Our scheduled arrival time in Stockholm was 9.00 am, but it had been recommended that we got up as early as possible to see the views as we cruised through the archipelago towards Stockholm. We didn't make it early enough for the entire four hour passage, but we were up and about early enough to be well rewarded for the early start.

Above: A "giraffe" crane on Beckholmen

Above: The Vasa Museum (left) in front of the Nordic Museum (right)

We docked just behind the Grand Hotel, very close to the National Museum and all the other highlights of the city. We had been to the Vasa museum before and as this was going to be the highlight of the organised tour, we decided, once again, to go it alone.

As soon as we were allowed to, we were off the ship and walking.
Because we only had one day in the city, we restricted ourselves to the area within the above map.

The old town (Gamla Stan)

City Hall

Geoff doing a bit of train spotting!

No, I don't think it's art!

Above: New conference centre and hotel

Above: The main shopping area of the city,
rather quiet because it was still quite early on a Sunday

The Royal Palace

Above: The Grand Hotel

Above: The National Museum, which we were to visit after lunch

Back to the ship for a drink and something to eat

Views from the ship

After lunch we paid a visit to the National Museum - We weren't allowed to take pictures inside unfortunately

Later, we took a stroll around Skeppsholmen and the smaller Kastellholmen (see map below)

Tivoli Gröna Lund (The Green Grove) amusement park, as seen from Skeppsholmen.
Bruce wanted to go there afterwards and be dropped from the tower
as well as hang upside down on the other ride whilst moving at speed,
but there was unfortunately not enough time (well, that's what Geoff said anyway!)

It was a warm evening, so we decided to have dinner
(plus a nice dessert!) on the deck

At about 10.30 pm we were ready to leave

The captain made a detour as we left, so that we could get good views of the lights of the city at dusk.
We guessed that because he was Swedish, he was probably trying to show off his home town to us.
We were very grateful, because it made for a most memorable departure.