Known as the land of Vikings, Sweden is actually an odd mix of cosmopolitan cities and vast stretches of wide-open spaces. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and the home of the Swedish monarch as well as the Swedish Parliament. It is the center of fashion, commerce, and politics. Stockholm is renowned as one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. Built atop 14 islands around one of Europe’s largest and best preserved medieval city centres, Stockholm has a historic and cultural magnificence which is virtually unrivalled in northern Europe. Stockholm retains all the advantages of a big city, yet possesses all the charms of a small town. The city offers a multitude of national cultural institutions – from a wealth of fine museums and theatres to exciting attractions and events for visitors to experience.

History of Stockholm : Stockholm’s history dates back to the 1500s, when the first record of the city was found. Early Stockholm was a center for the iron trade. The city’s name is thought to be derived from the small islet on the center of the city and is believed to be founded by Birger Jarl. The city rose to prominence with the start of the trade of the Hanseatic League and when it started forging strong economic linkages with neighboring trading outputs. The city’s population, however, did not reach unprecedented growth until after the Stockholm Bloodbath in 1600. By the 1700s, Stockholm had grown into a major European power.

Popular events and attractions in Stockholm : Stockholm is popular among tourists for its Scandinavian architecture, fairy tale towers interspersed in a modern jungle along with contemporary buildings of glass and steel. The Old Stockholm is carefully preserved in the city’s Old Quarter in Gamla Stan. Nights in Stockholm are made more magical by the lights in the city’s waterways. Most attractions sit on the heart of the inner city, where the best shopping outlets and residences of Stockholm’s rich are located. Gamla Stan is located in the southern inner city. Here you can find the Swedish Royal Palace and the Swedish Parliament.

From popular beach events and casual strolls beside the famous Stockholm waterways to stops at the citys quaint or modern restaurants and bars, visitors of Stockholm will not run out of things to do. Stockholm is the center for food, fashion, and entertainment, as well as cultural attractions such as the Maria Magdalene Church for a brief spell of rejuvenation, or World Heritage Sites like the Royal Palace Drottningholm, Birka and Hovgården Viking-Age trading sites, as well as the Skogskyrkogården. Specialty food places such as vegetarian restaurants are establishments that one should never miss on a visit to the Stockholm.

Peak tourist season in Stockholm : The peak tourist season in Stockholm occurs from mid-May to mid-September. Planning for a trip to Stockholm, including flights, air travel, and accommodations for hotels is essential, simply because Stockholm is one of the most expensive cities in Sweden. If you want to visit the city during the tourist seasons, book your flights and travel accommodations well in advance to avoid running out of accommodation options. You can also opt to go during the off-peak seasons, where air travel rates and hotel accommodation rates are lower. Tourists are also minimal during the off-peak seasons, so you have a better chance of having the city all to yourself, minus the crowd of people.

Accommodations in Stockholm hotels: There are restaurants, discount hotels, dorms, star facilities in many places besides isolated cottages and car trips around the verdant green pastures. Hotel accommodation facilities for booking online are available. Cheap hotel deals are available everywhere in Sweden and it is advisable to compare the prices of different hotels. You have a variety of choices for accommodations in Stockholm. Despite the expense, Stockholm is also friendly to backpacking travelers. Swedish hostels abound in the city, with prices for a room a fraction of what a hotel will cost.

Christmas is a magnificent time of the year. As Christmas approaches, one can see numerous traditions flowing in the air. Christmas in Sweden is one of the best times of the year to book hostels in Stockholm. The city provides visitors with an excellent festive experience in the weeks before the big day itself.

Christmas Markets : The Swedish capital has some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, one of which is the Grona Lund Christmas Market. The market comes complete with an ice skating rink, festive shows, carousels and other enjoyable fairground rides. Across the street from Grona Lund is Skansen, the oldest open-air museum in the world. There is another excellent market here selling a whole range of Christmas goods. In addition, there are a number of events and activities held here, including traditional candle-making.

The market at Kungstradgarden, a large park in central Stockholm, is where the larger shops are located so visitors can stroll through the traditional market before heading to the big department stores. One unique offering that backpackers staying in local Stockholm hostels can enjoy is the Street Design and Handicrafts Christmas Market. Imaginative, creative and fun presents are on sale and available to buy here; while farmers gather to sell fresh Swedish delicacies during the chilly nights.

Christmas Concerts: Traditional festive songs and carols are performed almost every night in the run up to Christmas. Children’s groups and adult singers make their way through the streets and perform to the general public, but there are also a number of professional concerts going on throughout the city.
The Stjarnjul, which has been an annual event in Stockholm since 1993, is held on the 13th, 19th and 20th of December this year and will take place at the Filadelfia Church in the Rorstrandsgatan district. With a 12-piece band, a number of soloists and 200 members in the choir, it truly makes for a Christmas night to remember. There is also a concert in Stockholm Cathedral on the 20th and 21st December. While listening to the music, visitors are free to look around the medieval cathedral, which was built in 1279.

Christmas Food: Many restaurants around Stockholm offer a host of special discounts and deals during the festive season, making it idealfor backpackers and budget travelers alike. Traditional Christmas buffets are also available at a number of restaurants until December 21st.

Christmas brings a new life to the believers. Much before Christmas comes, the mood around the world changes. It is the anticipation of lovely days ahead of giving joy, meeting friends and family and feeling the spirit in the air that changes the most negative person to positive moods.