Between blue water and bluer skies

Made up of 14 islands, Stockholm is the most populous city of Sweden, and the number one destination in the country. The city has more than 50 bridges and 30 per percent of the area is composed by waterways. The air quality of Stockholm is the third best of European capitals, and a huge area of the city is covered by woods and green areas.The oldest attraction in Sweden's capital is the Gamla Stan, one of the largest and best preserved mediaeval city centres in the continent.

The centre is a mix of old and modern, with cobblestone streets and cafes and shops all around. Many churches are there in Gamla Stan, including the Sweden's national cathedral. Other important buildings like the Nobel Museum and the Royal Palace are also placed there. The centre is, among all, the best place to buy handicrafts and souvenirs.

Located very close to Gamla Stan, the Fotografiska is one of the most important photographic galleries in the world, having four large exhibitions and other twenty smaller exhibitions every year. The gallery is hosted in an Art Nouveau building dating from 1906, having facilities such academy, bistro, bar, museum shop, gallery, and event spaces. On the top floor, the breathtaking view of Stockholm will make the visit complete. Fotografiska is open from 9am, and they charge SEK 120 for the entrance.

Also close to these two places, the Vasa Museum displays the only preserved seventeenth century ship in the world. The ship is fully decorated with carved sculptures and has 69 meters length, having more that 95% of its original structure. The Vasa sank in 1628 and salvaged in 1961, being through a slow process of restorage. Nowadays, the Vasa Museum is the most visited in Scandinavia, receiving more than a million visitors a year. The museum is open from 8:30am until 6pm.

Maybe one of the most incredible things to do in Stockholm is to swim. The city is known for its numerous beaches, with amazingly clean waters, even though they are dark. Swimming is the most loved activity by the locals, and I think it will be fun for you to join them. The most attended spots are the Smedsuddsbadet, Ralambshovsparken and Langholmens bad beaches. The pearl of Scandinavia, Stockholm, will be an experience hard to find in anywhere else in the world.