Stockholm, Sweden — Activities
Stockholm Culture
Stockholm's cultural history extends back to its Viking beginnings. The city was also the birthplace of Alfred Nobel, whose will instated the famous five prizes for peace, physics, chemistry, medicine and literature (economics was added by the Bank of Sweden in 1968).
Stockholm’s cultural scene is incredibly vibrant and eclectic. There is a wide stream of cultural productions available from art exhibitions, dance and theater performances to jazz and classical concerts.
Tickets to cultural events can be booked via the central ticketing agency, Biljett Direkt (tel: 077 170 7070; www.ticnet.se). Online information (www.musikfestivaler.se) is available for Swedish music festivals. The official Stockholm tourism website, www.stockholmtown.com, is also an excellent source for information on cultural events.
Music
Drottningholm Court Theater
The lovely antique Drottningholm Court Theater hosts summer opera and ballet seasons.
Drottningholms Slott
Tel: (08) 5569 3100.
Website: www.dtm.se
Konserthuset
The blue, stuccoed Konserthuset houses the world-class Swedish Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Hötorget
Tel: (08) 786 0200.
Website: www.konserthuset.se
Riddarhuset
The Stockholm Sinfonietta, one of the world's best chamber music orchestras, performs at the beautiful Riddarhuset, built in 1641-74 to accommodate members of the Swedish aristocracy for meetings in Parliament.
Riddarhustorget 10
Tel: (08) 723 3990.
Website: www.riddarhuset.se
Theater
ABF-Huset
Stockholm is home to The Stockholm Players, Sweden's oldest English-language theater company, based at ABF-Huset.
Sveavägen 41
Tel: (08) 453 4100.
Website: www.abfstockholm.se
Dramaten
The Dramaten is Sweden's highly respected national theater.
Nybroplan
Tel: (08) 667 0680.
Website: www.dramaten.se
Teater Galeasen
If you’re looking for something different, this place is at the cutting edge of contemporary theater.
Slupskjulsvägen, Skeppsholmen
Tel: (08) 611 0030.
Website: www.galeasen.se
Dance
Dansens Hus
Established in the 1990s, this is Sweden's foremost dance venue.
Barnhusgatan 14
Tel: (08) 5089 9090.
Website: www.dansenshus.se
Moderna Dansteatern
This venue hosts more impromptu, innovative performances.
103 Slupskjulsvägen, Skeppsholmen
Tel: (08) 611 3233.
Website: www.modernadansteatern.se
Royal Swedish Opera
The Royal Swedish Ballet, founded in 1773, is one of the oldest companies in the world. It is based at the Royal Swedish Opera.
Strömgatan
Tel: (08) 791 4400.
Website: www.operan.se
Stockholm Tours
Walking Tours
Summer walking tours are offered by City Sightseeing. The ‘Old Town Walkabout' (a guided stroll through the medieval core of the city) lasts 60 minutes, departing from Gustav Adolfs Torg twice a day at 1130 and 1330 between late June-late August.
Tel: (08) 1200 4000.
Website: www.citysightseeing.com
Bus Tours
City Sightseeing offers a variety of bus tours departing from the Royal Opera House. The ‘Stockholm in a Nutshell' tour (combining a 90-minute bus tour around the city center and a one-hour boat cruise to Djurgården) is one of the most popular.
Tel: (08) 1200 4000.
Website: www.citysightseeing.com
Boat Tours
A waterborne tour is as essential for visitors to Stockholm as it is for visitors to Venice. The Stockholm Card gives free boat tours on certain services during the summer. Strömma Canal Company and Stockholm Sightseeing both run various boat tours of the city, with departure points from quays near the Royal Dramatic Theater, the Grand Hôtel and City Hall. Boat tours of the major waterside sights take approximately two hours. Several one-hour boat tours are also offered.
Strömma Canal Company
Tel: (08) 1200 4000.
Website: www.strommakanalbolaget.com
Stockholm Sightseeing
Tel: (08) 5871 4020.
Website: www.stockholmsightseeing.com
