Cheap flights to Stockholm from HK$2,830

It’s worth making an effort to find cheap flights to Stockholm and not just because it’s one of Europe’s more expensive cities. The capital of Sweden is stunning. It lies across 14 islands and has one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in Europe (made up of two islands – Gamla Stan and Riddarholmen). To the west of the city is Lake Malaren and the Baltic Sea is to the east, but despite this proximity to icy waters, and its latitude (same as southern Alaska) the Gulf Stream keeps Stockholm at a decent temperature – 18 degrees in July.

Stockholm has three Unesco World Heritage sites: Royal Palace Drottningholm, Birka and Hovgården Viking-Age trading sites and the Skogskyrkogården (woodland cemetery).

From Gamla Stan, take the ferry to Djurgården, which houses the Skansen, an open-air museum, and ooh and ahh at the rescued-from-the-mud warship Vasa, which sunk just 20 minutes into its maiden voyage in 1628.

Perhaps the best thing about Stockholm however is the light. The skies are big and bright: blue during the day, amber in the afternoon, illuminating the copper and burnt-orange coloured buildings, and purple at dusk. In the streets after sundown, candles illuminate the streets and squares.

Stockholm climate

Shielded from the Atlantic Ocean, Stockholm has a surprisingly moderate climate. Winter temperatures range from -9 or so to zero (Celsius). Summer temperatures are usually warm, ranging from 20 to the mid-20s. In the weeks before and after midsummer, Stockholm has almost 24 hours of daylight throughout June. Snow falls from January to March, and the June and July have the most rain.

Getting around Stockholm

When your Stockholm flight arrives at Stockholm-Arlanda, it’s easy to get downtown on the bus or train. You have an abundance of options when you get into the city. Stockholm has widespread, efficient public transport system consisting of commuter trains, metro, bus lines and a suburban rail. You can easily sightsee on foot, since most of the attractions are located in the centre of town. 

What is good to know if travelling to Stockholm?

• There are two national parks in Stockholm. Angso is on an island in the Stockholm archipelago, which is reachable by boat, and Tyresta, a park and national reserve on about 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres), is about an hour away from the city centre.
• Skansen is one of the oldest ethnographical museums in the world, and is situated on Djurgarden. More than 100 buildings from different parts of Sweden span several centuries. There is also a zoo and aquarium-terrarium and the Vasa Museum, Scandinavia’s most visited museum. The jewel is the warship Vasa “the only remaining, intact 17th century ship in the world”. It sank in 1628 and was salvaged in 1961.
• The Gamla Stan or Old Town dates back to the 13th century and is charming with narrow houses, alleys and lanes. It is referred to as the “town between the bridges”. Gamla is home to the Stockholm Cathedral, the Nobel Museum and the Riddarholm church as well as the baroque Royal Palace. There is also a statue of St. George and the Dragon.
• The island of Skeppsholmen is home to the Modern Art Museum, which houses works by Klee, Kandinsky, Picasso and Matisse. The Architectural Museum is in the same building.
• Junibacken is where children can meet the characters created by Astrid Lindgren including Pippi Longstocking, Karlsson-on-the-roof and Madicken.
• Pick up some choice morsels at Ostermalms saluhall, a traditional food hall which dates from 1888. Closed on Sundays.
• I want to be alone… Greta Garbo is buried at Skogskyrkogarden Cemetery and a bronze statue of the actress is on the street where she was born –  Blekingegatan. 
• The ABBA corner at the Music Museum is part of the permanent exhibition “Ensembler i Sverige” (Ensembles in Sweden). It was opened in February 1996.