Gamla stan (Old Town)
Gamla stan (Old Town) is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Stockholm audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~60 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Stockholm Stockholm guide
About Gamla stan (Old Town)
Stockholm's medieval heart on the island of Stadsholmen: a dense maze of ochre gables and narrow lanes where roughly three thousand people still live above centuries of history.
Gamla stan is the old town of Stockholm, occupying primarily the island of Stadsholmen; the adjacent islets of Riddarholmen, Helgeandsholmen and Stromsborg are usually counted as part of the district. The town dates to the 13th century, and Stockholm is first mentioned in surviving documents in 1252. Until 1980 the district was officially named Staden mellan broarna, the Town between the Bridges. About 3,000 people live there today. It is regarded as one of the largest and best-preserved medieval city cores in Europe, laid out as a dense maze of narrow lanes.
Two long streets, Vasterlanggatan and Osterlanggatan, run the length of the island, while Marten Trotzigs Grand narrows to less than one metre. North German Hanseatic architecture shaped the medieval buildings. Landmarks include the Royal Palace, Storkyrkan, the former Stock Exchange, the House of Nobility and the Bonde Palace, and the restaurant Den gyldene freden has operated since 1722.
Did you know? Marten Trotzigs Grand is the narrowest lane in the old town, tapering to under one metre at its tightest point, a stone crevice barely wide enough to pass through with your shoulders squared.
How long should you spend at Gamla stan (Old Town)?
Plan about ~60 min at Gamla stan (Old Town). That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Gamla stan (Old Town) worth visiting?
Gamla stan (Old Town) is one of the 21 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Stockholm, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Stockholm
Day 1 of the Stockholm in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Gamla stan (Old Town)
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