Positioned where the waters of Lake Mälaren
rush into the Baltic, Stockholm is one of Europe's most
beautiful capitals. Nearly 1.6 million people live in the
greater Stockholm area, yet it remains a quiet, almost pastoral
city.
Built on 14 small islands joined by bridges crossing open
bays and narrow channels, Stockholm is a handsome, civilized
city filled with parks, squares, and airy boulevards, yet it is
also a bustling, modern metropolis. Glass-and-steel skyscrapers
are flourishing, but you are never more than a five-minute
stroll from twisting medieval streets and waterside walkways.