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Traveling to Europe in winter is not an attractive idea most people:
It’s certainly cold, daylight hours are limited, especially in the north, and in many countries the locals are not exactly at their most hospitable––Can you really blame them when it’s 75°F outside?
Like everything in life, there is always an exception to the rule: in this case not the freezing temperatures, but how exciting, vibrant and hospitable a city can be Despite the gloomy weather, or even more interesting, as a result of it.
Believe it or not, Stockholm is the place perfect city break during the party break, according to the highest score for friendliness across the pond Condé Nast Travelerand offering one fairytale winter experience (with the medieval Old Town and the fascinating history that goes with it).
It’s far from a sunny outing, but it might as well melt your heart:
Discover Sweden’s colorful medieval capital this winter
Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, is built on 14 islands spread across an archipelago on the Baltic Sea, all connected by no fewer than 50 bridges, an extensive underground system – which we’ll get to in a moment – and multiple ferry routes.
With over 1.6 million inhabitants, it is not only the largest city in Sweden, but in all of Scandinavia, so it can feel a little overwhelming at first, with so much to see and so little time, but if you visit this winter, a good place to start is Gamla Stan.
This central island, Swedish for ‘Old Town’, is known for its cobbled streets and skinny, ocher-colored houses that date back centuries.
It is true that Stockholm is friendlier to tourists in the summer, when it is (somewhat) pleasant outside and there is more sun than the rest of the year, but we would argue winter is when it is at its most magical:
It’s the friendliest city in EuropeAccording to Condé Nast Traveler’s latest survey, where it scored an impressive 94.07, and indeed, if you walk into a bakery or restaurant or ask locals for directions, you will be greeted with politeness and a welcoming smile.
Maybe it’s the mysa spiritmaybe it’s the fact that you can never get grumpy with a happy belly full of cinnamon rolls from Café Saturnus, the pride and joy of Stockholm’s coffee shop scene; anyway, Sweden is ready to welcome you with open arms.
And you know what they say: there is no bad weather, only bad clothes:
It’s so beautiful that you don’t mind being outside
Stockholm is meant to be explored on foot and you will spend a lot of time outdoors.
Temperatures range from the mid-twenties to forties in winter, and this is the Baltic Sea after all, so it can get windy. Be sure to wear enough layers to protect yourself from the bone-chilling cold and don’t cling to your clothes. back to the mulled wine and hot chocolate.
Warning given: don’t miss snowy, The 13th-century Storkyrkan Cathedral dominates the skylinethe majestic Royal Palace Kungliga Slottet, the official residence of the Swedish Royal Family – yes, they have one of their own, in case you didn’t know! – and the spear-shaped red-brick town hall.
For unashamed winter fun and an abundance of culture, make sure you visit Skansen: A short ferry ride away from the city center, this is Stockholm’s world-famous People’s Park, which portrays life in a rural part of Sweden as if it were back in the day.
Add to that the winter markets full of stalls, offering a wide range of products, from fine blacksmithing and ceramics to Swedish street food favorites such as sausages and pickled herring, and historical celebrations with traditional music and dancing, and you get the gist of it.
Escape the cold ground
Stockholm does Hello cold this winter, and while there is certainly some sightseeing to do, and the freezing temperatures won’t stop you from exploring picturesque Gamla Stan, you can always take refuge in one of a lot of indoor attractions:
Visit Moderna Museet, an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art with lesser-known work by artists such as Matisse and Picasso, or Vasa, a museum that revolves entirely around a well preserved warship from the 17th century.
The ABBA Museum is another must-do when in Stockholm, an exciting exhibition (and celebration) of Sweden’s biggest musical act, and don’t forget the Stockholm’s often overlooked metro:
“Wait, the subway?”
Yes, the subway.
Forget the dirty London subway seats and the rampant pickpockets that plague the Paris subway: Stockholm’s is a literal one gallery of surrealist artwith stations with ceilings that resemble boiling lava or spaceships and every other creative design in between.
We are not talking about one or two stations: each of them have a special, individual feature that sets them apart, with bright colors or psychedelic patterns, and the subway system itself is considered the longest art gallery in the world.
All we can say to you is: have fun exploring!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
