According to Indexdotcom, Stockholm is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. It is spread over 14 islands of Lake Mälaren. Stockholm appeared in the first historical sources as early as 1252, and starting from the 13th century, it became the residence of the Swedish kings and the capital of a large country at that time. The old town lies entirely on one island – Stadsholmen. There is no motor transport here, and this part of the city can be considered a real museum. The main attractions of this area are the Royal Palace, built in 1754 with the royal chapel and the museum of Gustav III and the Palace Church. In addition, such old buildings as the Mint and the Armory are also interesting, which can be considered symbols of Swedish architecture. In the neighborhood is the island of Riddarholmen, which means “Knight’s Island”. There are several unique palaces on it – the Wrangel Palace, which currently houses the Swedish Court of Appeal and the Bunde Palace, which now serves as the building of the Supreme Court. You should definitely visit the Riddarholm Church, which for a long time served as the burial place of Swedish kings and famous political figures. Now the building of the church houses a surprisingly beautiful museum. City Center – Norrmalm is the center of business life in Sweden, a cluster of modern shops, restaurants and government offices. It also has its own interesting places: Kungstredgorden Park, the building in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Opera House are now located. The beautiful pedestrian street Drottningtatan is ideal for walking. To feel the atmosphere of medieval Sweden, you can go to the small medieval town of Visby, which is located on the island of Gotland, considered the capital of the ancient Goths. The old city wall stretches along the perimeter of the city, and on its territory there are many medieval buildings. The whole territory of Visby is riddled with narrow streets paved with stones, and low stone and wooden houses stretch along these streets. The city has a history of more than 5000 years. Once it was a major trading post of the Vikings, and by the end of the 13th century it became the most important city of the Hanseatic League. Malmö is one of the largest cities in Sweden. It is the northernmost city in the province of Skåne. For many years, its old part has not changed much, the atmosphere that has been preserved here seems to take you back many years. Undoubtedly Malmö’s most famous attraction is the oldest Renaissance city castle in all of Scandinavia – Malmöhus. The castle was built in the 15th century and served as a prison and fortress for a long time, many Danish kings who visited Malmö stayed here. Today there are several museums inside and around the castle. Very often the city is called the “city of parks” after visiting here, you will understand why Malmö got such a nickname. At every step, even in the city center, numerous parks are scattered like oases. Here you can have a great rest, watch stage performances and listen to music. Various music festivals are held here in summer. The second largest city in Sweden is Gothenburg. The territory of the city was inhabited by people several thousand years ago. It can be compared with San Francisco, there are also many bridges, water, fish restaurants. The city is literally full of museums. The Museum of Art houses the work of many masters, ranging from such famous artists as Rembrandt and Rubens to the works of artists of the 20th century. The home of the East India Company houses the largest Historical Museum in the country. The museum exhibits exhibits that tell about the long history of Gothenburg and the Viking ship. The main street of the city – Avenue will certainly be the best place for a walk. Endless shops, restaurants and entertainment centers stretch along it, and in the western part of the street there are many art galleries and shops specializing in the sale of art objects. The largest island in Sweden, Gotland, is located in the Baltic Sea. Once upon a time, this elevated place was the most important trading center, and later the base of the Hanseatic League.
National cuisine of Sweden
The natural conditions of Sweden and the Scandinavian peoples living here since ancient times left their mark on Swedish cuisine. Of great importance for the Swedes have always been those products that could endure the winter well: pickles, smoked meats, marinades, and the harsh climate forced them to use a large amount of fat and sugar. During frying, lard is often used here. The amount of spices in dishes is minimal. National dishes, as a rule, are simple and monotonous, but very satisfying. Sweden is a Scandinavian country, so the number of fish dishes here is simply huge. Any feast must necessarily begin with fish snacks, most often it is salted herring with various sauces. In addition to fish, crustaceans and fish caviar are very popular. Meat dishes are mainly prepared from pork, venison or game.
Visa to Sweden
Having issued a Schengen visa, you will receive the right to enter Sweden. When traveling with a child, it is necessary to submit a copy and original of the birth certificate along with the standard set of documents. If the child is not entered in the parent’s passport, then a separate questionnaire is opened for him. If the child is over 6 years old and is included in the passport of one of the parents, a separate photograph must be pasted onto it. If the child is over 14 years old, then he must have his own passport. You can apply for a visa either in person or through an authorized person and travel agency, which must be accredited by the Consulate General of Sweden or the embassy. Short-term visas are available for up to 90 days, and the length of stay in the country is limited to the duration of the hotel reservation. Most often, the submitted application is considered within 7 working days, but if it is necessary to verify some data, the consideration period can be extended to several months. You can also use the service of urgent visa processing, in this case, the period will be only three days, but the consular fee will be twice as much.
