Stockholm to Gripsholm Castle and Eskilstuna: Day trip

Part of the official Crown palaces in Sweden, Gripsholm Castle is filled with over 500 years of history and offers a unique glimpse into the way Swedish royalty lived. The castle looks straight out of a storybook, decorated with round towers and spires, and a drawbridge and moat which were restored in the 1890’s. It is known as “Gustav Vasa’s castle” after the king who built the castle in 1537 before it was used by the Swedish Royal Family until the 18th century. Within the castle is Karl IX’s bedchamber from the 1570’s, which is remarkably almost ‘untouched’ since that era. Wander through the rooms in awe and admire the State’s collection of portraits, featuring depictions of Gustav Vasa himself and present day musician Benny Andersson of ABBA. The collection is considered one of the finest in Europe and includes works by famous artists such as Rembrandt and Antoine Watteau. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful park which you can enjoy on foot or by boat, and perhaps run into some of the royal deer by the Hjorthagen nature reserve. Tickets are US$14.60.