With 50 percent of Stockholm either water or green space, you're welcome to relax and enjoy overwhelming views of sites such as the Baltic Sea and natural scenery as well as museums, parks and shopping malls. For people who like to experience a different definition of beauty, I advise them to visit Skytteholm. It is one hour from Stockholm center, and you can leave everything behind and just enjoy nature. But you'll have to save at least one week in Stockholm to experience all its attractions, such as its museums. Skansen Open-Air Museum in Stockholm is an open air museum and park where traditional buildings, huts and animals are set among gardens in historic settings. Guides in traditional clothes will guide visitors to different parts of the museum, such as a pottery section where you can see people making mugs, bowls and other stoneware pieces, and a glasswork section where you can buy different colored glass products. You can also have lunch at one of the restaurants and indulge yourself in one or two scoops of ice cream, which I strongly recommend. Also, if you like adventure, you can visit the amazing funland situated very close to Skansen. The Vasa Museum features a warship (called Vasa) made in the year 1628 for the war against Poland, but unfortunately, it sank in Stockholm harbor after sailing only 1300 meters. Efforts were made to salvage the ship, but it wasn't until 1961 that the final lift to bring the ship to the surface took place. The Vasa Museum was then constructed in 1987 and officially opened in 1990. The ship is made with 90 percent of its original wood, and a new climate system stabilizes temperature and humidity to preserve it. The best ways to navigate Stockholm are the metro and bus systems, unless you have to cross the sea, in which case you'll be in for a very interesting cruise. People who have passion for science have a great opportunity in Stockholm to visit the Nobel Museum. In a contemporary and interesting way, Alfred Nobel's work, books and last will are displayed along with information about laureates from different fields. It also contains a small library for children and a café with chairs signed by famous figures who visited the museum. Shopping malls in the center of the city are the best way to get all you need without wasting much time, but be aware that shops usually close at about 6 pm. Another interesting experience is roaming around the Swedish Parliament building and taking a tour with a professional guide into different meeting halls. By the end of the tour, you'll have a good background about the parliament and the political system in Sweden. In order to get the most of your visit, you should get a map and plan to visit a number of attractions in the same visit. For example, you can visit the Skansen Open-Air Museum, the Vasa Museum and the funland in the same day. Food in Stockholm is a collection of different cuisines with special fish and shrimp dishes; however, the city also offers a variety of desserts. It is important to know that currency accepted in Stockholm is the Swedish korona and not the euro. You probably will not face problems with language as English is widely understood in Stockholm. Walking through the old city is a must-do in Stockholm, where you can see very old stone buildings, churches and the Royal Castle. You can also find a nice collection of souvenirs in the shops.
