PHOTO: The city of Stockholm is comprised of 14 islands connected by bridges and cruise passengers love it. (Photo by Ola Ericson, courtesy of Visit Sweden)

A poll of cruise travelers by Cruise International Magazine placed Stockholm among the most popular cruise ports in the world. Passengers have good reasons for enjoying the city. The approach into Stockholm is among the most beautiful in the world as ships enter the city by sailing past thousands of islands that populate its fjord and find a city of 14 central islands connected by bridges. This year, Stockholm is expecting about 274 international cruise ships to deliver some 470,000 passengers. After several years of setting new cruise arrival records, Stockholm has leveled off at its current plateau. In 2012, 275 ship calls delivered 469,000 passengers. In 2013, 279 ships delivered 485,000 passengers.

Stockholm is home to one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved medieval old towns. The medieval quarter is a warren of cobble stoned lanes sided by the colorful facades of medieval and Georgian shop fronts trailing off from the back of Sweden’s Royal Palace. The Museum of Medieval Stockholm tells the story of the era.

Artist Einar Forseth used 18.5 million gold tiles to tell the story of Swedish history in the City Hall’s Golden Hall, from the Vikings to the 20^th century, in a style suggesting the interior of a Byzantine basilica but done with an Art Deco flair that is modern enough to include an image of the Statue of Liberty that pays homage to the emigration of Swedes to the United States. The world turns its attention to this City Hall annually when the winners of the Nobel Prize for literature, physics, chemistry and medicine are feted in the building’s Blue Hall.

When Mick Jagger visited the Vasa Museum some years ago he meant to spend about an hour and ended up spending all day. The Vasa houses the 64-cannon warship that had just commenced its first voyage in 1628 where it was to bring Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus’ might to bear on the Thirty Years War. Unfortunately, or fortunately if you’re German, it capsized before it could leave the harbor on its maiden voyage.

In 1961, the ship was brought up from the bottom of the sea, beginning the process that turned it into the compelling museum it is today. Some 20 skeletons were exhumed and forensic archeologists were able to reconstruct the faces of seven that died that day. Looking into their very life-like faces has the quality of a séance; a spellbinding eye to eye with figures out of the past that seem to look right back at you.

If the traditional attractions like the VASA and the Palace don’t completely satisfy, visitors can take a Stieg Larson tour at Stockholm's City Museum that explores the sites described in the best sellers: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” “The Girl Who Played with Fire” and “The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.”

Stockholm is both a green destination and a major international city, with shopping, fine restaurants, top grade hotels, clubbing, great music, and more. The size of the city is just right for passengers on foot who explore the shops, museums and historic sites that it offers all within walking distance. It features bike paths, hiking and fishing right in city center. A recent survey showed that 97 percent of passengers go ashore in Stockholm and spend an average of 5.9 hours on land, compared to a European average of 87 percent and 4.8 hours.