Stockholm: Modern City and Old Town, a Small Group Walking Tour

In this tour, we will walk through _both_ the modern City Centre _and_ the Old Town. This is a small group tour and you will have the possibility to ask all the questions want. The City Centre was modernized during the later half of the 20th century. It was a unique project where hundreds of houses were demolished to make way for infrastructure, new buildings and squares! During our walk through the city, you will also learn about Swedish inventors like Nobel, the entrepreneurs behind H&M and IKEA. We will pass the Spotify main office located in the entrepreneurial hotspot Urban Escape. Passing the statue of Gustav II Adolf, who in the 17th century commissioned the famous warship Vasa, we will enter the Old Town, one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. After passing the Royal Palace, we walk along the narrow cobblestoned alleyways to get acquainted with Stockholm’s history and listen to the story of Sweden’s birth.

1. 1

   Konserthuset Stockholm

   10 min

   We start the tour outside Konserthuset, Stockholm Consert Hall, you will get a short introduction to Sweden and Stockholm

2. 2

   Kungstornen

   5 min

   Kungstornen (King's Towers) are twin tower skyscrapers, were built between 1919 and 1925. They are considered the first modern skyscrapers in Europe :)

3. 3

   Sergels Torg

   10 min

   A total renewal of Stockholm city was planned for several decades and decided by the Stockholm town council in 1945, and realised during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. As a result of the project, over 750 buildings were demolished to make way for new infrastructure and redevelopment. The renewal of Stockholm city was the largest Swedish urban development project to date and has been both criticised and admired throughout Sweden and internationally. It is regarded as one of the larger of all city renewals in Europe in the aftermath of World War II, even including the cities that were severely damaged during the war.

4. 4

   Kulturhuset Stadsteatern

   10 min

   House of Culture (Swedish: Kulturhuset) is a cultural centre situated to the south of Sergels torg in central Stockholm, Sweden. Kulturhuset is today a symbol for Stockholm and the growth of modernism in Sweden.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   10 min

   Brunkebergstorg is a square in the Norrmalm district of Stockholm's inner city. During the city redevelopment of Stockholm city in the 1960s, almost all of the older buildings around the square were demolished. Today, the square is dominated by financial institutions such as the Riksbank, but during the late 2010's also hotels and restaurants has been established here. One very interesting project is "Urban Escape" which has an interesting background: The Real Estate company AMF decided to interview 500 young people, both students and those who were already out in work, about which workplace they would like in the future if they had the choice to choose. The answer in brief: an experience. They didn't talk so much about houses, but about feelings and experiences. That was the basic idea when Urban Escape was built. Now e.g. Spotify, has their office here.

6. 6

   Gustav II Adolfs Statue

   10 min

   The grandson of Gustav Vasa, Gustav II Adolf, was the "greatest" of our warrior kings. During his time as king the Baltic sea became almost an inland sea, surrounded by Swedish possessions. It was when Gustav II Adolf was king of Sweden the Vasa ship was built!

7. 7

   Parliament Building (Riksdagshuset)

   10 min

   The predecessor of the parliament (riksdagen) was the “Riksdag of the Estates” (Ståndsriksdagen) where Nobility, Clergy, Burghers, Peasants met separately for discussions before meeting the King in the palace. Until its dissolution in 1866, this institution was the highest authority in Sweden next to the King. In 1866 a parliament with two chambers was introduced, but still without equal voting rights for all citizens. The first elections with general suffrage was held in 1921. This was after a long political struggle led by liberals and socialists.

8. 8

   Royal Palace

   10 min

   Next stop at "Lejonbacken" on the north side of the Royal Palace. . Peter the Great of Russia put an end to the Swedish dreams of being a great power in Northern Europe. Karl XII, the last of our warrior kings is still pointing to the east (i.e. the statue is pointing), where he and his army, the Caroleans, first had some great victories, but in the end were defeated by Peter the Great in Poltava 1709. The age of enlightenment, with growing interest in arts and science, influenced Sweden. Gustav III, an enlightened despot with great interest in theatre, made several contributions in these fields. Outside the Royal Palace there is a statue of Carl XIV Johan who was king of Sweden from 1818 to 1844. This king, the first of the Bernadottes, was imported to Sweden from France in the beginning of the 19th century to win back what we lost to the Russians. Instead he put his efforts into diplomacy, building infrastructure and develop education! In 2014, 200 years of peace was celebrated in Sweden. The industrial revolution, natural resources and great Swedish inventions created a foundation for a welfare state, and several entrepreneurs continued the development in the 20th and 21th centuries. !

9. 9

   Stockholm Old Town

   20 min

   Stockholm Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. After passing the Royal Palace, we walk along the narrow cobblestoned alleyways to get acquainted with Stockholm’s history and listen to the story of Sweden’s birth.

10. 10

    Stortorget

    10 min

    Stortorget in the central square of Old Town. Here you can find several restaurants and cafe's. The Nobel Price Museum is situated at Stortorget. The Swedish Royal Academies designate the winners of the most prestigious prices in many important fields of science and art.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.