Sunset Stockholm photostory: from sunset to moonlight

There is something about sunsets that fascinates me and leaves me in awe every single day. The blaze of colours, the fleeting twilight, the dramatic sky and eventually, the moonlit night – these things never cease to surprise or inspire. Though admiring sunsets along the riverside are a part of my regular routine(check out this growing collection of sunset pictures ), I feel that every city/town becomes all the more magical during this time of the day and that it is a great time to get out and explore. This is what I told myself yet again, during my recent visit to Stockholm,Sweden. I had got back from a nearly 12 hour long day trip to Linköping , exploring Old Sweden, but did not want to miss out on the opportunity of walking around the city after sunset. So, I got back up, took my camera and set off from my centrally located HTL hotel (just 600 metres from Stockholm Central station) to explore. Here are some snapshots of sunset in Stockholm. Perhaps you could get some ideas for a self-guided night walking tour in the city too.

Luckily, the sun sets late during the Swedish summer.So, I still got to observe the varying hues of the sky that night.

I was most excited to visit the Stockholm Concert Hall at Hötorget on the previous day, because that is where the Nobel Prize Ceremony takes place every year. This was also located just a few meters away from the hotel, and thus, the first stop during my sunset walk. It was built especially to house the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and hosts a large number of concerts.You can enter during the day and take a tour for a sum of 80 SEK.

Soon after, I stopped at Sergels Torg, a public square, bustling with activity during day as well as night.The tourist information office is also located right here, apart from several restaurants and stores.

From Sergels Torg, I turned left and walked past NK, the popular departmental store , to arrive at this beautiful shopping street in  Norrmalmstrog .

 

Now, Norrmalmstorg is famous for the high-end stores and the many restaurants located there. But, there is a darker story associated with it too. You see, over 40 years ago, there used to be a bank in this very square, where a robbery was attempted.  Olsson, a convict on leave from prison, took four people as hostages and demanded his friend, a repeat offender, to be released from prison.He also asked for cash, a fast car and bullet proof jackets. What followed was a 6 day long struggle and live television covering such a criminal event for the first time, until the robbers eventually surrendered. Surprisingly, when the hostages were questioned, they insisted that they felt safer with Olsson and appeared to sympathize with him. This, my friends, is how the term ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ was coined. Isn’t that fascinating? Got to know this during the Modern Murder Mystery tour I took.

 

Enough of criminal history for now. If you like architecture and grandeur, you should keep walking ahead until you reach Sweden’s National Theater – The Royal Dramatic Theater or ‘Dramaten’ as it is commonly known.

And just crossing the road, you will find yourself at Strandvägen, a boulevard in Östermalm, where I loved spending time walking and admiring the surroundings. The Grona Lund amusement park can be spotted in the distance by the sparkling lights.

 

What specially caught my eye was outdoor art, particularly, a statue called ‘Wings’ by Carl Miles,placed near the Nationalmuseum facing the Strömkajen waterfront. Interestingly, this statue depicts the Greek God Zeus, who apparently turned himself into an eagle to abduct the Trojan prince Ganymede. Zeus is said to have been infatuated with Ganymede, who later worked for the gods at Mount Olympus.  Another fun fact: Zeus was also referred to as Jupiter by the Romans, and one of the moons of the planet Jupiter is called Ganymede.

All this talk of mythology is making me eager to devote a Mythical Mondays post to this soon!

'Wings' under the moonlight..The best thing I could do in Stockholm was to walk around the city and see the transition from sunset to a beautiful moonlit night. I hadn't thought that right after crossing this sculpture made by Carl Miles, I would meet some locals who would end up becoming friends,despite the language barrier! As they say, strangers are just friends you haven't met yet. #letsopenourworld Stay curious, say yes, talk to strangers, lower your guard and stay happy! #lppathfinders #travellerstales #nightphotography #visitstockholm #scandinavian #artwork #ig_europe #sweden_photolovers #visitsweden #tbex #moonlight #nightsky #shareTravellersTales

A post shared by Menorca@EuropeDiaries (@menorca_c) on Jul 21, 2016 at 3:38am PDT

 

 

Doesn’t Stockholm look absolutely stunning? I pretty much lost track of time that night and eventually decided to walk through Kungsträdgården (‘King’s Garden’) to get back home. That walk became all the more memorable due to some strangers who became friends and a lot of conversations that made me reflect all the more on life and be grateful for everything.

At the end of the night, I was glad to find my way back to HTL  , grab something to eat and drink from the bar and still find people chilling in the lounge area.

It was the first time I stayed at a ‘smart hotel’ and was glad to come across a place that seemed to care so much about the digital needs of a traveller. From multiple USB and regular power outlets, an EU adapter for international electronic devices to a whole lot of smart furniture and bright colours, they certainly had some smart design ideas I’d love to implement at home.  Plus, you can use an app on your phone as your room key, log on to their website for easily listening to pre-made Spotify playlists and find someone at the reception through the day as well as night. All this for a reasonable price too! If you happen to visit Stockholm and would like to stay in a central location, you should definitely check this place out. And if you venture out on a sunset/night walk too, do let me know your experience and finds.

Check out some great photography tips for beginners here- written up by Wanderwings!

Also, check out more things to do in Stockholm – in this post.

If you like this sunset Stockholm post, please share it with your friends or pin/pocket it for easily finding it later. And if there’s anything , in particular, you would like to know or read about Stockholm, just drop your questions and suggestions in the comments below.Thanks a bunch!

 

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