history lovers, there are countless examples of buildings that embody the spirit of the city’s past with the Cathedral of Stockholm, the Royal Palace and the Stockholm City Museum providing the best opportunities. Some 100 museums spread across the city also present various aspects of both Stockholm and Sweden’s historical and cultural particulars.
 For shopping and dining, Stockholm’s options are as impressive as any capital city, if not more so. Everything from large department stores to small chic boutiques make up the former while both traditional Swedish eateries and international restaurants including French, Italian, Chinese and Indian, comprise the latter.
 Stockholm has an excellent selection of accommodations which cover most budgets and tastes. For visitors who like to put their faith in the reputation of international hotel chains, there’s the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, the Clarion Stockholm Hotel and the Hilton Stockholm Slussen Hotel. These establishments offer a standard of service and guest facilities consistent with all the establishments in their chains. For something a little cheaper, there are plenty of quality domestic hotel companies offering a good standard of accommodation at prices within the average holidaymaker’s means. The Gamla Stan area is perhaps the best place to start looking for a hotel.
 Stockholm, like the rest of Sweden, is very welcoming of tourists and the locals are friendly characters, if not a little reserved. English is widely spoken and to a high standard so visitors will rarely find themselves hindered by language barrier issues. Sweden has its own cultural peculiarities especially with regards to etiquette and visitors are advised to study the particulars before their arrival in the city of Stockholm.
History
 The city of Stockholm is said to have been founded by Birger Jarl and has a name that is an amalgamation of the word ‘stock’ meaning log and ‘holm’ meaning islet; the latter part referring to the islet Stadsholmen which was the focus of the city in its early days. The earliest mention of the city of Stockholm in the history books dated back to 1252 with details of its significance as an iron trading post. The ‘Stockholm Bloodbath’ of 1520 in which Danish King Christian II executed large number of his opposers, marks one of the most significant events of the Middle Ages. The arrival of the 17th century heralded the beginning of a period of prosperity in which Stockholm rose into a major European power.
 The Black Death took its toll between 1713 and 1714 and the effects of subsequent Great Northern War led to a period of stagnation for Stockholm. Things had picked up again by the time the 19th century arrived and the introduction of new industries saw the city back on track as a strong economic body; this also led to a significant increase in the city’s population. In the latter part of the 20th century, Stockholm grew to become a modern and technologically-advanced city and this attracted an influx of new residents, many hailing from abroad, giving the city the unique ethnic diversity that it maintains to this day.
Weather
 The city of Stockholm experiences a fairly mixed climate which on the whole errs towards the cool side. Summers are mild to warm at best while winters can be cold with subzero temperatures. The volume of rainfall is fairly constant throughout the year. This is certainly not the city to visit if you are a sun lover as the summer months (June to August) see highs of 17°C at best while the winter months (December to February) see temperatures dip regularly to -2 or -3°C. Snowfall is also common during the winter months.
From a visitor perspective, the summer months are perhaps the best time to visit as the warmer temperatures would make sightseeing a more pleasurable experience. Rainfall during July and August is however the greatest so you’ll need to pack an umbrella or some waterproof clothing of some description.
| 
