Ask a Stockholmer where they are from, and they will most probably say the name of their closest subway station. Being a city practically on water, it is best getting around its many narrow streets and alleys on public transport. Furthermore, the subway stations separate the different parts of the city.


Stockholm is a city of many beautiful faces and each area of town is distinctive. Centralen, for example, is a typical downtown area with traffic jams and bustling crowds. This is the part known as the City or Norrmalm. From here you can choose to walk alongside the water to Djurgården, a lovely island ideal for walks and picnics, and visit Skansen or Gröna Lund. Why not stroll through Östermalm? This is the most elegant part of town where some of the city's most impressive buildings are found (Östermalms Saluhall should not be missed!). Go through Kungsträdgården (The King's Garden) and walk over the bridge to cosy, little Skeppsholmen, popping into Moderna Museet or Skeppsholmen's church. You could take one of the ferries out to the magical archipelago and you will still be, geographically at least, within the borders of Stockholm. Of course, you could also take the subway a couple of stations and spot modern, daring architecture (The City Library at Rådmansgatan subway station and the new Cultural Centre at T-Centralen) or see the little red cottages. Whilst strolling around Mosebacke or Fjällgatan (subway station Slussen) you will still be in the same lovely city—Stockholm, the country's capital, and the Venice of the North.


The other side of town, Södermalm, is also worth seeing. In the late 1800s this was the home of Stockholm's working class. Returning home from a long, hard day by the ships the workers used to stop for a drink at the local taverns. This image of Södermalm as the home of the bohemian workers, of genuine pub culture and socializing has been preserved; more cafés, galleries and pubs are found here than in any other part of town. A lot of small, funky stores featuring local artists' and designers' works are also to be found in this area, as well as at the summer Mynttorget street-festivals. At Vita Bergen (subway station Skanstull) performances in theatre and song can be enjoyed. It is here, at Södermalm, where you will experience a living, creative, urban Stockholm.


And if Södermalm is cultural Stockholm, Gamla Stan (the Old Town) is genuine Stockholm. It is still the city's pride and joy. Cobbled streets and narrow, 17th-century alleys (the smallest one being just over 26 inches wide!) create a unique atmosphere. Don't forget to look up at the impressive old church, Storkyrkan. The area's old houses all feature ambitious decor and ornaments. If you turned back the clock by about 700 years this is what all of Stockholm would look like.


A lot has happened since, an example being the construction of the Royal Castle. Unfortunately, members of the royal family no longer live here; Drottningholm is now their home. Stroll through the lovely gardens, admire the water and appreciate the history of Stockholm, the country's diverse capital.