We’re visiting the capital of Sweden, Stockholm, in our latest blogpost on great European getaways. This island city is an architectural wonder, full of bridges and beautiful old buildings. It is the perfect accessible getaway: quiet, cultured and packed with fascinating sites. And, as you might expect from the country that is obsessed with sound, simple and easy to use design, much of this great city is accessible to those of us who use a mobility scooter or a wheelchair.
So, with that in mind, here are our picks of some of the best sights to visit in Stockholm.
ABBA, The Museum
Well, we knew we wouldn’t get away without mentioning Swedish pop legends ABBA. Topping our chart of accessible places to visit is the free to enter ABBA, The Museum. It has absolutely everything that any ABBA super fan would want to see. You’ll be able to find out more about the history of the Swedish legends, and even enjoy being a part of some of the key scenes in their story (yes, there are costumes to try on!). There is handy accessible parking right outside, and a completely level and accessible exhibition space. If you love ABBA, you’ll love this. And if you don’t, you will after you’ve been here.
Moderna Museet
We love visiting modern art museums and Stockholm’s Modern Museet really is one of the best. It is absolutely packed with art from the last century (and this) and it is well worth setting aside an afternoon to try and soak it all up.
The great news is that the team there have put a lot of thought into making the museum as accessible as possible. You can park in accessible spaces nearby and then once you’re inside there are no barriers to accessing the works of art. A wonderful place to visit.
Take a boat tour of the island city
Stockholm is built on a collection of 14 islands, and is part of a wider archipelago of over 30,000. Water is ever present and a crucial part of the seafaring history of the city and the nation as a whole.
So, what better way to explore this wonderful place than by boat? There are many different boat tour options, with some more accessible than others, but we enjoyed this one in particular. You can buy a ticket in advance, but we’d also recommend you get in touch with them directly beforehand to check that they can accommodate your mobility needs.
Chill out in Bergianska trädgården
These beautiful gardens have been a source of calm and relaxation to the people of Stockholm since 1885. That are actually a part of Stockholm Uni, but they are open to all and are completely accessible to those of us who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters. There is a fascinating collection of plants and flowers, as well as a couple of excellent cafes. We enjoyed the one in the Edvard Andersen Conservatory in particular.
Especially beautiful in the springtime, the botanic gardens are well worth visiting at any time of the year: and the greenhouses are spectacular too. Find out more here.
Did you know?
Over 90 per cent of Stockholm’s metro stations have been decorated with art – which is why the system is also known as the ‘World’s Longest Art Gallery’!
Getting to Stockholm
By far the easiest way to get to the Swedish capital from the UK is to fly. Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester and the London airports all have regular flights to Stockholm.
Stockholm airport (known as ‘Stockholm Arlanda’) is around 40km from the city centre but it is very easy to transfer into town. You have a few options, including the accessible Arlanda Express train which leaves every 15 minutes. There are also regular commuter trains. For a great overview of your travel options, take a look here.
Once you’re in the city centre, you will find it a relatively straightforward place to get around. The public transport system is clean, safe, punctual and above all largely accessible. The official tourist board page here is a great place to start planning your journey.
Travelling with scooters
The great news for those of you travelling abroad is that Quingo Scooters are all approved for air travel by IATA so you won’t have any problems taking them on the plane. That said, it is always well worth getting in touch directly with any train, bus and airlines you want to use just to double check their rules on scooters before you go. For more handy tips on travelling with your scooter by air, take a look at our page here.
Share your accessible getaways abroad with us
Do you have any accessible getaways abroad recommendations? In Europe or perhaps further afield? If you do, we’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line and we’ll feature them.
About Quingo Scooters
The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.
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