Visiting Stockholm in the spring - written by Robb Stark

Stockholm - or the capital of Scandinavia as the Swedish tourist board has so boldly put it in the last few years - is a wonderful city to visit during spring time. Because Sweden experiences such poor weather for the larger part of the year, the arrival of spring makes the whole country wake up from its winter hibernation.

Stockholm in particular completely transforms as soon as the sun starts warming the air and streets. The weather can never be trusted, however, some years it does not get adequately warm until middle or late May so you really have to check out the weather forecast before your visit. Assuming the temperature is what it should be; Stockholm and its people experience a transformation from grey, wet and dark to happy, sunny and warm. People look and feel happier in general and the streets fill up with tables and chairs where they can enjoy a bite to eat outside for the first time in over seven months.

Stockholm's major airport is called Stockholm Arlanda and is located about forty kilometers from Stockholm city. Getting to and from the airport is done either by bus, taxi or the express train, of which the latter comes highly recommended. Although it is a bit more expensive than the bus it is still cheaper than taking a taxi and only takes twenty minutes to get to the Stockholm City Terminal. From here you can easily access the subway to get where you are going.

Stockholm is built on several islands dividing the different town districts. Because of this Stockholm offers the viewer many different places for walks with spectacular views of the city.

The southern Stockholm district is called Sodermalm and is separated from the northern districts - Norrmalm - by a rather large inlet called Riddarfjarden. A walk along the northern shoreline of Sodermalm will give you a wonderful view of the city as it is largely situated on a tall rocky hill. From here you will be able to see the whole of northern Stockholm with its many church towers and old buildings.

The Old Town district - dating back over a thousand years - is located right in between Sodermalm and Norrmalm and is the place where the first settlers started building Stockholm. The streets are all made of cobble stone and the old buildings really adds to the old-style atmosphere. You can almost smell the history. Stockholm Old Town is also where the royal castle is located. The King and Queen of Sweden do not actually live here anymore but because of tradition the Swedish royal guard is still posted twenty four seven around the castle. If you happen to be in the court yard at three in the afternoon on a Sunday you will be able to see the change of the guard.

The island of Djurgarden - the Animal garden - is a green area which is used for recreation by many people in Stockholm. There are excellent trails here along the water along with an amusement park and a great many grassy meadows in which you can have a picnic or just lay around and watch the people.