Stockholm Walking Tour 1

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Starting at Stureplan (the square on the corner of Kungsgatan and Sturegatan), cross the street and head west down Kungsgatan. Cross Sveavägan, staying on Kungsgatan, walking past the big blue Konserthuset (Concert House) until you reach Hötorget Square. Take time to peruse this outdoor market, grab something to eat, and find a spot on the stairs outside Konserthuset like a true local. Then head back down Kungsgatan for one more block and turn left (south) onto Drottninggatan.

Drottninggatan, running about a mile long, is central Stockholm’s main shopping street. As you make your way down Drottninggatan, you will come upon Sergels Torg. Sergels Torg, finished in 1960, became central Stockholm’s main square. It has two levels. At the top level, cars meet at a busy traffic junction, marked by a glass obelisk that was erected in 1972. Down the steps is a pedestrian area with an underground shopping centre. Dozens of street performers and musicians entertain the crowd during the Summer. At Sergels Torg you will also find the huge Kulturhuset (house of culture). This five-story building houses art exhibitions, Stadsteatern (the city theatre), a few smaller stages for all kinds of performances, a library, shops and a café.

Continue down Drottninggatan until you reach Sveriges riksdag (The Swedish Parliament building). You will know you’ve reached it once you’ve crossed the bridge that places you in front of an stone archway. At this point Drottninggatan becomes Riksgatan. Walk through this archway, and you’re now next to the Royal Palace. Turn right (east) onto Slottskajen, which runs alongside the palace. Take Slottskajen to Strömbrom a bridge that will place you across the street from Kungsträdgården. A short easy detour from this route is to make a right Norrbro (north bridge) and that will take you to the Medieval Museum. You can back track back to Slottskajen.

Kungsträdgården, a formal royal garden, provides a nice place to relax and meander through. Continue north, and you will end up on Hamngatan. Go right (east) on Hamngatan until you reach the intersecting Birger Jarlsgatan where you will find Kungliga Dramatiska Teater (The Royal Dramatic Theatre) on the corner. Make a left (north) on Birger Jarlsgatan, and it will lead you back to Stureplan; exactly where you started.