European Destination Stockholm Offers History, Culture And Attractions To Visitors

The Swedish capital is spread across 14 islands and looks out over the Baltic Sea to the east. This layout can best be appreciated at the city's Skyview attraction, which takes visitors to the top of the landmark Ericsson Globe 130 metres above sea level for fantastic panoramic views.

Stockholm offers good bus, rail and local underground connections between its main shopping and other districts. Walking around the city can also be an enjoyable experience, as is exploring by bicycle which can be rented from many locations throughout the city.

Within the space of a day you can go from hurtling through the lower stratosphere at hundreds of miles an hour aboard your Thai Airways International or THAI flight from Bangkok to Stockholm, to leisurely strolling or cycling around the Swedish capital.

Stockholm is a city where modernity meets tranquillity. A city of grand historic buildings, fascinating museums, glitzy shopping, chic cafes and world-class theatre. And gorgeous nature, with the Stockholm archipelago of over 30,000 islands nearby that's populated with ancient fishing villages, inviting coves and soft sand beaches which can be visited for a day or for longer.

The Old Town (Gamla Stan) is Stockholm's original city centre that dates back to the 13th Century although many of its buildings are from the 1700s and 1800s. With the main square Stortorget at its centre, this labyrinth of cobblestone streets, meeting squares and rustic-coloured town houses is today a melting pot of cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, galleries and museums, among these the Nobel Museum where visitors can learn about the Nobel Prize, its founder Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Laureates.

The Royal Palace of Stockholm is in the Old Town. Built in baroque style and consisting of over 600 rooms, this is the royal residence and daily workplace of Sweden's king and queen and is open to visitors with guided tours that last about 45 minutes.

As well as the Royal Apartments to see here, which are the magnificent state rooms used for official receptions (and which can thus sometimes be completely or partially closed), there are three museums offering plenty of regal history: the Treasury exhibiting the monarchy's most important symbols – the regalia – including Erik XIV's crown, sceptre and orb; the Tre Kronor Museum portraying the palace's medieval history and which is dedicated to the original Tre Kronor Palace; and Gustav III's Museum of Antiquities which houses some 200 sculptures and is one of Europe's oldest museums having first opened in 1794.

More cultural offerings can be found in Stockholm's various other museums, such as Moderna Museet which boasts one of the world's finest collections of 20th and 21st Century art and the Vasa Museum, purpose built to house the 17th Century warship Vasa which was raised from nearby Lake Malaren.

Theatre and opera lovers can visit the Royal Dramatic Theatre in its art noveau-style waterfront building, Drottningholm Court Theatre – one of Europe's finest 18th Century theatres, and the Royal Swedish Opera in its neo-classical building from 1897.

When it comes to eating and drinking, visitors will find the scene in Stockholm a dynamic one. Happening bistros and bars serve three-course meals as readily as they do cocktails. The abundance of cafes reflects the Swedes' affection for fika or coffee break. The city's food halls are a favourite for traditional Swedish food known as husmanskost and the street food on offer is stylish – like on-the-go gourmet herring and artisan hot dogs.

The Swedish capital also happens to be a world leader in Nordic cuisine, and there are a number of Michelin-starred restaurants around town and Bib Gourmands for great affordable eating. Speak of nightlife and Stockholm prides itself as the epitome of Scandinavian cool, keeping the party crowd happy with hip hangouts, trendy clubs, cosy pubs and beer halls.

Shoppers have plenty to keep them occupied. Drottninggatan offers small specialist shops, big stores, Swedish fashion brand outlets and other types of retailers. The city's glamour hub is Ostermalm with its high-end fashion house brands. Sodermalm is the place for retro shoppers, with cafes and boutiques offering a bohemian mix of vintage, independent labels and Swedish mainstream designers. There are shopping malls home to international brands and independent Swedish boutiques. Kommendorsgatan is popular with locals for high-end antiques, crafts and jewellery.

THAI's Bangkok to Stockholm flights can be booked online at the Thai airline's website https://www.thaiairways.com. The Swedish capital is among 12 destinations THAI flies to in Europe, which are in included in the over 60 destinations worldwide in the carrier's global route network.

Visitors to the THAI website can book flights online throughout this route network, such as direct flights from Thailand to Australia or flights from Bangkok to London, and also search for great deals on flights to Thailand. Worldwide hotel accommodation can also be booked here, travel insurance purchased and airport transfers arranged in over 120 countries. Visitors can sign up to THAI's customer loyalty program Royal Orchid Plus and take a look at the holiday product of Royal Orchid Holidays.