[Nordic Four Countries Free Travel | Sweden Chapter] Stockholm Two-Day Trip Diary | The Royal Palace, Vasa Museum, Old Town Night View, and Watching the Aurora from the Plane

Table of Contents First Impressions of Sweden Itinerary Trip Preparation (Transportation Notes) Sharing Food and Accommodation Experiences Little Reminders and Practical Information I. First Impressions of Sweden: The Surprise of the Aurora and the City's Slow Pace Sweden was the last stop on this trip. Although our original plan was to head to Abisko in northern Sweden to chase the aurora, road closures and train cancellations forced us to change plans at the last minute and fly to Stockholm instead. We never expected fate to play such a trick on us — we ended up seeing the aurora right from the airplane, which turned out to be the most unexpected surprise of all. Stockholm is a city that blends modern technology with historical culture. The overall architectural style is modern and minimalist, with excellent infrastructure — Voi shared scooters are everywhere on the streets, making them very convenient to use. Residents place great importance on exercise, and joggers are a common sight on the streets, with a fitness culture similar to Denmark's. In addition, women hold a noticeably higher status in Sweden — from the decorative arts of the Royal Palace to the composition of the street guards, women can be seen taking on important roles, reflecting the country's cultural background of gender equality. One thing to note, however: many facilities in Stockholm are designed on the tall side — items like refrigerators, bed frames, or bathroom fixtures aren't very friendly to shorter guests, so pay special attention when choosing accommodation. 2. Itinerary: Two Days Blending History, Culture, and Nordic Charm Date Location Itinerary Summary Day 12 Tromsø → Stockholm Witness the aurora from the airplane, then check in to a hostel in the city center Day 13 Stockholm City Hall guided tour, Vasa Museum, Old Town nightscape and bars Day 14 In-depth Old Town exploration Changing of the Swedish Royal Guard, a stroll around the Royal Palace, souvenir shopping Day 15-16 Overnight at Arlanda Airport Tax refund and early morning departure, end of the trip III. Trip Preparation (Transportation Guide) City transportation methods You can buy tickets for Stockholm's city public transport via the SL App. Fares are as follows: 75-minute ticket: 42 SEK 24-hour ticket: 175 SEK The SL App shows real-time schedules and station info, and works across the subway, buses, and trams. What we found most worth recommending after trying it ourselves is the Voi electric scooter: 60-minute pass: 69 SEK, which is actually more cost-effective than the subway, and you can split it into segments — for our two-day city trip, 60 minutes was just right. You can travel with just an App linked to Apple Pay — fast and convenient, perfect for tourists. Luggage Storage Station storage fees are quite high. We recommend using the Radical Storage App — we found a plan for €5 per item. 4. Sharing Our Food and Accommodation Experience Food Experience: First Taste of Swedish Cuisine Stockholms Gästabud Restaurant & Bar: Authentic Swedish flavors, and the menu suggests having a shot of spirits before the meal — we started with a vanilla vodka.We ordered the herring salad appetizer and the braised pork cheek main course, savory and rich without being greasy.

The supermarket's most distinctive feature is the open-shelf candy selection — it's not expensive to buy and tastes great!

Accommodation experience: Generator Stockholm (youth hostel) Room type: 4-person room with a private bathroom Pros: convenient transportation, reasonable price (about 3,356 TWD/night) Cons: luggage storage costs extra, shared spaces are somewhat crowded

Explore Stockholm Old Town（Booking） 地點：老城區內，步行可達主要景點，但是很難拖行李抵達 特點：家具齊全，可開伙，但冰箱異常「高」 價格：7800 TWD/晚，適合多人入住

Radisson Blu Arlandia Hotel (Airport Accommodation) Offers an airport shuttle bus (every 15 minutes) Comfortable rooms, standard business hotel quality

V. Handy Tips & Practical Information City Sightseeing Stockholm City Hall Tour: Requires a ticket & guided group visit (SEK 130), including the Blue Hall and the Golden Hall; the tour also covers the Prince's Gallery and the design elements related to the Nobel ceremony Vasa Museum: The main exhibit is a 17th-century warship preserved 98% intact, with interactive simulated cabins, gun decks, and carved and painted displays inside the museum — worth spending at least 1.5 hours here Old Town (Gamla Stan): The cobblestone streets are not luggage-friendly for dragging suitcases The night view platform Mariaberget is absolutely worth a visit — you can see the entire Stockholm harbor and the night view of the Royal Palace across the water. 📍Further reading: 👉【15-Day Nordic Self-Guided Trip】Day 11: Stranded in Tromsø, We Ended Up Flying to Stockholm Instead｜A Surprise High-Altitude Aurora Over Sweden 👉【15-Day Nordic Self-Guided Trip】Day 12: A Day Trip Around Stockholm｜City Hall Tour, Vasa Museum, Night Views, and Old Town Pub Experience 👉 [Nordic 15-Day Independent Trip] Day 13: Stockholm Old Town Tour | Changing of the Guard, Swedish Bistro, Perfect Ending with Skeppsholmen Night View If you're also planning a trip to the four Nordic countries 👉 [Nordic 16-Day Independent Trip Full Guide] Visiting Four Countries × Chasing the Lights Across Three Countries | Collecting the Auroras of Finland, Norway, and Sweden All at Once!