Day 308: Djurgården, Vasa, and Skeppsholmen
Weather Update: Sunny with a Cold Wind, Chance of Showers. High 17°C
Elevation: 28 Metres
A Slow Start to the Day
Breakfast was the same as yesterday—toast, jam, and hot chocolate. I wrapped up some blog posts with photos, but I wasn’t feeling particularly enthusiastic. Still, I set off towards Djurgården, Stockholm’s “island of museums.”
Officially called Kungliga Djurgården (“The Royal Game Park”), the island has been crown land since the late 16th century, when King John III designated it a royal hunting ground. Today, it’s one of Stockholm’s most beloved leisure spots, filled with museums, parks, and cultural attractions.
The Vasa Museum
My original plan was to visit the Nordiska Museet, Stockholm’s largest cultural history museum, but I quickly lost interest. A Japanese lady from the hostel had also said it wasn’t particularly special. So instead, I made my way to the Vasa Museum—and what a decision that turned out to be.
Entry was 230 SEK (€21 / NZD 41.50), but worth every crown. Inside stands the Vasa warship, one of the world’s most extraordinary maritime recoveries.
A Ship Too Grand to Sail
Commissioned by King Gustavus Adolphus during Sweden’s war with Poland-Lithuania, the Vasa was designed to be one of the most powerful warships in the world. Richly decorated, heavily armed, and meant to project Sweden’s rising power, she was also dangerously unstable.
On 10 August 1628, the Vasa set sail on her maiden voyage—only to capsize after barely 1,300 metres. An inquiry followed, but no one dared lay blame too close to the king.
For over 300 years, she lay forgotten in Stockholm harbour until her rediscovery in the 1950s. In 1961, the ship was raised with her hull largely intact, along with thousands of artefacts that revealed incredible details about 17th-century life, naval warfare, and shipbuilding.
Today, she’s the world’s best-preserved 17th-century ship, seen by over 45 million visitors since recovery. Walking around her dark timbers, towering masts, and ornate carvings, I was struck by both her grandeur and her tragedy. The colour of the ship is due to being underwater for over 350 years, and the gilding and paint have been lost.
(Note: Djurgården also hosts the ABBA Museum. Entry is 359 SEK (€33 / NZD 65). Stockholm attractions can add up quickly, but the Stockholm Pass (999–2149 SEK / €89–192) gives access to around 70 sites and may be worth considering.)
A Pizza Price Shock at Gallerian
After leaving Djurgården, I went in search of more mobile data and ended up at the Gallerian, Stockholm’s first modern shopping mall, when it opened in 1976. Today, it’s one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs, located right in the city centre.
Among the shops, I spotted a pizza stand called Molo Pizza. The slices looked tempting, so I ordered a Capricciosa with a cold beer.
The cost? 79 SEK (€7.21 / NZD 14.27) for a single slice. To make it worse, a similar pizza, slightly smaller, was priced at 155 SEK (€14.12 / NZD 28.20). The mark-up made no sense, and I couldn’t help comparing it to Kotor in Montenegro, where I’d bought a massive slice for just €2 (21 SEK / NZD 3.50).
Stockholm clearly wasn’t a place for cheap pizza. Lesson learned: keep an eye on menus before ordering!
A Walk on Skeppsholmen
Later, I walked over to Skeppsholmen, a peaceful island once central to Stockholm’s navy and shipbuilding. Today, it’s home to museums, boats tied up for the winter, and some of the city’s best views. Across the water, I could see the bright colours and rollercoasters of Gröna Lund, Sweden’s oldest amusement park.
Gröna Lund: Stockholm’s Playground
Opened in 1883, Gröna Lund has entertained generations with rollercoasters, carousels, and summer concerts. It’s a tradition for Stockholmers, though with its compact location on the waterfront, it feels almost crammed into every available space. The park is especially lively in summer, when international bands and artists perform with the city skyline as a backdrop.
The Royal Ice Skating Pavilion
Crossing to Kastellholmen Island via a small bridge, I came across the Royal Ice Skating Pavilion (Skridskopaviljongen). Built in 1882, it was a winter retreat for Stockholm’s high society, with ornate red-brick architecture and even ceiling paintings that survive today. Closed to the public, it now serves as an event venue for the nearby Hotel Skeppsholmen.
Kastellet Citadel
Further along stood the Kastellet, a small red-brick citadel perched above the water. First built in 1660 as part of Stockholm’s naval defences, it was rebuilt in 1848 after a gunpowder explosion destroyed its predecessor. Painted bright red with its tower rising above the harbour, it has long been a symbol of the city’s military vigilance.
During World War II, Kastellet even played a role in Stockholm’s air defence system. A tradition dating back centuries required passing ships to salute with cannon fire, to which Kastellet’s guns would respond. Today, the fortress still raises a flag daily—signifying that Sweden is at peace. Unfortunately, despite seeing activity inside, the site was closed to visitors and is now office space.
Evening in Gamla Stan
A little disappointed by the closures, I wandered back into Gamla Stan. A couple of beers there lifted my mood before I returned to the hostel, where the evening turned into another thoughtful night of shared conversation—one of the real joys of travel.
About My Blog
Welcome to Inspire Seniors Travel.
When I first set out on my journey, my blog began as a simple diary — notes about where I went, what I ate, and the daily rhythm of travel. Over time, it has grown into something more: a space where I not only share the sights I see, but also the stories, history, and culture behind them.
I’ve discovered that travel is about more than ticking off places on a map — it’s about stepping into the layers of history that shaped them, the conversations with people along the way, and the personal reflections that stay with you long after the journey ends.
Here you’ll find:
Immersive stories that make you feel part of the journey.
Historical context to bring landmarks and cities alive.
Practical insights for fellow travellers — especially seniors who still have the spirit of adventure.
A blend of everyday details and big discoveries — from a simple breakfast to a fortress that’s stood for centuries.
Writing these stories takes time and thought, but it’s worth it to capture both the wonder and the realities of life on the road. My goal is simple: to inspire others — especially senior travellers — to embrace the world with curiosity, courage, and joy.
I hope you enjoy following along as much as I enjoy sharing.
— Andrew Matthews
📧 a.matthews2453@gmail.com
🌐 inspireseniorstravel.com