Gamla Stan and Stadsholmen Island

The Old Town (Gamla Stan) was where Stockholm started, and when the commercial and residential sections spread onto 13 surrounding islands, the tiny winding streets and maze of old restaurants and boutiques remained, leading up to the royal palace. Building started here in the 13th century—and there's a hint of the German to the architecture—tall, narrow houses with lots of matching windows. As well as ticking the boxes or atmosphere, architecture, fine food, boutique shopping and the royal palace, Stockholm's Old Town is also where you can find the Stockholm Cathedral, the Nobel Museum and the Riddarholm Church, amongst the 370 buildings that make up this area.