Hi fellow local guides!
Here are some tips how to spend a rainy or snowy day in in the Swedish capital - without spending a single Krona.
There are a lot of free museums in the city, let’s start with the Hallwyl Museum (Hallwylska Museet, http://hallwylskamuseet.se/en ) - the former home of Count and Countess Walther and Wilhelmina von Hallwyl, one of Stockholm’s richest citizens. The extremely decorated interiors offer a glimpse into the life and the collections of the noble family. The 19th century house combined historic styles with modern technologies, and was donated to the Swedish state by its owners - together with the rich china and porcelain collection.
Just a few steps along the shore stands the National Museum (Nationalmuseum https://www.nationalmuseum.se/ ), that was just recently reconstructed. The collection shows Swedish arts and everyday life from the 16th century up to today. One thing I really appreciated is how the museum shows even the humble objects of everyday life alongside the gold framed paintings. The interiors are also worth a visit by themselves, and after the reconstruction all the spaces are refurbished with contemporary Scandinavian design furnitures.
Continuing the museum walk, let’s go the island of Skeppsholmen, where the double institute of the Moderna Museet (Modern Art Museum, https://www.modernamuseet.se ) and the ArkDes (Architecture and Design Museum, http://www.arkdes.se/ ) invites for an inspiring visit. Although some temporary exhibitions might have entry fees, the permanent collections are both free to visit in both places. The Moderna Museet has a well organized collection of modern and post-war art (1900’s to today), while ArkDes exhibits large architectural models showcasing the history of architecture. The large metal exhibition box houses temporary design shows.
…and not to forget: the restaurant of the museums offer wonderful views on the river and Djurgården island, with the Wasa Museum on the opposite side - besides a nicely priced and tasty buffet lunch.
After the museums it is also worth to take a ride on the metro (Tunnelbana). (I know it’s not for free, but I one must travel inside the city somehow anyway, not?) Some of the stations on the blue and the green lines are really interesting ones, carved out of the rock and painted, sculpted in various ways. Kungsträdgården close to the Nationalmuseum is one of them with its colorful fairytale-ish decoration, but Rådhuset, T-Centralen, or Tekniska Högskolan stations are also lovely painted.
My favourite installation though were the fluorescent light tubes called life-line at Odenplan citybanan station.
And finally, if we already made it Odenplan, it’s not far from the famous City Library building by architect Gunnar Asplund. It is an astonishing feeling to stand in the middle of the huge cylindrical space, surrounded from all directions by books.
And all those experiences are there to take without the obligation to spend money for it. Thank you Stockholm!