GrandMoffJoseph

I have one day in Stockholm coming up, as the cruise I'll be on will call there. It's sadly a short stay, from 7:00am - 2:00pm local time.

There's a few excursion options available, but they all seem to have the Vasa Museum OR the Royal Palace, plus time in the Gamla Stan. The thing I'm torn between is, which way to go? The Vasa seems really interesting, but the Palace looks to be a great feast for the eyes as well.

So, what do you all think? Especially for those who may have been to these places before?

Thanks so much!

Non-NonRev

I vote for the Vasa because of its unique nature.

Palace is lovely but not unique (in a worldwide context.

theddo

I would go to the Vasa Museum, if I had to pick one. I don't know about Gamla Stan, but if you have a good guide and it's during the summer it will be nice.

GUWonder

The Vasa Museum is more unique and in many ways more interesting than a visit to yet another Royal Palace and touristy "old town". I've done tours for both and I'm more of a fan of repeating visits to the Vasa Museum than to the Royal Palace.

7 hours may be enough to see the Vasa, the exterior of the Royal Palace and enough of a chunk of Gamla Stan. But you'd really have to hoof it and give up on the idea of getting a guided tour of the interior of the palace and the Vasa.

ksandness

I had already seen the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, so I expected the Vasa Museum to be a similar experience.

I expected to be in and out in an hour, but I ended up staying for 3.5 hours.

It's not only that there is a genuine complete 17th-century ship right before your eyes, which you can view from three different heights, but the museum contains sections on everyday life on board ship and on land in 17th century Sweden, a film on how the Vasa was raised and preserved, and even "autopsy results" and facial reconstructions of some of the few people who didn't make it to shore when the ship sank in the harbor.

tom911

I agree. I have photos of both of them on the front page linked below. Easy enough to walk around outside the palace after you tour the Vasa Museum and plan a visit at a future date instead.

Travel K

Vasa all the way. As the others said, there really is nothing quite like it!

JY1024

I did both recently. A ticket for the palace allows entry into three areas: the small room where you can see the Crown Jewels, the Tre Kronor museum, and the royal residencies. Nice palace and tour - nothing terribly exciting, but if you don't get around to it this time, you can put it on the list for next time.

For me, I had two stops that I almost didn't make, but just happened to add to my itinerary due to timing and vicinity - and I greatly enjoyed both: Stockholm City Hall and the Vasa Museum. Even though every guidebook and "top 10 things to do in Stockhom" recommended the Vasa museum, I though to myself "it's just a boat...what's so interesting about it?" I ended up spending almost 4 hours wandering around all the levels of the museum, hitting all the stops on the audio tour that you can steam via their wifi and a browser on your phone/tablet.

onobond

Seen both, and many times. Given the situation described by OP, my vote goes to the Vasa museum. A truly unique experience.

For time to make a repeat vist, check out the castle. A random walk of the Old Town is nothing compared to a guided tour. Although I've walked through and within Gamla Stan many times, last summer's experience with a tour was fantastic

trooper

Visiting the Vasa is TIME TRAVEL....

Do it!

lhrsfo

Go to the Vasa, then have an early and quick lunch at either Oaxen Slip or Speceriet. The former is nearer the Vasa and is superb. The latter is in Stockholm proper and is one of the finest restaurants anywhere.

onobond

Speceriet is indeed a very good restaurant, but Oaxen Slip is a gem. Having had lunch there twice, dinner three times, I've been very satisfied every time. Have a look at their website and menu for some inspiration