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Stockholm, Sweden City Guide

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Stockholm Meeting Planning

Djurgĺrden Skyline

Boasting endless natural beauty in a clean, compact and convenient city package, it's no surprise that Stockholm is the city of choice for business and leisure travelers alike. In fact, in addition to the more than one million visitors who travel to the city annually, Stockholm holds a steady presence on the International Congress & Convention Association's city rankings for international meetings. Dazzling style, innovative venues, grand palaces and glistening waterways are just a few of the reasons Stockholm ranked number 8 on ICCA's 2008 list.

Situated in the heart of Scandinavia, Stockholm is a natural meeting point for travelers. Easily accessible from points around the globe, Stockholm-Arlanda Airport is just 20 minutes from downtown and offers nearly 500 international direct flights. In addition to air travel, Stockholm has a comprehensive rail network including high-speed trains that travel to all major Swedish cities and beyond. Stockholm is also a popular port of call for cruise ships and car ferries, which make for easy links between the city and major Central European destinations.

Once in Stockholm, visitors can take advantage of the clean, safe and extensive transportation system, just one of the many ways the city helps the environment. At the forefront amongst European cities when it comes to going green, the city's many progressive environmental initiatives both improve the quality of life of its citizens and reduce its negative impact on the global environment. Stockholm is considered to have one of the cleanest environments among the capitals in Europe. In fact, it was awarded the title of first European Green Capital 2010 by the European Commission.

Ericsson Globe

When it comes to hosting a meeting in Stockholm, planners have their pick of more than 400 venues. Topping the list are the Stockholm Globe Arenas. The leading convention destinations in Sweden, the Stockholm Globe Arenas encompass three unique and multifunctional structures capable of hosting any size of event. Included in the trio of structures is the astounding Ericsson Globe. This towering structure is the world's largest spherical building – an unparalleled backdrop for conferences and events of up to 16,000 people.

Beyond the Stockholm Globe Arenas, planners find plenty of space at one the largest conference centers in Europe: the Stockholm Exhibition & Congress Center. Capable of accommodating up to 25,000 delegates, the Stockholm Exhibition & Congress Center is equipped with the latest in cutting edge technology, catering facilities and seven restaurants to meet the needs of the most complex of conferences.

Nordic Museum

Meeting planners looking beyond the traditional will have no trouble finding a vast array of unique venues dotted throughout the city. Host a meeting beneath the beak head of a 17th century ship at the Vasa Museum. Or, meet in one of the most majestic halls in Sweden at the Nordic Museum. From a feast at a grand palace to a dinner cruise out to the archipelago, Stockholm is brimming with ways to make meetings memorable.

Stockholm is home to one of Europe's most prominent biotech industries and boasts the biggest financial market in Scandinavia. It is also known as one of the most technologically advanced capitals in the world with world-class infrastructure for mobile- and land-based sound, image and data communications. In addition, prestigious colleges and universities such as the Institute of Technology, the Stockholm School of Economics, the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University, IT University at Kista, and the Södertörns högskola University College call the city home.

Key Statistics

About Stockholm / Additional Info

Swedish Parliament Building

As Sweden's largest city and its capital, Stockholm spans 377 square kilometers along the shores of the Baltic Sea. Home to the national Swedish government, parliament, and the official residence of the Swedish Monarch, Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with over 800,000 people in the city proper and nearly two million residents in the metropolitan area. Built upon 14 islands on Sweden's southeastern coast, Stockholm has long been the cultural, political and economic hub of the country, even from its early days as a Baltic trading hub.

Visitors can discover Stockholm's rich history around every corner. Along the narrow streets of Gamla Stan, or "Old Town," visitors journey back 750 years. Located on the original small islands of the city's earliest settlements, Gamla Stan boasts the large German Church Tyskakyrkan along with mansions and palaces such as the House of Lords, the Bonde Palace, the Tessin Palace and the Oxenstierna Palace. Here, visitors can also check out the oldest building in Stockholm: the 13th century Riddarholmen Church.

Stockholm Nationalmuseum

Also in Gamla Stan is one of Europe's largest palaces. Stockholm's Italian Baroque-style Royal Palace is the King's official residence and the setting for most of the monarchy's official receptions. Here, guests can tour the opulent reception rooms, see Queen Kristina's silver throne and more. The palace is also home to the Armory, Royal Stable and museums such as Gustav III's Museum of Antiquities. Also popular is the Royal Changing of the Guard, which has been stationed at the Royal Palace since 1523.

Stockholm's past is also brought to life at the over 75 museums, 100 art galleries and 60 theaters and music stages that fill the streets. Visitors can enjoy Sweden's largest collection of art at the Nationalmuseum, home to 16,000 paintings and 30,000 objects of arts and crafts that date back to the 16th century. Meanwhile, the Moderna Museet features modern art masterpieces by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Not to be missed, Stockholm's famous Vasa Museum takes visitors on board the only remaining intact 17th century vessel in the world.

Södermalm

Stockholm's urbane sophistication can also be found on the streets of the many trendy shopping and entertainment districts scattered throughout the city. Visitors can take a relaxing stroll over to the island known as Södermalm, where they are met by an eclectic array of contemporary boutiques, vintage shops and interior décor. Meanwhile, the area south of Folkungagatan, known as SoFo, leans more toward the unusual and unexpected in bohemian fashions. For high-end goods, exclusive labels and upscale eateries, Östermalm is the place to be with flagship stores such as Armani.

Those wanting a break from the city will find that Stockholm has plenty of sanctuaries for urban escapees. One third water, one third green belt and one third city, Stockholm is a colorful tapestry of natural wonders spread among over 1,000 parks. Take a short stroll over to the island of Djurgĺrden to relax in the world's first National Park. Or, go island hopping amidst the scenic beauty of Stockholm's famous archipelago, made up of more than 24,000 islands, islets and skerries.

When the sun sets over Stockholm, the city transforms. With more than 700 restaurants to choose from, Stockholm dishes out something for everyone. From traditional items such as Swedish meatballs with lingonberries at Den Gyldene Freden restaurant to innovative barbecue at Grill, the dining options in Stockholm truly span all styles. The city is also home to nine Michelin star restaurants, including Lux Stockholm, F12 and Frantzén/Lindeberg. Just like the city itself, Stockholm's restaurants serve up the perfect blend of flavors to please all tastes.