Sweden’s Past and Present: Stories from Stockholm’s Old Town
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About the Tour
About the Tour
With its 14 islands and 57 bridges, Stockholm is a city rich in history, culture, and breathtaking views.
On this walking tour, you’ll stroll through the heart of Sweden’s capital, from the charming Old Town to its more modern corners. You’ll take in key landmarks and see where the city’s history and identity were shaped.
The tour starts on Strömgatan, the street opposite the Swedish Parliament. I’ll share Sweden’s democratic traditions and some of our deep-rooted Nordic cultural values before you walk through Gamla Stan, the medieval Old Town. As you wander around its cobblestone streets filled with colorful buildings, cathedrals, and lively squares, you’ll discover Mårten Trotzigs gränd (Stockholm’s narrowest street) and Upplands Runinskrifter 53, a Viking runestone. You’ll explore the city’s waterfront and see why Stockholm is known as the Northern Venice
as you take in some of the 57 bridges that connect the capital’s stunning islands.
You’ll learn about the surprising origins of Alfred Nobel’s Organization and Sweden’s royal family, and international connections as you make your way to Norrmalmstorg, the square where our tour ends in the city’s commercial and cultural district.
Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:
- Appreciate the Royal Palace, Royal Cathedral, and stories of Sweden’s monarchy
- Learn about the secret parliamentary tunnel and the quirky tradition that helps members keep track of time
- Spot some charming Dalarna horses and nods to Pippi Longstocking
- Make a wish by rubbing the head of Iron Boy, Stockholm’s smallest statue
- Discover surprising historical international connections with countries such as Germany, France, Poland, the US, Lithuania, and others
- Get to know the startling story behind the term “Stockholm syndrome”
- Hear about Swedish culture, traditions, and the origins of the country’s unique take on equality
This 90-minute tour blends history, culture, and the best stories to give you a vivid picture of Stockholm, its people, its cultural norms and its unique charm. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re rediscovering the city, this tour promises unforgettable memories and fascinating insights into the heart of Sweden.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Ausra Visocke
Hi! I’m Ausra — originally from the Baltics and now living in Sweden for almost ten years. For the past seven years, I have worked as a professional tourist guide, leading international groups in Stockholm and across the Nordic region. People repeatedly say that they feel my passion and my tours are among the very best they ever had!
Now, as a mother of three young children, my opportunities to travel frequently are more limited. But thanks to VoiceMap, I can continue sharing my favourite stories and guide you through wonderful cities in the Nordics.
I hold degrees in Social Sciences and have a deep interest in history, cultural traditions, and the stories that connect countries around the Baltic Sea. What I truly love is weaving separate historical events into one meaningful, connected story of a city, a country, or even an entire region of Northern Europe.
In my tours, you will discover connections between:
– past and present
– major historical events and modern cultural identity
– powerful personalities and the story of a nation.
One of the key historical figures in many of my tours is Katarina Jagiellon, the Lithuanian-Polish princess who became Queen of Sweden. Her story connects Stockholm, Uppsala, Vaxholm, Kaunas, and Tallinn and reveals how the Baltic Sea region was shaped by dynastic politics and religious conflicts. It is also a powerful lady who was often overshadowed by her husband, the King, but I am on a mission to tell her remarkable story to the world! (and to connect Europe from Italy to Sweden through her international influence too).
Cities where I offer self-paced audio tours:
-Stockholm Old Town (Gamla Stan)
- Central Stockholm
- Uppsala
- Vaxholm
- Tallinn Old Town
- Kaunas Old Town
- more upcoming in 2026!
I am proud that some of my self-paced tours are top-ranked on platforms such as Viator and TripAdvisor.
If you are looking for a self-guided audio tour in Sweden or the Baltics and a historically rich walking tour experience, you are in the right place.
Thank you for choosing to explore Northern Europe with me.
Ausra Visocke
Plati Perspektyva
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 39
Grand Hotel
View locations and route
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Strömgatan
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Parliament House
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House of Nobility
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Riddarholmen Church
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Evert Taubes Terrass
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Labour Court
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Järntorget
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Stockholm's narrowest street (Mårten Trotzigs gränd)
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S:ta Gertrud
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Upplands runinskrifter 53
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Stortorget
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Trädgårdsgatan
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Iron Boy - Boy watching the moon
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Högvaktsavlösningen
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Slottsarkivet
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Strömbron
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Kungsträdgården
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Norrmalmstorg
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationStrömgatan 3, 111 52 Stockholm, Sweden
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Total distance3km
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Final locationNorrmalmstorg 12, 111 46 Stockholm, Sweden
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Distance back to start location603.15m
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins where the large pedestrian street Drottningatan meets the bridge Riksbron, at the crossroad with Strömgatan street.
It takes only 5 minutes to walk here from Stockholm Central Train (Stockholm City) or Metro (T-Centralen) stations. This spot is accessible to pedestrians only. For car parking - check parking spots in the Old Town (Gamla stan) or around Central Train Station.
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Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
If you get hungry during the tour, I recommend a place in the main square of the Old Town (location in the audioguide: Stortorget) that we’ll pass midway through the tour—Grillska Huset. They serve traditional Swedish handmade meatballs, along with a few other lunch options, as well as a variety of Swedish buns and sweets. It offers the best price, quality, and location ratio in the Old Town.
In the audioguide, I recommend visiting: the Royal Palace, Livrustkammaren Museum (The Royal Armoury, in the basement of the Royal Place) and Riddarholmskyrkan (if summer).
Best time of day
From dawn to dusk.
Precautions
The tour passes some cobblestone streets that might be challenging for wheelchairs. It is manageable with baby strollers with some extra effort in some areas.
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Questions and Reviews
Questions and Reviews
