Stockholm/Gamla stan

Gamla stan pronounced gamlaˈstɑːn, the Old Town, also known as Staden mellan broarna ("the town between the bridges") is the Old Town in Stockholm, containing genuine cultural heritage, as well as tourist traps. The district is made up by the main island Stadsholmen, with the smaller islands Helgeandsholmen with the Swedish Parliament and Riddarholmen with several nobility palaces, today occupied by various government functions.



Understand
Since the Ice Age, the land has been rising through post-glacial rebound, at about half a metre per century. What is today Lake Mälaren, was part of the brackish Baltic Sea until AD 1000; in these times, Birka, Sigtuna and Uppsala were the most important settlements in Svealand; all being located at the Mälaren shore.

As Sigtuna was sacked in 1187, a fortress was built on the island to protect Mälaren from pirates. While most of the first houses were built of wood, and destroyed by fire through the years, some masonry basements remain from the Middle Ages. The first Royal Palace, Tre Kronor, burnt down in 1697.

In the mid-19th century, most buildings in central island had fallen into decay, and total redevelopment was considered. However, most buildings were restored instead, transforming the island from a slum to a high-class neighbourhood. Today, Gamla stan has 7,000 inhabitants and is full of restaurants of different Swedish styles, art galleries, craft and antiquity shops and souvenir shops.



Get in
Gamla stan is connected to Norrmalm by four walkable bridges, all of which provide picturesque views and nice photo opportunities. From east to west those are Strömbron, Norrbro, Riksbron and Vasabron.

Södermalm is only connected to the Gamla stan via the Slussen, a transit node built over the water lock between the Baltic Sea and the Lake Mälaren. It is under renovation until 2025, with detours and blocked views. While pedestrians, bicycles, cars and buses can pass through, it gets congested around rush hours.

By tunnelbana
The Tunnelbana station Gamla stan is the only one within the district, and is located at the southeast edge of it. All trains of the red (13, 14) and green (17, 18, 19) lines stop at Gamla stan.

Alternatively, you can alight at the Central Station or at Slussen on the Södermalm side and take a bus or simply walk to the Gamla stan over one of the bridges.

By bus
These are the following bus stops in Gamla stan:
 * On Munkbroleden at the western waterfront (buses 3 and 53 stop there):
 * Riddarhustorget at the bridge to Riddarholmen
 * Mälartorget at the Gamla stan T-bana station
 * Kornhamnstorg at the namesake square in the south of Gamla stan
 * On Skeppsbron along the eastern waterfront (all other buses going to Gamla stan stop there):
 * Slottsbacken by the Royal Palace
 * Räntmästartrappan at the Slussen quays

''Nota bene: It appears on the network plans provided by the SL that bus 59 goes through Gamla stan along with 3 and 53. In reality, the 59 passes by Gamla stan using Centralbron (a highway bridge) and does not stop in Gamla stan at all.''

Get around
Cars are banned in inner Gamla stan. As in most historical districts, people with motion disabilities might have difficulties getting around, though many basement establishments have wheelchair lifts. Bicycles are good for the waterfront roads, but they could be difficult to bring inside the alleyways. Good walking shoes are essential, as the cobblestone streets are unevenly paved, and there are little to no soft surfaces.



Walking tours in Gamla stan:
 * Stockholm Main Street: includes Stora Nygatan
 * Stockholm history tour: a historical showcase from the Vikings to the Nobel Prize
 * Stockholm quay palace tour: A showcase of the city's finest architecture
 * Haunted Stockholm tour: the old town's ghost stories

There are many guided walking tours advertised for purchase on the internet. Most such walking tours do not include entry into the places of interest that they cover (whether entry is free or not).

See







 * The Royal Guards, Högvakten, used to consist of conscripts. Today, all Swedish soldiers are professional. A ceremonial changing of the guard occurs at the Royal Palace every day from 23rd April to 31st August at 12.15PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and 1.15PM on Sundays and public holidays, with the Mounted Guards arriving from Östermalm.
 * The Royal Guards, Högvakten, used to consist of conscripts. Today, all Swedish soldiers are professional. A ceremonial changing of the guard occurs at the Royal Palace every day from 23rd April to 31st August at 12.15PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and 1.15PM on Sundays and public holidays, with the Mounted Guards arriving from Östermalm.







Buy
Gamla stan has plenty of small stores selling souvenirs, art, handicraft and other items mainly geared towards tourists. Although there are a number of tourist traps with tacky, grossly overpriced merchandise, especially on Västerlånggatan, you can also find nice and interesting stuff. If you want a calmer experience, try Österlånggatan or any of the other streets.



Eat
Many of Gamla stan's restaurants are high-end, and those around Stortorget can be a bit overpriced. The least costly eating options are the fast food places.



Drink
Drinks in Gamla stan are quite expensive - expect to pay around 60 kr for a 500 ml lager in a cheap pub, rising to 95 kr for a microbrew beer in a nice pub. If you like to drink a lot, it's worth heading further afield, and avoiding the tourist bars.



Budget
The Old Town contains several low-cost hostels. As the beds are in high demand, especially during summer, advance booking is strongly recommended.



Mid-range
The Collector's Hotels (+46 8 506 400 50) are a chain of three hotels themed for Lord Nelson. (That's forgiving of them, since he blockaded the Baltic and bombarded Copenhagen.) They're close together in Gamla stan and all booked through the central website.







Stay safe
Beware of pickpocketing and illegal street gambling, especially around Västerlånggatan.