The Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet): is the largest royal palace in the world that is in use by a reigning monarch. Built from 1697-1754 on the island of Riddarholmen, it contains 608 rooms and is situated atop the ruins of a 13th century castle that had been earlier destroyed by fire. The ruins of the original castle can be seen in the cellars of the Tre Konor Museum within the palace. Other main attractions include the Armoury, the Apartments of the Orders of Chivalry, the Hall of State, the Museum of Antiquities of Gustav III, the Royal Apartments and the Treasury. The daily changing of the guards is truly spectacular and it’s well worth timing your visit to view it. Even though this sector is quite small, you’ll find that a day passes quickly as you explore the shops, the historic features of the area and enjoy the local eateries. The world’s first banknotes were printed here at the old Bank of Sweden. The Old Town is connected to two smaller islands: Riddarholmen to the west, featuring a 13th century church; and Helgeandsholmen to the north, where the parliament building is situated. Drottningholm Palace: is the home of the Swedish royal family. The original castle on this site was bought centuries ago by Queen Hedwig Eleonora, but burnt to the ground in 1661. Shortly thereafter, construction on the present palace began. Over the centuries and the succession of monarch, the style of the palace has undergone numerous changes, resulting in the blend that can be seen today. The Cathedral of Stockholm: has significant historical importance as it dates back to the 13th century. In addition, it is one of the more interesting structures in an architectural sense. A substantial collection of unique artefacts are on permanent exhibition in the cathedral’s magnificent interior – including a carved wooden statue of St George and the Dragon by sculptor Bernt Notke. Katarinahissen: the Katarina lift has been in operation since 1935, taking visitors from its base in Slussen to the top of the Mosebacke hill, one of Stockholm’s best vantage points. Views from the top are magnificent, both from the viewing platform and the restaurant you’ll find there. Skansen: is an open-air museum that has been open to the public since the late-19th century, and has been Stockholm’s main tourist attraction for almost as long. The museum is set on a large parcel of land on the island of Djurgarden, boasting around 150 traditional townhouses, homes and farmsteads that have been moved to this spot from all parts of Sweden. The buildings are set amongst flower and herbaceous gardens; and a zoo is also a feature here, focused on native animal species such as brown bear, elk, reindeer, seals and wolverines. | 
