Festive Stockholm
With its array of Christmas markets, a weekend in Sweden’s capital city is ideal for mixing shopping, culture and some candlelit romance.
Built on 14 islands, Stockholm is a stunning city. While the long, sunlit days of summer may show off its charms to the full, in December the Christmas markets imbue the city with a different kind of enchantment. It may be mid-winter and the daylight hours few, but Stockholm’s clever lighting, reflected on the water, creates a magical atmosphere.
There’s a wonderfully warm and friendly air in the narrow, cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan, the medieval Old Town where candles glow in cosy cafés and temptation lies in shop windows bright with colour. Exploring its winding backstreets brings many rewards.
This little island is home to the Royal Palace, some interesting old churches and Stortorget, the main square that’s lined with tall, gabled houses and is the setting for an Advent market. Here you can buy festive crafts and Advent candles displayed in small wooden huts and drink Glögg, a potent mulled wine flavoured with spices, almonds and raisins.
The most traditional of all Stockholm’s markets is at the open-air museum Skansen, held on three weekends before Christmas. Here the dark interior of the apothecary’s shop is lit by a roaring fire and candlelight; the baker is busy baking saffron cakes in his steam-filled kitchen. In the barn are straw donkeys and marzipan pigs; out in the square, costumed stallholders sell bright tree decorations, while gingerbread hearts and wooden toys tempt amid myriad food stalls. The smell of spiced wine scents the air and folk musicians play Swedish Christmas songs.
Small shops and fine department stores make gift buying easy, but Stockholm isn’t all shopping. This city has museums for every interest, with the Vasa and the National museums being essential viewing. And the City Hall is a revelation. The food is good, the restaurant service attentive and charming, and while alcohol puts up costs considerably at least the measures are bigger than ours!
Dates To Remember
December 10
The great and the good descend on the city for the presentation of Nobel Prizes in the Stockholm Concert Hall and a glittering banquet at the City Hall in the evening.
December 13
The feast of St Lucia celebrates light in the darkness of winter. Blonde girls wearing white dresses and a crown of lighted candles arrive at offices bearing freshly-baked, saffron-flavoured Lucia buns, dispensing cheer on what is considered the shortest day of the year.
Useful links
Drottningholm Palace at Christmas
Gamla Stan at Christmas
Stockholm Tourist Office
Added 2008/07/29 @ 15:14:38
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