There’s plenty to love about Stockholm.
Stockholm is one of the most exciting cities in the world and we love it. It’s the largest archipelago in Sweden – a beautiful collection of tiny islands that make one amazing city. We do things differently, here in Stockholm, from alcohol laws to cycle lanes and beautiful metro stations. Everywhere you go in Stockholm there is something amazing to experience.
1. Stockholm hosts the Nobel Prize ceremony
Since 1901, Stockholm has played host to the most prestigious awards ceremony in the world. The prizes are awarded for contributions to humankind, in the categories of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace. Moreover, there is no prize that bestows more honour on the recipient than the highly respected Nobel Prize. Accordingly, last year the organisers illuminated Stockholm’s buildings in honour of this amazing event.
Also read: The Stunning Nobel Week Lights Will Be Back This Winter
2. The Northern Lights can be seen from the city
Seeing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis is on a lot of people’s bucket lists. However, Stockholmers don’t even need to leave the city to see it. It’s not easy to catch but seeing the Northern Lights dance in the city’s skies is one of life’s great joys. There aren’t many cities from which the Aurora Borealis can be seen, that’s for sure.
3. It’s one of the world’s bicycle capitals
In Stockholm city alone, 150,000 people daily use bicycles to commute. There’s 800km of cycle paths in Stockholm, and this is brilliant for peoples’ health and for the environment. Sweden is an excellent example to cities that have not yet fully embraced the carbon-free way of getting around. It’s something that the city should be very proud of.
4. Sweden’s approach to alcohol is radical
To Swedes, Sweden’s laws around buying alcohol may not seem so radical, but they are incredibly different from those of other European countries. For example, in Stockholm supermarkets sell only low-alcohol products. Subsequently, the only way to buy drinks with higher alcohol content is to visit a systembolaget and the opening hours of these places are very brief. To buy alcohol in a systembolage one has to be over 20 years old, which contrasts with other European countries where any kind of booze can be bought from 18.
5. Stockholm’s metro stations are stunning
Out of the 100 metro stations in Stockholm, 90 are decorated with amazing artwork, carved, sculpted, and painted for the weary eyes of commuters. Nowhere else in the world is there anything quite like the stunning stations in Stockholm’s metro. It’s enough to make city-dwellers everywhere insanely jealous.
Read more: Stockholm’s Colourful Metro Stations Are Incredibly Beautiful