Gamla Stan – The Magnificent Old Town Of Stockholm

Gamla Stan is the number one tourist attraction of Stockholm. The narrow, medieval streets and monumental buildings create a unique and irresistible atmosphere.

Gamla Stan is Swedish for the old town, but it is not the oldest part of the city. Stockholm history began around 1250 at the island of Helgeandsholmen, now the location of the parliamentary buildings.

However, it didn’t take long before the neighboring islands of Stadsholmen (or Staden) and Riddarholmen were inhabited.

The largest island Stadsholmen became Gamla Stan.

It is now very touristy. But for centuries this island was the main political, cultural, commercial and working centre of the city.

At the north eastern end of the island the king had his residence in Tre Kronor castle which was replaced by Kungliga Slottet.

Next to the royal palace you’ll find Storkyrkan, the Great Church where the monarchs were crowned. The building is in use since the 14th Century, but was altered several times since. The interior, with the Gothic sculpture of Saint George and the Dragon, is a beauty.

There is a copy of this statue at Köpmantorget, just a few blocks away.

Around the corner of Storkyrkan lies Stortorget, the main square. In 1520 the Stockholm blodbad took place here, when eighty noblemen were beheaded. The massacre was ordered by the Danish king.

Stortorget with its colorful houses attracts tourists like a magnet. But also businessmen used to come here: the building of the Swedish stock exchange, now home to the Nobel Museum, was located here.

If you don't want to miss a thing when you're in the Old Town, you should consider joining a guided tour that takes you to places where other tourists normally don't come.

Fans of horror, history and mystery can join the nightly Ghost Walk and Historical Tour. Your expert guide will tell you all about local legends and myths, and show you the places that bring these tales back to life. A special experience, I guarantee.

The second big church in the Old Town is Tyska Kyrkan, the German Church that used to belong to German merchants.

More to the west you will find Riddarhuset, the Baroque 'House of Nobles' from the 17th Century. Worth a visit, if you are interested in nobility.

You will also find a good number of attractive hotels in Gamla Stan. It's one of the most romantic areas to stay when you are in Stockholm.

The long Västerlånggatan is the central shopping street of Gamla Stan.

Most shops sell antique and souvenirs at often extravagant prices. There are also several restaurants here.

Think away the tourists and souvenirs, and it seems Västerlånggatan looks like it’s from the Middle-Ages.

This is not 100 percent true. The road map hasn’t changed for ages, so the narrow alleys (sometimes not even wide enough for two people) are indeed medieval, but most buildings are younger.

The original houses were made of wood. They burnt down, were built up again, burnt down once more, and were eventually replaced by brick constructions.

Most of the current buildings date back from the 18th and 19th Century.

Want to get an impression? Watch this video of the old town!

Large parts of this Stockholm island are for pedestrians only, and it is indeed by foot you will enjoy it the most.

Tip: go there in the evening and enjoy the illuminated alleys and houses. Yes, fairy-tales do exist. One of them is called Gamla Stan.