The Swedish capital, Stockholm, is not only Scandinavia's largest city but also its most enchanting, with its centuries-old alleyways and squares being spread across an archipelago of 14 islands. Locals are extremely proud of the fact that here one can go ocean-fishing in the heart of the city.

This historic metropolis with a small town heart also boasts a multitude of museums, restaurants, parks, fun fairs, a never-ending nightlife (licensing hours extend until 5am) and a rich cultural tradition. It all adds up to 'never a dull moment', particularly in the summer when the sun virtually never sets because of its position in the far northern latitudes.

Most tourists are initially drawn to the quaint Gamla Stan (old town), a warren of narrow cobbled-stone streets overshadowed by historic houses, radiating out from the sumptuous Royal Castle where Swedish monarchs have resided since the 13th century. Despite the medieval heritage, Stockholm is no staid, old-fashioned enclave. Citizens have developed a reputation for being trendy, daring and innovative, especially in the global realms of IT and fashion, often setting the pace in the design and technology fields.

Stockholmers are also immensely concerned with the environment, and the city-scape is made up of one-third water, one-third green space, one-third buildings and the cleanest air of any city in the world. Take a deep breath, pack a picnic, hop aboard a ferry, and make for one of the parks where you will undoubtedly be treated to a free concert; or head for the legendary shopping districts of Biblioteksgatan (exclusive European boutiques), Odengatan (antique treasures), and others. There is culture to be soaked up too, with more than 150 museums to visit, art festivals galore, architecture to be admired (including the beautiful City Hall where the Nobel Prize banquet takes place), and a world-renowned opera or jazz concert to attend.

It may be old, but Stockholm is a destination for the young and energetic, as yet not over-run with tourists like many other European capitals.

Royal Djurgården

Address: A 10-minute walk from the city centre across the Djurgarden bridge Stockholm

Royal Palace and Gamla Stan

Address: Slottsbacken 1, Gamla Stan Stockholm

Admission: Combined ticket for the whole palace: SEK 140 adults, SEK 70 children. Open daily 10am-5pm (14 May to 25 September), Tuesday to Sunday 12-4pm (26 September to 13 May). Royal Apartments may close fully or partly in conjunction with official receptions of His Majesty The King.

Telephone: (0)8 402 6000

Stockholm City Hall

Address: Hantverkargatan 1 Stockholm

Admission: SEK 60 adults, SEK 20 children age 12-17 through March and in November and December 2011. SEK 90 adults, SEK 40 children April through October 2011. Tours depart every 30 minutes in June, July and August between 9:30am and 4pm. The tower is open daily in summer from 10am to 4:15pm.

Telephone: (0)8 5082 9058

Museum of National Antiquities

Address: Narvavagen 13–17 Stockholm

Admission: SEK 80 (adults), children are free. Daily 10am-5pm (May to September), Tuesday to Sunday 11am-5pm with late closing at 8pm on Thursdays (October to April).

Telephone: (0)8 5195 5600

Stockholm Archipelago

Address: Archipelago tour information is available from the Tourist Centre, Sweden House, Hamnagatan 27 Stockholm

Telephone: (0)8 789 2415

Skansen

Address: Djurgarden Stockholm

Admission: June to August: SEK 120 (adults), SEK 50 (children 6-15); admission is reduced the rest of the year, but varies according to season. Separate fees for aquarium and funicular railway. Daily 10am-10pm (20 June to August), 10am-8pm (May to 19 June and September), 10am-4pm (March, April and October); the rest of the year 10am-3pm (until 4pm on weekends). Market days 11am-5pm on weekends.

Telephone: (0)8 442 8000

Babybio

Address: 41 Birger Jarlsgatan, Östermalm Stockholm

Admission: SEK 100 Every second Friday from 11am; closed July and August

Telephone: 08 5629 4880

Gröna Lund

Address: Allmänna Gränd, Djurgården Stockholm

Admission: SEK 90 (adults), free under-4s. One-day bracelet (all rides) SEK 319.

Junibacken

Address: Galärvarvsvägen, Djurgården Stockholm

Admission: SEK 125 adults and SEK 110 children 3-15 through June 2011 and September 1 through December 23. SEK 145 adults and SEK 125 children August 2011. June and August 10am-5pm, daily; July 9am-6pm, daily; September to May 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

Gotland

Address: Stockholm

Sala Silver Mine

Address: Stockholm

Royal Warship Vasa

Address: Djurgården Stockholm

Admission: SEK 95 adults, SEK 50 students. Free for children under 18. September through May Thursday to Tuesday 10am-5pm; June through August Thursday to Tuesday 8:30am-6pm, Wednesday 10am-8pm.

Telephone: (08) 519-548-00

Midsummers Eve

Where: Skansen Museum,Stockholm

When: 22 - 23 June 2012

Polar Music Prize Days

Where: Prize ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall; allied events at various venues around the city,Stockholm

When: August 2012 TBA

Skansen Christmas Market

Where: Skansen Outdoor Museum, Djurgarden,Stockholm

When: December weekends, annually

Stockholm Jazz Festival

Where: Main venue: Museum of Modern Art, Skeppsholmen,Stockholm

When: June 2012 TBA

Stockholm Pride

Where: Pride Park (Tantolunden), Pride House (Medborgarplatsen) and various other venues around the city. The parade starts at Blasieholmskajen next to the Grand Hotel and the National Art Museum and ends at Pride Park,Stockholm

When: August 2012 TBA

Nobel Prize Day

Where: Stockholm Concert Hall,Stockholm

When: 10 December annually

Sturehof

Address: Stureplan 2 Stockholm

Food Type: Local

Operakällaren

Address: Karl den XII's Torg Stockholm

Kaffegillet

Address: Trångsund 4, Gamla Stan Stockholm

Food Type: Local

Erik's Gondolen

Address: Stadsgården 6 Stockholm

Food Type: French

F12

Address: Fredsgatan 12 Stockholm

Food Type: Modern Eclectic

Ulla Winbladh

Address: Rosendalsvägen 8 Stockholm

Food Type: Local

Linguini

Address: Frejgatan 48 Stockholm

Food Type: Italian

Ostermalms Saluhall

Address: Ostermalmstorg Stockholm

Food Type: Local