Stockholm is Sweden's capital, largest and most important city.
Located on a dozen islands where Lake Mälaren connects to
the Baltic Sea, Stockholm has its roots in the Viking Age, around 1000 AD.
In the late Middle Ages its old townGamla Stan became an important member of the Hanseatic League that dominated Northern European trade.
After the defeat of the
Swedish Empire in the Great Northern War (1721) Stockholm's influence faded. But by the end of the 19th century it was thriving again
and that has continued into the present time.
Today Stockholm is a global city with major universities, a large financial
center and a booming IT and hightech sector.
There are no polluting industrial plants so the air is so much clearer
than in other cities.
Points of interest are the Old Town with the Royal Palace, the Vasa Museum, Gröna Lund amusement park
and the Skyview at the Ericsson Globe building.
A boattour is the best way to see the city, and if you have time book a full
day Canal Tour to Sandhamn island.