Stockholm

Island-hop around the Swedish capital, taking in Baroque palaces and a well-preserved shipwreck

- Tom Otley

1 RALAMBSHOVSPARKEN Stockholm is a walkable city that also has excellent public transport. Assuming you only have half a day, it’s a good idea to stay above ground and see as much as possible, so this tour can all be done on foot with the odd boat trip. Start at the island of Kungsholmen, once known for its small-scale industries in the 19th century but now an elegant residential area of apartment blocks and a lovely park – the Ralambshovsparken.

Created in 1935, it links in with other parks on Kungsholmen to make a delightful place to stroll year-round. You’ll find cafés, play areas for children, a beach, a skate park, an open-air theatre (in the summer) and sculptures by modern Swedish artists. The Monument over Yxman (1967) by Eric Grate will see you off as you begin the attractive 20-minute walk to the next stop, at the eastern tip of the island.

2 STADSHUSETKungsholmen is also home to the stunning Stadshuset (City Hall). It was designed by Ragnar Ostberg in 1923 in the Swedish National Romantic style, although parts look almost as if they have floated in from Venice – monumental yet playful, and an arresting sight both from across the water and from its attractive terrace, with steps leading down to the Riddarfjarden bay flanked by two statues, Song and Dance, by Swedish sculptor Carl Eldh.